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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [C7r p45]

Laus in fine.

The praise comes at the end.

Two men in Roman uniforms and helmets standing talking outside a castle before a river.
[Click on image to enlarge]

Laudem tulit non qui incipit, aut movet
Insigne opus, nam quilibet id potest:
Finem sed imponit supremum,
Hic meritos refert triumphos.
Homerus Ulyssem πτολίπορθον, &
Victorem, Achillem nec vocat gravem.
Ajax licèt sit strenuusque,
Non tamen hos dedit illi honores.[1]
Exercitum unus nam insuperabilem
Turbabit, at qui composuit Deus
Est solus, hic nam saevientes
Imperio moderatur aequo.

Neither he who starts a great work, nor he who makes it prosper takes the praise, for anyone can do that, but he who puts to it a final end: he carries off the well-deserved triumph. Homer calls Ulysses ptoliporthos [sacker of cities] and victor; but he does not call hard Achilles by such a name; and Ajax, no matter how hardy - still, he did not give him these honours. For he by himself broke up an invincible army; but he who resolved it was God alone, for he reins in the raging with impartial rule.

Notes:

1.  An Iliadic commonplace.

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