TYDEIDES then the javelin aim'd above

The Buckler's margin, at the neck he drove,
But GREECE, now trembling for her Hero's life,
Bade share the honors and furcease the strife.

POPE.

The Scholiaft obferves, that HERCULES, happening to be at SALAMIS just as AJAX was born, took the child, and wrapped him in the Lion's hide, and prayed that he might become invulnerable, (ärpwr,) and accordingly all his body became invulnerable, except the neck, which the hide happened not to cover.

AJAX I think is the only Hero of any confequence, who is not wounded in the courfe of the ILIAD.

Ver. 93. Thy focial worth and ISTHMIAN prize,
LAMPROMACHUs, hall grace my tay.]

The Scholia make LAMPROMACHUS a kinfman and fellow.
citizen of EPHARMOSTUS. The elder Scholiaft fays, that
fome were of opinion he won the ISTHMIAN Crown the
fame day that his friend did the OLYMPIC; others, that
they were both ISTHMIAN Prizes; the younger Scholist
only mentions the laft opinion. Indeed it was not likely
that the OLYMPIC and ISTHMIAN Games fhould be cele-
brated at the fame time.

Ver. 109. Her prize PELLENE]

The Prize in the Games celebrated at PELLENE was a cloak,

THE

THE TENT H

OLYMPIC O D E.

TO AGESIDAMUS, fon of ARCHESTRATUS, an EPIZEPHYRIAN LOCRIAN, on his Victory obtained by the Cæftus.

ARGUMENT.

He then

The Poet begins the Ode by apologifing to AGESIDA MUS, for having fo long delayed compofing it, after promifing to do it. He then compliments him upon his country, and confoles him for being worsted at the beginning of the contest, till encouraged by ILIAS, by relating the fame circumftance of HERCULES and PATROCLUS. defcribes the inftitution of the OLYMPIC Games, by HERCULES, after the victory he obtained over AUGEAS, and the fons of NEPTUNE and MoLIONE; and enumerates those who won the firft Prizes in the Athletic Exercifes. He then, returning to AGESIDAMUS, and congratulating him on having a Poet to fing his exploits, though after Jome delay, concludes with praising him for his Strength and beauty. STROPHE

Of thundering Jove, vouchfafe thy aid

To quell their flanderous falfhoods, who pretend I e'er with wilful aim deceiv'd a trufting Friend.

5

ANTISTROPHE I.

Full many an hour has roll'd away

Since fhame has made my cheeks with crimfon

glow,

So long the promis'd meed to owe:

But now the fong, with intereft, I'll repay;

10

VOL. I.

S

And,

And, as where OCEAN's billows roar,

They clear from ftain the pebbled shore,

15

So fhall the breath of this my friendly strain,
To liftening crouds affert my spotless faith again.

E PODE I.

Where, gently fann'd by ZEPHYR's balmy breeze,

Fair TRUTH o'er LOCRIS' colony prefides;

Her Guardian, fweet CALLIOPE, she fees,

While warlike MARS the generous care di

vides.

Bold CYCNUS, in the hard-fought field,

Forced HERCULES at firft to yield;

AGESIDAMUS, fo thy might

Was wavering in the OLYMPIC fight,

Till, as ACHILLES' friendly tongue

PATROCLUS' fainting limbs new ftrung;

20

25

Brave ILAS' words thy drooping fpirits fire,

Thy flumbering virtues roufe, and god-like deeds

inspire.

STROPHE II.

When Emulation warms the breast,

The Youth (Heaven aiding) matchless Fame fhall

gain;

But few the envied Prize obtain

By flothful luxury and lazy rest.

Now cuftom bids my MUSE proclaim

Jove's Festival and folemn Game,

80

With which ALCIDES honor'd PELOPS' Shrine, 35

When NEPTUNE's baffled fons confefs'd his

power

divine.

ANTIS TROPHE II.

When his triumphant arm had laid,

O blameless CTEATUS! thy glory low;