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Rh

Since he that can in aught prevail

Must in his turn expect to fail.

But the strict law that rules my song

And hours which urge their course along,

This thought prohibit, and restrain

Within just bounds the wandering strain.

Though fond desire my heart impel

Such tales at the new moon to tell;

Thee though the deep sea wave convey

Adventurous on thy middle way;

Yet, mind, resist the snare;

Then far superior shall we rise

To all our slandering enemies,

And walk in splendour fair;

While they of envious eye and soul

On earth their empty purpose roll.

To me what energetic power

Fate gave me in my natal hour,

Full well I know advancing time

Shall ripen to its destined prime.

Then haste, sweet lyre, the lay to weave

With Lydian melody combined,

Such as Œnone shall receive,

And Cyprus with enraptured mind;

Where, banish'd from his own domains,

The Telamonian Teucer reigns.

But Ajax his paternal soil

Yet holds—the Salaminian isle.

Achilles rules the shining land

Whose splendour gems the Euxine deep.

Phthia owns Thetis' high command:

While each sublime and beaked steep