The commons where they can; the nobler sort, With winding doors wide open, front the court. This place, as far as earth with heaven may vie, I dare to call the Louvre of the sky. When all were placed, in seats distinctly known, And he, their father, had assumed the throne, Upon his ivory sceptre first he leant, Then shook his head, that shook the firmament; Air, earth, and seas, obeyed the almighty nod, And with a general fear confessed the God. At length, with indignation, thus he broke His awful silence, and the Powers bespoke. I was not more concerned in that debate Of empire, when our universal state Was put to hazard, and the giant race Our captive skies were ready to embrace: For, though the foe was fierce, the seeds of all Rebellion sprung from one original; Now wheresoever ambient waters glide, All are corrupt, and all must be destroyed. Let me this holy protestation make, By hell, and hell's inviolable lake! I tried whatever in the Godhead lay; } But gangrened members must be lopt away, } Before the nobler parts are tainted to decay. } There dwells below a race of demi-gods, Of nymphs in waters, and of fauns in woods; Who, though not worthy yet in heaven to live, Let them at least enjoy that earth we give. Can these be thought securely lodged below, When I myself, who no superior know, I, who have heaven and earth at my command, Have been attempted by Lycaon's hand? At this a murmur through the synod went, And with one voice they vote his punishment. Thus, when conspiring traitors dared to doom The fall of Cæsar, and in him of Rome, The nations trembled with a pious fear, All anxious for their earthly thunderer;-- Nor was their care, O Cæsar, less esteemed By thee, than that of heaven for Jove was deemed; Who with his hand, and voice, did first restrain Their murmurs, then resumed his speech again. The Gods to silence were composed, and sat With reverence due to his superior state. Cancel your pious cares; already he Has paid his debt to justice, and to me. Yet what his crimes, and what my judgments were, Remains for me thus briefly to declare. The clamours of this vile degenerate age, The cries of orphans, and the oppressor's rage, Had reached the stars; I will descend, said I, In hope to prove this loud complaint a lie. Disguised in human shape, I travelled round The world, and more than what I heard, I found. O'er Mænalus I took my steepy way, By caverns infamous for beasts of prey; Then crossed Cyllene, and the piny shade, More infamous by curst Lycaon made; Dark night had covered heaven and earth, before I entered his inhospitable door. Just at my entrance, I displayed the sign That somewhat was approaching of divine.