Page:Writings of Henry David Thoreau (1906) v5.djvu/420

378

With the javelin Phrastor struck the mark;

And Eniceus cast the stone afar,

Whirling his hand, above them all,

And with applause it rushed

Through a great tumult;

And the lovely evening light

Of the fair-faced moon shone on the scene.

When, having done fair things, O Agesidamus,

Without the reward of song, a man may come

To Hades' rest, vainly aspiring

He obtains with toil some short delight.

But the sweet-voiced lyre

And the sweet flute bestow some favor;

For Zeus' Pierian daughters

Have wide fame.

O ye, who inhabit for your lot the seat of the Cephisian

Streams, yielding fair steeds, renowned Graces,

Ruling bright Orchomenos,

Protectors of the ancient race of Minyæ,

Hear, when I pray.

For with you are all pleasant

And sweet things to mortals;