776 , in which year Chorcebus obtained the victory ; and from this time the era of the
olympiads
is usually dated .
Pindar
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
VIII XI
- ----
- -----
- ---III- Of
Til
V
IV
X V 1the
II . I IX
II . . . . IV.
.
. . . . .
. . . . .
. .
. . . . . . . . . . . . ,. .
. .
. . . .
. . .
.
. .
. .
.
. .
.
.
158
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
PINDAR .
PINDAR was a native of Thebes in Bæotia , or, as
some authors , among whom is writer Stephanus Byzantinus affirm
geographical
the town Theban
Cynocephali
which was under
He was the
the musician Sco Deiphantus and
corresponding nearly with the year 520
His parents were probably obscure situations life although illustrious descent as
serts fifth Pythiau ode that they were the same origin with Arcesilaus king Cyrene
said Pindar when verging manhood presage his future lyrical eminence was
from the circumstance swarm bees settled his lips For early skill
jurisdiction pelinus
according
birth have taken place
Suidas
Myrto
the same author
stated
the sixty fifth Olympiad
.
of
of his a
in
to
in
' e
as
,
' of
d. , heA tł . C
the
. of . ,
a
It
of
of
of
;
the of to
in is
of his
his or is
, to
of
the ,
in
,
:,
on
of ,.
of
-
by
, of
son
,
,
vi
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
and poetical composition he is said to have been chiefly indebted to the instructions of Corinna; against whom , however , when a competitor for the prize , it was his fate to be adjudged inferior in no
fewer than five contests : but this perhaps is as much to be attributed to the personal charms of his fair rival as to her poetical superiority ; since in
the other Grecian assemblies which did not allow of female competitors he was almost invariably
declared victorious. He also received instruction from Simonides of Ceos, at that time the most celebrated lyric poet in Greece . He was contem porary with Æschylus , and senior to Bacchylides ,
having florished one hundred and fifty years later than Alcman , one hundred after Alcæus , and fifty
after Stesichorus , and surpassed them all in lyrical
excellence . Of numerous compositions con
sisting hymns honor Apollo Dithyrambics
and Odes victors
Greece the latter only have been preserved
with exception one especially
olar Eclipse cited
the gods Pæans Bacchus Funeral Songs
some considerable frag great poetical beauty
Dionysius Halicar
and opening verses fine dithyram VI
Von
the four great festivals
-
--
us '
.
V -
nts ,
the
,
the
in
his
of a
of ,
- -
by
of of
to at
of
,
*
,
of
on
to
,
to
=
the
,
to
,
of
,
OF PINDAR . vii
One slight effort of Pindar's juvenile muse has also escaped the ravages of time, but suffi
ciently considerable
Ode Solitude letus presage
placed him when
the first rank
gods and heroes time we shall not odes any instance
but Pindar chaste and common with the poets
have served like Pope Cowley Constantia and Phi
that future excellence which had attained his fortieth year
the lyric poets Greece
The encomiums which our poet often lavishes the wealthy have sometimes been mentioned
subject reproach
decorous muse delighted panegyrise kings demi
throughout vice high station flattered
able find
prosperous wickedness enriched the golden
dews poetical adulation sincere and judicious advice which fearlessly bestows
Hiero Arcesilaus reader will reminded
King Richard this grave admonition the reigning monarch
Prince desire be honorable Cherish thy folk and hate extortion
the bold and animated language the
our own Chaucer who the
spirit true genius concludes his Ballade sept
independent
It is to
to of or
of
, of
', & c
be to
by
.
. , not
in
· ,,,on
,
of s
,
: ,
' by
,
of
, or
to
he
, to
of or
of
as
·
of in
, ;of
in
In the
, be the
to
he . ,
if
'
of a ,
in
to s
'
as
on ,hishis aon , s
'
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Theban bard that we are in a great measure in
debted for the feeling and interest that accon pany the contemplation of those magnificent festi
vals which , being interwoven with the structure of the popular religion , hailed by the hopes of the
religious and the aspirations of devout have parallel the history modern solemnities
His hymns and pæans honor Apollo were
frequently chanted the temples Greece the
poet seated iron chair which was afterwards placed venerable relic the temple Delphi
and priestess herself declared will presiding deity that Pindar should
warded with one half first fruits which were
offered his shrine
We are not acquainted with many particulars
his early life but may collect from the accounts
various authors that the character
hard was held the highest degree especially King Hiero and
living
estimation memory after
death contemplated with the deepest reverence related him that had particular devo
tion for the god Pan and therefore took
abode near the temple that deity Hewas ap
See the note tenth Olympic ode
the
*
It is
of thethe as
on
the of,
his
in
v .
.
.
of
by , in
he
,
the in
, in
a
his
it
the of of
of of
to
, beat,
61 .
up be the his . , ofof re :
by
no
at
a
in
in
. *
of of
pointed to compose Theban virgins
OF
PINDAR .
hymns which were sung
honor that mystic emblem also appears from Pyth
universal nature
139 that near the dwelling Pindar stood
shrine chapel dedicated the great goddess Rhea where the nymphs were wont assemble
purpose performing Pan We farther learn
dressed Pan our poet invoking that deity
day their vows her and
close
from Aristodemus quoted
the scholiast this that Pindar himself raised this shrine
passage
the venerable Mother the Gods He likewise cites fragment ode choral hymn ad
president
nymphs their dances smile propitiously
The same honor had
former occasion been his descendants the
Pausanias Grecian
paid
Lacedæmonians and
the habitation
Arcadia and companion the
songs Indeed the piety the Theban bard every where conspicuous and worthy admi
ration related Plutarch Life Alexander that when after most determined and
vigorous defence the city Thebes was levelled the ground that conqueror the posterity
Pindar were exempted from the hard fate which attended his captive fellow townsmen
;
by
,
of
by of
of ,
the
,. . in
of to
to
.
a
,
the ,
,
of on a
,
by
his of
of
on
to
is
his
as
at
iii of
. the
,
It ,
. in to
or
is
to
an of by, to
for
It
- to the ofa , by
to
of
of
,, of
tra ontoaby - of of , .
.
,or .
.
in
the
,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
veller, relates that he had seen the ruins of this house near the fountain Dirce .
Themanner of Pindar 's death has been variously related by different authors . Pausanias gravely records as authentic the traditionary tale, that while our poet was living in the height of honor and glory, Proserpine appeared to
complained that she alone
been neglected poems
this defect pro should arrive the
would consecrate died either the the tenth day after
dream and all the deities had
mised kingdom
hymn
theatre dream
supply soon Pluto when
her honor and that the gymnasium
Another account Valerius Maximus
far removed from recorded instances
the departure illustrious men from the world naturally excite scepticism the reader
although
mentioned sign the favorable regard
poetic faculty event said have taken place when
than the excellence
less
This poet
years the hip
age eighty monument was erected his memory
had attained advanced
podrome
distance furlong from city inscrip
Thebes near the Præetæan Gate the
that author the gods
of a
at
so it
or .
of
the
he he : of
,
A
-
as of c. 12
the to ,
to is
as in his
to
as
is
of
. )is
to
to
of his
by the
of
,
;,
on
of of all he him
by
in and of a
-
an in six , (, , the.
he
,
at no b. as
in
in
a ix . ,.
a
his
OF PINDAR .
tion engraved on itrecording his candid and agree
townsmen and displeased
added Pindardigested
able manners both strangers
to fellow The reader will perhaps not
this short biographical
Heyne according
notice the odes
Olymp
sketch
excellent edition the order
from years together with
life victors who are
celebrated
520 Pindar born
Suidas says that was forty years age battle Salamis which account agrees with
this
Olymp Pyth
498 Hippocleas victor Pyth
Pyth
Marathon
the same the 25th Pythiad Midas gains the
prize the flute Pyth
xii
488 Epharmostus 01
484 Agesidamus 01
480 Battle
478 Hiero Pyth
490 Xenocrates
Battle
Asopichus
474 Megacles Pyth
sicrates
and Salamis
conquers
racing
01
vii Tele Pyth
46 44 36 32 30 22 Æt . .
[
.
76 76 3, 1,
757574
3, 1, , , 11
70 . ] 3, 3,
' s
28
27
24 22
65 1,
-- iii
476
A he, . C ,A
.
of
of
,
73 ,
72
.
of
.
of . to
.
In
. . C.
of a,
his
.
on
_. , ,ofbe-
—
-
, is
xiv in . x in
ix . ,-
'. . . ix
,
/
. -
. . - vi
-
or
. . . of
.
. xi . at x
in
if
.
. . atoto . the his
. ,
'
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PINDAR .
Æt. Olymp. Pyth. 48 77,1
A . C .
472 Theron — teles —
01. ii. and 01. xii.
Ergo
race -- |
50 77,3
54 78,3 56 79,1
58 79,3 60 80,1 66 81, 3 82,1 74 83,3
29 30
31 33
470 Hiero in Pyth . i.
the chariot
466 Telesicrates- Pyth. ix.
464 Xenophon in the stadic
course _ 01. xiii.
