IDYL XVII. PTOLEMY. Muses! begin and end the song with Zeus, Of men the name of Ptolemy produce I, skilled to sing, will Ptolemy install Theme of my song-and glowing hymns redound E'en to their praise, who dwell th' Olympian heights around. In Ida's thick of wood, perplex'd with choice, With which the gods have graced the best of kings? How great the son of Lagus from his birth! Born for what deeds! what great imaginings His mind conceived beyond the sons of earth! Up to the gods by Zeus exalted for his worth! In Jove's own house his golden couch is spread, Of Persians glittering with the turban pied: Sits opposite on adamantine throne; There with the gods he banquets gratified, In his sons' sons rejoicing as his own, Made free of age by Zeus, and as immortals known. For from heroic Hercules the twain Descended: therefore when he goes content Ever he hands, and to that other blest In his ambrosial home, white-ankled Hebe's nest. How excellent of dames was Berenice! To her dear parents what a wealth of pleasure! Swell of her bosom. No man in such measure In love-yea! loved him more: his house and treasure Thus to his sons he with full trust commended, Since, loving, he the couch of loving wife ascended. Some stranger draws the wanton's fancy flightyHer children many, like the father none ! Loveliest of goddesses! bright Aphrodite! Through thee, the way of wailful Acheron Was ne'er by lovely Berenice gone : Her, thy sweet care, from the Cyanean river, And death's grim ferryman, the gloomy one! Thou didst, soft-placing in thy fane, deliver, And a conceded share of thine own honours give her. Soft loves on mortal kind she breathes benign, Didst Diomede to light of day discover; To Peleus the full-bosomed Thetis bore Achilles; thee (for there the birth-pang drove her The aid of Eileithuia to implore), Bright Berenice brought forth on the Coan shore: The Woman-helper stood benignant by, Exulting Cos, with jubilant rapture wild, Hung round the blue-crowned isle, on which he sprung to light. From thee to Triop's hill such honour follow, As his Rhenæa had from King Apollo !" |