cording to the inftitution of their first founder Hercules, he proceeds to relate the fabulous, but legendary ftory, of that Hero's having brought that plant originally from Scythia, the country of the Hyperboreans, to Olympia; having planted it there near the temple of Jupiter, and ordered that the victors in thofe games fhould, for the future, be crowned with the branches of this facred tree. To this he adds, that Hercules, upon his being removed to heaven, appointed the twin-brothers, Caftor and Pollux, to celebrate the Olympick Games, and execute the office of beftowing the Olive-crown upon those who obtained the victory; and now, continues Pindar, he comes a propitious gueft to this facrifice of Theron, in company with the two fons of Leda, who, to reward the piety and zeal of Theron and his family, have given them fuccefs and glory; to the utmoft limits of which he infinuates that Theron is arrived, and fo concludes with affirming, that it would be in vain for any man, wife or unwife, to attempt to furpass him. τό то THERON KING OF AGRIGENTUM. WH 'STROPHE I. HILE to the fame of Agragas I fing, And with Aonian garlands grace His fteeds unweary'd in the race, O may the hospitable twins of Jove, As in new measures I effay'd To harmonize the tuneful words, And fet to Dorian airs my founding chords. ANTIS TROPHE I. And lo! the conquering fteeds, whofe toffing heads Olympia's verdant wreath befpreads, The Mufe-imparted tribute claim, Due, Theron, to thy glorious name; And bid me temper in their master's praise Elean Pifa, that infpires The glowing Bard with eager care His heaven-directed prefent to prepare: 2 EPODE The present offer'd to his virtuous fame, On whofe ennobled brows The righteous umpire of the sacred game, Who this fair ensign of Olympick toil The blameless fervants of the Delphick God On terms of peace, the facred plant, Deftin'd at once to fhade Jove's honour'd fhrine Pour'd all the radiance of her golden light : ANTIS TROPHE II. Now on Jove's altars blaz'd the hallow'd flames, And now were fix'd the mighty games, Again, when e'er the circling fun Their period to renew, and shine again But But fubject all the region lay No fhade arofe his fury to repell. E PODE II. Then traverfing the hills, whofe jutting base To where the virgin goddess of the chace To Scythian Ifter he directs his way, STROPHE III. There as the longsome chace the chief pursued, And northern caves of Boreas caft: And gaz'd with rapture on the pleafing shade, And now to Theron's facred feaft With Leda's twins he comes, propitious guest! ANTIS TROPHE III. To Leda's twins (when heaven's divine abodes He gave th' 'illuftrious Games to hold, And crown the swift, the ftrong, and bold. Then, Mufe, to Theron and his houfe proclaim The joyous tidings of fuccefs and fame, By Leda's twins beftow'd to grace, Emmenides, thy pious race, Who, mindful of heaven's high behefts, With ftricteft zeal obferve their holy feafts. E PODE III. As water's vital streams all things furpass, Holds amid fortune's stores the highest class; To where the pillars of Alcides rise, Hath deck'd with glory's brightest ray His lineal virtues.-Farther to attain, Wife, and unwife, with me despair: th' attempt were vain, THE |