462 Arcesilaus– Pyth. iv. and v .
460 Alcimedon - 01. viii. 454 Thrasydæus – Pyth . xi .
452 Psaumis-01. iv. andv. 35446 Aristomenes — Pyth . viii.
This , according to Corsini ( Fast .
year
The various themes which his prolific Muse was employed are thus enumerated by Horace
Pindar death which however
rent authors assigned various years between the 79th and 87th Olympiad
his ode beginning Pindarum quisquis may not displease the English reader
paraphrase our excellent Cowley
Whether immortal gods sings less immortal strain
which
Or the great acts god descended kings Who his numbers still survive and reign
please
carve polish verse the conqueror images
Whether some brave man untimely fate words worth dying for he celebrate Such mournful and such pleasing words
As joy his mother and his mistress grief affords
Whether Pisa race
Att. ) is diffe
peruse
the
' s
' d
of
'
; ,
:
,
.
In
To
In
* 68 of
to inno in in
th of ’
' s
’ s
's he
, he
-
to on . *
,
a
's ; to
; . ;
is by
;
in
,
.
' & c
it in
the
PREFACE .
The version of Pindar 's Odes , which is here offered to the public , was first undertaken in compliance with a suggestion contained in a critique written some years ago in the Quarterly Review ; to which was annexed , by way of illustrating the plan , a metrical translation
of the two first Olympic odes ; in which the usual division into strophe, antistrophe , and epode , was
neglected , after it had been exposed in a strain of playful irony , and that into corresponding paragraphs
made use of in stead
The versions of these two odes were afterwards re
published the end small volume poems
the late Bishop Heber and this plan appeared the Author of the present translation be worthy of
adoption
that he has been induced regularly the odes the same manner and now sub
through
mits his effort the ordeal
the sentiment Denham
public opinion
his fine panegyric
Pastor Fido ex well founded
Sir pressed
few would sufficiently bold grapple verse with
Fanshaw translator the following lines
Nor ought genius
Attempt translation All the defects
that writ
less than
for transplanted wit
and soil doth share And colder brains like colder climates are
be
a
to
, of in
at
its
to
be of , Il in
in
to
goso of
of air ;
;of . a
his
to ;
, ;,.
in
R .
,
,
,
to
by
on If
of ,
xiv
PREFACE .
a poet of so sublime a genius as the Theban bard ; the difficulty of transfusing whose peculiar beauties into another language can be appreciated by those alone who have attempted to preserve this poet's sublimity ; without soaring into empty loftiness ; and to adopt his occasional free tone of diction , without degenerating
into the language of colloquial familiarity : so high a degree of caution is required in the translator always
to be on his guard , lest
Migret in obscuras bumili sermone tabernas ;
Aut dum vitat humum , nubes et inania captet . ,
HORAT . AD Pison , 229
But whatever fate may attend the present version , I shall scarcely know how to repent of the temerity
which urged me to the undertaking , and induced me
to persevere in a labor that has furnished an agree able occupation for many a vacant hour .
It has been my wish to give throughout my version
some idea of the energetic, but rather abrupt, style
and manner of an author whose language is exalted by sentiments of piety and genuine patriotism - de
served encomiums to the virtuous and brave , as well as heartfelt gratitude to his generous benefactors ; whose various compositions are appealed to as autho rity in doubtful cases by Cicero , Pausanias , and other
ancient writers quoted by the scholiast on different passages ; whom Plato distinguishes by the epithets most wise and divine ; who was considered by one of the early Christian fathers , Clement of Alexandria ,
to have been well versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and to have borrowed many passages from
that treasury of sacred wisdom and sublime eloquence ,
PREFACE . XV
particularly from the Book of Proverbs ; to whom ,
while living, honors all but divine were paid ; and whose dwelling was spared , many ages after his death ,
in the general sack of his native city.
I have annexed a brief account of the four most
celebrated games of Greece, as well as an analysis of
each ode ; sufficient , I trust , to show the connexion
of idea that often binds together the most apparently digressive of Pindar 's compositions ; and added occa
sional illustrative notes, which may be found useful
in explaining historical and mythological allusions : nor shall I, perhaps, be thought too presuming in ex
pressing a hope that the English reader may now be enabled to form a more accurate idea of the poetical character of Pindar than he has hitherto been enabled to effect .
to .
Testamu. that treasr
PIN .
THE OLYMPIC ODES .
OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
The Olympic Games , the most illustrious of all in Greece , take their name from Olympia , a city of Elis, the place of their celebration ; or from having been instituted by Her cules in honor of Jupiter Olympius , after a victory obtained over Augeas, tyrant of Elis, B . C . 1222 . They were held at the full moon on the first month of every fifth year, and lasted five days, as appears from Ol. v . 15 . Teuttauepois ev ågirdais .
The exercises at these games consisted of running , wrest ling , leaping , throwing the discus , and boxing with the
cæstus ; which were altogether called by the namemevtaOlov , or quinquertium , and comprehended in the well-known
Greek verse :
árua , toOWKELNV, diokov , akoita , tarnv .
The reward of the victor was a crown of thewild olive
tree , called ( Ol . iv . 19 . ) Elala Iligatis : which , according to themythological story , had been transplanted at Olympia by
Hercules from the hyperborean regions ; which fable is related
According
to some authors the date of their institution was B . C . 1453 . After a long interval of neglect they were re - instituted B . C .
776 , in which year Chorcebus obtained the victory ; and from this time the era of the olympiads is usually dated .
at large in the third olympic ode.
Besides the five contests
mentioned above , there were at these games horse and cha
riot races , and contentions in poetry, eloquence , and the fine
arts. They were celebrated with every mark of solemnity :
the preparations the festival were very great none but
persons themselves
unblemished character were allowed present combatants and they were attended by spec
every part Greece Near the goal the stadium
tators from
was placed the semicircular seat the olympic judges who were called hellanodici and behind them was the large tract
land known the name Altis for description which see the note Ol
x .
,
for ;
62 .
of
;
of
of
on by
as
of
.
;
of a
of
to : of
,
THE FIRST OLYMPIC ODE .
TO HIERO , KING OF SYRACUSE , VICTOR IN THE SINGLE - HORSE RACE IN THE SEVENTY - THIRD OLYMPIAD .
ARGUMENT .
In this ode Pindar, who,together with other bards , was pro bably at this time a guest at the royal table , sets forth in a beautiful strain of poetry the glory and superiority of the
olympic contest, in which Hiero has been victorious , to all other games ; he then digresses to the history of Pelops,
son of Tantalus,who formerly possessed Pisa and Olympia ,
and is now honored as a hero within the sacred grove Altis - Returning to his principal subject, he concludes the ode
with good wishes the continued prosperity the victor
Note The inner number placed paragraphs shows the corresponding line
WATER with purest virtue flows
the several the original
resplendent light Dispels the murky gloom night
The meaner treasures the mine With undistinguish lustre shine
Where gold irradiate glows
And the fire
the Thalesian philosophy water was considered the most excellent all the elements that which all other things owed their origin This opinion Plutarch Iside
Osiride considers that Homer from the Egyptians Juno the Venus and afterwards repeats
visit the extremities the earth and Ocean the progenitor the gods and their mother Tethys
the end
well Thales borrowed Iliad xiv 200 tells
Jupiter that she came
of to
,
et
In
,
)
of .
for
,
. of v
of .
' s
, in
of
, it
,to as ,
of
at
as
1
,. ;
' d
,
b. as to ,
, of
.
(
de ,
of
as
.
,
. —
.
PINDAR .
Thus too when flames the orb of day The anxious eye in vain would soar
Along the desert air, Intently gazing to explore
Another star whose lustre fair Shines with a warmer ray .
And we will sing in loftiest strain The contest of Olympia 's plain ;
Whence , Saturn ' s mighty son to praise , Poets the hymn of triumph raise ,
To Hiero's festal dome who bend their way. 17
The monarch whose supreme command In Sicily ' s prolific land
The righteous sceptre sways , Culling the pride of every flower
That blooms in Virtue's hallow '
;
d bower A wreath of highest praise .
While music adds a brighter gem To gild the regal diadem ,
When poets ' sportive songs around His hospitable board resound . 26
Then from its lofty station freed Quickly seize the Dorian lyre ,
If Pisa or the victor steed ,
Ne'er doom '
scourge to bleed ,
d beneath the
The mind with sweetest cares inspire .
When by Alpheus urged , his flight
Exalts his lord with conquering might, In Syracuse who holds his reign ,
And loves the generous horse to train . Such too his fame and lustre high From Lydian Pelops' colony ;
35
38 A temple was erected to Pelops in the Altis , or sacred
36
FIRST OLYMPIC ODE .
Whom earth -encircling Neptune loved , When from the glowing cauldron 's round ,
His arm with ivory shoulder crown ' ,
d Clotho the new -born youth removed .
