Now swift the days of manhood haste away,

And misery’s pressure turns the temples gray.

The woman’s hands an ample casket bear;

She lifts the lid; she scatters ills in air.

Within [40]th’ unbroken vase Hope sole remained,

Beneath the vessel’s rim from flight detained:

The maid, by counsels of cloud-gathering Jove,

The coffer seal’d and dropp’d the lid above.

Issued the rest in quick dispersion hurl’d,

And woes innumerous roam’d the breathing world: