Full oft has Iolaus' shrine
Upon Eleusis' sea-girt strand
Witnessed the splendid acts which shine
To crown the efforts of his hand.
In his own path each labours well, 150
As nature grants him to excel.
While many with laborious aim
Toil up the rugged steep of fame,
If the kind god forbear to bless
Their vain endeavour with success, 155
Let silence hide th' unfinish'd tale
Within oblivion's dusky veil.
Far different are the ways which tend
To glory as their common end. 158
Not all mankind are prone to feel 160
In the same care an equal zeal.
But arduous paths must they explore
Who to the heights of wisdom soar.
While I this lay triumphant bring,
With voice sonorous let me sing 165
The hero's praise whose spirit bold
Join'd to a frame of hardy mould,
Urged him upon th' Oilean plain
The palm of glory to obtain.
Then round the Æantean shrine 170
In festal pomp the wreath entwine. [1] 168
- ↑ It was the custom for the victors on their return from Olympia to institute sacred rites in honour of the indigenous hero Ajax, son of Oileus, and to crown his shrine with a chaplet. The Æantean games were particularly celebrated at Opus.
