Virtue, to men thou bringest care and toil; <br />Yet art thou life's best, fairest spoil! <br />O virgin goddess, for thy beauty's sake <br />To die is delicate in this our Greece, <br />Or to endure of pain the stern strong ache. <br />Such fruit for our soul's ease <br />Of joys undying, dearer far than gold <br />Or home or soft-eyed sleep, dost thou unfold! <br />It was for thee the seed of Zeus, <br />Stout Herakles, and Leda's twins, did choose <br />Strength-draining deeds, to spread abroad thy name: <br />Smit with the love of thee <br />Aias and Achilleus went smilingly <br />Down to Death's portal, crowned with deathless fame. <br />Now, since thou art so fair, <br />Leaving the lightsome air. <br />Atarneus' hero hath died gloriously. <br />Wherefore immortal praise shall be his guerdon: <br />His goodness and his deeds are made the burden <br />Of songs divine <br />Sung by Memory's daughters nine, <br />Hymning of hospitable Zeus the might <br />And friendship firm as fate in fate's despite.<br /><br />Aristotle<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hymn-to-virtue/
