Such triumphs as in days of yore
At Cirrha Pherenicus bore:
And brighter than the airy star [1]
For him my splendour beams afar. 130 140
But to the mother would I pray,
Whose altar near my dwelling stands:
There oft the nymphs, who bend their way
To her and Pan, their vows to pay,
Assemble in nocturnal bands. 145
Thee, Hiero, whose exalted mind
Can to the heights of science rise;
True wisdom, with experience join'd,
And former ages render wise.
When gods or man one good bestow, 150
That blessing leads to double wo.
While fools can ne'er with decent pride
Sustain their adverse fate,
Calm patience, outwardly elate,
Shows but the brighter side. 155
In the first rank of fortune placed,
Monarch! such happiness is thine;
For kings, with power superior graced,
Must above all conspicuous shine.
Peleus nor godlike Cadmus led 160
A life exempt from every care;
Who, beyond mortals bless'd, were said
The height of happiness to share.
They heard when Pelion's woody hill
And the seven Theban portals rang 165
With strains which the melodious skill
Of the gold-netted muses sang.
One fair Harmonia to the nuptial bed,
One prudent Nereus' child, illustrious Thetis led. 164
To both the hymeneal feasts 170
Came Saturn's sons, heaven's kingly guests;
- ↑ I. e., the sun. See [[../../Olympic Odes/1|Ol. i.]] v. 9.