So much to fabled lore we trace
For wrapt in varied
Full oft the legendary
Can win to faith the mortal mind , While Truth 's unvarnish ' d maxims fail
To leave her stamp behind . 47
falsehood 's veil tale
poetic tongue The honied accents fall ,
Howe' er from monstrous fiction sprung , They win their unsuspected way ,
And grace disguises all, Till some far-distant day
Render the dark illusion plain . ' Yet not to mortal lips be given By tales unworthy to profane
The Majesty of heaven . 57
Offspring of Tantalus ! my strain A different story shall record ;
How to the genial board
When from
Thy father call'
heavenly guest, To share the blameless feast,
d each
With grateful hands upon the head
Of his dear Sipylus outspread . 65
grove , which had been fenced from profane tread by Hercu les (see Ol. x . 62. ),near to thatofJupiteratOlympia. Hence the story of Pelops is less episodical , and has a closer con nexion with the poet ' s subject than might at first appear .
Within the precincts of the Altis was planted the sacred olive- tree , called callistephanos, from which victors in the olympic games were crowned .
65 It was on the top of this mountain that , in a later age ,
And whirl'
d
d thee on his steeds above
golden
To the high palace of immortal Jove ;
PINDAR .
' Twas then , by fond desire subdued , Thy ,
form the trident-bearer view '
Where Ganymede in days of yore The same illustrious office bore . 71
long inquiring train
Had sought their absent charge vain
That the fervid wave profound
Hewn by the sword his limbs were cast
But when
his fond mother
restore
The slanderous whisper circled round
And
the lords
past 81
heaven supplied sweet re
But far the impious thought from me tax the blest with gluttony
For well know what pains await
The lips that slanderous tales relate the great gods who Olympus dwell
High favor man bestow Above the undistinguish crowd
Tantalus honor Butah too feeble digest
The raptures the heavenly feast
Niobe the daughter Tantalus melted away into her shower snowy tears See the exquisite description Sophocles
Antig 824 833 also that Ovid Met 301 312 Hesiod Theog 638 seq declares that the same effects
pride and insolence were wrought the minds the Titans after they had been allowed partake the divine
aliments
Might not this fable which also related almost the words Pindar the scholiast the Odyssey
Their spirits nectar and ambrosia raise
Cooke Version
by
e . ,'
!
the
on
to
(
fell .
i(v in .
of
) .
58
. ) ,
.
of
is . ) ,
' d
, vi .
,
's . ' of
—
a
of ,
of ( of To If 87
of . :
, . ) the
. , TotoTo
(— in
.
! I
, er of of lot
, of et
on
on
of
,
' on d
;
,
to
to
, in . ,
.
FIRST OLYMPIC
His haughty soul incensed to ire The might of his immortal sire ;
'er his head a massy rock And scare his proud felicity . 94
90
95
d
100
105
Who
o
Suspended , that with direful shock Threatens to crush him from on high ,
Thus still in unavailing
strife He drags a weary load of life ,
The fourth sad instance of destructive pride Whose hand th ' ambrosial food convey ' (Which had himself immortal made )
To earthly guests beside .
hope not, mortal,
For lo ! the rash offender '
Far from the happy haunts is driven
To join his kindred short-lived train , And wander o ' er the earth again . 108
But when the thick and manly down His black ’ning chin began to crown ,
owe its origin to some obscure tradition of the gathering of manna by the Israelites in the wilderness , when man did
his mind when says
Nec miser impendens magnum timet aëre saxum
eat angel'
s food ?
92 Lucretius, in his magnificent description of infernal
punishments ( 991 appears have had this passage
Tantalus Sed magis
Our own Spenser Malbeceo who lives
has the same allusion speaking old
e
shun
ode .
Then
The penetrating eye of Heaven ;
'er to
s son
fama est cassa formidine torpens vita Divom metus urguet
too
drery darkenes and continuall feare
Of that rock fall which ever and anon Threates with huge ruine him fall upon
That he dare never sleepe Faery Queene
The other three being Sisyphus Tityus and Ixion
97
.
; of
,
to
to
. -
In
,
, in ut s
'
, ;,
sq . )
, ,.
.
,
,
iii .
:, ,
,
,
in
,
he ,
PINDAR .
From Pisa 's lord he seeks to prove High -born Hippodamia 's love .
Full often near the hoary flood The solitary lover stray'd ,
And shrouded in nocturnal shade , Invoked the trident-bearing god ;
110
115
120
Who , ready the loud call to greet , Stood near the youthful suppliant' s
feet When thus he spoke : If fond desire,
Neptune , could e'er thy bosom fire , (Enomaus' brazen spear restrain ,
And whirl me on thy swiftest car Victorious to th ’ Elean plain ,
Since conquer '
d in therivalwar
Thirteen fated suitors
And still the sire delays his daughter nuptial
123
The same number
tie 129
Nor think bear coward
Which every danger can control
Since all the common path must tread
That leads each mortal the dead Say wherefore should inglorious age
Creep slow youth inactive bloom 130 And sinking untimely gloom
Should man desert life busy stage
unhonor the tomb
This strife mine and thou whose might
Can bless the issue the fight Oh grant me thy propitious aid
Twas thus the ardent lover pray
135
have been slain 493
The scholiast their names
Diomed the last
soul
125
Trojans are related by Homer his celebrated night expedition
whom Rhesus himself
this passage gives two catalogues
of
to
(Il .
x .
'
, & c . )
!
To lie
on , by
be
o' in er
I a
ill -
ofin of
of:
in
is
lie ,
d. us ’'
,
? ,
.
;
; ,
' d
' s
' s
to
,
,
' s
.
FIRST OLYMPIC ode.
Nor sued with supplication vain The mighty ruler of the main ;
Who , mounted on his golden car , 140
And steeds' unwearied wing , Gave him to conquer in the war
The force of Pisa 's king . Obtaining thus the virgin fair ,
Her valiant hero 's couch to share ; From whom noble chieftains born
With warlike fame their stem adorn
Now Alpheus stream lies Blest with funereal obsequies
And every rite divine
Where strangers feet innumerous tread
The precincts the mighty dead
145
150
155
159 160
165
rear his hallow
At distance beams his glory ray
Conspicuous Olympia fray Where strength and swiftness join
arduous strife And round the victor honor head
conquest spread Heightens with bliss the sweet remains life
Such bliss mortals call supreme Which with mild perpetual beam
Cheers every future day And such my happy lot grace
His triumphs the equestrian race
With soft Æolian lay Nor will the Muse another find
The verdantwreath
Among the blest
More potent or regal fame
Or arts that raise monarch name
human kind
165 Dorian for the Dorians and Æolians were de scended from common origin see
shrine
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Not vain and transitory prove ,
I hope to find on Cronium 's sunny height
A sweeter vehicle of song
To publish , as it rolls along , Thy rapid chariot 's flight .
For me the Muse with vigorous art Prepares her most puissant dart . 179
While men in various paths their efforts bend
strain
,
Glitters the orb of majesty
No farther then thy wishes raise ,
Supreme in glory as in praise,
Long be it thine to tread : Meanwhile my hymn 's triumphant
PINDAR .
For whom she rather would prolong The rich varieties of song .
The god who makes thy cares his own, Thee, Hiero, still with favor crown.
And soon , if his protecting love
170
175
180
185
190 188
or Sa
The steep of glory
Sublime above the rest on high
to ascend
That celebrates the victor train ,
Exalts thro ’ Greece thy bard 's illustrious head .
176 Pausanias ( 1 . vi. ) informs us that the Cronian
turnian hill at Olympia rose above the Altis, so as to com mand a full view of the course .
.
,
THE SECOND OLYMPIC ODE .
TO THERON OF AGRIGENTUM , (IN GREEK ACRAGAS,) On his VICTORY IN THE CHARIOT RACE , GAINED IN THE SEVENTY
SEVENTH OLYMPIAD .
ARGUMENT .
The poet congratulates Theron , sprung from ancestors who had experienced much adversity , though sometimes at
tended with better fortune - Extols him for his skill in the contests , his unsparing expense in bringing them to a
happy issue , and the right use to which he applies his great wealth , assuring him that the recompense of his vir . tuous dispositionswill attend him after death - This leads to a most noble description of the infernal and elysian abodes — Returning from this digression , which he defends from the carping malignity of his detractors, Pindar con cludes with the praises of Theron .
YE hymns that rule the vocal lyre , What god , what hero shall we sing ?
What mortal shall the strain inspire ? Jove is fair Pisa's guardian king ;
And Hercules Olympia ' s glorious toil
Ordain 'd the first fruits of the battle spoil . Theron too demands my strain ,
Whose four - yoked steeds in triumph sweep the
The hospitable , just, and great, Bulwark of Agrigentum 's state ,
plain . 9 10
Ofhis high stem the flower of fairest pride. Who by their long afflictions tost ,
Regain 'd their sacred mansion lost,
Upon
14 The river Acragas, on which the city of Agrigentum is situated . (See the opening of the twelfth Pythian ode. )
the kindred tide .
