Book 5 verse 196 page248
But even were I in the dark about what atoms are,
I would, from the very workings of the skies, venture this far –
And muster up a host of other evidence to make
My point – the universe was not created for our sake
By powers divine, since as it stands it is so deeply flawed.
First – of the regions that the sky tents over in its broad
Sweep – the lion’s share is held by mountains and woods, the dens
Of savage beasts, and part by rocky crags and desolate fens,
And the sea holding the dry land’s shores apart at such great length.
In fact, of this land, almost two thirds, due to the sun’s strength
Or else the ceaseless fall of frost, are pilfered from mankind.
And what even little arable land there is that’s left behind,
Nature herself would choke with thorns, unless by toil and strife
Mankind fought back, groaning over mattock for dear life
…and so on