28 There is a mine for silver
    and a place where gold is refined.^(A)
2 Iron is taken from the earth,
    and copper is smelted from ore.^(B)
3 Mortals put an end to the darkness;^(C)
    they search out the farthest recesses
    for ore in the blackest darkness.^(D)
4 Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft,^(E)
    in places untouched by human feet;
    far from other people they dangle and sway.
⁵ The earth, from which food comes,^(F)
    is transformed below as by fire;
⁶ lapis lazuli^(G) comes from its rocks,
    and its dust contains nuggets of gold.^(H)
7 No bird of prey knows that hidden path,
    no falcon’s eye has seen it.^(I)
8 Proud beasts^(J) do not set foot on it,
    and no lion prowls there.^(K)
9 People assault the flinty rock^(L) with their hands
    and lay bare the roots of the mountains.^(M)
10 They tunnel through the rock;^(N)
    their eyes see all its treasures.^(O)
11 They search^[a] the sources of the rivers^(P)
    and bring hidden things^(Q) to light.