14
12
PINDAR ,
Of every care they found at last
15
A
And hence to fair Sicilia springs
Her long illustrious line ofkings, 20
A A balm
sweet and tranquil close , for every danger past ,
haven of repose .
Whose happy life and wealth their native virtues wait. 20
O Rhea 's son , Saturnian Jove, Lord of th ' Olympic seats above ,
Whose favoring power the victor gave To triumph by Alpheus' wave ,
Still to their latest offspring bear These gifts of thy paternal care .
Not Time himself , the sire of all , By mortal or immortal power
The deed perform 'd can e 'er recall : But sweet oblivion of the gloomy hour
Succeeds when joy ' s enlivening train
Scattring the melancholy gloom ,
Bid the light heart its wonted ease resume,
And Heaven'
so
’erruling lord emits his bliss again . 38
36 Cadmus , thy daughters ' wayward fate 36
This moral truth can prove ,
Who changed their suffering mortal state
For happy thrones above.
36 Cadmus was an ancestor of Theron , and therefore his daughters , Ino, who was married to Athamas, king of Thebes , and whose story is finely told by Ovid , in the fourth book of the Metamorphoses , and Semele , the concubine of Jove , are judiciously selected by the poet to illustrate the mutability
of human fortune , while at the same time they show the anti
quity and regal splendor of the monarch '
s descent .
secoND OLYMPIC ode .
Fair Semele , of flowing tresses vain ,
By the loud blast of thunder slain , Her joyful recompense can boast ,
And lives among th ’ Olympic host.
Now Pallas soothes happy fair With everlasting love
The ivy circled stripling
And fond delight Jove
Blest ancient tales agree Ino alter destiny
Their forms where sister Nereids lave
aftertimes decreed the blow That plunged their hapless race
Impell the parricidal hand
Which struck the Theban monarch Perfecting the decree Pythian gloom
sharpen eye avenging speed Erinnys view themurderousdeed
With
large stray
care
With them
And sport amid the ocean wave
Her happy hours away
Then let not vain presumptuous man
Seek with unhallow eye
irrevocable doom clouds invest final day
Or Heaven shall gild with cheerful ray The darkness of the tomb
For bliss and sorrow with alternate flow Sway the uncertain tide life below
Twas thus the Fates supreme command
Which bless old Laius regal line With power and happiness divine
scan
woe
breast exprest
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Adrastus' house revive again ,
First in each youthful sport , and in the strife of men .
Then justly , noble king , to thee , Ænesidemus ' progeny ,
Thy willing poet's lyre shall raise The tributary song of praise . 86
Alone in the Olympic sảnd
The victor's crown he wore ;
But when upon the Pythian strand ,
As on the Isthmian shore , 85
Twelve times steeds the destined bound The car triumphant whirl around
The social Graces who decree Each high reward victory
his loved brother head the wreath conquest bore 93
And emulation flame True star glory given
95
100
cheer The clouds that hang life career
And gild the path fame But let the proud possessor know
What torments the world below
PINDAR .
And soon by mutual slaughter gave
The warlike brothers to the grave . Surviving Polynices ' doom ,
75 Thersander bade in times to come 75
guerdon
Has power free from mental pain
Such bliss the envied wealth kings When crown by patient labor brings
This honor
obtain
Ænesidemus the father Theron was the seventh lineal descent from Thersander
100 These are concisely enumerated by the learned Pro pertius sqq
(l .
111 .
v .
79
To
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SECOND OLYMPIC
The harden '
By Jove 's command what judges there From stern necessity declare
The decrees fate
15
everlasting day 105 Thro night unclouded season play
Where beams
Nor search the caverns An empty being sustain
But with the honor gods The faithful vow delights
the main
whose hear
ear
d soul
await .
mortality alloy
The good shall perfect bliss enjoy
They nor with daring hands molest Earth torn and violated breast
Free from
ODE .
108
110
Shall be their tearless age of rest
While pangs aspect dire distract the impious
train 122
But they whose spirit thrice refined Each arduous contest could endure
Sub terris jura Deum tormenta gigantum Tisiphones atro furit angue caput
Aut Alcmæoniæ furiæ aut jejunia Phinei
Num rota num scopuli num sitis inter aquas
Tibullus also Eleg poetically contrasts the joys Elysium with the pains Tartarus
Ipsa Venus campos ducet Elysios Hic choreæ cantusque vigent
At scelerata jacet sedes nocte profunda
Abdita quam circum flumina nigra sonant Tisiphoneque impexa feros pro crinibus angues
Sævit huc illuc impia turba fugit
105 One might almost imagine that Pindar bad taken this sentiment from passage the book Proverbs
The path the just the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day
The way the wicked darkness
117 According the scholiast Pindar this passage fol
115
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PINDAR .
And keep the firm and perfect mind From all contagion pure ; Along the stated path of Jove
To Saturn 's royal courts above Have trod their heavenly way ,
1:20 Where round the island of the blest
The ocean breezes play ; There golden flowerets ever blow ,
125
From them the inmates of these seats divine 130
Around their hands and hair the woven garlands twine . 136
Rhea supreme holds his court
those high ranks Peleus and Cadmus shine And the blissful seats above
The prayer Thetis won the breast Jove waft the scion her line
Achilles whose resistless might
Some springing from earth ' s verdant breast , These on the lonely branches glow ,
While those are nurtured by the waves below .
Such Rhadamanthus
Who sits Father Saturn side Where with his all possessing bride
The pride and hope Troy Hector till then unconquer
just decree
erthrew slew
the fight
the metempsychosis and
reserves the beautiful Elysium
who have passed with the divine approbation through the
two conditions mortality this whole description
Till then unshaken
lows the Pythagorean doctrine
pillar
the blessed islands those
and beneath the earth With the Elysian and Tartarian abodes
compare Hesiod Op
paradise the just
those who delight violence and wrong terrestrial
Dies 225 where however the well the opposite residence
143 Catullus addressing Peleus says
Thessaliæ columen Peleu Nupt Pel Thet
. -
on
as, of
of
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26 .
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140
135
,
,
-
'
SECOND OLYMPIC ODE . 17
Cycnus the hero gave to death ,
Aurora 's Æthiop son to resign his breath 149
Full many sharp and potent dart 146
150
Like crows pursue their ceaseless round
That thro the airy plains above
Track the majestic bird Jove 158 155
That shows unspent the poet
And the wise sounds clear and shrill Rests my well stored quiver still
art
But minds untaught some guide will need
Safe thro the mystic paths
lead
While witlings learn with empty sound
Then take my soul thy fearless aim Drawn from the quiet storehouse say
To whom thine arrows wing their way Along the path fame
proud Agrigentum height
Should they direct their devious flight sworn truth will declare
160
No heartmore friendly more liberal hand 165 Than Theron who now sways the subject land
Far
That the hundred years whose course hath fled her imperial head
Hath held dominion there 173
Yet Insolence her voice will raise Unjust thwart themonarch praise
And Envy rancorous tongue invade Casting his merits into shade
Howe the base malignant crew His name with violence pursue
170
PIND
145 Memnon
.
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PINDAR .
If thou wouldst his generous deeds explore
soon the sandy grains thy tongue shall number
175 Catullus
Quam magnus numerus Libyssæ
180
175
Lesbiam
arenæ
sepulchrum
Laserpiciteris jacet Cyrenis Oraclum Jovis inter æstuosi
Batti veteris sacrum
Quæ nec pernumerare curiosi Possint
THE THIRD OLYMPIC ODE
THE SAME THERON OCCASION OF VICTORY OBTAINED BY HIM THE CHARIOT RACE THE DATE NOT RE
CORDED
ARGUMENT
This ode was addressed the king Agrigentum whom
the victory was announced oxenia festival honor
he was celebrating the The
the gods instituted the according the mythological
inhabitants Pallene
story by Castor and Pollux
invoking the aid and approbation the Dioscuræ and their
sister Helen digresses
cess the favor the twin deities influenced his piety and the regularity with which celebrated the fes tival of the gods the attempt proceed farther would be
vain the endeavor sail beyond the Pillars Her cules the supposed boundary the old world
olive tree from
concludes
the highest point human glory and attributes his suc
Pindar therefore begins
Thence the mention the olive wreath
the fable Hercules transplanting the wild the Hyperborean regions Olympia He
congratulating Theron who had attained
of
to
all
):
.
as he
TO
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THIRD OLYMPIC ode .
To please the hospitable pair
From godlike Tyndarus who spring , And Helen , nymph of lovely hair ,
I would awake th ’ Olympic string ,
And raise the lyric song, to crown 5
Bright Agrigentum with renown , And Theron ' s glories sing ,
Whose steeds' unwearied feet achieve the guerdon fair .
Then may the muse her bard inspire , Who first upon the Dorian lyre
Raised the melodious strain on high To swell the pomp of victory 10
10
The verdant wreaths that proudly glow
Round the triumphant courser 's mane ,
Call on the shrill - toned flute to flow , 15
The varied lyre and well - connected strain .
