The sons reflect no more the father’s face:

The host with kindness greets his guest no more,

And friends and brethren love not as of yore.

Reckless of heaven’s revenge, the sons behold

The hoary parents wax too swiftly old:

And impious point the keen dishonouring tongue

With hard reproofs and bitter mockeries hung:

Nor grateful in declining age repay

The nurturing fondness of their better day.

[51]Now man’s right hand is law: for spoil they wait,