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40 Or where impatient of control

The courser presses to the goal.

Thy mighty combatant to thee

Conveys the meed of victory,

That bids the herald's loud acclaim

Join with thy new-built walls his father Acron's name.

From Pelops' and Œnomaus' pleasant seat,

Oh Pallas! our loved city's guardian pride,

The victor comes with festal hymn to greet

Thy solemn grove and fair Oanus' tide,

The native lake, the sacred source

Whence Hipparis directs his course,

And pours, the thirsting host to lave,

Through long canals his fruitful wave,

Transported down whose rapid tide

Beams for the stable fabrics glide,

When Psaumis rears the wondrous pile,

Lightens his country's woes, and renovates her smile.

But labour still and cost his steps attend,

Whose virtue strives to gain this glorious end.

Around his path uncertain hazards wait,

And clouds obscure the mighty combat's fate—

Yet when his persevering toils succeed,

A nation's voice confirms the wisdom of the deed.

Hear, earth's protecting sovereign, Jove,

Who dwell'st enthron'd in clouds above,

And on the Cronian mount—whose care

Alpheus' widely flowing wave,

And Ida's venerable cave

Protects, oh hear thy suppliant's prayer!—

Who, breathing on his Lydian reed,

Implores thee still to crown this state with valour's meed.

Oh Psaumis! victor in th' Olympic strife.

Who mak'st Neptunian steeds thy joy and pride,