Permit me for the victor's sake
A strain of louder note to wake. 130
No churlish bard sings thy renown.
'Twere easy for the victor's brow
To twine a leafy wreath—but thou
Expect the muse's golden crown;
Who plucks the flower of ivory hue, 135
And coral steep'd in ocean dew. [1] 117
But, tranquil mind, a bolder lay
Must hymn great Jove and Nemea's fray;
Since on this soil the heavenly king
'Tis fit with voice divine to sing; 140
For, Hercules, thy brother guest, [2]
Whose mild sway rules my country bless'd,
From him and the maternal seed
By fame is stated to proceed, 127
If man to man assistance lend, 145
What joy so grateful shall we find
As that of neighbour and of friend
Who loves us with a constant mind?
And if the gods are prone to feel
The same desire for others' weal, 150
Near thee, who couldst the giants quell,
Securely Sogenes might dwell,
Tending his sire with pious care
In his forefathers' city fair. 136
For as the doubly yoked steed 155
Urges the rapid chariot's speed,
On either hand thy neighb'ring dome,
Alcides, guards his humbler home.
