Metamorphoses

Book I

The formation of the world from the confusion of Chaos by the wisdom and power of the Deity is here described, together with a delineation of the harmonious system of the universe, and the mutual dependences and operations of powers of nature⁠—Birds, beasts, and fishes, brought into existence⁠—The creation of man: his superiority to other animals evinced in the structure of his body and the faculties of his mind.

Of bodies changed to various forms I sing:

Ye gods, from whom these miracles did spring,