¹ There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. ² Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. ³ Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness. ⁴ Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft, in places untouched by human feet; far from other people they dangle and sway. ⁵ The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire; ⁶ lapis lazuli comes from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold. ⁷ No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon`s eye has seen it. ⁸ Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there.