Fortune's tame fools, and slaves in ev'ry reign! As when two winds with rival force contend, 265 This way and that, the wav'ring sails they bend, While freezing Boreas, and black Euros blow, Now here, now there, the reeling vessel throw: Thus on each side, alas! our tott'ring state Feels all the fury of resistless fate, 270 And doubtful still, and still distracted stands, While that prince threatens, and while this commands." And now th' almighty father of the gods Convenes a council in the blest abodes: Far in the bright recesses of the skies, 275 High o'er the rolling heav'ns, a mansion lies, Whence, far below, the gods at once survey } The realms of rising and declining day, } And all th' extended space of earth, and air, and sea. } Full in the midst, and on a starry throne, 280 The majesty of heav'n superior shone; Serene he looked, and gave an awful nod,[54] And all the trembling spheres confessed the god. At Jove's assent the deities around In solemn state the consistory crowned.[55] 285 Next a long order of inferior pow'rs Ascend from hills, and plains, and shady bow'rs; Those from whose urns the rolling rivers flow; And those that give the wand'ring winds to blow: Here all their rage, and ev'n their murmurs cease,[56] 290 And sacred silence reigns, and universal peace. A shining synod of majestic gods Gilds with new lustre the divine abodes; Heav'n seems improved with a superior ray, And the bright arch reflects a double day. 295 The monarch then his solemn silence broke, The still creation listened while he spoke, Each sacred accent bears eternal weight, And each irrevocable word is fate. "How long shall man the wrath of heav'n defy, 300 And force unwilling vengeance from the sky! Oh race confed'rate into crimes, that prove Triumphant o'er th' eluded rage of Jove![57] This wearied arm can scarce the bolt sustain, And unregarded thunder rolls in vain: 305 Th' o'erlaboured Cyclops from his task retires, Th' Æolian forge exhausted of its fires.[58] For this, I suffered Phoebus' steeds to stray, And the mad ruler to misguide the day; When the wide earth to heaps of ashes turned, 310 And heaven itself the wand'ring chariot burned. For this, my brother of the wat'ry reign } Released th' impetuous sluices of the main: } But flames consumed, and billows raged in vain. } Two races now, allied to Jove, offend; 315 To punish these, see Jove himself descend. The Theban kings their line from Cadmus trace,