Thus Jove to men from his eternal heaven
O’er earth new formed: “Your’s, mortals, is the prize;
To you in endless heritage ’tis given;
Hence,—and divide the bounty of the skies!”
And, lo! each mortal to his portion sped,
Old men and eager youth; none idle stood:
The husbandman seized on the fruitful mead,—
The stately huntsman chose the sounding wood;
The merchant treasured up his various stores,
The priest consoled him with Falernian wine;