XII

 
As once we saw the children of the Earth
Pile peak on peak to scale the starry sky,
And fight against the very gods on high,
While Jove to his lightning-bolts gave birth:

Then all in thunder, suddenly reversed,
The furious squadrons earthbound lie,
Heaven glorying, while Earth must sigh,
Jove gaining all the honour and the worth:

So were once seen, in this mortal space,
Rome’s Seven Hills raising a haughty face,
Against the very countenance of Heaven:

While now we see the fields, shorn of honour,
Lament their ruin, and the gods secure,
Dreading no more, on high, that fearful leaven.