On golden pillars raising the fair-walled porch of our abode, we shall build, as it were, a splendid hall ; even so, o'er our work’s beginning we needs must set a front that shines afar. Now, if any one were a victor at Olympia, and were minister unto the prophetic altar of Zeus in Pisa, and were a fellow-founder of famous Syracuse, what strains of praise would such a man fail to win, by finding fellow-citizens who are ungrudging in delightful song ? Let the son of Sóstratus know that this sandal fitteth his foot, which is blessed of heaven. But deeds of prowess, apart from peril, win no honour either among men (on land) or on board the hollow ships, whereas if any fair fruit cometh of toil, there are many who remember it. Even for thee, Hagésias, is the praise prepared, which in justice Adrastus of old spake freely forth of the seer Amphiaraüs, when the earth swallowed up that seer and his shining steeds. Nigh unto Thebes, when the seven funeral-pyres had been consumed,
the son of Talaüs spake on this wise, “I have lost the eye of my host,—one who was at once matchless as a prophet, and as a warrior with the spear.” And this holdeth good no less of the man of Syracuse, who is lord of this triumphant band. Though neither prone to quarrel, no, nor over-fond of victory, I would even swear a mighty oath, and herein at least will I clearly bear witness for him; and the honey-toned Muses will grant me their consent. But now it is high time, O Phintis, for thee to yoke me the sturdy mules with all good speed, that so we may mount the car in the clear and open path of song, and that I may at last arrive at the theme of the descent of our heroes ; for here those mules, above all others, know how to lead the way, since they have won crowns of victory at Olympia. Therefore is it meet for us to ope for them the portals of song, and on this very day, must we betimes reach the presence of Pitané, beside the ford of Eurétas,—the presence of that nymph, who, wedded with Poseidon, son of Cronus, is said to have borne Euadné of the violet tresses. But she, with the folds of her robe, concealed the fruit of her unwedded love; and, in the appointed month, she sent messengers and bade them give the babe to the son of Eilatus for him to tend it, even to Aepytus, who ruled over the Arcadians at Phaesdné, and had his allotted home on the Alpheüs, where it was that she chad first tasted the sweets of love in the arms of Apollo; and she did not escape the ken of
Aepytus all the time while essaying to conceal her being with child by the god; but anon, he went to Delphi, with keen resolve quelling in his heart his wrath unutterable, to inquire of the oracle concerning this dire disaster. Meanwhile, she laid down her crimson zone and her silver pitcher, and ‘neath the blue brake was about to bear a boy inspired of heaven; and the Lord of the golden hair sent to her aid the gentle goddess of birth, and the Fates ; and from her womb, and amid sweet sorrow, forthwith came Iamus to the light of day. And she, though sore distressed, was fain to leave him there upon the ground; but, by the will of the gods, two grey-eyed serpents tended the babe with the bane, the harmless bane, of the honey-bees. Now, when the king had driven back from rocky Pytho, he inquired of all in the house, touching the child born to Euadné; for he said that the babe was begotten of Phoebus, and was destined to be, for men on earth, a prophet far beyond all mortals, and his race would never fail. ; Such then was his rede; but they averred that they had neither heard nor seen the babe, though it had been born five days before: and no marvel; for it had been hidden amid the rushes and in the
boundless brake, with its dainty form steeped in the golden and the deep-purple light of pansies; therefore it was that his mother declared that he should be called for all time by the undying name of Iamus. But, when he had attained the ripe bloom of Hébé of the golden crown, he stepped down into the midst of the Alpheüs, and there invoked his grandsire Poseidon that ruleth afar, and the Archer that watcheth over heaven-built Delos, praying that his head might be crowned with honour, and with the care of the people. There, in the night, he stood beneath the open sky; and in accents clear his father’s voice replied to him, and sought him out :-— “ Arise, my son, and follow thou my voice, and hither come to a haunt that welcometh all!’’ And so they went to the steep rock of the lofty hill of Cronus, where the god gave him a double boon of prophecy, there and then to hear a voice that knoweth no falsehood ; and, whensoever Heracles bold in might, that honoured scion of the Alcidae, came and founded for his father’s fame a festival frequented of mortals, and the highest ordinance of games of prowess, then did he command him to establish an oracle on the crest of the altar of Zeus. From that time forward, the race of the sons of Iamus hath been famous throughout Hellas.
Prosperity followed in their train, and, by prizing deeds of prowess, they pass along a road that is seen of all. This is proved by all their acts. The cavil of others that are envious hangeth over all, whoever reach the goal as victors in the race, as they round the twelfth lap, while an adorable grace sheddeth over them a noble beauty. But if, in very deed, the men of thy mother’s line, Hagésias, who dwell beneath the bounds of Cylléné, full oft in piety presented sacrifices of supplication to’ Hermes, herald of the gods, who ruleth over the games and the duly ordered contests, and honoureth the brave men of Arcadia; he it is, O son of Séstratus, who with his father, the Lord of the loud thunder, fulfilleth thy happy fortune. Methinks I have upon my tongue a whetstone shrill, that stealeth over me, nothing loth, with fair streams of inspiration. A nymph of Stymphalus was my mother’s mother, even the blooming Metépé, who bore Thébé that driveth the steed, Thébé, whose sweet water I quaff, while I weave the varied strains of song in honour of heroic spearmen. Now bid thy comrades, Aenéas, first to sound the praises of Héra, as the maiden goddess, and, next,
to know whether in very truth we have escaped the old reproach that telleth of “Boeotian swine.” For thou art a faithful messenger, a very scroll-wand of the fair-haired Muses, a sweet wassail-bowl of loudly-sounding songs.” Bid them remember Syracuse and Ortygia, which Hieron ruleth with his unsullied sceptre, and with befitting counsel, while he tendeth, not only the worship of Démétér with the ruddy feet, and the festival of her daughter with her white horses, but also the might of Zeus, the lord of Aetna. Hieron is a familiar theme to the sweetly sounding lyres and to the strains of minstrelsy. Heaven grant that his prosperity may not be impaired by any lapse of time : but may he with kindly acts of courtesy welcome the triumph-band of Hagésias, when it cometh from one home to another, even from the walls of Stymphalus when it hath left the mother-city of that land of flocks, Arcadia. In the stormy night it is
well that anchors twain be let down from out the swift ship. May God in his love grant that the fortunes of these and of those alike may be famous. But do thou, O Master that rulest the main, thou Lord of Amphitrité with the golden distaff, grant a straight course without trouble o’er the sea, and give new growth to the gladsome flower of my songs.
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