[3]
It was fear first created gods in the world, when
the lightning fell from high heaven, and the ramparts of the world were rent with
flame, and Athos was smitten and blazed. Soon 'twas Phoebus sank to earth, after he
had traversed earth from his rising; the Moon grew old and once more renewed her
glory; next the starry signs were spread through the firmament, and the year divided
into changing seasons. The folly spread, and soon vain superstition bade the
labourer yield to Ceres the harvest's chosen firstfruits, and garland Bacchus with
the fruitful vine, and made Pales to rejoice in the shepherd's work; Neptune swims
deepplunged beneath all the waters of the world, Pallas watches over shops, and the
man who wins his prayer or has betrayed the world for gold now strives greedily to
create gods of his own.
Petronius Arbiter. Petronius. Michael Heseltine. London. William Heinemann. 1913.
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