In answer to your silent questioning here, I say it was the lightning first brought fire Down to the earth for men; and from that flame All other flames have spread. Thus we behold Many things blaze forth, lit by fire from heaven, When the sky’s stroke has charged them with its heat. Yet when a branching tree, tossed by the wind, Chafing the branches of another tree, Sways to and fro, then fire may be forced out By violent stress of friction; and at times Hot flames are kindled and flash forth from boughs And stems rubbing together. Of these two chances Either may first have given fire to men. Next the sun taught them to cook food, heating And softening it with flame; since they would note Many things mellowing about the fields Smitten and conquered by his scorching rays. And more and more each day men who excelled In subtlety and power of mind, would show them How by new methods and by using fire To improve their former means of livelihood. Kings began to found cities and build forts As refuges and strongholds for themselves, Dividing cattle and lands, and portioning To each his share according to his beauty, His strength and intellect; for comeliness Was much esteemed, and strength was paramount. Afterwards property was devised, and gold Discovered, which with ease robbed both the strong And beautiful of their honours: for most men, However brave and beautiful by birth, Follow the fortunes of the richer man. But whosoever by true reason’s rule Governs his days, for him plain frugal living And a contented spirit is mighty wealth; For of a little never is there lack. Yet men wished to become renowned and powerful, That so their fortunes on a stable base Might rest, and they, being wealthy, might have power To lead a tranquil life: in vain! For while They strove to mount to the highest pitch of honour Their path was perilous: and even although They have reached the summit, envy will sometimes Strike like a thunderbolt and hurl men down Contemptuously to noisome Tartarus: Since highest things, lifted above all else, Are most wont as by lightning to be blasted By envy; so that quietly to obey Is better than to crave sovereign power And lordship over realms. Therefore let men Sweat drops of blood, wearying themselves in vain, Struggling along ambition’s narrow road; Since from the mouths of others comes their wisdom, And ’tis from hearsay rather than their own Authentic feelings, they pursue such aims: Nor does this happen now, nor will it happen Hereafter any more than once it did.