Which may a due encomium raise Ænesidamus ' son to praise . 16
And Pisa joins the general claim
From her proceeds the song of fame, 20
1 This epithet, as West observes , is very appropriately bestowed on the Dioscuri , Castor and Pollux , on account of
the establishment, by them , of the Theoxenia , a feast to which the gods were invited . With the opening of this ode
compare Euripides , Orestes , sub
Ελενην Ζηνος μελαθροις πελασω
Wemay observe theme of Pindar
his Castle Indolence his Knight Arts and Industry that
with varied fire He roused the trumpet and the martial fife
Thomson
that the praises Agrigentum are grateful muse
favorite says
Or bade the lute sweet tenderness inspire
Orverses framed that well might wake Apollo lyre
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158
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
PINDAR .
PINDAR was a native of Thebes in Bæotia , or, as
some authors , among whom is writer Stephanus Byzantinus affirm
geographical
the town Theban
Cynocephali
which was under
He was the
the musician Sco Deiphantus and
corresponding nearly with the year 520
His parents were probably obscure situations life although illustrious descent as
serts fifth Pythiau ode that they were the same origin with Arcesilaus king Cyrene
said Pindar when verging manhood presage his future lyrical eminence was
from the circumstance swarm bees settled his lips For early skill
jurisdiction pelinus
according
birth have taken place
Suidas
Myrto
the same author
stated
the sixty fifth Olympiad
.
of
of his a
in
to
in
' e
as
,
' of
d. , heA tł . C
the
. of . ,
a
It
of
of
of
;
the of to
in is
of his
his or is
, to
of
the ,
in
,
:,
on
of ,.
of
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by
, of
son
,
,
vi
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
and poetical composition he is said to have been chiefly indebted to the instructions of Corinna; against whom , however , when a competitor for the prize , it was his fate to be adjudged inferior in no
fewer than five contests : but this perhaps is as much to be attributed to the personal charms of his fair rival as to her poetical superiority ; since in
the other Grecian assemblies which did not allow of female competitors he was almost invariably
declared victorious. He also received instruction from Simonides of Ceos, at that time the most celebrated lyric poet in Greece . He was contem porary with Æschylus , and senior to Bacchylides ,
having florished one hundred and fifty years later than Alcman , one hundred after Alcæus , and fifty
after Stesichorus , and surpassed them all in lyrical
excellence . Of numerous compositions con
sisting hymns honor Apollo Dithyrambics
and Odes victors
Greece the latter only have been preserved
with exception one especially
olar Eclipse cited
the gods Pæans Bacchus Funeral Songs
some considerable frag great poetical beauty
Dionysius Halicar
and opening verses fine dithyram VI
Von
the four great festivals
-
--
us '
.
V -
nts ,
the
,
the
in
his
of a
of ,
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by
of of
to at
of
,
*
,
of
on
to
,
to
=
the
,
to
,
of
,
OF PINDAR . vii
One slight effort of Pindar's juvenile muse has also escaped the ravages of time, but suffi
ciently considerable
Ode Solitude letus presage
placed him when
the first rank
gods and heroes time we shall not odes any instance
but Pindar chaste and common with the poets
have served like Pope Cowley Constantia and Phi
that future excellence which had attained his fortieth year
the lyric poets Greece
The encomiums which our poet often lavishes the wealthy have sometimes been mentioned
subject reproach
decorous muse delighted panegyrise kings demi
throughout vice high station flattered
able find
prosperous wickedness enriched the golden
dews poetical adulation sincere and judicious advice which fearlessly bestows
Hiero Arcesilaus reader will reminded
King Richard this grave admonition the reigning monarch
Prince desire be honorable Cherish thy folk and hate extortion
the bold and animated language the
our own Chaucer who the
spirit true genius concludes his Ballade sept
independent
It is to
to of or
of
, of
', & c
be to
by
.
. , not
in
· ,,,on
,
of s
,
: ,
' by
,
of
, or
to
he
, to
of or
of
as
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of in
, ;of
in
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, be the
to
he . ,
if
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of a ,
in
to s
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as
on ,hishis aon , s
'
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Theban bard that we are in a great measure in
debted for the feeling and interest that accon pany the contemplation of those magnificent festi
vals which , being interwoven with the structure of the popular religion , hailed by the hopes of the
religious and the aspirations of devout have parallel the history modern solemnities
His hymns and pæans honor Apollo were
frequently chanted the temples Greece the
poet seated iron chair which was afterwards placed venerable relic the temple Delphi
and priestess herself declared will presiding deity that Pindar should
warded with one half first fruits which were
offered his shrine
We are not acquainted with many particulars
his early life but may collect from the accounts
various authors that the character
hard was held the highest degree especially King Hiero and
living
estimation memory after
death contemplated with the deepest reverence related him that had particular devo
tion for the god Pan and therefore took
abode near the temple that deity Hewas ap
See the note tenth Olympic ode
the
*
It is
of thethe as
on
the of,
his
in
v .
.
.
of
by , in
he
,
the in
, in
a
his
it
the of of
of of
to
, beat,
61 .
up be the his . , ofof re :
by
no
at
a
in
in
. *
of of
pointed to compose Theban virgins
OF
PINDAR .
hymns which were sung
honor that mystic emblem also appears from Pyth
universal nature
139 that near the dwelling Pindar stood
shrine chapel dedicated the great goddess Rhea where the nymphs were wont assemble
purpose performing Pan We farther learn
dressed Pan our poet invoking that deity
day their vows her and
close
from Aristodemus quoted
the scholiast this that Pindar himself raised this shrine
passage
the venerable Mother the Gods He likewise cites fragment ode choral hymn ad
president
nymphs their dances smile propitiously
The same honor had
former occasion been his descendants the
Pausanias Grecian
paid
Lacedæmonians and
the habitation
Arcadia and companion the
songs Indeed the piety the Theban bard every where conspicuous and worthy admi
ration related Plutarch Life Alexander that when after most determined and
vigorous defence the city Thebes was levelled the ground that conqueror the posterity
Pindar were exempted from the hard fate which attended his captive fellow townsmen
;
by
,
of
by of
of ,
the
,. . in
of to
to
.
a
,
the ,
,
of on a
,
by
his of
of
on
to
is
his
as
at
iii of
. the
,
It ,
. in to
or
is
to
an of by, to
for
It
- to the ofa , by
to
of
of
,, of
tra ontoaby - of of , .
.
,or .
.
in
the
,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
veller, relates that he had seen the ruins of this house near the fountain Dirce .
Themanner of Pindar 's death has been variously related by different authors . Pausanias gravely records as authentic the traditionary tale, that while our poet was living in the height of honor and glory, Proserpine appeared to
complained that she alone
been neglected poems
this defect pro should arrive the
would consecrate died either the the tenth day after
dream and all the deities had
mised kingdom
hymn
theatre dream
supply soon Pluto when
her honor and that the gymnasium
Another account Valerius Maximus
far removed from recorded instances
the departure illustrious men from the world naturally excite scepticism the reader
although
mentioned sign the favorable regard
poetic faculty event said have taken place when
than the excellence
less
This poet
years the hip
age eighty monument was erected his memory
had attained advanced
podrome
distance furlong from city inscrip
Thebes near the Præetæan Gate the
that author the gods
of a
at
so it
or .
of
the
he he : of
,
A
-
as of c. 12
the to ,
to is
as in his
to
as
is
of
. )is
to
to
of his
by the
of
,
;,
on
of of all he him
by
in and of a
-
an in six , (, , the.
he
,
at no b. as
in
in
a ix . ,.
a
his
OF PINDAR .
tion engraved on itrecording his candid and agree
townsmen and displeased
added Pindardigested
able manners both strangers
to fellow The reader will perhaps not
this short biographical
Heyne according
notice the odes
Olymp
sketch
excellent edition the order
from years together with
life victors who are
celebrated
520 Pindar born
Suidas says that was forty years age battle Salamis which account agrees with
this
Olymp Pyth
498 Hippocleas victor Pyth
Pyth
Marathon
the same the 25th Pythiad Midas gains the
prize the flute Pyth
xii
488 Epharmostus 01
484 Agesidamus 01
480 Battle
478 Hiero Pyth
490 Xenocrates
Battle
Asopichus
474 Megacles Pyth
sicrates
and Salamis
conquers
racing
01
vii Tele Pyth
46 44 36 32 30 22 Æt . .
[
.
76 76 3, 1,
757574
3, 1, , , 11
70 . ] 3, 3,
' s
28
27
24 22
65 1,
-- iii
476
A he, . C ,A
.
of
of
,
73 ,
72
.
of
.
of . to
.
In
. . C.
of a,
his
.
on
_. , ,ofbe-
—
-
, is
xiv in . x in
ix . ,-
'. . . ix
,
/
. -
. . - vi
-
or
. . . of
.
. xi . at x
in
if
.
. . atoto . the his
. ,
'
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PINDAR .
Æt. Olymp. Pyth. 48 77,1
A . C .
472 Theron — teles —
01. ii. and 01. xii.
