THE SECOND OLYMPIONIQUE. To THERON of AGRIGENTUM, victorious in the CHARIOT-RACE. AR GU M EN T. 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 hofpitality, his fortitude, and the illuftrioufnefs of his ancestors; whofe adventures are occafionally mentioned then he interweaves digreffions to Semele, Ino, Peleus, Achilles, and others, and describes the future ftate of the righteous and of the wicked. Lastly, he concludes with extolling his own skill in panegyrick, and the benevolence and liberality of Theron. : STROPHE I. Measures 16. OVEREIGN hymns, whose numbers sway The founding harp, what god, what hero, fay, What man, fhall we refound? Is not Pifa Jove's delight? And did not Hercules, with conquest crown'd, Th' Olympiad for an army flain, And muft we not, in Theron's right, 5 10 To To ftranger-guests indulgent hoft, Of Agrigentum the support and boast, Fair bloffom of his ancient race, ANTISTROPHE I. Meafures 16. Worthies fore perplex'd in thought, 15 Till, wandering far, they found, what long they fought, A facred feat, faft by Where the ftream does rapid run, And reign'd, of Sicily the guardian eye, And wealth, and favour, flow'd, and praise, Saturnian Jove, O! Rhea's fon, Who o'er Olympus doft prefide, Incline thine ear, propitious to my vow, The rich hereditary land E PODE I. Measures 10. 20 25 Through their late lineage down. No power can actions paft, Whether deeds of right or wrong, As things not done recall, Not even Time, the father, who produces all; Yet can Oblivion, waiting long, Cc 3 35 Gather Gathering ftrength Through the length Of profperous times, forbid thofe deeds to laft: 40 Such force has (weet-healing joy The feftering fmart of evils to destroy, STROPHE When felicity is fent II. Measures 16. Down by the will fupreme with full content: Greatly wretched here below, Blefs'd evermore, this mighty truth display. No weight of grief, But, whelm'd in pleafures, finds relief, 45 Sunk in the fweet abyss. Thou, Semele, with hair a-flow, Thou by thunder doom'd to die, Mingling with the gods in blifs,' 50 55 Thee thy fon holds ever dear, Thy fon with the ivy-wreath'd fpear. ANTISTROPHE II. Meafures 16. Beauteous Ino, we are told, With the fea-daughters dwells of Nereus old, 60 That offspring of the fun, Which bids us from our labours sleep, In vain do mortals feek to know, Or who deftin'd is to run A life unintangled with woe; For none are able to difclofe The feafons of th' uncertain ebbs and flows Now of pleasures, now of pains, Which hidden fate to men ordains: E PODE II. Measures 10. Thus Providence, that to thy ancestry, long-fam'd, Portions out a pleafing share Of heaven-fprung happiness, Does, ceafing in another turn of time to blefs, Distribute fome reverfe of care, As from years Paft appears, Since the predeftin'd fon, at Pytho nam'd, And the oracle, of old pronounc'd, fulfil: STROPHE III. Meafures 16. Fell Erinnys, quick to view The deed, his warlike fons in battle flew, Each by the other's rage: But to Polynices flain Surviv'd Therfander, glory of his age, For feats of war, And youthful contefts, honour'd far, 70 8. 85 90 The scion, kept alive To raise th' Adrastian house again : Cc4 From Does his fpreading root derive, To branch out a progeny fair; Who, fpringing foremost in the chace Of fame, demands we should his triumph grace, Tuning lyres to vocal lays, Sweet union of melodious praise; ANTISTROPHE III. Measures 16. For not only has he borne Th' Olympian prize, but, with his brother, worn At Pytho and at Ifthmus; where, Victorious both, they fhar'd th' allotted crown, Joint-honour, won In twelve impetuous courfes, run With four unwearied fteeds. To vanquish in the ftrife fevere And to this, if wealth fucceeds Purfuits which please a noble mind, 95 100 105 110 115 E PODE III. Measures 10. Refulgent ftar! to man the purest beam of light! The poffeffor of this store, Far-future things difcerning, knows Obdurate wretches, once deceas'd, to immediate woes Confign'd, too late their pains deplore; 121 For |