The Parcae or Fates, were three powerful goddesses, who presided over the
birth and life of mankind. Clotho, the youngest of the sisters, governed
the moment of birth, and held a distaff in her hand: Lacheses spun out all
the events and actions in the time; and Atropos, the eldest, cut the thread
of humanity with her scissors.
------"The fates, in vengeance pitiless;
Who at the birth of men dispense the lot
Of good and evil. They of men and gods
The crimes pursue, nor ever pause from wrath
Tremendous, till destructive on the head
Of him that sins the retribution falls."