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FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE .
In solemn counsel he appears The Nestor of a hundred years :
121
Slander 's free tongue he bids be mute ,
His virtues all her tales confute : 504 515
Taught the base railer to abhor ,
And with the good to wage no war ; Protracting nought by slow delay ,
For short with man occasion 's stay .
Well can he seize the fitting hour ,
No slave to wayward fortune's power . The heaviest this of human woes , That he who each fair blessing knows, Bound by necessity 's strong chain ,
520
525
530
But soon , his deadly troubles o 'er ,
He prays to see his home once more . 535
There by Apollo 's sacred spring
To youthful revels yield his soul, And to his skilful townsmen bring
The lyre its varied strains to roll.
With them to lead , remote from strife , 540
The quiet tenor of his life .
520 Alludes to Demophilus , who had been banished by Arcesilaus , and whom Pindar wishes the monarch to recall.
Must his encumber'
Like Atlas , tottering with the weight
Of all the bright incumbent heaven , Hestruggles with oppressive fate,
From home and his possessions driven . Immortal Jove the Titan crew
Released at length from
The seaman in a flagging gale
thraldom due. Loosens his idly - fluttering sail. 521
d foot
restrain .
122 PINDAR .
And then in Thebes recall ’d to dwell, His grateful tongue shall freely tell
What new fount of ambrosial lays
He struck , Arcesilaus , in thy praise . 533 545
543 This perhaps alludes to the discovery of the fountain Hippocrene by the horse Pegasus .
THE FIFTH PYTHIAN
TO THE SAME ARCESILAUS ON HIS VICTORY IN THE CHARIOT RACE , GAINED IN THE THIRTY - FIRST OLYMPIAD .
ARGUMENT .
PINDAR begins by proclaiming the happiness of Arcesilaus, especially in gaining the Pythian victory , for which he
exhorts him , in his usual pious manner , to return thanks to the gods , and to his charioteer Carrhotus ; at the same time cautioning the victor not to expect sincere and perpe tual happiness , since no one is free from trouble - The reader should bear in mind that this ode was written at a time of civil dissension between the king and people of Cyrene - Nevertheless the ancient felicity of Battus will attend Arcesilaus , who is protected by the favor of Apollo . The poet then makes a transition to the predictions of that god , which induced the Heraclidæ to return into Pelopon nesus , A . C . 1104 , eighty years after the Trojan war ; at
which time Pindar 's ancestors , the Ægidæ , camewith the
colony to Thera , and thence to Cyrene - Then follow the praises of Battus , and of his posterity , particularly of Arce
silaus — The ode concludes with good wishes for their prosperity .
ALL - Powerful is the wealth of kings , The golden store when Fortune brings ,
ODE .
FIFTH PYTHIAN ODE .
And Virtue her pure radiance blends . Around , to bless their mortal state , Attendant crowds obsequious wait
123
Of clients and expecting friends.
O thou! towhom
, by favoring heaven ,
Arcesilaus, wealth is given ,
Which Glory, from life's earliest day, Illumines with her brilliant ray ;
Shining by Castor 's aid afar , Refulgent in his golden car ;
Who, the tempestuous winter o ’er, Returning quiet gives to reign ,
When the retreating clouds restore Light to thy blessed house again . 13
15
The gifts that mark Heaven 's favoring care, With brighter grace the prudent bear .
Round thee wealth flows in copious tide ; Whose feet the paths of justice tread ; Whose potent empire , far and wide ,
Is over numerous cities spread . The fairest charms of royal sway ,
Prudence and majesty combined , In thee their genuine marks display ,
Whose eye declares a kindred mind . Now happy in thy recent fame,
Won in th ' equestrian Pytho' s game ;
This pomp - displaying hymn is thine , Which leads Apollo 's sport divine.
Nor thou , great king , forget the lays
That celebrate Cyrene 's praise ; Cyrene , round whose fertile soil
The charms of lovely Venus smile .
30
ATolmiov upua. The Roman Ludi Apollinares . .
29
124
PINDAR .
Ascribe the whole to God above , And more than all Carrhotus ' love ;
Who not to Battus ' royal court, Where Justice and her train resort ,
'
gain He '
wreath , thy brow
, glozing tongue, d Excuse with
Convey
From laggard Epimetheus sprung .
But in his victor chariot borne , Where pure Castalia 's waters flow ,
d the envied
With honor 'd triumph to adorn :
Urging his wheels ' uninjured force For never by unskilful stroke
. : 45 Twelve times around the sacred course . 44
His But
Is hung aloft in Phoebus' dome That in the woody hollow stands,
Upon the beam of cypress laid ,
Where the bright image is display ' ; d
The charioteer of Arcesilaus .
car's compacted strength he
the Crisæan hill
This fabric of ingenious hands
,
o
'ercome ,
36
· 39 Epimetheus , the fabled brother of Prometheus , married
Pandora, and thus introduced all kinds of evil among man kind . Excuse or Negligence was the daughter of the former ,
as Prudence sprang from the latter . This passage of Pindar will perhaps bring to the recollection of the reader a similar
one in Milton (Par. Lost, ix . 853 ) :
- In her face excuse
Came prologue , and apology too prompt.
