The Gods of Pegana

Chapter 12: THE CHAUNT OF THE PRIESTS

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

About This Book

A sequence of brief mythic prose poems constructs an invented pantheon centered on a supreme maker who rests while lesser gods fashion worlds, creatures and human-like beings. Episodic pieces orbit figures such as a tireless drummer, rival deities, prophets and omens, and revolts of smaller gods; recurring motifs include the gods' playfulness, the fragility of creation, cyclical endings when the maker may awaken, and the inscrutability of divine purpose. Tone ranges from solemn to wry, and the work assembles cosmogony, parable and lyric meditation into compact, fable-like vignettes that evoke ritual chant and imagined folklore.

THE CHAUNT OF THE PRIESTS

This is the chaunt of the Priests.

The chaunt of the priests of Mung.

This is the chaunt of the Priests.

All day long to Mung cry out the Priests of Mung, and, yet Mung harkeneth not. What, then, shall avail the prayers of All the People?

Rather bring gifts to the Priests, gifts to the Priests of Mung.

So shall they cry louder unto Mung than ever was their wont.

And it may be that Mung shall hear.

Not any longer than shall fall the Shadow of Mung athwart the hopes of the People.

Not any longer then shall the Tread of Mung darken the dreams of the people.

Not any longer shall the lives of the People be loosened because of Mung.

Bring ye gifts to the Priests, gifts to the Priests of Mung.

This is the chaunt of the Priests.

The chaunt of the Priests of Mung.

This is the chaunt of the Priests.