Note 438 — SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS (continued 4)

“And now concerning the origin of these beings: It was he whom we call the Evil-minded One438 that formed their bodies; and it came to pass that he whom you call Hawenniyo (i.e., the Disposer, or Ruler) decided that so long as the earth endures these beings shall abide under the surface of the earth. Furthermore, we ourselves believe that He who charged us with the performance of this task of keeping them beneath the surface of the earth will cause it to come to pass, perhaps when the earth is nearing its end—then, and not until then—that these beings shall be permitted to come forth upon the earth. So is it, indeed, to come to pass that when the event is not distant—the end of the earth—He will bring to an end the duties with which we are severally charged, to be performed for the benefit of the things that live upon the earth. Not until then shall the waters which are held in their several places become polluted; finally all other things shall likewise become old and decayed upon the earth; and all things that grow out of the ground, too, shall grow old and sear; indeed, all things shall become withered and decayed. Now let us turn back homeward.”