45 The scholiast informs us that forty charioteers con tended with Arcesilaus , and all had their cars broken in the
course ; but Carrhotus preserved uninjured that of his em ployer : in consequence of which the unbroken chariot was placed in the temple at Delphi, and consecrated to Apollo .
This is one of the earliest recorded instances of the cus tom of suspending votive offerings in the temples of the gods,
as testimonies of gratitude for favors received or calamities avoided .
broke ;
50
Which ,
single offspring
55
FIFTH PYTHIAN ode . Cretan archers stood
the wood Conspicuous on its lofty place
The proud Parnassian fane grace Tis then thy part with willing mind
meet thy benefactor kind
Offspring
Extol the bright hair graceful three
How bless have thy labors past
Alexibius thee
Long the poet record
Of forty guides whose skill would steer
Gainst thine their chariot rash career Bringing with fearless mind thy car
last
Alone unbroken
And now the strife Thou art return
the war
glory past
once more thy paternal walls last
On Libya fertile shore
But one shall
From grief the lot mortals free Yet Battus ancient fortunes wait His prosperous and his adverse state He forms the city guardian pride
shining light
Struck with deep awe and panic dread
beside From him the roaring lions fled
speak divinely taught language the ocean brought
Apollo struck the beasts with fear Who led the colonising train
When
related by Herodotus that Battus the founder Cyrene meeting lion Libya uttered cry piercing
scare the savage beast and restore him voice according the prediction Apollo
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PINDAR .
Lest great Cyrene's lord should hear , And find the high prediction vain . 84
He who to man with healing art Could blunt disease 's heavy dart ;
Who gives the lyre's sweet notes to flow , And Muse to still each mental woe ; Bidding within his favorites' breast
The tranquil love of virtue rest, And ruling the prophetic sound
That issues from his cave profound .
This could in Lacedæmon place , In Argos , Pylos the divine,
The chiefs of brave Alcides' race, And old Ægimius' noble line.
85
W
95
Let me the fair renown proclaim ,
Which from illustrious Sparta came . 98 100
My fathers hence to Thera 's seat
Th ’ Ægidæ moved their wandering feet.
Heaven and the Fates ' supreme behest
Impelld
Apollo , taking hence the hoard 105
Which thy Carnean rites afford ,
We raise the strain of fair renown To hymn Cyrene 's well-built town,
Where Trojans of Antenor 's race ,
them to the victim - feast.
All sheathed in brass , have their place 110 For they with Helen came when they survey
Their native soil by war
104 This the epithet chus and which he prefers
selssolemn measure with the yellow haired Libyan dam
smoky ruin laid 113
Apollo mentioned Callima that derived from Claros
See also where describes the festivities celebrated near the fountain Cyre where the men danced
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FIFTH PYTHIAN ODE .
Approaching then th ' equestrian band , The courteous natives of the land
Receive with hospitable care , And sacrifice with presents bear .
These Battus led , when the deep wave To his swift ships a passage gave.
127
115
ample shrine , 120 Making for steeds a smooth and stony way ,
He to th ' inhabitants
Rear '
That the great god whose potent art
d the tall
grove
and
From mortals wards disease 's dart
, Might all his festal pomp display ;
divine
Where at the forum 's utmost bound 125 Now dead he lies apart in holy ground . 126
While among men , his life was blest ; And when the hero sank to rest,
A people ' s love was still his own ;
While other sacred monarchs laid Apart to death ' s impervious shade
Before the palace gates are flown . And now thy mighty valor ' s fame ,
Steep ' d in the hymn ' s mellifluous dew ,
130
Piercing their ear with loud acclaim , 135 Earth 's dark recess shall travel through .
The common bliss of all the race, Whose wreaths Arcesilaus grace .
His triumphs in the Pythian field
Apollo with his sword of gold
In graceful numbers shall unfold ;
140
118 It appears that Aristotle , surnamed Battus , con structed a paved way ( okupwt av ódov ), by which the sacred pomps were brought to the temple of Apollo . On this pas
sage the scholiast remarks : Leyeral de okupwTn auti tov 1100
OTPWtos ; the word used by St . John ( xix . 13 ) as denoting the same place which the Hebrews called Γαββαθα .
128 PINDAR .
A recompense the lyric strain Recited by the youthful train ,
For all his toil and cost will yield . ' Tis said of old the prudent raise
Their voice in such a hero 's praise .
