Sejanus

     What excellent fools      Religion makes of men! Believes Terentius,      If these were dangers, as I shame to think them,      The gods could change the certain course of fate!      Or, if they could they would, now in a moment,      For a beeve's fat, or less, be bribed to invert      Those long decrees? Then think the gods, like flies,      Are to be taken with the steam of flesh,      Or blood, diffused about their altars: think      Their power as cheap as I esteem it small.——      Of all the throng that fill th' Olympian hall,      And, without pity, lade poor Atlas' back,      I know not that one deity, but Fortune,      To whom I would throw up, in begging smoke,      One grain of incense;  or whose ear I'd buy      With thus much oil. Her I, indeed, adore;      And keep her grateful image in my house,      Sometime belonging to a Roman king.      But now call'd mine, as by the better style:      To her I care not, if, for satisfying      Your scrupulous phant'sies, I go offer. Bid      Our priest prepare us honey, milk, and poppy,      His masculine odours, and night-vestments: say,      Our rites are instant; which perform'd, you'll see      How vain, and worthy laughter, your fears be.