Alcmaeon to his messengers had shown, Whom he, with offerings worthy of the god, Sent from his throne in Sardis, to revere Apollo's Delphic shrine. With Megacles Approach'd his son, whom Agarista bore, The virtuous child of Clistheues, whose hand Of Grecian sceptres the most ancient far In Sicyon sway'd: but greater fame he drew 170 From arms controll'd by justice, from the love Of the wise Muses, and the unenvied wreath Which glad Olympia gave. For thither once His warlike steeds the hero led, and there Contended through the tumult of the course With skilful wheels. Then victor at the goal, Amid the applauses of assembled Greece, High on his car he stood and waved his arm. Silence ensued: when straight the herald's voice Was heard, inviting every Grecian youth, 180 Whom Clisthenes content might call his son, To visit, ere twice thirty days were pass'd, The towers of Sicyon. There the chief decreed, Within the circuit of the following year, To join at Hymen's altar, hand in hand With his fair daughter, him among the guests Whom worthiest he should deem. Forthwith from all The bounds of Greece the ambitious wooers came: From rich Hesperia; from the Illyrian shore, Where Epidamnus over Adria's surge 190 Looks on the setting sun; from those brave tribes Chaonian or Molossian, whom the race Of great Achilles governs, glorying still In Troy o'erthrown; from rough Aetolia, nurse Of men who first among the Greeks threw off The yoke of kings, to commerce and to arms Devoted; from Thessalia's fertile meads, Where flows Peneus near the lofty walls Of Cranon old; from strong Eretria, queen Of all Euboean cities, who, sublime 200 On the steep margin of Euripus, views Across the tide the Marathonian plain, Not yet the haunt of glory. Athens too, Minerva's care, among her graceful sons Found equal lovers for the princely maid: Nor was proud Argos wanting; nor the domes Of sacred Elis; nor the Arcadian groves That overshade Alpheus, echoing oft Some shepherd's song. But through the illustrious band Was none who might with Megacles compare 210 In all the honours of unblemish'd youth. His was the beauteous bride; and now their son, Young Clisthenes, betimes, at Solon's gate Stood anxious; leaning forward on the arm Of his great sire, with earnest eyes that ask'd When the slow hinge would turn, with restless feet, And cheeks now pale, now glowing; for his heart Throbb'd full of bursting passions, anger, grief With scorn imbitter'd, by the generous boy Scarce understood, but which, like noble seeds, 220 Are destined for his country and himself In riper years to bring forth fruits divine Of liberty and glory. Next appear'd Two brave companions, whom one mother bore To different lords; but whom the better ties