THE SIXTH OLYMPIC O DE. TO AGESIAS of SYRACUSE, on his Victory gained by the Apené, or Chariot drawn by Mules. ARGUMENT. The Poet, after comparing the opening of his Ode to the beautiful portico of a palace built by a skilful Architect, celebrates AGESIAS on account of his OLYMPIC Victory, his being Guardian of the Altar of JUPITER, and being admitted to the rights of a Citizen at SYRACUSE; and from these circumftances compares him to AMPHIARAUS. Then he mentions his ancestors; and Speaking of PITANA and EVADNE, has a long digreffion on the birth of IAMUS. The Poet then returns to AGESIAS, and declares himself to be in fome measure of the fame country; and exhorts ENEAS, the Leader of the Chorus, to exert himself; directing him to celebrate AGESIAS, for his being an inhabitant of SICILY, and for his friendship with HIERO, King King of SYRACUSE; and, congratulating him on his good fortune in having two countries, concludes with a Prayer to NEPTUNE for his profperity. T STROPHE I. HE fkilful Architect whofe dædal hand Contrives the far-refplendent dome to raise, Bids the bright porch on fhapely columns stand, That rich with gold and polifh'd marble, blaze. So we fuperbly pour along In conscious dignity the opening Song. To him OLYMPIA'S Wreath who wears, Who guards the Thunderer's facred Fane, And every focial bleffing shares, With SYRACUSA's happy train; Each friendly voice fhall notes of triumph blow, 10 And each unenvious hand, a votive Wreath be ftow. 5 1 ANTISTROPHE I. In this thrice-honor'd State by fortune placed The happy fon of SOSTRATUS behold! Nor is the Warrior, or the Seaman graced 15 Till Danger and till Toil their worth unfold. But Fame's eternal Pæans wait The virtuous labors of the brave and To thee, AGESIAS, fhall belong great. Those genuine Praises, which of old 20 ADRASTUS with no flattering tongue On AMPHIARAUS, facred Seer! beftow'd: What time the fatal earth with yawning womb, Him and his fiery steeds clos'd living in the tomb. E PODE I. Now feven funeral pyres begun 25 To fhed a lurid blaze around, * When TALAUS' forrowing fon Pour'd to the THEBAN hoft this mournful found: O how I languish to behold • The braveft of my warrior train, • Who Fate's eternal myfteries can unfold, 30 • Or spread deftruction o'er the embattled plain! To him, the SYRACUSAN Youth belong Such praise, to whom I tune the OLYMPIC Song. No Son of Difcord, I proclaim His Worths, his Triumphs are the fame: And with an oath confirm the unerring ftrain, 35 Form'd by the favoring help of all AONIA's train. STROPHE II. Come then, O PHINTIS! to the shining Car With speed, with speed, the rapid Courfers join; 40 That whirling o'er the pureft paths afar We reach his Ancestor's high-honor'd line. Above the reft my Courfers know When PISA's Olive decks the Hero's brow, To bear him o'er the founding road Where, far from dark oblivion's cell, Bright Honor holds her high abode, And Fame and Glory ever dwell. Now wide the Gates of Harmony display, 45 For to EUROTA's fhores I guide the founding Lay. 50 ANTISTROPHE II. To fair PITANA fing, who whilom bore EVADNE, beauteous in her hair that flows. With ftrictest care fhe hid her virgin throes; Maturely brought, fhe bade her female train, To ÆPYTUS' parental hands 55 With filent care the Child convey; PHASANA'S turrets who commands, Where ALPHEUS pours his filver-winding way: 60 |