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THE FOURTH OLYMPIC ODE.
Strophe I.
Great Jove, whose thunder thro' the skiesWith force and speed unwearied flies:—
—For 'tis to Jove the hours belong,
Which roll around the mighty days,
These days that claim the sounding song,
Sacred to Psaumis' deathless praise:
Immortal are the hero's deeds;
And when a friend's brave toil succeeds,
The tale great souls with joy receive,
And due encomiums gladly give.—
Thou then, great Saturn's greater son,
On Ætna who hast fix'd thy throne;
Where, hundred-headed Typhon prest,
Groans, the hot mountain on his breast:
The choral hymns, whose varied lays
Sing the olympic victor's praise,
And give to virtue, nobly bright,
Eternal lustre, life and light;
Auspicious hear, for Psaumis' sake;
They want not Grace,—his fame they speak.
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Antistrophe I.
Lo! in his car they cross the plains,Where, crown'd with olive, he obtains
Oh Camarina, for thy state
Immortal honours, deathless fame!
Still, still, propitious, kindly fate,
In all be his success the same!
For well I know him wise and good,
Skill'd to train up the courser's brood:
Nor does of friends a narrow round
His hospitable kindness bound;
Wide his benevolence extends,
And all mankind are styl'd his friends:
And where, of all the patriot train,
His country's glory's to maintain,
Where will another chief appear,
With heart so warm, and soul so clear?
—Truth speaks; the muse's sacred verse
Disdains false praises to rehearse;
Experience proves the truth she sings,
At once the test of men and things.
Epode.
By this the taunts of Lemnos' haughty damesThe warlike son of Clymenus disprov'd;
Who, when contending at the glorious games,
Swift to the goal before his peers he mov'd,
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To Thoas' daughter thus begun:
“Behold the man whose untried speed you scorn'd,
“Till by that speed victorious he return'd:
“And know, this hand can equal deeds perform,
“And know, with equal fire this heart is warm:
“Grey hairs may oft the youthful head bestrew,
“But grace they add, and wisdom to the brow.”
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