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TO MEGACLES THE ATHENIAN, ON HIS VICTORY WITH THE QUADRIGÆ, GAINED IN THE TWENTY-EIGHTH PYTHIAD.

short ode opens with an address to Athens, whence the victor derives a great portion of his fame, tracing his lineage to Alcmæon; his triumphs in the different games of Greece are enumerated.—The poet expresses his concern that the happiness of Megacles should be diminished by the envy of his rivals, and the mutability of human fortune, which, however, affects all men alike.

fairest prelude to my strain

Athena's noble walls contain;

Whence struck, thy steeds the lyre shall grace,

That hymns Alcmæon's potent race.

What house, what country shall I name

Through Greece of more illustrious fame,

When all the various cities round

Erectheus' townsmen's praise resound?

They who in Pytho the divine,

Apollo, rear'd thy wondrous shrine.

Five triumphs in the Isthmian field

Urge me the lyric song to yield—

Oh Megacles! one glorious crown,

In Jove's Olympic strife obtain'd,

And two from Cirrha's sacred town,

By thee and thy forefathers gain'd.

I joy that merited success

Should all thy recent efforts bless.