Hercules and his Twelve Labors

The Eleventh Labor: The Apples of the Hesperides Part III

To edge of world the hero went
There seeing effort Titan spent.
To hold the sky above the earth
At single point for all its girth.

On mount the Titan hero spies
At top where giant held the sky.
On godlike arms above his head
A sight at which most mortals fled

But hero climbs to Titans home
Where giant bore his burden lone.
And lifts the sky in day and night
A trial gave for ancient slight.

And reaching top the hero's awed
When size of Titan godling saw.
Then after moment silent stunned
At sight of Titan speech begun.

"I come to Atlas god of stars
Who holds the sky aloft in arms.
And ask that Titan hero aids
So price for crime be quickly paid."

Then thund'rous rumble shook the ground
And hearty chuckles chest does pound.
That sounds so loud across the land
Where only Titan lonely stands.

"What curious creature enters home
Where Titan stands now all alone.
And keeps the sky from crushing earth
Though mortals barely know my worth.

For god can't leave for moment long
His post he bears in arms so strong.
Or all the world would perish fast
At death from sky I failed to clasp."

Then hero spoke what Nereus taught
That holding sky his favor bought.
"I'll hold the sky for favor fair
The weight of stars this hero bares.

If Titan grants this godling boon
To help avoid an early tomb?"
And Titan paused and looked below
At man who stood at feet so low.

"A demi-god I see here stands
At feet who's full of naivest plans.
But still I'll take the favor grant
Though gave with wisdom very scant

So tell me favor wished by man
That Titan plays his part in plan."
The hero shouted clear and loud
And told the quest that hero's vowed.

To gain the golden fruit though hid
Is demi-gods own hopeful bid.
So Titan assents to plan he made
By holding sky his service paid.

And bring him golden apples fair
In land that's far beyond a care.
So hero takes the weight of sky
And hopes the Titan didn't lie.