κρηπῖδ᾽ ἀοιδᾶν ... βαλέσθαι: Cf. P. 4.138: βάλλετο κρηπῖδα σοφῶν ἐπέων. The architectural image recalls the service that the Alkmaionidai had rendered the Delphian temple. βαλέσθαι: “For the laying.” P. is instructive for the old dat. conception of the inf.