Till fire of arrogance burst forth from breasts inflamed;
Then proclamation made: “O elemental men!
How little have ye known the range of angel’s ken.195
We’ll weave dense curtains o’er the sky’s revolving face;
Descending then to earth, we’ll there our temple place.
We’ll justice distribute, and worship we’ll commend,
Returning every night to heaven, whence we descend.
So shall we be admired by all who dwell on earth,
And fill the world with gladness, safety, peace, and mirth.”
Alas! Such fancy’s false! Earth cannot heaven be;