SIXTH PYTHIAN ODE.
141
In the just centre placed, we come;
Where, guarded by the holy shade,
Apollo's golden grove contains
The treasure of the Pythian strains
Which there, Xenocrates, is laid 10
The bless'd Emmenidæ to crown,
And watery Acragas' renown. 9
This nor the wintry storm's array, [1]
The roaring cloud's terrific host,
Nor winds and whirling sands convey, 15
Beneath the depths of ocean lost.
And thou, with countenance serenely bright,
To thy great sire shalt tell the pleasing tale.
Oh Thrasybulus! when in Crissa's vale,
Thy race ennobling, sped his chariot's flight. 18 20
Firmly thou hold'st the precept fair
Which erst they say with guardian care
Upon his mountain station wild
The son of Philyra impress'd
On Peleus' vigorous orphan child, 25
To reverence Jove, the chief of all the bless'd.
Lord of the thundering bolt and lightning's flame,
And through the term allow'd by heaven,
Such honour be to parents given
As may not rob them of their rightful claim.[2] 27
- ↑ Thus paraphrased by Casimir, (Lyric, iii. 31, 6:)—
"Quam neque turbidus
Auster, neque emotus refuso
Subruat Oceanus profundo." - ↑ very frequent occurrence among the ancient poets. See Pyth. viii. 82, where the expression
γας
ομφαλον παρ᾽ αοιδιμονis doubtless of parallel import to
ομφαλος επιβρομου χθονος
in this ode.