How Hiero's victor coursers' might
Sped his earth-shaking chariot's flight.
By frequent crowns that shine afar 10
Resplendent in the Pythian war,
Ennobling high Ortygia's seat,
Where Dian's river shrine Alphéus' waters greet. [1]
Without whose aid his agile grasp in vain
Had check'd his coursers with the varied rein. 15
For prompt with each assisting hand,
The huntress maid who joys to slay
With certain aim her sylvan prey,
And Mercury whose godhead claims [2]
Dominion o'er the sacred games, 20
Placed round his polished car the shining band.
Taming by bit and curb applied
The docile steeds' impetuous pride;
And calling to the arduous course
The god who wields the trident's force. 25
Each lyric poet for a different lord
Frames the sweet hymn his valour to record.
The Cyprians thus with acclamations sing
The praise of Cinyras, their glorious king; [3]
Loved by Apollo with his golden hair, 30
The priest of Venus and her cherish'd care.
Favours of friends conferr'd upon the good,
Lead to a just return of gratitude.
Son of Deinomenes! the Locrian maid
Raises the loud and joyful strain to thee, 35
- ↑ I. e., the island Ortygia, at the south of Sicily, The scholiast interprets ποταμιας by της Αλφειωσας.
- ↑ The scholiast quotes a fragment of Æschylus in which Mercury is called εναγωνιος, president of the games. In the Agamemnon (v. 521.) the herald invokes Apollo under the titles of σωτηρ καπαγωνιος; and in the next verse addresses τους αγωνιους θεους Παντας.
- ↑ Homer, who so often confirms the historical and mythological tales of Pindar, also mentions Cinyras, king of Cyprus, as having given to Agamemnon a breastplate, as a pledge of hospitable friendship: (Il., xi., 19, 20.)
