Received Œclides, hapless seer, [1]
Who urged the stormy war's career,
Nor less in nymphs with lovely hair
Refulgent shines the city's fame. 20
This Jupiter's descents proclaim
To Danae and Alcmena fair:
He who to harmony inclined
Adrastus' sire and Lynceus' mind; [2] 22
And rear'd Amphitryo to the fight; 25
But he who rules supreme in might
Grafted upon the parent tree
His own immortal progeny:
For when in brazen armour dight
He the repulsed Teleboans slew, 30
His hall th' immortal ruling god,
Robed in the hero's likeness, trod,
Bearing the intrepid seed to view
Herculean—him whose youthful bride,
Fairest among the goddess train, 35
Walks by the genial mother's side,
Throughout Olympus' high domain. 34
Brief my song's limits to declare
What Argos holds of good and fair;
And hard the labour to control 40
In man satiety of soul.
But the well-chorded lyre awake,
And as a theme the wrestling take.
Oft as adjudged the brazen prize
Draws crowds to Juno's sacrifice. 45
Whence Ulias' son twice victor bore
Oblivion of his labours o'er. 45
- ↑ The death of Amphiaraus, which story might perhaps be founded on some vague tradition of the similar fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, was related in the last ode, (l. 57, et seq.)
- ↑ The cause of strife between Lynceus, who had succeeded his father-in-law Adrastus, and Talaus, the father of Adrastus, was related in Nem., ix., 35, et seq.