Superior to He carries
And bold The eagle
tender years unshaken mind
tongue and heart appears the feather kind
Whose wide extended wings display His sheltering valor the fray
He from his early youth sublime
154
rhyme And foremost equestrian war
Was skill raise the sudden Guide the goal his rapid car
Ofnative arts through
His persevering steps have trod
And still crown his efforts high May heaven its ready aid supply
And grant him blest Saturnian line council act shine
As when autumnal fruits are cast
Oq earth before the wintry blast The sovereign majesty Jove
Guides the blest object his love
And may Olympia chaplet grace
Bestow him great Battus race 168 170
Let not the black
With hostile force his life assail
each fair road
tempestuous gale
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THE SIXTH PYTHIAN ODE. *
TO XENOCRATES OF ACRAGAS, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE CHA RIOT RACE , GAINED IN THE TWENTY - FOURTH PYTHIAD .
ARGUMENT ,
The poet panegyrises Xenocrates on account of his country and his victory in the Pythian games, promising him the
immortality of verse : he then addresses Thrasybulus , thé son of the victor, whom he celebrates on account of his piety and filial affection , comparing him in these respects to Antilochus , the son of Nestor - Concludes by praising Xenocrates for his moderation and proper use of wealth , bis evenness of temper and suavity of manners .
Give ear - for either through the plain OfVenus with the laughing eyes,
Or through the Graces' fair domain The bard 's poetic journey lies .
* This short poem , which the scholiast asserts to be mono strophic , and which , both in its construction and metrical ar rangement, has much embarrassed the commentators , opens with a declaration on the part of the poet to proceed to the temple of the Delphian god , placed in the centre of the earth ,
in order to celebrate the praises of Xenocrates , father of his friend Thrasybulus , which had before been sung by Simoni . des , and are again recited in the second Isthmian ode . The
periphrasis for Delphi in the third verse , ομφαλος επιβρομου Xoovos,may be illustrated by Euripides (Orest, 323 ) :
Again
τριποδος απο , φασιν , αν Φοιβος ελακε δεξαμενος ανα δαπεδον
ένα μεσομφαλοι λεγονται μυχοι 584 585
Απολλων μεσομφαλους έδρας ναιων βροτοισι στομα νεμει σαφεστατον
The allusions the central situation Pytho Delphi are PIND
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130
PINDAR .
· To thundering earth 's prophetic dome , In the just centre placed , we come ;
Where guarded by the holy shade,
Apollo '
golden grove contains
s
The treasure of the Pythian strains
there,Xenocrates,is laid
Which
The blest Emmenidæ
to crown , And watery Acragas' renown . 9
This nor the wintry storm ' s array , The roaring cloud 's terrific host,
Nor winds and whirling sands convey , Beneath the depths of ocean lost.
And thou , with countenance serenely bright, To thy great sire shalt tell the pleasing tale ,
O Thy
flight
Thrasybulus ! when in
race ennobling , sped
Crissa ' s vale , chariot
the precept fair Which erst they say with guardian care
Upon his mountain station wild
The son Philyra imprest
On Peleus vigorous orphan child
Firmly thou hold
reverence Jove the chief all the blest
Lord the thundering bolt and lightning flame
And through the term allow by heaven
among the ancient poets See where the expression
very frequent occurrence Pyth viii
doubtless
parallel import ομφαλος επιβρομου χθονος
Thus
γας ομφαλον παρ αοιδιμον
this ode paraphrased Casimir Lyric
quam neque turbidus Auster neque emotus refuso
Subruat Oceanus profundo
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SIXTH
parents given As may not rob them their rightful
Such honor be
This noble mind days
yore
Antilochus the valiant bore
Who Æthiop Memnon deadly strife Sustaining saved his father life
For struck by Paris dart the steed
Slack the Nestorean chariot speed While he the powerful spear urged
And the Messenian sage his breast By agitating fear oppress
PYTHIAN ODE .
131
claim
With vain effort call his son 40
Thus the firm
hero yielded breath
much loved sire from death former age
Redeem
Ofallwho
Ere trod the world eventful stage Him first this wondrous act will prove
virtue and parental love But his renown has past away Among the heroes the day
Shines Thrasybulus whose fair deeds proclaim
His steps have reach the height sire and uncle
fame
His youth exempt from fraud and pride Collects deep wisdom ample store
Wont theMuses haunts And cull their scientific lore
50
See Homer viii 100 255 Pope version the former these passages the incident mentioned by
Pindar related and the latter the death Antilochus son Nestor alluded byhis brother Pisistratus
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132 PINDAR .
Whilst thy sweet arts his willing mind 55 Equestrian lord , earth -shaking Neptune, bind ;
And his sweet soul, in social converse free , Transcends the honied labor of the bee . 54
THE SEVENTH PYTHIAN ODE .
TO MEGACLES THE ATHENIAN , ON HIS VICTORY WITH THE QUADRIGÆ , GAINED IN THE TWENTY -EIGHTH PYTHIAD .
ARGUMENT .
