"'I said: "I will make men rich." And the gods said: "What is
rich?"

"'And I said: "I will send them love." And the gods said: "What is
love?" And I sent gold into the Worlds, and, alas! I sent with it
poverty and strife. And I sent love into the Worlds, and with it
grief.

"'And now I have mixed gold and love most woefully together, and I
can never remedy what I have done, for the deeds of the gods are
done, and nothing may undo them.

"'Then I said: "I will give men wisdom that they may be glad." And
those who got my wisdom found that they knew nothing, and from
having been happy became glad no more.

"'And I, who would make men happy, have made them sad, and I have
spoiled the beautiful scheme of the gods.

"'And now my hand is for ever on the handle of Their plough. I was
only a shepherd, and how should I have known?

"'Now I come to thee as thou restest by the river to ask of thee
thy forgiveness, for I would fain have the forgiveness of a man.'

"And I answered: 'O Lord of seven skies, whose children are the
storms, shall a man forgive a god?'

"He answered: 'Men have sinned not against the gods as the gods
have sinned against men since I came into Their councils.'