GetPassage urn:cts:latinLit:phi0959.phi001.perseus-eng2:3.3.41-3.3.55 urn:cts:latinLit:phi0959.phi001.perseus-eng2:3.3.41-3.3.55

Temples nor altars does his lightning spare.Obliging Semele in flames expires,But those who merit, can escape the fires.Is this the justice of your pow'rs divine?Who then will offer incense at a shrine ?Why do we thus reproach the deities ?Have they not hearts ?-and surely they have eyes,Nay, had I been a god, I had believ'dThe lovely criminals, and been deceiv'd;Had wav'd the judgments to their perj'ries due,And sworn myself that all they spoke was true.Since then the gods such ample gifts bestow,As make you absolute o'er men below;Pray let me find some mercy in your reign,Or spare at least your lover's eyes from pain.