THE FIFTH OLYMPIC ODE.
TO THE SAME PSAUMIS, ON HIS THREE VICTORIES, ONE IN THE CHARIOT DRAWN BY FOUR HORSES; ANOTHER IN THE APENE, OR CHARIOT DRAWN BY MULES; AND THE THIRD IN THE SINGLE-HORSE RACE—ALL GAINED IN THE EIGHTY-SECOND OLYMPIAD.
ARGUMENT.
The poet in this ode invocates Camarina, a sea nymph, from whom the town and lake in Sicily wore fabled to have taken their name; to bespeak her favourable acceptance of the hymn in which are celebrated the three victories of Psaumis; whom he also commends for his liberality and patriotism.—Concludes by supplicating Jupiter to grant continued prosperity to the victor, and expressing his own good wishes towards him.
Daughter of Ocean! this sweet strain,
Which Psaumis' lofty virtues wake,
Whose mules untired glide o'er Olympia's plain,
And victory's fairest chaplet gain,
With mind propitious take. 7 5
Eager to grace with high renown,
Oh Camarina! thy well-peopled town;
To the bright rulers of the skies
He bade the six twin altars rise,
And spread to each celestial guest 10
Of oxen slain the liberal feast;
Five times the sun's diurnal blaze
Each well-contested strife surveys,
The strong-yoked chariot's conquering speed,
Drawn by fleet mule or generous steed; 15
