Oft, gladly he enquires The tokens, one by one, and tales of ancient sires.
XLII.

Then he, who built the citadel of Rome, Spake thus--the good Evander: "Yonder view The forest; 'twas the Fauns' and Wood-nymphs' home.
Their birth from trunks and rugged oaks they drew; No arts they had, nor settled life, nor knew To yoke the ox, or lay up stores, or spare What wealth they gathered; but their wants were few; The branches gave them sustenance, whate'er In toilsome chase they won, composed their scanty fare.
XLIII.

"Then first came Saturn from Olympus' height, Flying from Jove, his kingdom barred and banned, He taught the scattered hillsmen to unite, And gave them laws, and bade the name to stand Of Latium, he safe latent in the land.
Then tranquilly the happy seasons rolled Year after year, and Peace, with plenteous hand, Smiled on his sceptre.

'Twas the Age of Gold, So well his placid sway the willing folk controlled.
XLIV.

"Then waxed the times degenerate, and the stain With stealthy growth gave birth to deeds of shame, The rage of battle, and the lust of gain.
Then came Ausonians, then Sicanians came, And oft the land of Saturn changed its name.
Strange tyrants came, and ruled Italia's shore, Grim-visaged Thybris, of gigantic frame; His name henceforth the river Tiber bore, And Albula's old name was known, alas! no more.
XLV.