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THIRD OLYMPIC ODE.
33

Then may the muse her bard inspire,
Who first upon the Dorian lyre 10
Raised the melodious strain on high
To swell the pomp of victory. 10


The verdant wreaths that proudly glow
Round the triumphant courser's mane,
Call on the shrill-toned flute to flow, 15
The varied lyre and well-connected strain.
Which may a due encomium raise
Ænesidamus' son to praise. [1] 16


And Pisa joins the general claim—
From her proceeds the song of fame, 20
To whom the umpire's just decree
Awards the meed of victory.
Prompt to fulfil Alcides' high command,
Who bade the verdant olive glow
Twined by th' Ætolian judge's hand 25
Around the conqueror's brow. 22
Which erst Amphitryo's godlike son
From Ister's shady fountains bore.
The fairest mark of triumph won
By victor on Olympia's shore. 30
Gift of the Hyperborean race, [2]
Who worship in Apollo's fane,

    gods were invited. With the opening of this ode compare Euripides, Orestes, sub fin.

    Ἑλενην Ζηνος μελαθροις πελασω, κ. τ. λ.

    We may observe that the praises of Agrigentum are a favorite theme of Pindar's grateful muse.

  1. Thomson, in his Castle of Indolence, (ii. 13.,) says of his Knight of Arts and Industry, that

    With varied fire
    He roused the trumpet and the martial fife,
    Or bade the lute sweet tenderness inspire,
    Or verses framed that well might wake Apollo's lyre.

  2. It would be tedious and not very edifying to the reader to detail the various opinions of the ancients respecting the geo-