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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
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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 .
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
De
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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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20 PINDAR .
To whom the umpire 's just decree Awards the meed of victory .
Prompt to fulfil Alcides' high command ,
Who bade the verdant olive glow
Twined by th ' Ætolian judge 's hand Around the conqueror' s brow . 22
Which erst Amphitryo's godlike son
From Ister's shady fountains bore, The fairest mark of triumph won
By victor on Olympia 's shore . Gift of the Hyperborean race , Who worship in Apollo 's fane,
The plant which sbades that hallow ' place
25 25
30
35
Where Common to
For now Perform
would
Jupiter ' grove s tall
d His voice persuasive could obtain ;
a shelter gave mankind and chaplets the brave
his great father name was every sacred rite
tedious and not very edifying the reader
detail the various opinions the ancients respecting the geographical position the Hyperboreans some placing
them Europe and others Asia nay they have been said
dwell within the polar circle clime free from all skyey influences
flows through the land Dorado would situated high that the modern
nant nature Olymp viii
fruitful and temperate adverse and malig Pindar says that the Ister
Siberia But nothing can more
Scythia
vague and undefined than the notions antiquity respecting the limits of the Ister and the territories the Scythians
the sixth Isthmian ode Pindar appears consider the Nile and the Hyperborean regions the northern and southern extremities the habitable globe appears that
the sacred olive which the Theban Hercules fabled have transplanted from their regions grew somewhere above the fountains the Ister Danube The tenth Pythian ode contains poetical description the fertility and blessed
ness these Utopian regions
Hence this northern latitude above the equator
of a
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From
Arcady 's deep glens and summits When , as Eurystheus ' will was told , Necessity from Father Jove
And when the full -orb '
d
lamp of night
THIRD . OLYMPIC ODE .
Pour'
He gave each fifth revolving year , Where falls Alpheus' high career ,
d from her severing golden car the
flame
,
40
To judge the well-earn'
d meed of fame. 39
But in Saturnian Pelops ' vale
No trees waved beauteous to the gale— No verdant grove , no depth of shade
regions
fair .
To bring the hind with horns of gold His persecuted offspring drove : Which erst , in sacred pomp array ' ,
The raging solar beam allay ' ;
d
His mind impelld him then to go
Where Ister'
Latona's huntress daughter Received the hero as he came
s streams through
Scythian
flow :
55 Taygeta had given to please th’ Orthosian maid . 54
This as he urged in warm pursuit ,
His eyes survey '
d the region
60
Which chilling Boreas render ' bare
d Admiring the tall olive 's shoot ;
,
39 The Olympic games were celebrated on the day nearest to the full moon of that month , the new moon of which im
mediately followed the summer solstice . salutary
58 I. e. Diana : so named from her obstetrical
influence , or from a mountain of Arcadia .
The younger scholiast gives a long account of the reason
why this stag with gilded horns was offered to Diana , who had benevolently metamorphosed into the form of that animal
Taygeta , the daughter of Atlas .
there
50 50
d
there
his soul To plant the consecrated root
Then sweet desire possess '
d
PINDAR . ,
Around the twelve - times circled goal . 65 And now to crown the solemn feast,
The hero comes , propitious guest ,
With deep - zoned Leda' s twin -born pair . To them the glorious charge he gave ,
Ascending to Olympus' height ,
To the contest laws and crown the brave
Who sped victor car won the palm might
Then justly noble Theron fame My mind exhorts me proclaim
And sing
Whom Jove
With honors and rewards divine
Emmenidæs high race equestrian offspring grace
By bright their virtuous actions shine them the sacred rites are paid
By them the liberal banquet laid With more abundant plenty stored
Than often crowns mortal board water then and shining gold
highest glory hold Even thus has virtuous Theron gain
The rank
The farthest point
His fame has reach that distant land
pillars stand Beyond this point who strives sail
Where the Herculean
prevail
No farther pursue my course here restrain
Wise unwise can
man attain
I or
his
-,
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74 . of
THE FOURTH OLYMPIC ODE .
TO PSAUMIS OF CAMARINA , ON HIS VICTORY WITH THE QUA DRIG Æ, OR CHARIOT WITH FOUR HORSES , GAINED IN THE
EIGHTY
- SECOND OLYMPIAD .
ARGUMENT .
opens with a sublime invocation to Jupiter , and a
This ode prayer
Psaumis The poet then proceeds the victor account his hospitality love
the praise peace
patriotism and the care he bestows the training bis horses Subjoins the story Erginus the son Clyme
nus excuse for the premature whiteness his hair
The circling hours
immortal Jove
Who mak unwearied lightnings move With song and lyre accordant string
Rouse me the victor
praise sing
When friends succeed the good rejoice And hail the sweet toned herald voice
son of Saturn thou who rul above
Where Ætna with his burning load imprest
Weighs down the hundred handed Typhon breast Deign with thy favor approve
This hymn which the victor praise address Aspires crown Olympic strife
That gilds with glory beam the latest hour life
High his car triumphant placed
His brows with Pisa olive graced
Lo Psaumis brings the meed fame
raise his Camarina name
15
To!
of ,
's
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on
to
an
,
for
to s
th '
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15
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9
,
of of
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as
—
24
PINDAR .
