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Rh If of the beardless train I raise

The hymn that sings Melesias' praise,

Let not the tongue of Envy rail,

Nor with sharp stone my fame assail.

His valiant deeds in Nemea's plain

Alike inspire the poet's strain—

And next the great pancratium's meed,

Which to the strife of heroes is decreed.

His triumph is our surest guide,

Whose feet the arduous paths have tried;

But light their mind and counsel vain

Whose skill could ne'er the palm obtain.

Who tells his own victorious deeds

To others points the path of fame,

And shows what glorious lot succeeds

His conquest in each sacred game.

So thine the thirtieth garland won

Adds to thy teacher's fame, Alcimedon.

With fortune and his manly arm to aid,

He sent four vanquish'd striplings back in shame,

Darken'd their homeward path with sorrow's shade,

And gave to slandering infamy their name.

'Twas this his grandsire's age inspired

With vigorous youth's returning breath;

For by the victor's glory fired

His mind forgot the hour of death.

Be mine the task, Blepsiadæ, to raise

A record worthy of your deathless praise.