Milles intended this work as a tribute and monument to the Swedish poet, Esias Tegnér. Based on the conceit of Tegner's poem Hymn to the Sun, the poet is idealized as the Sun God: 'To Thee I tune a lay, Thou mighty light of day! Lo! marshalled in thy sight Within the depths of night, Unnumbered worlds are sown, As vassals round thy throne,- From thy bright path of gold The worshippers behold!' (translated by Henry Lockwood, London, 1867).