CHILON.

[ZaunköniG]

Was it not well the sage expired of joy,
Than it should perish e'er his spirit fled,
And lucent hope as stricken foliage, dead
Show that has breath'd influence to destroy?

Seldom excess of happiness has come
To stop the current of existence, while
Plays o'er each feature the expiring smile
Expression answ'ring, soon for ever dumb ;

Did it not more illustrious appear
Than ev'n his wisdom ? for the envied crown
Which graced the victor, to his spirit dear,
Not to imagination was his own ;
He taught that son to run the course of life
For honour, and he gain'd it in th' Olympic strife.