On the third day thereafter came warlike Minos, bringing a Cretan host, in fifty ships with gleaming sterns: and by the favour of Zeus who gives glory, he wedded the deep-girdled maiden Dexithea; and left with her the half of his folk, warriors
to whom he gave the rocky land, ere he sailed away to Cnosus, lovely city, that king born of Europa. And in the tenth month the maiden with beautiful locks bore Euxantius, to be lord of the glorious isle.
…the daughters (of Damon) had changed (their old abode) for the city steeped in sunshine. From that city sprang Argeius, strong of hand, with the dauntless heart of a lion, whenever
a call to fight came upon him,—swift of foot, and not without a portion in his father’s noble gifts,— those which Apollo, glorious archer, bestowed on Pantheides, in respect to the healer’s art and the kindly honouring of strangers. Favoured by the Graces, and much admired among men, he passed from life, leaving five sons of high repute.
In requital of his good deeds, the offspring of Cronus throned on high has made one of those sons a victor at the Isthmus, and has given him other bright wreaths for his portion.
The best glory is that of Virtue, so deem I now and ever: wealth may dwell with men of little worth, and will exalt the spirit; but he who is bountiful to the gods can cheer his heart with a loftier hope. If a mortal is blessed with health, and can live on his own substance, he vies with the most fortunate. Joy attends on every state of life, if only disease and helpless poverty be not there. The rich man yearns for great things, as the poorer for less; mortals find no sweetness in opulence, but are ever pursuing visions that flee before them.
He whose mind is blown about by ambitions light as air, wins honour only for his life-time. The task of Virtue is toilsome; but, when it has been duly wrought to the end, it leaves the enviable meed of bright renown, outlasting death.
Fame, giver of glorious gifts, has sped to sacred Ceos with a message of gracious import, that Argeius has conquered in the strife of boxers;
and has renewed the memory of all those goodly feats which have been shown forth at the famous Isthmus by us who came from the beautiful isle of Euxantius, winners of seventy wreaths.
The native Muse summons the sweet clear sound of flutes, honouring with strains of victory the beloved son of Pantheides.
Cite This Text