From the great gods to man arise
The springs of valorous enterprise.10
Success affords the brightest meed
Of every great and glorious deed:
Such contests as on lyric string
The mindful muse delights to sing.
Now to the isle some tribute raise,15
Which Jove, Olympus' sovereign lord,
Pledged with a nod his sacred word
(When to Persephone's command
Was given Sicilia's fertile land)
To gild with wealthy cities' towering praise. 20
To her, besides, Saturnius gave21
A people arm'd, equestrian, brave;
And oft encircled with th' Olympic crown.
The olive wreath that victory weaves
Resplendent with its golden leaves,25
Full many a time I've aim'd, nor e'er at random thrown.
Now at the hospitable gate
Chanting the hero's deeds I wait,
Where for his poet spread, the feast
Adorns the hall that never wants a guest. 3430
As water drowns th' opposing flame,[1]
So shall thy virtues' constant ray
Chase the calumnious mists away
That vainly would obscure thy fame.
Mankind by various arts ascend35
The paths to eminence that tend—
In action, manly strength is shown;
In counsel, the reflecting mind;
To whose sagacious foresight known,
- ↑ This passage is rather obscure, although it appears to me that the general sense of it can be only that which is given in the translation. Λελογχε, placed absolutely, must denote the natural property which water possesses of extinguishing fire.
