1. He makes stars appear in clouds of dust,
With power their own, not that of fate's decrees,

2. Virtues gathered from a noble stock and branch,
The pole, not what the thunderbolts might claim.

3. If some desire should seek his bounty's aim,
Let no intermediary presume to plead,

4. If you are granted joy by some pretense,
Thank none but those convenient excuses.