Page:Pindar and Anacreon.djvu/89

Rh But truth and upright confidence prevail

O'er my bold tongue to speak its pleasing tale.

Sons of Aletes! vainly would you hide

The native valour stamp'd upon the mind.

To you full often in triumphant pride

Victory's high palm the blooming hours assign'd;

And oft they bade your skilful art explore

The secret mysteries of ancient lore.

But all the glorious action's fame

Illustrates the inventor's name.

Who taught, save Corinth's noble race,

The Dithyrambic hymn to grace,

In festal pride the bull to lead,

Or curb with reins the generous steed?

Or on the temples with expanded wing

Placed the twin semblance of the feather'd king?

Them the sweet-breathing muse inspires,

While Mars in his sublime career,

Their youth with thirst of glory fires,

And gives to hurl the deadly spear.

Supreme, wide-ruling Jove, whose sway

Olympia glories to obey,

Through every age with guardian arm

Shielding this happy race from harm,

Conducted by thy prosperous gale,

May Xenophon's light pinnace sail.