“This was a single ruin, but not one Deserves so just a punishment alone. Mankind’s a monster, and the ungodly times Confederate into guilt are sworn to crimes; All are alike involved in ill, and all Must by the same relentless fury fall.” Thus ended he; the greater gods assent, By clamours urging his severe intent, The less fill up the cry for punishment: Yet still with pity they remember man, And mourn as much as heavenly spirits can. They ask, when those were lost of human birth, What he would do with all this waste of earth; If his dispeopled world he would resign To beasts, a mute and more ignoble line; Neglected altars must no longer smoke, If none were left to worship and invoke. To whom the father of the gods replied: “Lay that unnecessary fear aside, Mine be the care new people to provide; A race unlike the first, and try my skill again.”