Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/79

Book Then Land-marks limited to each his Right: For all before was common, as the Light. Nor was the Ground alone requir'd to bear Her annual Income to the crooked Share, But greedy Mortals, rummaging her Store, Digg'd from her Entrails first the precious Oar; Which next to Hell, the prudent God had laid; And that alluring Ill, to fight display'd. Thus cursed Steel, and more accursed Gold Gave mischief Birth, and made that mischief bold; And double Death did wretched Man invade, By Steel assaulted, and by Gold betray'd. Now (brandish'd Weapons glittering in their Hands) Mankind is broken loose from mortal Bands; No Rights of Hospitality remain: The Guest, by him who harbour'd him, is slain. The Son-in-Law pursues the Father's Life; The Wife her Husband murthers, he the Wife. The Step-dame Poyson for the Sun prepares; The Son inquires into his Father's Years. Faith flies, and Piety in Exile mourns; And Justice, here opprest, to Heav'n returns.

Nor were the Gods themselves more safe above; Against beleaguer'd Heav'n, the Gyants move. Hills pil'd on Hills, on Mountains Mountains lie, To make their mad Approaches to the Skie. Till Jove, no longer patient, took his Time T' avenge with Thunder their audacious Crime; Red Light'ning plaid along the Firmament, And their demolish'd Works to Pieces rent. Sing'd with the Flames, and with the Bolts transfixt, With native Earth, their Blood the Monsters mixt: Rh