This short ode opens with an address to Athens , whence the victor derives a great portion of his fame, tracing his lineage
to Alcmæon ; his triumphs in the different games of Greece
are enumerated – The poet expresses his concern that the happiness of Megacles should be diminished by the envy of his rivals , and the mutability of human fortune, which
however affects all men alike .
The fairest prelude to my strain Athena ' s noble walls contain ;
Whence struck , thy steeds the lyre shall grace , That hymns Alcmæon ' s potent race .
What house , what country shall I name Through Greece ofmore illustrious fame,
When all the various cities round Erectheus ' townsmen 's praise resound ?
They who in Pytho the divine ,
7
5
10
Apollo , rear'
thy
wondrous
shrine .
d Five triumphs
in the Isthmian field Urge me the lyric song to yield
EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE . 133
O Megacles ! one glorious crown,
By thee and thy forefathers gain ’
I joy that merited success
Should all thy recent efforts bless .
But I lamentthat envy's cloud
Must thy victorious actions shroud . 20
Yet such , they say , is man — whose fate
;
THE EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE
ARISTOMENES OP ÆGINA ON HIS VICTORY WITH THẾ CÆS TUS GAINED THE THIRTY FIFTH PYTHIAD
ARGUMENT
In Jove 's Olympic strife obtain ' ,
d
And two from Cirrha 's sacred town, 15
By weal or woe is chequer '
No constant happiness his state
d still Attends without approaching
d
.
16
Pindar begins this ode with quillity then expatiates
beautiful invocation Tran the might Apollo whose
Xenarces gained his Pythian conquest Then follow the praises Ægina the mother
favor Aristomenes the son
heroes especially from the descendants Æacus He then
applying
him the saying Amphiaraus that innate valor heredi tary and interweaves that seer prediction respecting the
Epigoni descendants Adrastus and the Argive chiefs who should besiege Thebes To these he subjoins the ex
resumes the commendation Aristomenes
pression
which regards him Returning the victory sup
plicates Apollo
his affection for Alcmæon and the esteem with
crown him with success future re minding him that he indebted the favor the gods
for his past glory the several instances which he pro
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134
PINDAR .
ceeds to enumerate - Expatiates on the felicity of those who conquer in the games, which is sufficient to counter balance the miseries of short- lived mortality - And con
cludes with an address to Ægina .
BLAND Quiet ! who preserv'st the state In tranquil peace serene and great,
Daughter of Justice , whose high sway Council and war alike obey,
The Pythian hymn that now I weave For Aristomenes receive ;
Since well thou know ' st thine active aid to Or mildly to the occasion bend
When ruthless anger fills the breast
Severe and hostile the foe
Thy power soon lays the storm rest
And plunges the wave below Thee ere he felt the deadly stroke
Reckless Porphyrion dared provoke But learn length the dearest gain From willing owners obtain
And she her superior strength
The boaster pride ercame length
This metaphor denoting the well ordered tranquillity which distinguishes Ægina highly poetical and
many other passages applied Pindar the same state the
origin viii
he traces Æacus See Isth
scriptural the expression Exolga klaïdas Treptatas
particularly Ol
Typho fled
That dire and monstrous hundred head
which Nem
how
the height power Matt xvi Tas KAELS Tns Baolelas Twv oupavwv Again
Kai Swow oot Apocal
See also cap
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Kai edoon autq KAELS TOU Opeatos TNS aßvocoy
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Nor he who ruled the giantbrood :
For by the lightning ' deadly blow , s
And arrows of Apollo 's bow , .
Were the rebellious tribe subdued .
' Twas he that with propitious mind Received Xenarces' son ,
From Cirrha 's walls , his brows entwined
With the Parnassian bays in Doric triumph won . 29
And not, as by the Graces scorn 'd , Have Æacus ' bright race adorn 'd
In vain with virtuous deeds the isle Where cities ruled in justice smile ;
Since from old time her glorious name
Excites her sons to deeds of fame : Great heroes nourish 'd to the fight Of swiftness and victorious might ;
And tribes of meaner mortals round Throughout the earth her praises sound .
But all my vacant hours will fail ; Ere to the lyre and dulcet strain
d
I can commit the lengthen ' tale
Satiety the mind will pain . 46
Thy triumphs now , heroic boy ,
The labors ofmymuse employ,
Who shall convey with winged speed 45
The record of thy latest deed ;
21 The chief of these are briefly enumerated by Horace
(Od.
PYTHIAN ode .
Sed quid Typheus validus Mimas
Aut quid minaci Porphyrion statu Quid Rhæcus evulsisque truncis
Enceladus jaculator audax
attempt made by Porphyrion take away the oxen Hercules
The scholiast informs that verse alludes against the will the hero
of
53 ):
tous , .
ofto an
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iv .
136 PINDAR .
For in th ’ Olympic wrestler's game
Tracking thy noble uncle 's fame, Thine efforts Theognotus not disgrace :
The glories of Clitomachus efface .
