Oh! may it be my happy fate
To Nemea and Saturnian Jove 15
Where wrestling Timasarchus strove,
The prelude hymn to consecrate.
May Æacus' well-guarded seat
With candid mind this tribute greet,
Where Justice rears her sheltering arm 20
Of power to save each guest from harm.
Were still Timocritus thy sire
Warm'd by the genial solar ray,
Intent upon the varied lyre
He oft had framed the victor's lay, 25
That should his numerous wreaths proclaim
Won in the Cleonæan game,
In Athens, rich with fair renown,
And the seven-portall'd Theban town. 31
When near Amphitryo's splendid tomb 30
For him with no unwilling hand
Their chaplets the Cadmæan band
Gave for Ægina's sake to bloom;
As to his kindred city's walls
With hasty steps the hero went, 35
Seeking the bless'd Herculean halls,
On amicable purpose bent. 39
With him to aid, in days of yore
Troy the bold Telamon o'erthrew,
Invaded Merops' Coan shore, 40
And the stupendous warrior slew
Alcyoneus—but first he broke
With a huge stone's vindictive stroke
Twelve chariots by four coursers whirl'd,
And heroes to destruction hurl'd 45
Who tamed the steed and urged the car
Of twice that number to the war.
Unskill'd in fight must he appear
