We serve the gods, whoever they may be; But from the central regions of the earth You see Apollo plainly gives response To mortals, and whate’er he says we do. I him obeyed, when she that bore me fell Slain by my hand: he is the wicked man. Then slay him, for ’twas he that sinned, not I. What could I do? Think you not that the god Should free me from the blame which I do bear?” The same also in Hippolytus:— “But on these points the gods do not judge right.” And in Ion:— “But in the daughter of Erechtheus What interest have I? for that pertains Not unto such as me. But when I come With golden vessels for libations, I The dew shall sprinkle, and yet needs must warn Apollo of his deeds; for when he weds Maidens by force, the children secretly Begotten he betrays, and then neglects When dying. Thus not you; but while you may Always pursue the virtues, for the gods Will surely punish men of wickedness. How is it right that you, who have prescribed Laws for men’s guidance, live unrighteously? But ye being absent, I shall freely speak, And ye to men shall satisfaction give For marriage forced, thou Neptune, Jupiter, Who over heaven presides. The temples ye Have emptied, while injustice ye repay. And though ye laud the prudent to the skies, Yet have ye filled your hands with wickedness. No longer is it right to call men ill 786 Chapter V.—The vain pretensions of false gods.