The rivers and fountains then invited them to quench their thirst, as the echoing fall of waters from the high hills now calls, far and wide, the thirsty tribes of wild beasts. Afterwards they occupied the sylvan temples of the nymphs, well known to the wanderers; from which the goddesses sent forth flowing rills of water, to lave with a copious flood the humid rocks, trickling over the green moss, and to swell and burst forth, with a portion of their streams, over the level plain.

Nor as yet did they understand how to improve their condition by the aid of fire, or to use skins, and to clothe their bodies with the spoils of wild beasts. But they dwelt in groves, and hollow mountains, and woods; and, when compelled to flee from the violence of the wind and rain, sheltered their rude limbs amid the thickets.

Nor could they have regard to any common interest, or understand how to observe any customs or laws among themselves. Whatever prize fortune had thrown in the way of any one, on that he seized; each knowing only to profit by his own instinct, and to live for himself.

And Venus united the persons of lovers in the woods; for either mutual desire reconciled each female to the intercourse, or the impetuous force and vehement lust of the man overcame her; or acorns and whortle-berries, or choice crabs, were the purchase of her favours.

And, relying on the extraordinary vigour of their hands and feet, they pursued the sylvan tribes of wild beasts with missile stones and ponderous clubs; and many they overcame, while a few escaped them in their dens; and, when surprised by night, they threw their savage limbs, like bristly boars, unprotected on the earth, covering themselves over with leaves and branches.

Nor did they, trembling and wandering in the shades of night, seek to recall the day and the sun with loud cries throughout the fields, but, silent and buried in sleep, they waited till Phoebus, with his roseate beams, should again spread light over the heavens. For since they had always been accustomed, from their infancy, to see darkness and light produced at alternate seasons, it was impossible that they should ever wonder at the change, or feel apprehension lest, the beams of the sun being withdrawn for ever, eternal night should keep possession of the earth. But what rather gave them trouble, was, that the tribes of wild beasts often disturbed the rest of hapless sleepers; while, driven from their cell at the approach of a foaming boar or stout lion, they lied from their rocky shelter, and yielded up with trembling, at the dead of night, their couches of leaves to the savage intruders.