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THIRD PYTHIAN ODE.
111

But quickly heaven's Saturnian lord
Snatch'd with each hand the life restored;
And wing'd his bolt of lurid flame 105
Once more to crush the mortal frame.
From him let all of human kind
Learn to acquire an humble mind:
Nor 'gainst the rulers of the sky
To vaunt their fleeting destiny. 108 110


Affect not then, beloved soul,
The life immortal of the bless'd:
Let prudence thy desires control,
In practicable schemes to rest.
If Chiron, of unerring skill, 115
Dwelt in his Pelion cavern still;
And if the sweet-toned hymns could find
Their wanton passage to his mind,
Then my persuasive tongue had pray'd
(Nor vainly) the physician's aid; 120
Who should some healing brother give,
Latona's son or Jove's, to gain
Respite from fever's burning pain,
And bid th' afflicted god revive.
In ships that cut th' Ionian sea 125
I come to my Ætnæan friend.
Mild king! whose cares, from envy free,
O'er Syracusa's sons extend.
Foster'd by him, e'en strangers prove
The blessings of a father's love. 126 130


If, crossing the Sicilian deep,
Her onward course my bark should keep,
To him my grateful hand would bear
Of twofold joys a garland fair.
Health's golden charm, the loud acclaim 135

That sings the Pythian victor's fame;

    ytus, thence called Virbius; some suppose Tyndarus, others Glaucus, others Hymenæus, others Orion, or Capaneus.