'These twain'—let men say—'lived in olden days.

This was a yokel (in their country-phrase),

That was his mate (so talked these simple folk):

And lovingly they bore a mutual yoke.

The hearts of men were made of sterling gold,

When troth met troth, in those brave days of old,'

O Zeus, O gods who age not nor decay!

Let e'en two hundred ages roll away,

But at the last these tidings let me learn,

Borne o'er the fatal pool whence none return:—