Once Jupiter, from out the Skies, br Beheld a thousand Temples rise; br The Goddess Fortune all invok'd, br To Jove an Altar seldom smoak'd: br The God resolv'd to make Inspection, br What had occasion'd this Defection; br And bid the Goddess tell the Arts, br By which she won deluded Hearts. br br My Arts! (says she) Great Jove, you know, br That I do ev'ry Thing below: br I make my Vot'ries dine on Plate; br I give the gilded Coach of State; br Bestow the glitt'ring Gems, that deck br The fair Lavinia's lovely Neck; br I make Novella Nature's Boast, br And raise Valeria to a Toast; br 'Tis I, who give the Stupid, Taste, br (Or make the Poets lie, at least); br My fav'rite Sons, whene'er they please, br Can Palaces in Desarts raise, br Cut out Canals, make Fountains play, br And make the dreary Waste look gay; br Ev'n Vice seems Virtue by my Smiles; br I gild the Villain's gloomy Wiles, br Nay, almost raise him to a God, br While crowded Levees wait his Nod. br br Enough--the Thunderer reply'd; br But say, whom have you satisfy'd? br These boasted Gifts are thine, I own; br But know, Content is mine alone.