Necessity

Necessity, whose being all commands,
And firmly holds the gods themselves in bands,
Like oxen under yoke you move us all,
And make the world itself your faithful thrall.
The mother of the Fates, who sets the course
Of all of heaven on its way by force.
Though one resist, he’ll surely learn with dread
He can but acquiesce and bow his head;
And who would search, he will find respite;
With you the gods refuse to make a fight.
Suffused through all the world unto its bound,
The paths that all must tread in you are found;
And stronger far than iron is your will:
What you decree must every one fulfill.