Thy deeds, the tribe of Midylus that raise ,
Deserve Oïcleus son's prophetic praise ;
Who erst in Thebes beheld with prescient sight
And in the strong -limb’
fray
d Isthmian The wreaths thy vigor bore away
50
55
To the seven - portalld town th ' Epigoni were come . 61
When thus he spoke : • of those whose heart Nature with generous ardor fires , 60
The martial youth still constant in the fight, When having now twice left their Argive home ,
I see th ’ impetuous youth depart,
Warm ’d with the spirit of their sires. Alcman on his refulgent shield
Whirling the dragon '
Foremost at Cadmus ' gates he bides the battle storm . 67
And he who in the former fray
s
Clearly I view , while in the field
65
Fatigued and vanquish '
urged flight ;
Adrastus of heroic might
Now views a better omen 's
Howe'er in his domestic state
by
To him alone of all the Grecian band
70
. Vex'
d
the storms of adverse
fate .
With his uninjured host by equal heaven ,
varied form
d
his way . :
54 Amphiaraus , the Theban prophet , whose son Alcmæon ,
called by Pindar Alcman , bears on his shield the insigne of a dragon . prefiguring , according to the scholiast , the death of
his father , who was to descend alive into the grave , as that animal goes into the holes and caverns of the earth . . .
EIGHTH PYTHIAN ode .
137
His dead son 's bones, collected through the land , 75 To bring to Abas ' spacious streets ' given
Twas thus Amphiaraus said And around Alcmæon head
The verdant chaplet joy place
Sprinkled with hymns mellifluous grace He guarded by whose neighb ring fane
All my possessions
safe remain prophetic centre went
To earth
By his paternal art convey
The answer night gloomy shade Which my charmed ear Apollo sent
Far darting god whose glorious dome Within the Pythian hollow stands
Receiving
Whatever suppliants thither roam
The greatest joy
And gav him
man below
thy feast eager hand
from all distant lands
Twas there thou deignedst
bestow
king
With willing mind accept my prayer And view the numbers which declare
honied pomp but words truth The deeds this victorious youth
Argos thus denominated Pindar having been built by Abas son Lynceus and father Adrastus whose
son Ægialeus was the only one the Epigoni the de scendants the seven Argive chiefs who did not return safe
their native land after the Theban war
The house Pindar stood near the temple shrine of
Alcmaon and the poet went consult the oracle the Pythian Apollo the answer was conveyed him dream
by that hero who appears have been worshipped with great reverence ouyyovolol Texvals by the art vati cination practised his father
bring The high pentathlic guerdon home
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PINDAR .
Your fate , Xenarcidæ , to bless
I ask the gods' perpetual love . 103
For should a hero 's might success With no laborious effort prove ,
His prosperous life the witless tribe To his own prudent aims ascribe .
The vigor of a mortal hand
Such happiness can ne 'er command .
For by the gods ' superior power To hope and joy the vanquish '
d rise
While he whose boundless wishes tower, 110
Triumphant in the wrestler 's hardy
Thy frame upon four prostrate bodies lay “
Pythian fray 120 The gods decreed to their loved native soil .
No wish '
d return from the dire
115
blished city
Alluding probably
Ægina by imitation the queen the gods
the Heræan contests esta those Argos the favored The Æginetæ were colony
from the Argives hence the epithet kindred Didymus
the scholiast informs are here alluded
121 think there can here kpion pro ekplon
says that the Hecatombæan contests
toil ,
little doubt that the
was decreed although some commen
tators prefer Πυθιαδι κριθη founding the interpretation on notion which believe be quite gratuitous the victors
the Pythian games being sent home crowned with bar ley chaplet Besides that the first syllable the Homeric
word kpion hordeum long 69 Od 110 xix
,
Beneath their arm defended lies. Thy valiant deeds unknown to fail ,
Delighted Megara proclaims
And Marathon Thee too in
Thrice crown'
' s sequester ' Juno ' s kindred
;
games 115
d th '
applauding Victorious Aristomenes ! 116
circle sees
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120
EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE .
No mother's smile of joyful praise Could their desponding spirits raise ;
But as their steps in coward flight
139
Shunn 'd
the proud adversaries ' sight,
grief they shame and trod
125 darkest
130 131
Harass '
ways .
the
d
by
But he who has obtain 'd the meed
That crowns each fair and noble deed ,
With hope and joy transported glows .
Him swift-wing ’d valor gives to rise , And a superior good supplies
To the bliss that wealth bestows
Full often with increasing light Glitters each mortal pleasure bright And shortly dash upon the ground
By some unhappy stroke tis found Man the frail being day
Uncertain shadow dream Illumined by the heavenly beam
Flutters his easy life away
Ægina guardian
Peopled freedom generous band
Preserve this city with mother love Thee may king Æacus behold
Peleus and Telamon the bold With blest Achilles and immortal Jove
112 whereas the corresponding verse
short one
peais exwv KpEccova Tovtov
phe requires
145
the antistro
the land
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THE NINTH PYTHIAN ODE.
