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Rh Where proud Taÿgetus exalts his head,

From the great stock of Hercules divine

And warlike Pamphylus deriv'd their noble line.

These from Thessalian Pindus rushing down,

The walls of fam'd Amyclae once possess'd,

And rich in fortune's gifts and high renown,

Dwelt near the twins of Leda, while they press'd

Their milky coursers, and the pastures o'er

Of neighb'ring Argos rang'd, in arms supreme.

To king and people on the flow'ry shore

Of lucid Amenas, Sicilian stream,

Grant the like fortune, Jove, with like desert

The splendor of their race and glory to assert.

And do thou aid Sicilia's hoary lord

To form and rule his son's obedient mind;

And still in golden chains of sweet accord,

And mutual peace the friendly people bind.

Then grant, Ο Son of Saturn, grant my pray'r!

The bold Phoenician on his shore detain;

And may the hardy Tuscan never dare

To vex with clam'rous war Sicilia's main;

Rememb'ring Hiero, how on Cumae's coast

Wreck'd by his stormy arms their groaning fleets were lost.

What terrors! what destruction then assail'd!

Hurl'd from their riven decks what numbers died!

When o'er their might Sicilia's chief prevail'd,

Their youth o'erwhelming in the foamy tide,

Greece from impending servitude to save.

Thy favor, glorious Athens! to acquire