The prophet bade him swift obey

This passage of the will divine,
A sturdy bull to Neptune slay,
And to equestrian Pallas rear the shrine.
Full oft the gods with power supreme
Have brought the wish'd event to birth,
Beyond the utmost hope or dream
Of the short-sighted sons of earth.
Even thus Bellerophon the bold

With gentle rein thrown o'er his head,
The winged courser's pride controll❜d,
And at his potent bidding led. 122

Then quickly mounting, sportive play'd
In brazen panoply array'd.

Borne by his faithful steed, he sought the field,
Where blows the desart air with chilling breath;
Made the brave Amazonian squadrons yield,
And closed their female warrior ranks in death.
Chimæra, breathing fire, his arms o'erthrew,
And the proud race of Solymi he slew.

125

130

135

140

His death I sing not—while from thraldom freed, The ancient stalls of Jove receive th' aspiring steed. 132

But 'tis not mine beyond the mark to throw
The whirling arrows from my potent bow.
The high-throned Muses' willing slave, I raise
With the just tribute of poetic praise,

145

142 The scholiast says that these were stars anciently called ovo as well as parva. Perhaps therefore it was the Præsepe. Asellorum, near the constellation Cancer; which, being a summer sign, answers to the description of it given by Theocritus, (xxii. 21.)—ονων ανα μεσσον αμαυρη Φατνη, σημαίνοισα τα προς πλοον ευδια παντα.

The Oligæthida's Corinthian train,
Victors at Isthmus and on Nemea's plain.
While in brief tale their glories I rehearse,
True is the oath that sanctifies my verse.

Since thirty wreaths the herald's sweet-toned sound

150

In either contest won, sings to the world around. 143

Their triumphs on Olympia's plain
Ere now my song has given to fame ;
And future crowns the lay shall move,
If true my ardent wishes prove.
But should the natal Dæmon bless,
Since God alone confers success,

155

To Jove and War's stern lord we leave
The embryo glories to achieve.

160

For them what verdant garlands grow

On the Parnassian mountain's brow!

What chaplets Thebes and Argos yield,
And green Arcadia's sacred grove!

Where stands as witness of the field,

165

The altar of Lycæan Jove. 154

Pellene, Sicyon, have beheld their might—
Eacide's well-guarded grove,

Eleusis, Megara, where oft in fight,

As oft in splendid Marathon they strove.

170

Euboea and the wealthy cities spread

Beneath aspiring Ætna's head.

Through Græcia's realm more wreaths to them belong Than could be number'd in the poet's song.

175

Still, mighty Jove, preserve their tranquil state,
And may increasing joys the virtuous race await! 165

THE FOURTEENTH OLYMPIC ODE.

ΤΟ

ASOPICHUS

OF ORCHOMENOS, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE STADIC COURSE, GAINED IN THE SEVENTIETH OLYMPIAD.

ARGUMENT.

THIS ode begins with a highly poetical invocation to the Graces, guardians of Orchomenos, that they may bless the victor with their propitious influence-The poet concludes with an address to Echo, enjoining her to carry the news of his conquest to the city of Proserpine, in order to gratify his father Cleodamus with the pleasing intelligence.

NYMPHS of Cephisian streams! who reign
Where generous coursers graze the plain,
And rule Orchomenos the fair;

Ye Graces! who with power divine
Protect the ancient Minyæ's line,
O listen to my humble prayer.
To you the grateful bard should raise
His tribute of poetic praise;
Since wisdom, beauty, splendor flow
From your bright sphere to man below.
Nor without you the bless'd above
Or join in banquet or in chorus move.

But throned on high, your lovely train

Placed near the Pythian god of day,

Whose golden shafts the beams of light display,

All the high deeds of Heaven ordain,

5

10.

15

And praise th' Olympic sire with hymns of endless

Aglaia, offspring of his might divine,
Thalia and Euphrosyne, whose ear
The songs of heaven delights to hear,
Ye tuneful sisters, hearken now to mine.
As moving on, with agile state,
The festal pomp we celebrate.
To hymn, Asopichus, thy fame,

With Lydian melodies I came ;

25

Since Minyas' prosperous town to thee

Owes her Olympic victory. 27

Now to Persephonea's hall,
Encircled by its sable wall,

Haste, Echo, bear thy grateful tale
To Cleodamus' ear;

30

Which in illustrious Pisa's vale
Announced his bright career:
How in life's early bloom his son
The glorious wreath of triumph won ;
Encircling with that guerdon fair,
In winged grace his flowing hair. 35

35

35 It was usual for the victors at the Olympic games to entwine with garlands the names of their horses as well as their own hair. To this custom Pindar frequently alludes.

THE PYTHIAN ODES.