And how unequal is the present lot!”
Not without cause the impulse to repine
That we live in times of weakness—decline
Throughout—in wisdom, honest cheer, and worth—
Ev’n in fruitfulness of a shrivelled vine.
But look at home ere you begin to ring
Changes on offence from without; to bring
Indictments against Fortune and the Gods;
While none’s in fault but Earth herself—poor thing!