Ergo
race -- |
50 77,3
54 78,3 56 79,1
58 79,3 60 80,1 66 81, 3 82,1 74 83,3
29 30
31 33
470 Hiero in Pyth . i.
the chariot
466 Telesicrates- Pyth. ix.
464 Xenophon in the stadic
course _ 01. xiii.
462 Arcesilaus– Pyth. iv. and v .
460 Alcimedon - 01. viii. 454 Thrasydæus – Pyth . xi .
452 Psaumis-01. iv. andv. 35446 Aristomenes — Pyth . viii.
This , according to Corsini ( Fast .
year
The various themes which his prolific Muse was employed are thus enumerated by Horace
Pindar death which however
rent authors assigned various years between the 79th and 87th Olympiad
his ode beginning Pindarum quisquis may not displease the English reader
paraphrase our excellent Cowley
Whether immortal gods sings less immortal strain
which
Or the great acts god descended kings Who his numbers still survive and reign
please
carve polish verse the conqueror images
Whether some brave man untimely fate words worth dying for he celebrate Such mournful and such pleasing words
As joy his mother and his mistress grief affords
Whether Pisa race
Att. ) is diffe
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PREFACE .
The version of Pindar 's Odes , which is here offered to the public , was first undertaken in compliance with a suggestion contained in a critique written some years ago in the Quarterly Review ; to which was annexed , by way of illustrating the plan , a metrical translation
of the two first Olympic odes ; in which the usual division into strophe, antistrophe , and epode , was
neglected , after it had been exposed in a strain of playful irony , and that into corresponding paragraphs
made use of in stead
The versions of these two odes were afterwards re
published the end small volume poems
the late Bishop Heber and this plan appeared the Author of the present translation be worthy of
adoption
that he has been induced regularly the odes the same manner and now sub
through
mits his effort the ordeal
the sentiment Denham
public opinion
his fine panegyric
Pastor Fido ex well founded
Sir pressed
few would sufficiently bold grapple verse with
Fanshaw translator the following lines
Nor ought genius
Attempt translation All the defects
that writ
less than
for transplanted wit
and soil doth share And colder brains like colder climates are
be
a
to
, of in
at
its
to
be of , Il in
in
to
goso of
of air ;
;of . a
his
to ;
, ;,.
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to
by
on If
of ,
xiv
PREFACE .
a poet of so sublime a genius as the Theban bard ; the difficulty of transfusing whose peculiar beauties into another language can be appreciated by those alone who have attempted to preserve this poet's sublimity ; without soaring into empty loftiness ; and to adopt his occasional free tone of diction , without degenerating
into the language of colloquial familiarity : so high a degree of caution is required in the translator always
to be on his guard , lest
Migret in obscuras bumili sermone tabernas ;
Aut dum vitat humum , nubes et inania captet . ,
HORAT . AD Pison , 229
But whatever fate may attend the present version , I shall scarcely know how to repent of the temerity
which urged me to the undertaking , and induced me
to persevere in a labor that has furnished an agree able occupation for many a vacant hour .
It has been my wish to give throughout my version
some idea of the energetic, but rather abrupt, style
and manner of an author whose language is exalted by sentiments of piety and genuine patriotism - de
served encomiums to the virtuous and brave , as well as heartfelt gratitude to his generous benefactors ; whose various compositions are appealed to as autho rity in doubtful cases by Cicero , Pausanias , and other
ancient writers quoted by the scholiast on different passages ; whom Plato distinguishes by the epithets most wise and divine ; who was considered by one of the early Christian fathers , Clement of Alexandria ,
to have been well versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and to have borrowed many passages from
that treasury of sacred wisdom and sublime eloquence ,
PREFACE . XV
particularly from the Book of Proverbs ; to whom ,
while living, honors all but divine were paid ; and whose dwelling was spared , many ages after his death ,
in the general sack of his native city.
I have annexed a brief account of the four most
celebrated games of Greece, as well as an analysis of
each ode ; sufficient , I trust , to show the connexion
of idea that often binds together the most apparently digressive of Pindar 's compositions ; and added occa
sional illustrative notes, which may be found useful
in explaining historical and mythological allusions : nor shall I, perhaps, be thought too presuming in ex
pressing a hope that the English reader may now be enabled to form a more accurate idea of the poetical character of Pindar than he has hitherto been enabled to effect .
to .
Testamu. that treasr
PIN .
THE OLYMPIC ODES .
OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
The Olympic Games , the most illustrious of all in Greece , take their name from Olympia , a city of Elis, the place of their celebration ; or from having been instituted by Her cules in honor of Jupiter Olympius , after a victory obtained over Augeas, tyrant of Elis, B . C . 1222 . They were held at the full moon on the first month of every fifth year, and lasted five days, as appears from Ol. v . 15 . Teuttauepois ev ågirdais .
The exercises at these games consisted of running , wrest ling , leaping , throwing the discus , and boxing with the
cæstus ; which were altogether called by the namemevtaOlov , or quinquertium , and comprehended in the well-known
Greek verse :
árua , toOWKELNV, diokov , akoita , tarnv .
The reward of the victor was a crown of thewild olive
tree , called ( Ol . iv . 19 . ) Elala Iligatis : which , according to themythological story , had been transplanted at Olympia by
Hercules from the hyperborean regions ; which fable is related
According
to some authors the date of their institution was B . C . 1453 . After a long interval of neglect they were re - instituted B . C .
776 , in which year Chorcebus obtained the victory ; and from this time the era of the olympiads is usually dated .
at large in the third olympic ode.
Besides the five contests
mentioned above , there were at these games horse and cha
riot races , and contentions in poetry, eloquence , and the fine
arts. They were celebrated with every mark of solemnity :
the preparations the festival were very great none but
persons themselves
unblemished character were allowed present combatants and they were attended by spec
every part Greece Near the goal the stadium
tators from
was placed the semicircular seat the olympic judges who were called hellanodici and behind them was the large tract
land known the name Altis for description which see the note Ol
x .
,
for ;
62 .
of
;
of
of
on by
as
of
.
;
of a
of
to : of
,
THE FIRST OLYMPIC ODE .
TO HIERO , KING OF SYRACUSE , VICTOR IN THE SINGLE - HORSE RACE IN THE SEVENTY - THIRD OLYMPIAD .
ARGUMENT .
In this ode Pindar, who,together with other bards , was pro bably at this time a guest at the royal table , sets forth in a beautiful strain of poetry the glory and superiority of the
olympic contest, in which Hiero has been victorious , to all other games ; he then digresses to the history of Pelops,
son of Tantalus,who formerly possessed Pisa and Olympia ,
and is now honored as a hero within the sacred grove Altis - Returning to his principal subject, he concludes the ode
with good wishes the continued prosperity the victor
Note The inner number placed paragraphs shows the corresponding line
WATER with purest virtue flows
the several the original
resplendent light Dispels the murky gloom night
The meaner treasures the mine With undistinguish lustre shine
Where gold irradiate glows
And the fire
the Thalesian philosophy water was considered the most excellent all the elements that which all other things owed their origin This opinion Plutarch Iside
Osiride considers that Homer from the Egyptians Juno the Venus and afterwards repeats
visit the extremities the earth and Ocean the progenitor the gods and their mother Tethys
the end
well Thales borrowed Iliad xiv 200 tells
Jupiter that she came
of to
,
et
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PINDAR .
Thus too when flames the orb of day The anxious eye in vain would soar
Along the desert air, Intently gazing to explore
Another star whose lustre fair Shines with a warmer ray .
And we will sing in loftiest strain The contest of Olympia 's plain ;
Whence , Saturn ' s mighty son to praise , Poets the hymn of triumph raise ,
To Hiero's festal dome who bend their way. 17
The monarch whose supreme command In Sicily ' s prolific land
The righteous sceptre sways , Culling the pride of every flower
That blooms in Virtue's hallow '
;
d bower A wreath of highest praise .
While music adds a brighter gem To gild the regal diadem ,
When poets ' sportive songs around His hospitable board resound . 26
Then from its lofty station freed Quickly seize the Dorian lyre ,
If Pisa or the victor steed ,
Ne'er doom '
scourge to bleed ,
d beneath the
The mind with sweetest cares inspire .
When by Alpheus urged , his flight
Exalts his lord with conquering might, In Syracuse who holds his reign ,
And loves the generous horse to train . Such too his fame and lustre high From Lydian Pelops' colony ;
35
38 A temple was erected to Pelops in the Altis , or sacred
36
FIRST OLYMPIC ODE .
Whom earth -encircling Neptune loved , When from the glowing cauldron 's round ,
His arm with ivory shoulder crown ' ,
d Clotho the new -born youth removed .
