The heavens yet have not left to roll both months and years on reels; And many horses yet shall turn about the Chariot's wheels: The man shall rise that shall have need of me to set him out; Doing such deeds of arms as AJAX, or ACHILLES stout, Did in the field of Simois, where ILUS' bones do rest And now the Carthaginians, inhabiting the West, Who in the utmost end of Liby' dwell, in arms are prest: And now the Syracuseans their spears do carry in the rest; Whose left arms laden are with targets made of willow tree. 'Mongst whom King HIERO, the ancient Worthies' match, I see In armour shine; whose plume doth overshade his helmet bright.
O JUPITER, and thou MINERVA fierce in fight, And thou PROSERPINA (who, with thy mother, has renown By Lysimelia streams, in Ephyra that wealthy town), Out of our island drive our enemies, our bitter fate, Along the Sardine sea! that death of friends they may relate Unto their children and their wives! and that the town opprest By enemies, of th' old inhabitants may be possesst! That they may till the fields! and sheep upon the downs may bleat By thousands infinite, and fat! and that the herds of neat As to their stalls they go, may press the ling'ring traveller! Let grounds be broken up for seed, what time the grasshopper Watching the shepherds by their flocks, in boughs close singing lies! And let the spiders spread their slender webs in armories; So that of War, the very name may not be heard again!
But let the Poets strive, King HIERO's glory for to strain Beyond the Scythean sea; and far beyond those places where SEMIRAMIS did build those stately walls, and rule did bear. 'Mongst whom, I will be one: for many other men beside, JOVE's daughters love; whose study still shall be, both far and wide, Sicilian Arethusa, with the people, to advance; And warlike HIERO. Ye Graces! (who keep resiance [_residence_] In the Thessalian Mount Orchomenus; to Thebes of old So hateful, though of you beloved) to stay I will be bold, Where I am bid to come: and I with them will still remain, That shall invite me to their house, with all my Muses' train. Nor you, will I forsake! For what to men can lovely be Without your company? The Graces always be with me!