The story is from Herodotus, told there in the third person. See
Herodotus, VI., 105-106. The final incident and the reward asked by
the runner are Browning's addition.
[Greek: =Chairete, nikômen=]. Rejoice, we conquer.
4. =Zeus=. The chief of the Greek gods (Roman Jupiter). =Her of the ægis
and spear=. These were the emblems of Athena (Roman Minerva), the
goddess of wisdom and of warfare.