The force of fire ascended first on high, And took its dwelling in the vaulted sky: Then air succeeds, in lightness next to fire; Whose atoms from unactive earth retire. […] Truth, modesty, and shame the world forsook; Fraud, avarice, and force, their places took. […] Cyclops was their name, From that round eye-ball in their brow infixed; And strength, and force, and manual craft were theirs.” […] this lamenting strain, Of lawless force, shall lawless Mars complain? […] Down went the board, and fastening on her hair, He seized with sudden force the frighted fair.