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224 May they with heart unwounded still

Their annual dignity fulfil.

But I the joyful song will raise

In his great sire Arcesilaus:

That beauteous form I hail with glee,

And kindred intrepidity.

Let him with rich possessions bless'd,

Whose form excels above the rest,

Seen in the varied contests bright

With glory and surpassing might,

Survey his frame of mortal limbs composed,

Doom'd at the last to be in common earth enclosed.

'Tis just his fellow-townsmen should proclaim

In words and varied songs' mellifluous tone,

Great Aristagoras' victorious fame,

For sixteen palms from neighb'ring rivals won.

His noble country these with high renown

In the pancratium gain'd and wrestler's contest crown.

But their son's might the parents' sluggish fear

From Pythian and Olympic fields restrain'd—

Fix'd in my sentiment, I firmly swear,

That when the hero's footsteps have attained

The waters of Castalia's fount,

And Saturn's wood-encircled mount,

Again he seeks his native land,

More honour'd than the rival band,

Observes the laws, a frequent guest

Of Hercules' quinquennial feast;

And gayly revelling has bound

The purple boughs his hair around.

But oft through empty-minded boast

Mortals th' expected good have lost;

While he by diffidence oppress'd,

Failing of bliss he once possess'd,