Page:Writings of Henry David Thoreau (1906) v5.djvu/418

376 Some on the land from dazzling trees,

And the water nourishes others;

With garlands of these they crown their hands and hair,

According to the just decrees of Rhadamanthus,

Whom Father Kronos, the husband of Rhea,

Having the highest throne of all, has ready by himself as his assistant judge.

Peleus and Kadmus are regarded among these;

And his mother brought Achilles, when she had

Persuaded the heart of Zeus with prayers,

Who overthrew Hector, Troy's

Unconquered, unshaken column, and gave Cycnus

To death, and Morning's Æthiop son.

Always around virtues labor and expense strive toward a work

Covered with danger; but those succeeding seem to be wise even to the citizens.

Dangerless virtues,

Neither among men, nor in hollow ships,

Are honorable; but many remember if a fair deed is done.

Ancient sayings of men relate,

That when Zeus and the Immortals divided earth,

Rhodes was not yet apparent in the deep sea;

But in salt depths the island was hid.