Classic Poem

Sostratus, son of Laodamas, Prince of Ægina,
Named in the book of Herodotus still shall you find him,
He who was first of the Hellenes in trade, and outsailing
All to the westward, returned with the goodliest cargo,
Now in the dusk of the twilight meseemeth I see him,
Straight on the deck of his ship within sight of Ægina,
Borne by the evening wind, with the hold of his vessel
Heavy with amber and pitch and hides from the Spanish
Forests, and copper hewed out from the hills of Tartessus.
Westward the shores of Kalauria gloom, but the golden
Crests of the islands are luminous still with the sunset;
Taut are the sails, and the cordage groans, and the plunging
Oars keep time with the tremulous chant of the sailors.
Full of the triumph of life is his strenuous figure;
Bronzed are his cheeks, and toughened his hands, and his shining
Eyes are alive with memories, full of the stories
Gathered from wonderful folk on the strands of the ocean,
Soon to be rolled from his lips on the listening market
There in Ægina. Full is his heart too of visions,
Plans for far-venturing trade in the opulent future.
Gone are his figure and face now; gone are his people,
Sostratus, son of Laodamas, Prince of Ægina;
Yet like a gleam out of primitive shadow revealing
Worlds of old joy and wonder of living and effort
Named in the book of Herodotus still shall you find him.