Whom earth-encircling Neptune loved,
When from the glowing caldron's round,40
His arm with ivory shoulder crown'd,
Clotho the newborn youth removed.
So much to fabled lore we trace—
For wrapp'd in varied falsehood's veil
Full oft the legendary tale45
Can win to faith the mortal mind,
While truth's unvarnish'd maxims fail
To leave her stamp behind. 47
When from poetic tongue
The honey'd accents fall,50
Howe'er from monstrous fiction sprung,
They win their unsuspected way,
And grace disguises all,
Till some far-distant day
Render the dark illusion plain.55
Yet not to mortal lips be given
By tales unworthy to profane
The majesty of Heaven. 57
Offspring of Tantalus! my strain
A different story shall record;60
How to the genial board
Thy father call'd each heavenly guest,
To share the blameless feast,
With grateful hands upon the head
Of his dear Sipylus outspread.[1]65
'Twas then, by fond desire subdued,
Thy form the trident bearer view'd,
- ↑ It was on the top of this mountain that, in a later age,
story of Pelops is less episodical, and has a closer connection with the poet's subject than might at first appear.
Within the precincts of the Altis was planted the sacred olive tree, called callistephanos, from which victors in the Olympic games were crowned.
