THE FOURTEENTH OLYMPIC ODE.
TO ASOPICHUS OF ORCHOMENOS, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE STADIC COURSE, GAINED IN THE SEVENTIETH OLYMPIAD.
ARGUMENT.
This ode begins with a highly poetical invocation to the Graces, guardians of Orchomenos, that they may bless the victor with their propitious influence.—The poet concludes with an address to Echo, enjoining her to carry the news of his conquest to the city of Proserpine, in order to gratify his father Cleodamus with the pleasing intelligence.
Nymphs of Cephisian streams! who reign
Where generous coursers graze the plain,
And rule Orchomenos the fair;
Ye Graces! who with power divine
Protect the ancient Minyæ's line,5
Oh listen to my humble prayer.
To you the grateful bard shall raise
His tribute of poetic praise;
Since wisdom, beauty, splendour flow
From your bright sphere to man below.10
Not without you the bless'd above
Or join in banquet or in chorus move.
But throned on high, your lovely train
Placed near the Pythian god of day,
Whose golden shafts the beams of light display,15
All the high deeds of Heaven ordain,
And praise th' Olympic sire with hymns of endless love. 18
Aglaia, offspring of his might divine,
Thalia and Euphrosyne, whose ear