So much to fabled lore we trace
For wrapt in varied
Full oft the legendary
Can win to faith the mortal mind , While Truth 's unvarnish ' d maxims fail
To leave her stamp behind . 47
falsehood 's veil tale
poetic tongue The honied accents fall ,
Howe' er from monstrous fiction sprung , They win their unsuspected way ,
And grace disguises all, Till some far-distant day
Render the dark illusion plain . ' Yet not to mortal lips be given By tales unworthy to profane
The Majesty of heaven . 57
Offspring of Tantalus ! my strain A different story shall record ;
How to the genial board
When from
Thy father call'
heavenly guest, To share the blameless feast,
d each
With grateful hands upon the head
Of his dear Sipylus outspread . 65
grove , which had been fenced from profane tread by Hercu les (see Ol. x . 62. ),near to thatofJupiteratOlympia. Hence the story of Pelops is less episodical , and has a closer con nexion with the poet ' s subject than might at first appear .
Within the precincts of the Altis was planted the sacred olive- tree , called callistephanos, from which victors in the olympic games were crowned .
65 It was on the top of this mountain that , in a later age ,
And whirl'
d
d thee on his steeds above
golden
To the high palace of immortal Jove ;
PINDAR .
' Twas then , by fond desire subdued , Thy ,
form the trident-bearer view '
Where Ganymede in days of yore The same illustrious office bore . 71
long inquiring train
Had sought their absent charge vain
That the fervid wave profound
Hewn by the sword his limbs were cast
But when
his fond mother
restore
The slanderous whisper circled round
And
the lords
past 81
heaven supplied sweet re
But far the impious thought from me tax the blest with gluttony
For well know what pains await
The lips that slanderous tales relate the great gods who Olympus dwell
High favor man bestow Above the undistinguish crowd
Tantalus honor Butah too feeble digest
The raptures the heavenly feast
Niobe the daughter Tantalus melted away into her shower snowy tears See the exquisite description Sophocles
Antig 824 833 also that Ovid Met 301 312 Hesiod Theog 638 seq declares that the same effects
pride and insolence were wrought the minds the Titans after they had been allowed partake the divine
aliments
Might not this fable which also related almost the words Pindar the scholiast the Odyssey
Their spirits nectar and ambrosia raise
Cooke Version
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FIRST OLYMPIC
His haughty soul incensed to ire The might of his immortal sire ;
'er his head a massy rock And scare his proud felicity . 94
90
95
d
100
105
Who
o
Suspended , that with direful shock Threatens to crush him from on high ,
Thus still in unavailing
strife He drags a weary load of life ,
The fourth sad instance of destructive pride Whose hand th ' ambrosial food convey ' (Which had himself immortal made )
To earthly guests beside .
hope not, mortal,
For lo ! the rash offender '
Far from the happy haunts is driven
To join his kindred short-lived train , And wander o ' er the earth again . 108
But when the thick and manly down His black ’ning chin began to crown ,
owe its origin to some obscure tradition of the gathering of manna by the Israelites in the wilderness , when man did
his mind when says
Nec miser impendens magnum timet aëre saxum
eat angel'
s food ?
92 Lucretius, in his magnificent description of infernal
punishments ( 991 appears have had this passage
Tantalus Sed magis
Our own Spenser Malbeceo who lives
has the same allusion speaking old
e
shun
ode .
Then
The penetrating eye of Heaven ;
'er to
s son
fama est cassa formidine torpens vita Divom metus urguet
too
drery darkenes and continuall feare
Of that rock fall which ever and anon Threates with huge ruine him fall upon
That he dare never sleepe Faery Queene
The other three being Sisyphus Tityus and Ixion
97
.
; of
,
to
to
. -
In
,
, in ut s
'
, ;,
sq . )
, ,.
.
,
,
iii .
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,
in
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he ,
PINDAR .
From Pisa 's lord he seeks to prove High -born Hippodamia 's love .
Full often near the hoary flood The solitary lover stray'd ,
And shrouded in nocturnal shade , Invoked the trident-bearing god ;
110
115
120
Who , ready the loud call to greet , Stood near the youthful suppliant' s
feet When thus he spoke : If fond desire,
Neptune , could e'er thy bosom fire , (Enomaus' brazen spear restrain ,
And whirl me on thy swiftest car Victorious to th ’ Elean plain ,
Since conquer '
d in therivalwar
Thirteen fated suitors
And still the sire delays his daughter nuptial
123
The same number
tie 129
Nor think bear coward
Which every danger can control
Since all the common path must tread
That leads each mortal the dead Say wherefore should inglorious age
Creep slow youth inactive bloom 130 And sinking untimely gloom
Should man desert life busy stage
unhonor the tomb
This strife mine and thou whose might
Can bless the issue the fight Oh grant me thy propitious aid
Twas thus the ardent lover pray
135
have been slain 493
The scholiast their names
Diomed the last
soul
125
Trojans are related by Homer his celebrated night expedition
whom Rhesus himself
this passage gives two catalogues
of
to
(Il .
x .
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, & c . )
!
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on , by
be
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FIRST OLYMPIC ode.
Nor sued with supplication vain The mighty ruler of the main ;
Who , mounted on his golden car , 140
And steeds' unwearied wing , Gave him to conquer in the war
The force of Pisa 's king . Obtaining thus the virgin fair ,
Her valiant hero 's couch to share ; From whom noble chieftains born
With warlike fame their stem adorn
Now Alpheus stream lies Blest with funereal obsequies
And every rite divine
Where strangers feet innumerous tread
The precincts the mighty dead
145
150
155
159 160
165
rear his hallow
At distance beams his glory ray
Conspicuous Olympia fray Where strength and swiftness join
arduous strife And round the victor honor head
conquest spread Heightens with bliss the sweet remains life
Such bliss mortals call supreme Which with mild perpetual beam
Cheers every future day And such my happy lot grace
His triumphs the equestrian race
With soft Æolian lay Nor will the Muse another find
The verdantwreath
Among the blest
More potent or regal fame
Or arts that raise monarch name
human kind
165 Dorian for the Dorians and Æolians were de scended from common origin see
shrine
a
by
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Not vain and transitory prove ,
I hope to find on Cronium 's sunny height
A sweeter vehicle of song
To publish , as it rolls along , Thy rapid chariot 's flight .
For me the Muse with vigorous art Prepares her most puissant dart . 179
While men in various paths their efforts bend
strain
,
Glitters the orb of majesty
No farther then thy wishes raise ,
Supreme in glory as in praise,
Long be it thine to tread : Meanwhile my hymn 's triumphant
PINDAR .
For whom she rather would prolong The rich varieties of song .
The god who makes thy cares his own, Thee, Hiero, still with favor crown.
And soon , if his protecting love
170
175
180
185
190 188
or Sa
The steep of glory
Sublime above the rest on high
to ascend
That celebrates the victor train ,
Exalts thro ’ Greece thy bard 's illustrious head .
176 Pausanias ( 1 . vi. ) informs us that the Cronian
turnian hill at Olympia rose above the Altis, so as to com mand a full view of the course .
.
,
THE SECOND OLYMPIC ODE .
TO THERON OF AGRIGENTUM , (IN GREEK ACRAGAS,) On his VICTORY IN THE CHARIOT RACE , GAINED IN THE SEVENTY
SEVENTH OLYMPIAD .
ARGUMENT .
The poet congratulates Theron , sprung from ancestors who had experienced much adversity , though sometimes at
tended with better fortune - Extols him for his skill in the contests , his unsparing expense in bringing them to a
happy issue , and the right use to which he applies his great wealth , assuring him that the recompense of his vir . tuous dispositionswill attend him after death - This leads to a most noble description of the infernal and elysian abodes — Returning from this digression , which he defends from the carping malignity of his detractors, Pindar con cludes with the praises of Theron .
YE hymns that rule the vocal lyre , What god , what hero shall we sing ?
What mortal shall the strain inspire ? Jove is fair Pisa's guardian king ;
And Hercules Olympia ' s glorious toil
Ordain 'd the first fruits of the battle spoil . Theron too demands my strain ,
Whose four - yoked steeds in triumph sweep the
The hospitable , just, and great, Bulwark of Agrigentum 's state ,
plain . 9 10
Ofhis high stem the flower of fairest pride. Who by their long afflictions tost ,
Regain 'd their sacred mansion lost,
Upon
14 The river Acragas, on which the city of Agrigentum is situated . (See the opening of the twelfth Pythian ode. )
the kindred tide .
14
12
PINDAR ,
Of every care they found at last
15
A
And hence to fair Sicilia springs
Her long illustrious line ofkings, 20
A A balm
sweet and tranquil close , for every danger past ,
haven of repose .
Whose happy life and wealth their native virtues wait. 20
O Rhea 's son , Saturnian Jove, Lord of th ' Olympic seats above ,
Whose favoring power the victor gave To triumph by Alpheus' wave ,
Still to their latest offspring bear These gifts of thy paternal care .
Not Time himself , the sire of all , By mortal or immortal power
The deed perform 'd can e 'er recall : But sweet oblivion of the gloomy hour
Succeeds when joy ' s enlivening train
Scattring the melancholy gloom ,
Bid the light heart its wonted ease resume,
And Heaven'
so
’erruling lord emits his bliss again . 38
36 Cadmus , thy daughters ' wayward fate 36
This moral truth can prove ,
Who changed their suffering mortal state
For happy thrones above.
