A king is sought to guide the growing state, } One able to support the public weight, } And fill the throne where Romulus had sate. } Renown, which oft bespeaks the public voice, Had recommended Numa to their choice; A peaceful, pious prince; who, not content To know the Sabine rites, his study bent To cultivate his mind; to learn the laws Of nature, and explore their hidden cause. Urged by this care, his country he forsook, And to Crotona thence his journey took. Arrived, he first enquired the founder's name Of this new colony; and whence he came. Then thus a senior of the place replies, Well read, and curious of antiquities.-- 'Tis said, Alcides hither took his way From Spain, and drove along his conquered prey; Then, leaving in the fields his grazing cows, He sought himself some hospitable house. Good Croton entertained his godlike guest; While he repaired his weary limbs with rest. The hero, thence departing, blessed the place; And here, he said, in time's revolving race, A rising town shall take its name from thee.-- Revolving time fulfilled the prophecy; For Myscelos, the justest man on earth, Alemon's son, at Argos had his birth; Him Hercules, armed with his club of oak, O'ershadowed in a dream, and thus bespoke; Go, leave thy native soil, and make abode } Where Æsaris rolls down his rapid flood;-- } He said; and sleep forsook him, and the God. } Trembling he waked, and rose with anxious heart; His country laws forbad him to depart, What should he do? 'Twas death to go away, And the God menaced if he dared to stay. All day he doubted, and, when night came on, Sleep, and the same forewarning dream, begun; Once more the God stood threatening o'er his head, With added curses if he disobeyed. Twice warned, he studied flight; but would convey, At once, his person and his wealth away. Thus while he lingered, his design was heard; A speedy process formed, and death declared. Witness there needed none of his offence, Against himself the wretch was evidence; Condemned, and destitute of human aid, To him, for whom he suffered, thus he prayed. O Power, who hast deserved in heaven a throne, Not given, but by thy labours made thy own, Pity thy suppliant, and protect his cause, Whom thou hast made obnoxious to the laws!-- A custom was of old, and still remains, Which life or death by suffrages ordains; White stones and black within an urn are cast, The first absolve, but fate is in the last. The judges to the common urn bequeath Their votes, and drop the sable signs of death: The box receives all black; but, poured from thence, The stones came candid forth, the hue of innocence. Thus Alimonides his safety won,