Classic Poem

O Camarina, bright daughter of Ocean, with glad spirit greet
Him who the crown of Olympian achievement and glory most sweet
Brings for his gifts to thee won by his car-team's unwearying feet,

Psaumis! O nurse of a nation, to magnify thee hath he raised
Altars, twin altars twice three, where at feasts of the Blessèd Ones blazed
Steers that were slain; and for five days the goals of the race-course they grazed,

Chariots of horses and mules, and swift coursers. To thee consecrated
All his proud glory was, and to his sire and the burg new-created.

Back from Oenomaus' home and from Pelops' dear dwelling he brings
Songs unto Pallas Protectress of Cities; her precinct he sings,
Sings of thy river Oanis, the mere that thine highland enrings

Hallowèd Hipparis sings he that quencheth thy citizens' thirst,
Floating down fast for rebuilding thee trees in his hill-cradle nursed,
So that from darkness the light of new life on thy commonwealth burst.

Labour and cost for all noble achievement in one must be blended:
Veiled is the issue in risk; but success is for wisdom commended.

Cloud-hidden Saviour, O Zeus who art throned on the Kronian hill-crest,
Honourest Alpheus' flood and the cave under Ida's green breast,
Suppliant I come to thee, voicing through Lydian flutes my request:

O let this city with chivalry's glory be aye magnified!
Thou too, Olympian victor, whose god-nurtured steeds are thy pride,
Unto a peaceful old age mayst thou win with thy sons at thy side

If as a well-watered garden thy bliss be, and if thou desire not
More, with thy wealth and thine honours content—unto godhead aspire.