Ere sounding hammers forged the inhuman sword;
Ere hollow drums were beat; before the breath
Of brazen trumpets rung the peals of death,
The good old God his hunger did assuage
With roots and herbs, and gave the golden age."
Virgil.
———
"The Golden age was first; when man yet new,
No rule but uncorrupted reason knew,
And with a native bent did good pursue!