Honor to those who dedicate their lives To guarding their Thermopylae, who give Unstinting service to what they believe, Defending to the last against all odds; Who glory in straightforward honesty, But with compassion and great pity too; Generous with wealth, and in hard times Offering whatever they can afford To help the fallen; who must speak the truth But bear no rancor for those forced to lie. And greater honor theirs who guard the way When they foresee (as many one day do) That Ephialtes will finally betray And in the end the Persians will get through.

— Translated, from the Greek, by Richard O’Connell