Oh! may thy power, protecting Jove,
My humble prayer and deeds approve; 55
This mountain's guard, whose lofty brow
O'erlooks the fruitful land below,
And to the neighb'ring city gives its name,
Rear'd by the builder of immortal fame, [1]
While the loud herald's shout declared afar 60
First in the Pythian course Ætnaean Hiero's car. 64
To men who o'er the ocean sail
'Tis sweet to launch before the gale,
And ere they leave the port, discern
The omen of a bless'd return; 65
So might th' encomiastic lay
Recording these triumphant deeds,
Foretel in many a future day
Of garlands won by conquering steeds;
Which shall th' illustrious city raise 70
In festal melodies of praise.
Oh Lycian Phœbus! Delian king,
Who lovest Castalia's pure Parnassian spring,
May these warm hopes acceptance find
With Ætna's valiant sons, in thine approving mind!
For by the ruling powers of heaven 76
All virtues are to mortals given.
Wisdom is theirs—from them are sprung
The active hand, the fluent tongue.
And when, the victor's might to sing, 80
Eager I wake the lyric string,
I fear not from an erring bow
The brazen-headed shaft to throw,
But scattering far the darts of song,
Hope to confound the rival throng. 85
Oh! thus may Hiero's happy state
