Page:Pindar and Anacreon.djvu/211

Rh Short time he in Molossia reign'd

Whose sceptre still his race retain'd;

And bearing from the conquer'd soil

The first fruits of the Trojan spoil,

Approach'd the god—but fell in deadly strife,

Himself a victim to the hostile knife.

The Delphians mourn'd with heavy wo;

But fate in vengeance urged the blow,

By whose decree a king should come

Of Æacus' high line, to rest

Within the grove's time-hallow'd breast,

Near Phœbus' wall-encircled dome;

Where his presiding eye might still survey

Chiefs with heroic pomp the sacrifice display.

Three potent reasons will avail

To justify the murderous tale.

No fraudful witness he who claims

Dominion o'er the sacred games.

The race that springs from thee and Jove

Will by their virtues' shining beam,

Ægina, my bold speech approve,

And hallow the domestic theme.

But sweet the moment of repose

That brings each labour to its close;

Since e'en excess of honey cloys,

And flow'r of Aphrodisian joys.

By nature various lots are thrown,

But perfect happiness to none.