TO TELESICRATES , THE CYRENEAN , ON HIS VICTORY IN THE ARMED COURSE , GAINED IN THE TWENTY - EIGHTH PYTHIAD . *
ARGUMENT .
"The poet begins with celebrating the praises of his hero , which leads him to a digression concerning the early bistory
of Cyrene , the forcible abduction of the nymph from whom that city was named , and the birth of Aristæus, the fruit of
her connexion with the god Apollo - Returns to his sub ject, with which he unites the story of Iolaus , a friend of
Hercules , who , having had his life renewed for one single
day , made use of his recovered existence to overcome and slay Eurystheus - Excuses the episodical style ofhis narra
tive by the wish that all poets entertain to celebrate the praises of Hercules - Returns to the victor , and enume rates his triumphs - Recalls the memory of an old contest , in which Antæus, the Libyan , proposed as a reward to the
victor the hand of his daughter , which was gained by Alexidamas , a fellow - townsman , or ancestor , of Telesi crates .
The hero of the brazen shield , Victorious in the Pythian field ,
Great Telesicrates my lays
Would with the deep -zoned Graces praise ; Blest man ! Cyrene 's joy and crown , Equestrian seat of high renown .
* The armed course was one in which the contending heroes ran with brazen shields , as the first line indicates . This ode is remarkable for the flowing beauty of its diction ,
and general simplicity of construction .
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE .
Her in his golden car of yore
141
Ravish '
d from Pelion 's
sylvan dell, Where storms with ceaseless fury swell,
Latona 's bright - hair ’
Giving the huntress virgin ' s hand
Empire o 'er Libya's realm to keep, Third portion of the peopled land ,
That teems alike with fruits and sheep .
The silver - footed Cyprian dame Received her Delian guest ,
And with a touch ethereal press ' The heaven -built chariot' s frame ;
And o 'er his genial bed she threw
Sweet modesty of virgin hue ; Joining the god in nuptial tie
With powerful Hypseus' progeny ;
He who then made his regal sway , Th ’ impetuous Lapithæ obey :
15
offspring ; d bore
d
The second hero whose bright line From ocean drew source divine
Him erst Pindus vallies fair Peneus bed well pleased share
Daughter While
His white arm
earth Creüsa bore father tender love
Cyrene gave
prove
Alluding
child
the ancient division
into Asia Europe and Libya Africa Hypseus
Peneus was the son Oceanus and the father Cyrene was son Peneus and the nymph Creusa
daughter Tellus The description given by the poet
this passage the martial disposition Creusa will remind
the classical reader the character Camilla sketched by
Virgil
Æn vii 805
Bellatrix non illa colo calathisve Minervæ Fæmineas assueta manus sed prælia virgo Dura pati cursuque pedum prævertere ventos
the habitable globe
.
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32
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,
142
PINDAR .
Not fond with dull delay to pore The web 's repeated progress o’ er ,
Nor hallow with domestic rites
The banquet's festival delights .
But with her dart and brazen spear
The beasts of savage brood to chase ,
And render free from
Her father 's herds of quiet race ;
Permitting the dull weight of sleep
But lightly o 'er her lids to creep ; When on her sweet and tranquil bed
The early beams of morn were shed . 44
every fear
Her , as unarm '
d she
waged
the
fight
'Gainst an impetuous lion ' might, s
Apollo found , whose matchless aft From his broad quiver wings the dart.
Then Chiron from his mansion straight Hebade the potent call await.
• Hasten , Phillyrides , to leave
The dark and venerable cave ,
In mute astonishment survey
What mind a woman dares display ;
Fearless of heart , what perils dread She brings to her courageous head ,
A damsel whose unconquer ' d soul No labors tire , no fears control !
Whatmortal gave her vital air ?
Sprung from what source , a scion fair
Holds she th ' umbrageous mountain ' s breast, 60 With more than human valor blest ? 60
Is it a hallow 'd action , say ,
By fraud to seek the virgin bower ,
And pluck with ruthless arm away
The sweetness of her hallow 'd flower ?
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE .
To him the sturdy centaur , while From relaxing brow smile
placid sweetness softly broke Withoutdelay his counsel spoke
The key that opes persuasion wise
Conceal mystic darkness lies
Since gods and men alike approve Phæbus that ingenuous shame
Should hide the deeds sacred flame And all secrecy love
But thee whom
Somemotive Has with feign
falsehood doubtful kind
can reach
ignorance inclined utter this ambiguous speech
For whence
The damsel Whose eye
king thy fond desire lineage inquire
all events surveys The fated end the various ways
Who what leaves the teeming earth spring prolific hour gives birth
What sands are moved when waves tempestuous swell Canst number with omniscient mind
And every future period find
Which time revolving course shall impel
But with thine must compare Mywisdom this will declare
Her husband thou who seek this vale Shalt the paths ocean sail
Thus Apollo with oracular voice declares Herod Clio xlvii
himself Οιδα εγω ψαμμου αριθμον και μετρα θαλασσης
δ'
if
o’ ' to
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86
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144
PINDAR .
