Of Tribulation, these are They, 1
Denoted by the White－
The Spangled Gowns, a lesser Rank
Of Victors－designate－
All these－did conquer－5
But the ones who overcame most times－
Wear nothing commoner than Snow－
No Ornament, but Palms－
Surrender－is a sort unknown－9
On this superior soil－
Defeat－an outgrown Anguish－
Remembered, as the Mile
Our panting Ankle barely passed－13
When Night devoured the Road－
But we－stood whispering in the House－
And all we said－was "Saved"!
Denoted by the White－
The Spangled Gowns, a lesser Rank
Of Victors－designate－
All these－did conquer－5
But the ones who overcame most times－
Wear nothing commoner than Snow－
No Ornament, but Palms－
Surrender－is a sort unknown－9
On this superior soil－
Defeat－an outgrown Anguish－
Remembered, as the Mile
Our panting Ankle barely passed－13
When Night devoured the Road－
But we－stood whispering in the House－
And all we said－was "Saved"!
(F.328/J.325)
[1] Tribulation:: torment of a long race, originated from the Marathon battle.
[8] Palms:: held by winners of Olympic games.
[9] Surrender, unknown:: no surrender known in Olympic games.
[10] superior soil:: field of the games.
[12] Mile:: a hint on race.
A few pounds additional weight is so serious an evil, that it is said, seven pounds in a mile-race are equivalent to a distance. ─ The Library of Agricultural and Horticultural Knowledge (1830)
Indeed one Ladas, a victor at the Olympic games, was so exhausted by his efforts in the long race, that immediately on gaining the honour and being crowned, he fell dead. ─ The Encyclopaedia Britannica (1856)
Besides the races of various kinds, boxing and wrestling were generally practised in those games. The victors were crowned with garlands of leaves, and had branches of palm put into their hands, ─ Expository lectures on Paul's Epistles (1828)