Of Ancient Heliopolis, they wrote
In the golden age of ancient civilizations, Heliopolis, the “City of the Sun,” stood as a beacon of knowledge, spirituality, and grandeur. This revered city, once home to the great sun temples and centers of learning, has inspired poets and scholars for millennia. Through poetry, we are given a glimpse into the soul of Heliopolis—its myths, its people, and its sacred relationship with the divine. Join us as we journey back in time through the words of those who once marveled at this legendary city.
Heliopolis
By Joseph Ellis (1815–1891)
A shattered sepulchre, a wreck of shrines!
Here Cæsar, zealous, “This must we survey;
The hallowed spot where Plato and Eudoxus
Conceived new thoughts,—where Moses, legislator,
Derived his wisdom to instruct mankind,—
Moses, prime leader of a tribe heroic,
Who told of heaven and earth, in godlike words.
This city first-named On, whence Joseph took,
For wife, the high-priest’s daughter, Asenath;
Whence later Baruch, Jeremiah sang.
This seat of learning where sage Manetho wrote,
Which fostered Solon and Pythagoras,
Where somewhile dwelt sublime Euripides.”
So saw he vestiges of those grand temples
Built to the Sun-god Re; and obelisks,
Ancient when seen by Moses and by Plato,—
Transported now to European shores.
Heliopolis I, D 753 Heliopolis I (Poet’s title: Heliopolis I) Set by Schubert: D 753 [April 1822]
Im kalten, rauen Norden
Ist Kunde mir geworden
Von einer Stadt, der Sonnenstadt;
Wo weilt das Schiff, wo ist der Pfad,
Die mich zu jenen Hallen tragen?
Von Menschen konnt’ ich nichts erfragen,
Im Zwiespalt waren sie verworren.
Zur Blume, die sich Helios erkoren,
Die ewig in sein Antlitz blickt,
Wandt’ ich mich nun und ward entzückt.
»Wende, so wie ich, zur Sonne
Deine Augen, dort ist Wonne,
Dort ist Leben;
Treu ergeben
Pilgre zu und zweifle nicht,
Ruhe findest du im Licht.
Licht erzeuget alle Gluten,
Hoffnungspflanzen, Tatenfluten!«
In the cold, harsh north
News has reached me
About a city, the city of the sun.
Where is the ship now, where is the path,
Which is going to take me to those halls?
I was not able to ask any humans about this, –
They were in a state of confusion in their disputes.
Towards the flower that Helios chose for himself,
The one which eternally looks him in the face,
I have now turned myself towards that flower, – and I have been entranced:
“Turn, just like me, towards the sun
Turn your eyes! That is where happiness is,
That is where life is;
Truly devoted,
Set out as a pilgrim and do not hesitate;
You will find peace in the light;
Light engenders all fires,
Plants of hope, floods of deeds!”
Stories of Bennu
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