For in thy halls the revel's sound,
Oh Thrasybulus! oft is found,
And all the pomp's enlivening tone;
Since no steep hill, no rugged way 50
Rears its opposing front on high,
Where bards to noble mansions stray,
The honour'd guerdons to convey
Of Heliconian poesy.
Far must my venturous javelin move 55
Ere I could reach the height of fame,
Where soars Xenocrates above
The rest in nature as in name. 54
View'd by the citizens with awe,
He train'd his coursers by the Grecian law; 60
Frequenting at each solemn feast
The liberal tables of the bless'd.
Nor ever has the flagging gale
Straiten'd his hospitable sail,
That pass'd in summer hour to Phasis o'er, [1] 65
In winter veer'd to Nilus' southern shore. 62
Not now, when thoughts with envy blind,
Hang darkling o'er the mortal mind,
His father's valour let him hide,
Nor pass these hymns in silent pride; 70
Since, unrecited to remain,
I framed not the triumphant strain.
Such, Nicasippus, be thine errand home,
When thou to my familiar host art come. 69
- ↑ These lines are explained by the scholiast as a figurative description of the unbounded hospitality of Xenocrates, which afforded a shelter to guests of the most remote regions.
