Serpents were as harmless to mankind as they are still one to another;
the rose had no cankers, the leaves no caterpillars, the sea no sirens, the
earth no usurers. Goats then bare wool, as it is recorded in Sicily they do
yet. The torrid zone was habitable; only jays loved to steal gold and silver
to build their nests withal, and none cared for covetous clientry, or running
to the Indies. As the elephant understands his country speech, so every
beast understood what man spoke. The ant did not hoard up against winter,
for there was no winter, but a perpetual spring, as Ovid saith. No frosts to
make the green almond tree counted rash and improvident in budding soonest
of all other, or the mulberry tree a strange politician, in blooming late and ripening
early. The peach-tree at the first planting was fruitful and wholesome, whereas
now, till it be transplanted, it is poisonous and hateful; young plants for their sap
had balm, for their yellow gum, glistering amber. The evening dewed not water on
flowers, but honey. Such a golden age, such a good age, such an honest age
was set forth in this banqueting house.