36 Cadmus was an ancestor of Theron , and therefore his daughters , Ino, who was married to Athamas, king of Thebes , and whose story is finely told by Ovid , in the fourth book of the Metamorphoses , and Semele , the concubine of Jove , are judiciously selected by the poet to illustrate the mutability
of human fortune , while at the same time they show the anti
quity and regal splendor of the monarch '
s descent .
secoND OLYMPIC ode .
Fair Semele , of flowing tresses vain ,
By the loud blast of thunder slain , Her joyful recompense can boast ,
And lives among th ’ Olympic host.
Now Pallas soothes happy fair With everlasting love
The ivy circled stripling
And fond delight Jove
Blest ancient tales agree Ino alter destiny
Their forms where sister Nereids lave
aftertimes decreed the blow That plunged their hapless race
Impell the parricidal hand
Which struck the Theban monarch Perfecting the decree Pythian gloom
sharpen eye avenging speed Erinnys view themurderousdeed
With
large stray
care
With them
And sport amid the ocean wave
Her happy hours away
Then let not vain presumptuous man
Seek with unhallow eye
irrevocable doom clouds invest final day
Or Heaven shall gild with cheerful ray The darkness of the tomb
For bliss and sorrow with alternate flow Sway the uncertain tide life below
Twas thus the Fates supreme command
Which bless old Laius regal line With power and happiness divine
scan
woe
breast exprest
' d
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,
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64 , . .
' d
in s
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70 72 65
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, ,. 50
.
11
Adrastus' house revive again ,
First in each youthful sport , and in the strife of men .
Then justly , noble king , to thee , Ænesidemus ' progeny ,
Thy willing poet's lyre shall raise The tributary song of praise . 86
Alone in the Olympic sảnd
The victor's crown he wore ;
But when upon the Pythian strand ,
As on the Isthmian shore , 85
Twelve times steeds the destined bound The car triumphant whirl around
The social Graces who decree Each high reward victory
his loved brother head the wreath conquest bore 93
And emulation flame True star glory given
95
100
cheer The clouds that hang life career
And gild the path fame But let the proud possessor know
What torments the world below
PINDAR .
And soon by mutual slaughter gave
The warlike brothers to the grave . Surviving Polynices ' doom ,
75 Thersander bade in times to come 75
guerdon
Has power free from mental pain
Such bliss the envied wealth kings When crown by patient labor brings
This honor
obtain
Ænesidemus the father Theron was the seventh lineal descent from Thersander
100 These are concisely enumerated by the learned Pro pertius sqq
(l .
111 .
v .
79
To
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of
.
,
SECOND OLYMPIC
The harden '
By Jove 's command what judges there From stern necessity declare
The decrees fate
15
everlasting day 105 Thro night unclouded season play
Where beams
Nor search the caverns An empty being sustain
But with the honor gods The faithful vow delights
the main
whose hear
ear
d soul
await .
mortality alloy
The good shall perfect bliss enjoy
They nor with daring hands molest Earth torn and violated breast
Free from
ODE .
108
110
Shall be their tearless age of rest
While pangs aspect dire distract the impious
train 122
But they whose spirit thrice refined Each arduous contest could endure
Sub terris jura Deum tormenta gigantum Tisiphones atro furit angue caput
Aut Alcmæoniæ furiæ aut jejunia Phinei
Num rota num scopuli num sitis inter aquas
Tibullus also Eleg poetically contrasts the joys Elysium with the pains Tartarus
Ipsa Venus campos ducet Elysios Hic choreæ cantusque vigent
At scelerata jacet sedes nocte profunda
Abdita quam circum flumina nigra sonant Tisiphoneque impexa feros pro crinibus angues
Sævit huc illuc impia turba fugit
105 One might almost imagine that Pindar bad taken this sentiment from passage the book Proverbs
The path the just the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day
The way the wicked darkness
117 According the scholiast Pindar this passage fol
115
in
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,c .
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16
PINDAR .
And keep the firm and perfect mind From all contagion pure ; Along the stated path of Jove
To Saturn 's royal courts above Have trod their heavenly way ,
1:20 Where round the island of the blest
The ocean breezes play ; There golden flowerets ever blow ,
125
From them the inmates of these seats divine 130
Around their hands and hair the woven garlands twine . 136
Rhea supreme holds his court
those high ranks Peleus and Cadmus shine And the blissful seats above
The prayer Thetis won the breast Jove waft the scion her line
Achilles whose resistless might
Some springing from earth ' s verdant breast , These on the lonely branches glow ,
While those are nurtured by the waves below .
Such Rhadamanthus
Who sits Father Saturn side Where with his all possessing bride
The pride and hope Troy Hector till then unconquer
just decree
erthrew slew
the fight
the metempsychosis and
reserves the beautiful Elysium
who have passed with the divine approbation through the
two conditions mortality this whole description
Till then unshaken
lows the Pythagorean doctrine
pillar
the blessed islands those
and beneath the earth With the Elysian and Tartarian abodes
compare Hesiod Op
paradise the just
those who delight violence and wrong terrestrial
Dies 225 where however the well the opposite residence
143 Catullus addressing Peleus says
Thessaliæ columen Peleu Nupt Pel Thet
. -
on
as, of
of
De
of
of '
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et
.
.
. to
26 .
,
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of
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aset of
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th '
to
by
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of . , ,
,
.
; .
of ,
140
135
,
,
-
'
SECOND OLYMPIC ODE . 17
Cycnus the hero gave to death ,
Aurora 's Æthiop son to resign his breath 149
Full many sharp and potent dart 146
150
Like crows pursue their ceaseless round
That thro the airy plains above
Track the majestic bird Jove 158 155
That shows unspent the poet
And the wise sounds clear and shrill Rests my well stored quiver still
art
But minds untaught some guide will need
Safe thro the mystic paths
lead
While witlings learn with empty sound
Then take my soul thy fearless aim Drawn from the quiet storehouse say
To whom thine arrows wing their way Along the path fame
proud Agrigentum height
Should they direct their devious flight sworn truth will declare
160
No heartmore friendly more liberal hand 165 Than Theron who now sways the subject land
Far
That the hundred years whose course hath fled her imperial head
Hath held dominion there 173
Yet Insolence her voice will raise Unjust thwart themonarch praise
And Envy rancorous tongue invade Casting his merits into shade
Howe the base malignant crew His name with violence pursue
170
PIND
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PINDAR .
If thou wouldst his generous deeds explore
soon the sandy grains thy tongue shall number
175 Catullus
Quam magnus numerus Libyssæ
180
175
Lesbiam
arenæ
sepulchrum
Laserpiciteris jacet Cyrenis Oraclum Jovis inter æstuosi
Batti veteris sacrum
Quæ nec pernumerare curiosi Possint
THE THIRD OLYMPIC ODE
THE SAME THERON OCCASION OF VICTORY OBTAINED BY HIM THE CHARIOT RACE THE DATE NOT RE
CORDED
ARGUMENT
This ode was addressed the king Agrigentum whom
the victory was announced oxenia festival honor
he was celebrating the The
the gods instituted the according the mythological
inhabitants Pallene
story by Castor and Pollux
invoking the aid and approbation the Dioscuræ and their
sister Helen digresses
cess the favor the twin deities influenced his piety and the regularity with which celebrated the fes tival of the gods the attempt proceed farther would be
vain the endeavor sail beyond the Pillars Her cules the supposed boundary the old world
olive tree from
concludes
the highest point human glory and attributes his suc
Pindar therefore begins
Thence the mention the olive wreath
the fable Hercules transplanting the wild the Hyperborean regions Olympia He
congratulating Theron who had attained
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THIRD OLYMPIC ode .
To please the hospitable pair
From godlike Tyndarus who spring , And Helen , nymph of lovely hair ,
I would awake th ’ Olympic string ,
And raise the lyric song, to crown 5
Bright Agrigentum with renown , And Theron ' s glories sing ,
Whose steeds' unwearied feet achieve the guerdon fair .
Then may the muse her bard inspire , Who first upon the Dorian lyre
Raised the melodious strain on high To swell the pomp of victory 10
10
The verdant wreaths that proudly glow
Round the triumphant courser 's mane ,
Call on the shrill - toned flute to flow , 15
The varied lyre and well - connected strain .
Which may a due encomium raise Ænesidamus ' son to praise . 16
And Pisa joins the general claim
From her proceeds the song of fame, 20
1 This epithet, as West observes , is very appropriately bestowed on the Dioscuri , Castor and Pollux , on account of
the establishment, by them , of the Theoxenia , a feast to which the gods were invited . With the opening of this ode
compare Euripides , Orestes , sub
Ελενην Ζηνος μελαθροις πελασω
Wemay observe theme of Pindar
his Castle Indolence his Knight Arts and Industry that
with varied fire He roused the trumpet and the martial fife
Thomson
that the praises Agrigentum are grateful muse
favorite says
Or bade the lute sweet tenderness inspire
Orverses framed that well might wake Apollo lyre
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