Made the brave Amazonian squadrons yield,
And closed their female warrior ranks in death.
Chimæra, breathing fire, his arms o'erthrew,
And the proud race of Solymi he slew. 140
His death I sing not—while from thraldom freed,
The ancient stalls of Jove receive th' aspiring steed. [1] 132
But 'tis not mine beyond the mark to throw
The whirling arrows from my potent bow.
The high-throned muses' willing slave, I raise 145
With the just tribute of poetic praise,
The Oligæthidæ's Corinthian train,
Victors at Isthmus and on Nemea's plain.
While in brief tale their glories I rehearse,
True is the oath that sanctifies my verse. 150
Since thirty wreaths the herald's sweet-toned sound
In either contest won, sings to the world around. 143
Their triumphs on Olympia's plain
Ere now my song has given to fame;
And future crowns the lay shall move, 155
If true my ardent wishes prove.
But should the natal demon bless,
Since God alone confers success,
To Jove and war's stern lord we leave
The embryo glories to achieve. 160
For them what verdant garlands grow
On the Parnassian mountain's brow!
What chaplets Thebes and Argos yield,
And green Arcadia's sacred grove!
Where stands as witness of the field, 165
The altar of Lycæan Jove. 154
- ↑ The scholiast says that these were stars anciently called ονοι as well as φατναι. Perhaps, therefore, it was the Præsepe Asellorum, near the constellation Cancer; which, being a summer sign, answers to the description of it given by Theocritus, (xxii. 21.)—ονων ανα μεσσον αμαυρη Φατνη, σημαιναοισα τα προς πλοον ενδια παντα.
