which they were, but the shape of men, which they still retain, showeth them to have been men: wherefore by embracing wickedness they have lost the nature of men. But since virtue alone can exalt us above men, wickedness must needs cast those under the desert of men, which it hath bereaved of that condition. Wherefore thou canst not account him a man whom thou seest transformed by vices. Is the violent extorter of other men's goods carried away with his covetous desire? Thou mayest liken him to a wolf. Is the angry and unquiet man always contending and brawling? Thou mayest compare him to a dog. Doth the treacherous fellow rejoice that he hath deceived others with his hidden frauds? Let him be accounted no better than a fox. Doth the outrageous fret and fume? Let him be thought to have a lion's mind. Is the fearful and timorous afraid without cause? Let him be esteemed like to hares and deer. Is the slow and stupid always idle? He liveth an ass's life. Doth the light and unconstant change his courses? He is nothing different from the birds. Is he drowned in filthy and unclean lusts? He is entangled in the pleasure of a stinking sow. So that he who, leaving virtue, ceaseth to be a man, since he cannot be partaker of the divine condition, is turned into a beast. [147] _Vide supra, p. 270._ III. Vela Neritii ducis Et uagas pelago rates Eurus appulit insulae, Pulchra qua residens dea Solis edita semine 5 Miscet hospitibus nouis Tacta carmine pocula. Quos ut in uarios modos Vertit herbipotens manus, Hunc apri facies tegit, 10 Ille Marmaricus leo Dente crescit et unguibus. Hic lupis nuper additus, Flere dum parat, ululat. Ille tigris ut Indica 15 Tecta mitis obambulat. Sed licet uariis malis Numen Arcadis alitis Obsitum miserans ducem Peste soluerit hospitis, 20 Iam tamen mala remiges Ore pocula traxerant, Iam sues Cerealia Glande pabula uerterant Et nihil manet integrum 25 Voce corpore perditis. Sola mens stabilis super Monstra quae patitur gemit. O leuem nimium manum Nec potentia gramina, 30 Membra quae ualeant licet, Corda uertere non ualent! Intus est hominum uigor Arce conditus abdita. Haec uenena potentius 35 Detrahunt hominem sibi Dira quae penitus meant Nec nocentia corpori Mentis uulnere saeuiunt." III.