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Such triumphs as in days of yore

At Cirrha Pherenicus bore:

And brighter than the airy star

For him my splendour beams afar.

But to the mother would I pray,

Whose altar near my dwelling stands:

There oft the nymphs, who bend their way

To her and Pan, their vows to pay,

Assemble in nocturnal bands.

Thee, Hiero, whose exalted mind

Can to the heights of science rise;

True wisdom, with experience join'd,

And former ages render wise.

When gods or man one good bestow,

That blessing leads to double wo.

While fools can ne'er with decent pride

Sustain their adverse fate,

Calm patience, outwardly elate,

Shows but the brighter side.

In the first rank of fortune placed,

Monarch! such happiness is thine;

For kings, with power superior graced,

Must above all conspicuous shine.

Peleus nor godlike Cadmus led

A life exempt from every care;

Who, beyond mortals bless'd, were said

The height of happiness to share.

They heard when Pelion's woody hill

And the seven Theban portals rang

With strains which the melodious skill

Of the gold-netted muses sang.

One fair Harmonia to the nuptial bed,

One prudent Nereus' child, illustrious Thetis led.

To both the hymeneal feasts

Came Saturn's sons, heaven's kingly guests;