That king surpassingly is excellent For wealth, wide rule by sea and o'er much continent. In many a region many a tribe doth till The fields, made fruitful by the shower of Zeus : Hope of increase, when Nile the clod doth loose, More than three myriads, as a single fold Part of Phoenicia; some Arabian lands; His empire spreads; his navies sweep the seas; Obeys him and a host of chivalries, And shielded infantry with martial sounds Of their far-glittering brass the warrior-king surrounds. His wealth, that daily flows from every side, The treasure of all other kings outweighs ; For o'er the broad lands of that happy sept The bright-haired Ptolemy strict ward hath ever kept. His whole inheritance he cares to keep, As a good king: himself hath garnered more: And gives to cities much, and much to worthy friends. None in the sacred games e'er took a part, Whence Ptolemy the muse-priests celebrate For his munificence. What meed more great Than good renown can wealthy man befall? This meed doth on the dead Atridæ wait; Their infinite spoil from Priam's ravaged hall In the thick gloom lies hid, from whence is no recall. Only this prince hath in his fathers' ways With love and excellence ne'er clasped her spouse in bed. Such were the nuptials of the royal pair, Iris the virgin yet, whose fingers shine With fragrant brightness, when they would recline The marriage couch. Hail, Ptolemy! to thee And other demigods I will assign Due praise. One word for after-men; to me It seems, whatever good there is, from Zeus must be. IDYL XVIII. EPITHALAMIUM. ARGUMENT. A chorus of Spartan virgins of the highest rank chaunt the spousal song before the bridal chamber of Menelaus and Helen. The bridegroom is congratulated for his extraordinary happiness in obtaining such a wife. The singular beauty and exquisite graces and accomplishments of Helen are commemorated; and the song concludes with a prayer for the happiness of the bridal pair. This exquisite poem has been abjudicated from Theocritus, because, forsooth, it differs from his general style; as though the same poet could not possibly excel in different styles. P |