Classic Poem

IN the Olympic games, in days of yore,
The prize of fame heroic chieftains bore;
And oft in contests such as these, in love
(Tho' rivals strong profest), whole cities strove;
Hence in the combat bold, or in the race,
The sons of Greece shone with conspicuous grace,
And later Rome, with thirst of fame inspir'd,
By the same means her share of praise acquir'd.
In such a contest met, two youths were found,
Both in the chariot-race by all renown'd;
Not both alike, howe'er, in temper known,
For one seem'd form'd on steady rules alone;
The other, all-impetuous in his might,
Alike rush'd eager to the race or fight.
The course prescrib'd them was a vary'd scene,
Part a rough hill, and part a level green,
Which with attention either champion eyes,
Since they must pass them both, or lose the prize.
The judges sat; each had his rules assign'd,
For other racers all the strife declin'd,
A LCESTES whirls his lash, the horses fly,
The goal he quickly views (in fancy) nigh.
P RÆTUS pursues with swift and equal course,
And skill, that easy match'd superior force;
Now at the hill arriv'd, a pass they spy,
Where one alone could drive in safety by;
On either side, a way as steep was seen
As the hill's height above the level green;
Now slow, but sure, the prudent P RÆTUS rides,
And with just care his faithful steeds he guides;
But tho' his rival sees him lead the way,
He hopes to snatch the glories of the day;
Swift he drives on, the narrow way to gain,
While P RÆTUS still entreats and warns in vain,
With gen'rous offers, as he comes in view,
On equal terms the contest to renew:
A LCESTES , hearing, answers but in scorn,
And headstrong onward to the path is borne;
Backward his rival drew, but all too late,
For one must meet th' inevitable fate;
And as beyond discretion he was gone,
His was the lot who urg'd the mischief on.
Down the rough crag, while no relief was nigh,
Chariot and Charioteer fell from on high;
Batter'd and crush'd A LCESTES lies beneath,
And groaning sad resigns his forfeit breath;
While P RÆTUS views the scene with pitying eyes,
But (as he merited) bore off the prize.