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Like the puny ants. Nor had they certain sign
Either of winter or of flowery spring
Or fruitful summer, but in all they did
Were without rule, until I shewed the risings
And the perplexing settings of the stars. 475 (466)
And the chief among inventions, numbers, too
I found them, and the art of joining letters,
Handmaid of universal memory
And mother of all learning. And I first
Brought to the yoke the beasts who yield themselves 480 (470)
To the harness and to riders, that so they
Might take men's place in all their heavier toils,
And, pride of lavish wealth, in chariots
I fastened horses docile to the reins.
And the mariner's sea-breasting sail-winged cars 485 (475)
None other planned but I. These the devices
I made for mortals: yet I, wretched, know
No artifice to banish mine own ills
Chorus.
A graceless ill thou bearest. Through a warp
In the mind thou wentst astray, and now dost thou,
