To slake the youthful bridegroom's thirst,
In honour of connubial love.
The social pledge he bears on high,
And homeward as his course he bends, 10
Blesses the fond connubial tie,
Admired by all his circling friends. 11
E'en thus I bring the nectar'd strain,
The muses' gift, to those who gain
The Pythian and Olympic crown; 15
Thrice bless'd, to whom 'tis giv'n to share
The arduous fruit of mental care,
Cheer'd by the voice of high renown!
Full many a victor in the fray
My life-inspiring strains survey— 20
Which bids the sweet-toned, lyre its music raise,
And wake the sounding flutes through all their notes of praise. 22
And now, Diagoras, to thee
They breathe united melody.
When Rhodes the warlike isle is sung, 25
Apollo's bride from Venus sprung;
He too, the hero brave and bold,
With hardy frame of giant mould,
Who by Alphéus' sacred tide,
And where Castalia's waters glide, 30
First in the cæstus' manly fray
Bore the triumphant prize away.
Let Damagetus next, his sire,
To justice dear, the strain inspire.
Fix'd on that isle which three fair cities grace, 35
Where Embolus protects wide Asia's coast, [1]
They dwell united with the Argive host. 35
- ↑ "Lycia," says the younger scholiast, "is opposite to Rhodes, and in Lycia is a place called Embolus, sharp and narrow, and jutting into the sea, so named from its resemblance to the prow of a ship."
