Then landmarks limited to each his right; For all before was common as the light. Nor was the ground alone required to bear Her annual income to the crooked share, But greedy mortals, rummaging her store, Digg’d from her entrails first the precious ore (Which next to hell the prudent gods had laid), And that alluring ill to sight display’d. Thus cursed steel, and more accursed gold, Gave mischief birth, and made that mischief bold; And double death did wretched man invade, By steel assaulted, and by gold betray’d. Now (brandish’d weapons glittering in their hands) Mankind is broken loose from moral bands; No rights of hospitality remain; The guest, by him who harbour’d him, is slain; The son-in-law pursues the father’s life; The wife her husband murders, he the wife; The stepdame poison for the son prepares; The son inquires into his father’s years; Faith flies, and piety in exile mourns; And justice, here oppress’d, to heaven returns.