Delos beloved, such is the champion that encompasses thee about! What defence is there more steadfast? Walls and stones may fall before the blast of Strymonian 9 Boreas but a god is unshaken for ever. They are strong by reason of sheltering towers, but Delos is strong by aid of Apollo. Behind her footsteps follow Phoenician Cyrnus, 4 no mean isle, and Abantian Macris 5 of the Ellopians, and delectable Sardo, 6 and the isle 7 whereto Cypris first swam from the water and for fee 8 of her landing she keeps safe. But none need grudge that she be named among the first, whensoever unto Oceanus and unto Titan Tethys the islands gather and she ever leads the way. Wherefore also sea-roaming fishermen have made her their home. The sea, rolling greatly round her, casts off on her much spindrift of the Icarian 3 water. Wind-swept and stern is she set in the sea, and, wave-beaten as she is, is fitter haunt for gulls than course for horses. To Delos no will I give her share of song, so that Cynthian 2 Apollo may praise me for taking thought of his dear nurse. Even as the Muses abhor him who sings not of Pimpleia 1 so Phoebus abhors him who forgets Delos. But Delos would win the foremost guerdon from the Muses, since she it was that bathed Apollo, the lord of minstrels, and swaddled him, and was the first to accept him for a god. What time or when, O my soul, wilt thou sing of holy Delos, nurse of Apollo? Surely all the Cyclades most holy of the isles that lie in the sea, are goodly theme of song.
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