And to the verdant plain of Jove Convey the object of thy love .
Thou shalt appoint Cyrene there
The ruler of a city fair , Collecting all the island train
.
' S
100
105 103
To the steep hill that crowns the plain . Now sacred Libya' s empire wide Possesses thine illustrious bride ,
Who her fair residence shall hold That glitters with imperial gold .
Justly to her that fertile field
Will
unceasing produce yield land with fruits abundant crown
95
Where beasts unnumber graze around
She shall produce offspring there
Whom the high throned Hours and Earth
Illustrious Mercury shall bear
From the dear author his birth
They their knees the babe shall place Bidding his young and tender
Sweet nectar and ambrosia
And with immortal honor grace Making the rustic shepherd boy
Whom mortals Aristæus name Skill pursue the savage game
His friends delight and dearest joy Adored with almost equal love
110
115
120
To sacred Phoebus Jove
116 breast
Thus having said wedlock
he moved his fully bless
soil and climate ship paid there
figurative
expression denoting
Libya called Jupiter Ammon
the amenity the account the wor
sip
to of
'
; or so ,
be
,
94
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NINTH PYTHIAN ODE . 145
But when the gods to action speed ,
Short is the road and swift the deed . 125 That very day 's revolving sun
Beheld the fated purpose done :
Saw them on
Which in each contest gains renown .
Once more upon the Pythian plain , Carneades , thine offspring brave
By the bright wreath which Fortune gave ,
For her new lustre joys to gain 135
.
Join ' the d in
Libya ' hymeneal
s
golden strand
;
Where she protects that beauteous town 130
Glory
band
for her his conquests weave Who shall with willing mind receive
The hero from the Delphic toil ,
In his loved female -beauteous soil. 132
Great virtues ask a lengthen ’d song 140 But to adorn a high emprise
Briefly , is grateful to the wise ;
Since its due limits to each act belong . Seven -portall’d Thebes great Iolaus knew
The fitting opportunity pursue . 145 Him , when the proud Eurystheus ' head
His vengeful sword had severed ,
By charioteer Amphitryo 's tomb Earth hid within tranquil breast
Whither ages past had come 150 His grandsire earth sown warrior guest
Who dwelt where milk white coursers Sounded the Cadmæan street 147
PIND
Compress
his and Jove embrace With the same pang Alcmena bore
feet
.
155
;
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in by
in
.
,'
s
,
-
its -
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,
th '
To them will I the hymn address Who crown my efforts with success .
Ne'er let the vocal Graces' ray
Oft raised this glorious city 's name, Once in Ægina's day of fight,
And thrice on the Megarean height ;
my lay Cease to illuminate .
165
170
Already has the victor '
s
fame
PINDAR .
146
Forgetting the Dircæan spring , 160 That nurtured him and Iphicles , to sing .
Of sons a twin heroic race .
Mute and unskill 'd in sacred lore Were he who would refuse to raise His voice in great Alcides ' praise ;
Forbidding
Silence to draw her dusky veil . 163
Then let the friendly townsmen tell , Nor even the candid foe conceal
o
' er the victor' s tale
What his strong arm hath wrought so well , . Laborious for the common weal. 175
The words of ocean ' s hoary sage
Submissive reverence should engage . • Crown even an enemy 's fair deed
With approbation ' s honest meed . '
Thee too at Pallas ' stated feasts 180
Her husband or her offspring thee
Has wish ’d , O Telesicrates, to be ! 176 185
To him in bright Olympia 's day , And in deep -bosom ’d Rhea ' s fray ,
Full often have my eyes survey '
o
d
' er th ' assembled guests ,
Triumphant
While many a silent gazing maid
As
From me then , who the debt would pay , 190 Slaking my thirst of song , they claim
Once more to build the lyric
And hymn thy great forefathers fame
Irasa walls the suitors came
seek the Libyan nymph Antæus fair hair
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE .
And heroes on his native field The palm in every contest yield .
147
dame 187
Kinsmen with many Illustrious throng
Eager crop The floweret
But her ambitious sire whose ear From Argive Danaus joy hear That he had bound wedlock tie
His numerous virgin progeny
Ere yet the sun resplendent light
brighter hymeneal chain 200
For the stadium farthest end
195
200
205
210
215
Had traveli its meridian
For his own daughter hoped gain
place And bade the amorous train contend
By skill the pedestrian race Where each aspiring hero strove
win the object his love Twas thus the Libyan sire allied
The husband his destined bride
195 Named the scholiast Barce Alceis
the whole choir
Irasa was city the Tritonian lake The Antæus here mentioned
stranger vied call her bride
sublime
form
golden prime
not be confounded with the gigantic antagonist Her cules
height
. to in
'
To
A
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of
is a
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by
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, or
.
