My tongue would fail to tell in full the honours wherein the sacred Argive land hath part:  also the distaste[5] of men is ill to meet.  Yet wake the well-strung lyre, and take thought of wrestlings; a strife for the bronze shield stirreth the folk to sacrifice of oxen unto Hera and to the issue of games, wherein the son of Oulias, Theaios, having overcome twice, hath obtained forgetfulness of the toils he lightly bore.

Also on a time at Pytho he was first of the Hellenic host, and won crowns at Isthmos and at Nemea, led thither by fair hap, and gave work for the Muses’ plough by thrice winning at the Gates[6] of the Sea and thrice on the famous plains in the pastures of Adrastos’ home[7].  Of that he longeth for, O Father Zeus, his mouth is silent, with thee are the issues of deeds:  but with a spirit strong to labour and of a good courage he prayeth thy grace.  Both Theaios, and whosoever struggleth in the perfect consummation of all games, know this, even the supremacy of the ordinance of Herakles that is holden at Pisa[8]:  yet sweet preluding strains are those that twice have welcomed his triumph at the festival of the Athenians:  and in earthenware baked in the fire, within the closure of figured urns, there came among the goodly folk of Hera[9] the prize of the olive fruit[10].

On the renowned race of thy mother’s sires there waiteth glory of games by favour of the Graces and the sons of Tyndareus together.  Were I kinsman of Thrasyklos and Antias I would claim at Argos not to hide mine eyes.  For with how many victories hath this horse-breeding city of Proitos flourished! even in the Corinthian corner and from the men of Kleonai[11] four times, and from Sikyon they came laden with silver, even goblets for wine, and out of Pellene clad in soft woof of wool[12].  But to tell over the multitude of their prizes of bronze is a thing impossible—­to count them longer leisure were needed—­which Kleitor and Tegea and the Achaians’ high-set cities and the Lykaion set for a prize by the race-course of Zeus for the conquerors by strength of hands or feet.

And since Kastor and his brother Polydeukes came to be the guests of Pamphaes[13], no marvel is it that to be good athletes should be inborn in the race.  For they[14] it is who being guardians of the wide plains of Sparta with Hermes and Herakles mete out fair hap in games, and to righteous men they have great regard.  Faithful is the race of gods.

Now, changing climes alternately, they dwell one day with their dear father Zeus, and the next in the secret places under the earth, within the valleys of Therapnai, fulfilling equal fate:  because on this wise chose Polydeukes to live his life rather than to be altogether god and abide continually in heaven, when that Kastor had fallen in the fight.

Him did Idas, wroth for his oxen, smite with a bronze spearhead, when from his watch upon Taygetos Lynkeus had seen them sitting within a hollow oak; for he of all men walking the earth had keenest eyes.  So with swift feet they were straightway come to the place, and compassed speedily a dreadful deed[15].