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ode opens with an invocation to Thia; who, according to the ancient theogony, was the mother of the Sun, Moon, and Aurora.—Under this name the poet designates glory and renown; for the sake of which men achieve the most illustrious deeds.—He then makes a transition to the victor, with a digression commemorating the heroes of Ægina.—Then to the battle of Salamis.—Returns to Phylacides, and concludes by the praise of Pytheas, his alipta: (the person whose office it was to train and anoint the combatants for the games.)

mother of the solar beam,

Mankmd, bright Thia, for thy sake esteem

The first of metals, all-subduing gold;

And ships, oh queen! that struggle in the deep,

With car-yoked coursers o'er the plain that sweep,

To honour thee, the wondrous contests hold.

Through thee in every warlike game

Heroes the frequent meed of fame

Achieve, whose hair the wreath around,

By strength or swiftness won, is bound.

When two events propitious meet,

They make the span of life most sweet,