The god who joys to bless thee now , Propitious hear each future vow !
Him shall my constant praise await ,
Who skill'
To every guest unfolds his gate ,
20
d to
train the
generous
steed
,
And tranquil aids his native state Nurtured to each pacific deed .
No falsehood e'er shall stain my lay ,
25 worth dis
Experience proves the man, and will play
From taunts Lemnian women made This Clymenus brave offspring freed
The course brazen arms array He left take the victor meed And thus Hypsipyle address
22
Tis who gain the palm speed
Mine the firm hand undaunted breast
Howe upon my youthful brow
Are shed untimely hues snow 35
Erginus one the argonauts who
for the golden fleece contended Lemnos
games instituted by Hypsipyle memory her father Thoas
king 305
Achilles rushes into the Ismenus and its waves with slaughter Erginus complaint his premature
tation
the island He mentioned Statius Theb
among the heroes killed Hippomedon who dyes imi
grey hairs may be parodied by Boethius Consol Philos Intempestivi funduntur vertice cani Hesiod Op
Dies 181 mentions mark the iron race that they are grey headed from their birth
their departure
the funeral
11 -
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of '
as a
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THE FIFTH OLYMPIC ODE .
TO THE SAME PSAUMIS , ON HIS THREE VICTORIES , ONE IN THE CHARIOT DRAWN BY FOUR HORSES ; ANOTHER IN THE APENE , OR CHARIOT DRAWN BY MULES ; AND THE THIRD IN THE
SINGLE HORSE RACE - ALL GAINED OLYMPIAD .
ARGUMENT .
The poet in this ode invocates Camarina , a sea -nymph , from whom the town and lake in Sicily were fabled to have taken their name ; to bespeak her favorable acceptance of the
hymn in which are celebrated the three victories of Psau mis ; whom he also commends for his liberality and pa triotism - Concludes by supplicating Jupiter to grant con
tinued prosperity to the victor, 'and expressing his own good wishes towards him .
DAUGHTER of Ocean ! this sweet strain , Which Psaumis ' lofty virtues wake,
Whose mules untired glide o 'er Olympia 's plain ,
And victory '
With mind propitious take .
s fairest
chaplet
gain 7
,
Eager to grace with high renown ,
O Camarina ! thy well -peopled town ; To the bright rulers of the skies
He bade the six twin - altars rise ,
And spread to each celestial guest
Of oxen slain the liberal feast ;
Five times the sun's diurnalblaze Each well - contested strife surveys ,
The strong - yoked chariot's conquering speed , Drawn by fleet mule or generous steed ;
IN THE EIGHTY - SECOND
26
PINDAR .
Orwhere impatient of control The courser presses to the goal.
Thy mighty combatant to thee Conveys the meed of victory ,
That bids the herald ' s loud acclaim
15
20 father Acron
Join with thy new -built walls name
From Pelops and Enomaus pleasant seat Pallas our loved city guardian pride
The victor comes with festal hymn greet Thy solemn grove and fair Oanus tide The native lake the sacred source
Whence Hipparis directs course And pours the thirsting host lave
Thro long canals his fruitful wave Transported down whose rapid tide
Beams for the stable fabrics glide
When Psaumis rears the wonderous pile
Lightens his country woes and renovates her smile But labor still and cost his steps attend
Whose virtue strives gain this glorious end Around his path uncertain hazards wait
And clouds obscure the mighty combat fate Yet when his persevering toils succeed
nation voice confirms the wisdom the deed
Hear Earth protecting Sovereign Jove
Who dwell enthron
the Cronian mount whose care
And
And Ida
Protects hear thy suppliant prayer
Who breathing his Lydian reed
Implores thee still crown this state with valor meed
Alpheus widely
flowing wave
venerable cave
clouds above
.
to on
19
,
O
,!
of ,,
,
'
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in ,
' s
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his
,
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,,
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'. ' s 4038 35 30 25 s
to
his
,
SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE .
