consequently most desirous of that which is not their own, think themselves most worthy to possess alone all the gold and jewels in the world. Wherefore thou, who with much perturbation fearest now to be assailed and slain, if thou hadst entered the path of this life like a poor passenger, needest not be afraid, but mightest rejoice and sing even in the sight of most ravenous thieves.[110] O excellent happiness of mortal riches, which, when thou hast gotten, thou hast lost thy safety! [110] Cf. Juvenal, _Sat._ x. 19-22. V. Felix nimium prior aetas Contenta fidelibus aruis Nec inerti perdita luxu, Facili quae sera solebat Ieiunia soluere glande. 5 Non Bacchica munera norant Liquido confundere melle Nec lucida uellera Serum Tyrio miscere ueneno. Somnos dabat herba salubres, 10 Potum quoque lubricus amnis, Vmbras altissima pinus. Nondum maris alta secabat Nec mercibus undique lectis Noua litora uiderat hospes. 15 Tunc classica saeua tacebant, Odiis neque fusus acerbis Cruor horrida tinxerat arua. Quid enim furor hosticus ulla Vellet prior arma mouere, 20 Cum uulnera saeua uiderent Nec praemia sanguinis ulla? Vtinam modo nostra redirent In mores tempora priscos! Sed saeuior ignibus Aetnae 25 Feruens amor ardet habendi. Heu primus quis fuit ille Auri qui pondera tecti Gemmasque latere uolentes Pretiosa pericula fodit? 30 V. Too much the former age was blest, When fields their pleaséd owners failéd not, Who, with no slothful lust opprest, Broke their long fasts with acorns eas'ly got. No wine with honey mixéd was, Nor did they silk in purple colours steep; They slept upon the wholesome grass, And their cool drink did fetch from rivers deep. The pines did hide them with their shade, No merchants through the dangerous billows went, Nor with desire of gainful trade Their traffic into foreign countries sent. Then no shrill trumpets did amate The minds of soldiers with their daunting sounds, Nor weapons were with deadly hate Dyed with the dreadful blood of gaping wounds. For how could any fury draw The mind of man to stir up war in vain, When nothing but fierce wounds he saw, And for his blood no recompense should gain? O that the ancient manners would In these our latter hapless times return! Now the desire of having gold Doth like the flaming fires of Aetna burn. Ah, who was he that first did show The heaps of treasure which the earth did hide, And jewels which lay close below, By which he costly dangers did provide? VI.