"The mares that carry me, as far as impulse might reach,
Were taking me, when they brought and placed me upon the much-speaking route
Of the goddess, that carries everywhere unscathed the man who knows;
Thereon was I carried, for thereon the much-guided mares were carrying me,
Straining to pull the chariot, the maidens were leading the way.
The axle, glowing in its naves, gave forth the shrill sound of a pipe,
(For it was urged on by two rounded
Wheels at either end), even while maidens, Daughters of the Sun, were hastening
To escort me, after leaving the House of Night for the light,
Having pushed back with their hand the veils from their heads.
There are the gates of the paths of Night and Day,
And a lintel and a threshold of stone surround them,
And the ethereal gates themselves are filled with great doors;
And for these Justice, much-avenging, holds the keys of retribution.
Coaxing her with gentle words, the maidens
Did cunningly persuade her that she should push back the bolted bar for them
Swiftly from the gates; and these made of the doors
A gaping gap as they were opened wide,
Swinging in turn in their sockets the brazen posts
Fitted with rivets and pins; straight through them at that point
Did the maidens drive the chariot and mares along the broad way.
And the goddess received me kindly, and took my right hand with her hand,
And uttered speech and thus addressed me:
'Youth attended by immortal charioteers,
Who comes to our House with mares that carry you,
Welcome; for it is no ill fortune that sent you forth to travel
This route (for it lies far indeed from the beaten track of men),
But right and justice.  And it is right that you should learn all things,
Both the steadfast heart of persuasive truth,
And the beliefs of a mortal, in which there is no true trust.
But nevertheless you shall learn these things as well, how the things which seem
Had to have genuine existence, permeating all things completely.'"

Parmenides of Elea, "On Nature"

From Fragments: A Text and Translation with an Introduction by David Gallop (1984)