And round his tomb the circling racers strive: Unclouded days, and taste the sweets of life. ANTISTROPHE IV. Measures 18. Thy boon, O victory! thy prize. Nor yet a master more to twine, In lasting hymns, each wreathing line. O'er all thy cares with anxious power: To sing more pleasing in the joyful hour. EPODE IV. Measures 16. On thy chariot, triumphant when thou shalt appear And fly o'er the course with a rapid career, Tracing paths of language fair, There bound thy view, wide-spread, nor vainly try THE SECOND OLYMPIONIQUE. TO THERON OF AGRIGENTUM, VICTORIOUS IN THE CHARIOT-RACE, Argument. He praises Theron king of Agrigentum, on account of the victory obtained in the Olympic games, with a chariot and four horses; likewise for his justice, his hospitality, his fortitude, and the illustriousness of his ancestors, whose adventures are occasionally mentioned: then he interweaves digressions to Semele, Ino, Peleus, Achilles, and others, and describes the future state of the righteous and of the wicked. Lastly, he concludes with extolling his own skill in panegyric, and the benevolence and liberality of Theron. SOVEREIGN hymns, whose numbers sway Is not Pisa Jove's delight? And did not Hercules, with conquest crown'd, To him ordain The' Olympiad for an army slain, And must we not, in Theron's right, Fair blossom of his ancient race. ANTISTROPHE I. Measures 16. Worthies sore perplex'd in thought, [sought, Till, wandering far, they found, what long they A sacred seat, fast by Where the stream does rapid run, And reign'd, of Sicily the guardian eye, When happy days, And wealth, and favour flow'd, and praise, Saturnian Jove! O Rhea's son ! EPODE I. Measures 10. Through their late lineage down. No power can Whether deeds of right or wrong, [actions pass'd, As things not done recall, Not even Time, the father, who produces all; Yet can Oblivion, waiting long, Gathering strength Through the length Of prosperous times, forbid these deeds to last: Such force has sweet-healing joy The festering smart of evils to destroy. STROPHE II. When felicity is sent Measures 16. Down by the will supreme with full content: Greatly wretched here below, Bless'd evermore, this mighty truth display. But, whelm'd in pleasures, find relief, Sunk in the sweet abyss. Thou, Semele, with hair a-flow, ANTISTROPHE II. Measures 16. Beauteous Ino, we are told, With the sea-daughters dwells of Nereus old, And has, by lot, obtain'd Lasting life, beneath the deep, A life within no bounds of time restrain'd. The hour of death, The day when we resign our breath, That offspring of the Sun, Which bids us from our labours sleep, Or who destined is to run A life unentangled with woe; For none are able to disclose The seasons of the' uncertain ebbs and flows Which hidden Fate to men ordains: Thus Providence, that to thy ancestry long-famed Portions out a pleasing share Of heaven-sprung happiness, Does, ceasing in another turn of time to bless, As from years Past appears, Since the predestined son, at Pytho named, And the oracle, of old pronounced, fulfil: Fell Erinnys, quick to view The deed, his warlike sons in battle slew, Each by the other's rage: But to Polynices slain Survived Thersander, glory of his age, For feats of war, And youthful contests, honour'd far, To raise the' Adrastian house again: |