So there were three choirs, Pollux, Lexicon , iv. 107, says that the three choirs were established by Tyrtacus. corresponding to the three periods of life, which were made up at their festivals, and the choir of old men would begin with this song Cf. Moralia , 544 e; Plutarch’s Life of Lycurgus , chap. xxi. (53 b). Other references may be found in Bergk, Poet. Lyr. Graec. iii. p. 661, or Diehl, Anthologia Lyrica Graeca , ii. p. 197, or Edmonds, Lyra Graeca (in the L.C.L.), iii. p. 530. : Young valiant men long days ago were we. Then the choir of men in the prime of life would sing in response, And that are we; look, if you will, and see. And the third choir, that of the boys, would sing, And better far ’tis certain we shall be.