No fairer prelude of the minstrel’s victory-chant can be + 

Than praise of Athens’ mighty town, + 

When he would hymn the far-prevailing Alkmaionidae, + 

And their swift steeds’ renown. + 

Yea, for what fatherland, what habitation, + 

O singer, canst thou name + 

That doth transcend, through all the Hellene nation, + 

Fair Athens’ fame? + 