Who with loud speech to truth allied, 15
Importunate for money cried,
Bereft of all his wealth and friends,
I sing to one who comprehends.
To him when on the Isthmian field
Neptune the triumph deign'd to yield, 20
And bound his coursers' flowing mane
With Doric parsley's verdant chain,
In his victorious chariot bright
He honour'd Agrigentum's light. 25
Him too, engaged in Crisa's fray, 25
Beheld the potent god of day,
And gave him glory there;
While old Erectheus' noble race
Adorn'd his brow with verdant grace
In Athens' city fair. 30
Nor would he blame the proud career
Of his steed-urging charioteer,
Nicomachus, whose hands control
The reins that guide him to the goal. 33
Him too supreme in conquering pow'r, 35
The heralds of th' Olympic hour,
Priests who to Jove libations bring,
(Elean and Saturnian king,)
Sharing the hospitable feast,
With gratulating voice address'd; 40
As he fell prostrate at the knee [1]
Of golden-imaged Victory.
Around their land, which they the grove
Designate of Olympian Jove; 41
There, with immortal honours crown'd, 45
Ænesidamus' offspring shone;
- ↑ We may imagine an image of Victory in a sitting posture to be placed at the extremity of the goal, into whose bosom, as it were, the victor would rush after having completed his course. (See [[../../Nemean Odes/5|Nem., v.]], 81, &c.)