27
O Psaumis ! victor in th ’ Olympic strife , . Who mak 'st Neptunian steeds thy joy and pride ,
Thy
May placid age attend thy closing life, children standing round to grace a
side ! 53
Of Fortune ' s ample stores possest ,
And with fair reputation blest , No higher thy wishes rise
Since all that mortals gain thine
50 father ' s
Normadly try
Ambitious lot divine
THE SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE
reach the skies
AGESIAS SYRACUSE HIS VICTORY THE CHARIOT DRAWN BY MULES
ARGUMENT
The scholiast informs that this ode according some was inscribed Stymphelius son Sostratus and that his
victory was achieved olympiad The poem
the eighty sixth eighty seventh
the frontispiece
opening his ode expatiating
mention the praises and re
contest He then proceeds gret expressed by Adrastus
opens with building
noble simile drawn from
which he compares the the glory the olympic
Amphiaraus occasioned
the death the latter instituting comparison between
Agesias and the Theban seer The birth Iamus one
the ancestors the victor who are thence called Iamidæ then related great length together with the story
Evadne daughter Æpytus Agesias derived his lineage
the mother side from Arcadia
and there was con
on
is ,-
TO
' s
OP
; as
on to a
-
.
a
of
, of a
of
a to
,
; inus , ON
,
to
of,of by
,
55
of of
—
atof to
let
- -,
,
,
-
on to
, a.
is ,
,
of
, 57 of, or IN
of
-
,
,
.
28
PINDAR .
nexion between the inhabitants of that country and the Thebans , the poet includes them in his praises — He then addresses Æreas, the master of the chorus , whom he com pliments on his musical skill , and exhorts to wipe away by his exertions the proverbial disgrace attached to his coun
trymen by the appellation of Bæotian swine . — Renews his praise of Agesias , and concludes with a prayer to Neptune ,
still to keep the victor under his propitious guidance, and to render the poet's hymns agreeable to those in whose honor they are written and sung . ·
Oft as the architect 's creative hand
Bids the fair porch on golden columns rise ,
And
magnificence expand
strike the gazing eye with mute surprise
Thus splendid from afar should gleam noble deed incipient beam
The guard Jove prophetic shrine
the dome
he thy wreath Olympia
bear Sprung from that old and noble line
Who founded Syracusa fair
grateful city hymns the hero name
While her unenvying sons unite glad acclaim
this exalted station placed The son Sostratus found
inglorious chaplet graced
But with his well earn honors crown
Gwillim quaint epigram placed after the title page
his book Heraldry thus alludes the opening this
ode
The noble Pindar doth compare somewhere
With
Writing with building and instructs us there That every great and goodly edifice
Doth ask have
comely frontispiece
to a
a
,
,, -
, ,
: ·
to 1
A
To A
on , in
no
of
to
,
, in s
’d
is
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all
, . ,
of-
15
.
' d
,
.
11
'
,
,
of ' s
' s
' s
,
sixth OLYMPIC ODE .
The warrior on the battle plain , The sailor on the trackless main , Through paths of peril and dismay
Wins to renown his arduous way ,
And when his toils achieve some glorious deed ,
The memory of the good shall be his meed . 17
Agesias , may such
ready praise be thine , As to Ciclides , seer of Theban line ,
Adrastus gave , when in an earthly tomb
25 their
Himself and noble doom . 22
steeds were hurried to
But when the seven funeral pyres Raised to the dead their sacred fires,
In sorrow thus his Theban host The sun of Talaus address 'd :
· The pride of all my army lost
regret this aching breast .
is the augur's prescient light,
the warrior ' s arm of fight. ' The triumphs which these hymns afford
Wait on my Syracusan lord . 32
No lover of contention , I Respect my oath 's compulsive
Fills with
Quench 'd Nerveless
tie
And while this honest suffrage crowns my lays,
The
sweet- toned muses' quire will ratify praise
Phintis spurn each dull delay And haste the vigorous mules join
Amphiaraus
son ingenious emendation
Oicleus
the common flat reading
The commonly received interpretation
41
have here followed the Dr Blomfield Alpkq instead
diką
theword Phin
40 23
ev of of .
.
of
,
his
,.
, of
.
36
, ev
to
,
I
,!
0 ,
.
30
PINDAR .
Pursue thy clear and open way
To reach his ancestors' remotest line. 41
No other guide our steps will need Safe through these lofty paths to lead .
Since upon their victorious brow Olympia ' s verdant chaplets glow
Then to their flight expanding wide Let us unbar the gates of song ~ Where Pitane in towering pride
45
. 50
55
60
doubtless the
true one viz the poet own soul considered
ing charioteer the body With this passage compare
’erlooks Eurotas' sacred tide, To Neptune of Saturnian race
.
:
O
This day the bard must pass along. 47
Cowley
Go the rich chariot instantly prepare
his muse
The queen
The wheels
my muse will take the
thy bold coach pass quick and free open road thee
And
Whatever god did say
thy plain and smooth
uninterrupted way cxviiiThe metaphor here strikingly similar that
Psalm
Open me the gates righteousness that may into them and give thanks unto the Lord
d
the direct
.