Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/110

80 Would I record the Salaminian wave

Fam'd in thy triumphs; and my tuneful lyre

To Sparta's sons with sweetest praise should tell,

Beneath Cithaeron's shade what Medish archers fell.

But on fair Himera's wide-water'd shores

Thy sons, Dinomenes, my lyre demand,

To grace their virtues with the various stores

Of sacred verse, and sing th' illustrious band

Of valiant brothers, who from Carthage won

The glorious meed of conquest, deathless praise.

A pleasing theme! but censure's dreaded frown

Compels me to contract my spreading lays.

In verse conciseness pleases ev'ry guest,

While each impatient blames and loathes a tedious feast.

Nor less distasteful is excessive fame

To the sour palate of the envious mind;

Who hears with grief his neighbor's goodly name,

And hates the fortune that he ne'er shall find.

Yet in thy virtue, Hiero, persevere!

Since to be envied is a nobler fate

Than to be pitied. Let strict justice steer

With equitable hand the helm of state,

And arm thy tongue with truth. Ο king, beware

Of ev'ry step! a prince can never lightly err.

O'er many nations art thou set, to deal

The goods of fortune with impartial hand;