Page:Pindar and Anacreon.djvu/74

66 Where, as ordain'd by heaven's eternal king,

Whose power directs the lightning's varied wing,

Descending from Parnassus' lofty height,

Pyrrha and her Deucalion sought the plain,

Rear'd the first dome, and call'd that race to light,

Whose stony birth they bade the name retain.

Then wake for them the tuneful string—

Though wine improved by mellowing age

The palate's suffrage more engage,

Yet choose a newer lay the victors praise to sing.

In tales of ancient lore 'tis said

O'er earth the whelming waters spread

Urged all their congregated force.

But Jove's high will his headlong course

Bade the usurping foe restrain,

And sink absorb'd the refluent main.

From them your sires, the warlike race

Of old Iapetus, descend;

Whose glorious deeds the brightest grace

To Saturn their forefather lend;