their steeds, but leave the chariots, having tilted them.[1] For thus at the first was the religious custom; but they pray to king [Apollo], and then the destiny of the gods saves the chariot. But from hence thou wentest onwards, O far-darting Apollo, and thou didst next reach fair-streamed Cephisus, which pours forth fair-flowing water from Lilæum. Having passed over this, O Far-Darter, and over well-turreted Ocalea, thou camest from thence to grassy Haliartus. And thou wentest on to Delphusa,[2] where the harmless country pleased thee, that thou shouldst erect a temple and foliaged grove. And thou stoodest very near her and addressed her in words:
"Delphusa, here indeed I design to build a very beautiful temple, as a shrine for men, who in my honour shall ever bring perfect hecatombs hither, ay, as many [men] as possess rich Peloponnesus, and as many as [dwell in] Europe and the sea-girt isles, in quest of oracles. But to them all will I declare unerring counsel, giving responses in my rich temple."
Thus having spoken, Phœbus Apollo began to lay down the foundations, wide, and very long in extent. But Delphusa, perceiving, was wroth at heart, and spake thus:
"Phœbus! far-darting king, what word shall I speak to thy mind? since thou designest to build here a very beautiful temple, to be a shrine for men, who indeed shall always bring hither to thee perfect hecatombs. But I will speak out to thee, and do thou cast it in thy mind; the noise of fleet steeds shall ever harass thee, and the [noise of the] mules coming to water from my sacred fountains. Here any one of men will rather wish to behold the well-wrought chariots of men, and the rattling of swift-footed steeds,[3] than a great temple
- ↑ "Currus solutis equis reclinatos relinquunt." Ernesti. If we consider the light make of the old Grecian chariots, and that they had but two wheels, this operation will appear easy.
- ↑ Or "Telphusa," which orthography is followed by Hermann, Grote, and others.
- ↑ "While seeking a site for a temple in Bœotia, Apollo is recommended by a water-goddess, Tilphussa or Delphussa, to place it in the territory of Crissa, in the ravine of Parnassus: her advice being prompted by the malicious hope that a dangerous serpent, which abode there, would destroy the youthful god. Apollo accepts her counsel, but frustrates her intent: he founds his temple in this solitary glen, slays the dragon, and then punishes Tilphussa by stopping up her fountain." Muller, Gk. Lit. l. c. § 4.
