What man soever hath prospered in winning prizes of high renown + 

In the Games, or is mighty in wealth, who yet in his spirit crusheth down + 

Pestilent arrogance, worthy is he to be graced with his townsmen’s praise; + 

For of thee, O Zeus, all excellence cometh that mortal men doth upraise; + 

And longer abideth their bliss who reverence thee: with the froward-hearted + 

Through life it abides not, but lo, as a suddenly vanishing dream hath departed. + 

It beseems that in guerdon of glorious achievement the deeds of the valiant we sing; + 

It beseems that mid triumph-procession with grace of loving welcoming + 

Should our praises conspire to exalt him! In contests twain hath fortune fair + 

Favoured Melissus, to turn his heart to delightsome joy from care. + 

In the glens of the Isthmus he won for him crowns: where the thunder-throated lion + 

Prowled through the cavernous Nemean dell, he proclaimed him Thebe’s scion + 

In the chariot-contest triumphant. He bringeth + 

No stain on the mighty name + 

Of the prowess his sires made glorious + 

Of old. Well know ye the fame + 

Which Kleonymus won, as the old lay singeth + 

How his chariot raced victorious. + 

By the mother akin to the Labdakid Clan, they walked in the ways of wealth, and they trained + 

With manifold toil the yoke of four. + 

But time with its onward-rolling days bringeth change upon change: unscarred, unpained + 

Are none but the Gods’ seed evermore. + 