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CHORUS FROM THE ŒDIPUS COLONEUS.
27
For the all-seeing care of Jove
Forbids that sacred stem to die,
And fair Athenè from above
Bends o'er its growth her azure eye.
Forbids that sacred stem to die,
And fair Athenè from above
Bends o'er its growth her azure eye.
Glorious city, shrine of power,
Shrine of freedom in the land,
Deities upon thee shower
Choicest gifts with lavish hand.
Gallant steeds of purest strain
Are thy fertile valleys' boast;
Friendly is the deep-blue main,
Laving round thy favour'd coast.
Son of Saturn, Neptune, King,
'Tis from thee these blessings spring;
Thou first upon this grassy mead
Gav'st dominion o'er the steed:
Thou gav'st the skill to stem the tide
All whiten'd by the dashing oar,
While, swiftly as the Nereids glide,
The galley bounds mid ocean's roar.
Shrine of freedom in the land,
Deities upon thee shower
Choicest gifts with lavish hand.
Gallant steeds of purest strain
Are thy fertile valleys' boast;
Friendly is the deep-blue main,
Laving round thy favour'd coast.
Son of Saturn, Neptune, King,
'Tis from thee these blessings spring;
Thou first upon this grassy mead
Gav'st dominion o'er the steed:
Thou gav'st the skill to stem the tide
All whiten'd by the dashing oar,
While, swiftly as the Nereids glide,
The galley bounds mid ocean's roar.