But now I shall retrace my steps over the paths of song that I have travelled before, drawing from my saying a new saying. When Strife was fallen to the lowest depth of the vortex, and Love had reached to the centre of the whirl, in it do all things come together so as to be one only; not all at once, <<5>> but coming together at their will each from different quarters; and, as they mingled, countless tribes of mortal creatures were scattered abroad. Yet many things remained unmixed, alternating with the things that were being mixed, namely, all that Strife not fallen yet retained; for it had not yet altogether retired <<10>> perfectly from them to the outermost boundaries of the circle. Some of it still remained within, and some had passed out from the limbs of the All. But in proportion as it kept rushing out, a soft, immortal stream of blameless Love kept running in, and straightway those things became mortal which had been immortal before, those things were mixed that had been <<15>> unmixed, each changing its path. And, as they mingled, countless tribes of mortal creatures were scattered abroad endowed with all manner of forms, a wonder to behold. R. P. 169. * * * * * (37) Earth increases its own mass, and Air swells the bulk of Air. (38) Come, I shall now tell thee first of all the beginning of the sun,[554] and the sources from which have sprung all the things we now behold, the earth and the billowy sea, the damp vapour and the Titan air that binds his circle fast round all things. R. P. 170 a. (39) If the depths of the earth and the vast air were infinite, a foolish saying which has been vainly dropped from the lips of many mortals, though they have seen but a little of the All....[555] R. P. 103 b. (40) The sharp-darting sun and the gentle moon. (41) But (the sunlight) is gathered together and circles round the mighty heavens. (42) And she cuts off his rays as he goes above her, and casts a shadow on as much of the earth as is the breadth of the pale-faced moon.[556] (43) Even so the sunbeam, having struck the broad and mighty circle of the moon, returns at once, running so as to reach the sky. (44) It flashes back to Olympos with untroubled countenance. R. P. 170 c. (45, 46) There circles round the earth a round borrowed light, as the nave of the wheel circles round the furthest (goal). (47) For she gazes at the sacred circle of the lordly sun opposite. (48)