That Battus, when he left the sacred isle,[1]11
(The colonist of Libya's fruitful land,)
Should rear th' equestrian city's towering pile,
Secure upon its chalky rock to stand. 15
And treasured in his mind should lie15
Medea's ancient prophecy.
Which when the seventeenth age was past,
Æetes' vengeful child foretold,
In every point fulfill'd at last,
The sons of Thera should behold.20
The Colchian queen inspired to tell
What from her lips immortal fell,
Thus spoke the fates' supreme command
To warlike Jason's naval band:
"From gods and mighty heroes sprung,25
Give ear to my prophetic tongue.
Hereafter from this seabeat shore
The child of Epaphus shall move,
By mortals cherish'd as before,
And plant the root where men adore30
The majesty of Libyan Jove. 28
Then for the short-finn'd dolphin's speed
Shall they direct the rapid steed;
Instead of oars, their rein shall steer
The cars that mock the storm's career.[2]35
That omen issuing from the skies
True will the sure event declare,
When spacious Thera shall arise,
Metropolis of cities fair:
Which at the mouth of the Tritonian lake,40
From the great god in human form, whose hand
