44 REDEMPTION.
To neighb'ring nations, easily misled,
Which oft with mournful cries the serpent sought.
Th' infernal pow'rs attentive to his lore,
The reptile thus, with dev'lish art began :
" Celestial spirits, (if mere mockery It be not, these snaky forms t' enoble With such sounding names, irrevocably Fallen,) or peace, or war, concerns not me, Provided counsel, wisdom, find their place Concentual. Who war essays without, And without stratagem, or wiles, or snares, But dupes himself, and hastens his defeat. Since man was conquer'd by our tricks, with what Incredible, unceasing toil, have not Our powers assail'd his sense, still to deceive And hold him in subjection? Soon, debased, We led him all the hosts of heav'n t' adore; Next, gently' induced, man apotheosized Received deific rites; easy the rest; Gods there must be; but what gods? This to teach, Heav'n fail'd not. But, passion led, in our toils Ensnared, cadent they fell our easy prey. Altars on all sides round smoked to our names; At first with simple fruitage heap'd, at last, With brute and human sacrifices gorged. No marvel Heav'n enraged, swept from the earth Th' abortive race; less than this, what could He? But, earth renew'd, with bow of promise deck'd, New triumphs re-imposed, with promise broke. Man less to heav'n, and more to us inclined. Now temples rose, and consecrated groves, With varied images adorn'd, to suit
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