Thereafter,

would that I were not

among the men

of the fifth generation,

but either had died before

or been born afterwards.

For now truly is a race of iron,

and men never rest

from labour and sorrow by day,

and from perishing by night;

and the gods shall

lay sore trouble upon them.

But, notwithstanding,

even these shall have some good mingled

with their evils.

And Zeus will destroy this race

of mortal men also when they come to

have grey hair on the temples at their birth.

The father will not agree with his children,

nor the children with their father,

nor guest with his host,

nor comrade with comrade;

nor will brother be dear to brother

as a foretime.

Men will dishonour their parents

as they grow quickly old,

and will carp at them,

chiding them with bitter words,

hard-hearted they,

not knowing the fear of the gods.

They will not repay

their aged parents

the cost their nurture,

for might shall be their right:

and one man

will sack another's city.

There will be no favour

for the man who keeps his oath

or for the just or for the good;

but rather men will praise

the evil-doer

and his violent dealing.

Strength will be right and

reverence will cease to be;

and the wicked

will hurt the worthy man,

speaking false words against him,

and will swear an oath upon them.

Envy, foul-mouthed,

delighting in evil,

with scowling face,

will go along

with wretched men

one and all.

(©la---mer)

And then Aidos and Nemesis,

with their sweet forms

wrapped in white robes,

will go from the wide-pathed earth

and forsake mankind to join

the company of the deathless gods:

and bitter sorrows

will be left for mortal men,

and there will be no help against evil.

(Hesiod – Works nad Days)