Invidiae quondam stimulis incanduit atrox 25 Allecto, placidas late cum cerneret urbes. protinus infernas ad limina taetra sorores concilium deforme vocat. glomerantur in unum innumerae pestes Erebi, quascumque sinistro Nox genuit fetu: nutrix Discordia belli, 30 imperiosa Fames, leto vicina Senectus impatiensque sui Morbus Livorque secundis anxius et scisso maerens velamine Luctus et Timor et caeco praeceps Audacia vultu et Luxus populator opum, quem semper adhaerens 35 infelix humili gressu comitatur Egestas, foedaque Avaritiae complexae pectora matris insomnes longo veniunt examine Curae. complentur vario ferrata sedilia coetu torvaque collectis stipatur curia monstris. 40 Allecto stetit in mediis vulgusque tacere iussit et obstantes in tergum reppulit angues perque umeros errare dedit. tum corde sub imo inclusam rabidis patefecit vocibus iram: “Sicine tranquillo produci saecula cursu, 45 sic fortunatas patiemur vivere gentes? quae nova corrupit nostros clementia mores? quo rabies innata perit? quid inania prosunt verbera? quid facibus nequiquam cingimur atris? * * * * * Page 29 last Rufinus’ fate has dispelled this uncertainty and freed the gods from this imputation. No longer can I complain that the unrighteous man reaches the highest pinnacle of success. He is raised aloft that he may be hurled down in more headlong ruin. Muses, unfold to your poet whence sprang this grievous pest. Dire Allecto once kindled with jealous wrath on seeing widespread peace among the cities of men. Straightway she summons the hideous council of the nether-world sisters to her foul palace gates. Hell’s numberless monsters are gathered together, Night’s children of ill-omened birth. Discord, mother of war, imperious Hunger, Age, near neighbour to Death; Disease, whose life is a burden to himself; Envy that brooks not another’s prosperity, woeful Sorrow with rent garments; Fear and foolhardy Rashness with sightless eyes; Luxury, destroyer of wealth, to whose side ever clings unhappy Want with humble tread, and the long company of sleepless Cares, hanging round the foul neck of their mother Avarice. The iron seats are filled with all this rout and the grim chamber is thronged with the monstrous crowd. Allecto stood in their midst and called for silence, thrusting behind her back the snaky hair that swept her face and letting it play over her shoulders. Then with mad utterance she unlocked the anger deep hidden in her heart.