Pedestrianism

18 ancient gymnastics. " They try, they rouse their speed with various arts, " Their languidlimbs they prompt to act their partsj " And with bent hams, amid the practis'd crowd, " They sit njow strain their lungs, andshout aloud ; " Now a short flight,with fiery steps they trace, " And with a sudden stop abridge the mimic race. ,, When the signal was given, the racers ran "with amazing rapidity. They " seemed on " featheredfeet to fly," andthe first who ar­ rivedat the goal was declaredthe victor. So highly were gymnastics estimated in Greece, that the most liberal rewards, and the most flattering honors, were bestowed on the victors, whose glory shed a lustre aroundtheir friends, their parents, and their country. The Olympic crown was composed of the branchesof the wild olive ; but the pine, the parsley, andthe laurel, were the symbols ap­ propriated to the several solemnities of the sacred games at the Isthmus, Nemea, and Delphi. This reward, however, was only a pledge of the many honors, immunities, and privileges, consequent of the glory of being crowned^