But to all men equally cometh the wave of death, and falleth on the fameless and the famed:  howbeit honour ariseth for them whose fair story God increaseth to befriend them even when dead, whoso have journeyed to the mighty centre-stone of wide-bosomed earth.

There now beneath the floor of Pytho lieth Neoptolemos, dying there when he had sacked the city of Priam where the Danaoi toiled with him.  He sailing thence missed Skyros, and they wandered till they came to Ephyra, and in Molossia he was king for a little while:  howbeit his race held this state[2] continually.  Then was he gone to the god’s home[3], carrying an offering of the chief spoils from Troy:  and there in quarrel concerning meats a man smote him with a knife.

Thereat were the Delphian entertainers of strangers grieved exceedingly:  nevertheless he but paid a debt to destiny:  for it was needful that in that most ancient grove someone of the lords the sons of Aiakos should abide within thenceforward, beside the goodly walls of the god’s house, and that when with plenteous sacrifice the processions do honour to the heroes, he should keep watch that fair right be done.  Three words shall be enough:  when he presideth over the games there is no lie found in his testimony thereof.

O thou Aigina, of thy children that are of Zeus I have good courage to proclaim that as of inheritance they claim the path to glory, through splendour of their valorous deeds:  howbeit in every work a rest is sweet, yea even of honey cometh surfeit and of the lovely flowers of Love.

Now each of us is in his nature diverse, and several are the lots of life we draw, one this and one another:  but that one man receive perfect bliss, this is impossible to men.  I cannot find to tell of any to whom Fate hath given this award abidingly.

To thee, Thearion[4], she giveth fair measure of bliss, first daring in goodly deeds, and then understanding and sound mind.  Thy friend am I, and I will keep far from the man I love the secret slander, and bring nigh unto him praise and true glory, as it were streams of water:  for meet is such recompense for the good.

If there be near me now a man of the Achaians who dwelleth far up the Ionian sea, he shall not upbraid me:  I have faith in my proxeny[5]:  and among the folk of my own land I look forth with clear gaze, having done naught immoderate, and having put away all violence from before my feet.  So let the life that remaineth unto me run cheerly on.

He who knoweth shall say if indeed I come with slanderous speech upon my lips to strike a jarring note.  To thee, Sogenes of the house of the sons of Euxenos, I swear that without overstepping the bound I have sent forth the swift speech of my tongue as it were a bronze-headed javelin, such as saveth from the wrestling the strong neck sweatless yet, or ever the limbs be plunged in the sun’s fire[6].

If toil there were, delight more abundant followeth after.  Let be; if somewhat over far I soared when I cried aloud, yet am I not froward, that I should deny his glory unto one that conquereth.