Petronius (PLM XXVII)

Primus in orbe deos fecit timor, ardua caelo
fulmina cum caderent discussaque moenia flammis
atque ictus flagraret Athos; mox Phoebus ab orta
lustrata devectus humo, Lunaeque senectus
et reparatus honos; hinc signa effua per orbem
et permutatis disiunctus mensibus annus.
Profecit vitium iamque error iussit inanis
agricolas primos Cereri dare messis honores,
palmitibus plenis Bacchum vincire, Palemque
pastorum gaudere manu; natat obrutus, omni
Neptunus demersus aqua; Pallasque tabernas
vindicat; et voti reus et qui vendidit orbem,
iam sibi quisque deos avido certamine fingit.

First, fear created gods in the world; from high heaven
lightning fell and the walls were torn down with flames,
and Athens, after being struck, burned. Soon Phoebus
sank into the earth, after blazing brightly from
his rising, and the Moon aged and renewed her glory;
from then on the stars were poured out across the universe,
and the year was divided into changing seasons.
The mistake spread, and soon vain superstition
encouraged farmers to give to Ceres the first fruits
of the harvest, to quell Bacchus with fruitful vines,
and for Pales to rejoice in the handwork of the shepherd.
Neptune swims in secret, submerged entirely in water,
Pallas watches over shops, and both he who is bound
by prayer and he who betrays the world for money
now fight eagerly to fashion new gods for themselves.