And o'er the happy land, in full recruits,
Shall bounteous Nature pour her annual fruits.
But nations that to deeds of wrong are given,
Shall meet the vengeance of offended heaven.
Whole cities often feel the withering blow,
When their proud rulers prove of heaven the foe;
And down on them shall sore afflictions rain,
Bringing disease and famine in their train.
Their race shall be uprooted from the earth,
From thence their barren wives shall give no birth,
Their fleets shall be submerged beneath the wave,
And walls and armies share a common grave.
Ye rulers, who your people's welfare serve,
Be Right your guide, nor from its duties swerve!
Do not attempt to hide your deeds of wrong;
Too many gods through vast creation throng.
Full thrice ten thousand fill the realms of space,
Who scan our actions and our motives trace,
And o'er our passions keep a wholesome guard,
The guilty punish, and the just reward.
But of all deities, whose glorious birth
Has ever graced the courts of heaven or earth,
Justice alone, the daughter of high Jove,
Is loved and reverenced by the gods above.
Before His throne she stands to intercede
In men's behalf whom tyrants doom to bleed,
And call down vengeance on those wicked kings
Who turn deaf ear to human sufferings.
Guard, then, their rights, O ruler, as your own!
They will in turn protect your tottering throne.
And have a care how ye the poisoned darts
Of hate and malice aim at virtuous hearts,
