Suppliant Women - V:210

My homage goes to the god who out of chaos

and brutishness plotted the orderly world we live in,

first giving us thought, then a tongue that turned that thought

into airy words that the ears could catch and fathom.

Next, gave us fruit and grain; for its cultivation

sent falling rain from heaven for thirsty earth

and its thirsty people. Besides, gave means of warmth

against the winter, protection from summer's heat.

Then taught us to ply the sea with oar and sail

in commerce, exchanging our surplus for our dearth.

For what's mysterious, past our understanding,

we've prophets to read the riddles: they study flames,

pore over twisted entrails, watch the birds.

Then aren't they finicky folk who cry "Too little!"

given all that providence has supplied us with?

But we, ion our arrogant drive to be more than gods

arrive at so heady a pitch of self-conceit

that we tell ourselves we're wiser than heaven itself.