The last great age, foretold by sacred rhimes,

Renews its finished course; Saturnian times

Roll round again.


Now with a general peace the world was blest,

While ours, a world divided from the rest,

A dreadful quiet fell, and worser far

Than arms, a sullen interval of war.

Thus when black clouds draw down the lab'ring skies,

Ere yet abroad the winged thunder flies,