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148
PINDAR .
Adorn ' Close
d with her the goal
bright array
bade her stay 208
Sweet issue their manly toil
Her garments thus he cried aloud Who touches first all the crowd
Shall bear away the lovely spoil
Alexidamus then who press
Through the swift course before the rest
Seizing the noble virgin
Led her through Libya warlike band 25
him many strife before
The leafy crown they gave victory wing
soar 220
hand
227 The metaphor here the same
the conclusion
the fourteenth Olympic ode and the last the ninth Pythian
129 the eighth and
considers the expression appears be favorite
which passage the scholiast simply periphrasis for victory
image with Pindar denote the exultation produced by victory the ardent mind West
however his note tains the opinion founded
the fourteenth Olympic ode main passage Plutarch that the literal sense denote some
the Olympic wreaths
word wings taken emblematical ornaments added
Let the reader decide
be .
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of
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THE TENTH PYTHIAN ODE .
TO HIPPOCLEAS , THE THESSALIAN , ON HIS VICTORY IN THE
RACE OF TWO STADIA , GAINED IN THE TWENTY - SECOND PYTHIAD .
ARGUMENT .
The poet, tracing the victor's lineage to Aristomachus , the descendant of Hercules, attributes his conquest to the favor of Apollo , and the example of his father Phricias
Expresses his wishes for the perpetuity of the good fortune which both father and son have acquired , and which is so great that no mortal can surpass it; as the traveller who has arrived at the Hyperborean regions can proceed no
farther - This leads him to a digression on the mythology of the Hyperboreans - Pindar then checks himself, and concludes with renewed commendation of the victor , and
his kinsmen and brothers , Thorax , & c. , whose glorious deeds ennoble their native Thessaly .
Blest Lacedæmon ! Thessaly the blest ! Whose sceptred kings their potent race
To the same valiant Hercules can trace ; Why should my ardent spirit raise
Strains of unseasonable praise ? But me prophetic Pytho ' s wall ,
Aleva's sons and Pelinæum call;
Wishing
With strains of high renown by tuneful bards ex
Hippocleas to grace
press ’
d
.
10
For in the contests as he tried his strength , Amphictyon 's host and the Parnassian cave
10
6 Aleva was an ancient king of Thessaly , from whom the inhabitants were named. Pelinæum was the native city of the victor . It is doubted by commentators whether the word 'Aplotouaxou be used by Pindar as an epithet to Hercules , or to denote one of the Heraclidæ , from whom Aleva derived
his origin . The scholiast asserts the former .
150
PINDAR .
Pronounced him foremost of the youthful brave,
Contending in the double ' length s
stadium . Apollo ! if thine aid befriend ,
Sweet is man's onset and his end ;
This deed the youth achieved through thee , And thine auspicious deity .
Twice from the field , by kindred fire , Urged in the footsteps of his sire ,
, 15
Th ’ Olympic chaplet he convey ’ ,
d In martial panoply array’d . 23
And where, upon her sheltering plain ,
Beneath the rock fair Cirrha lies , Swift -footed Phricias joy 'd to gain
The Pythian contest 's glorious prize . In times to come may prosperous fate
Exalt, as now , their blissful state !
Nor , having gain ' ample
d an share
Of all that Greece esteems as fair ,
May envious blasts from heaven assail The victims of a backward gale . 31
Still may the god with liberal heart Unshaken happiness impart !
30
Hymn '
Who with strong hands or rapid
d isthatmanin
poets
lay
'
feet
Has borne the noblest palms away :
In whom firm strength and valor meet . Still living , by his youthful son
Who saw the Pythian garlands won . Not yet to them the lot is given
To scale the brazen soil of heaven :
41 This epithet of Olympus is repeated in the seventh Isth mian ( v . 72 ) . It will probably remind the reader of that ter . rible prophetic denunciation of the Jewish lawgiver ( Deut .
TENTH PYTHIAN ODE .
But the remotest point that lies Open to human enterprise
151
But not along the wondrous way
To Hyperborean crowds can ships or feet convey . 48
Of old , as at their sacred feast ,
Whole hecatombs appeased the god , The steps of an illustrious guest,
Perseus, their habitation trod ;
Whose festivals and songs of praise Apollo with delight surveys ;
And smiles to see the bestial train In wanton pride erect and vain . 56
Yet never will th ' impartial Muse
To dwell with minds like these refuse : Around them move the virgin choirs ,
The breathing flutes and sounding lyres ; .
And twining with their festive hair 60 The wreath of golden laurel fair ,
With temperate mirth and social glee They join in solemn revelry .
3 ) : • Thy heaven that is over thy head shall be
46 This digression to the Hyperborean regions, which
Pindar here seems to consider as the western boundary of
Their course has 'd well skill' The wide expanse of glory 's deep ;
gain , sweep
d to
xxviii . brass . '
the world , and to the story of Perseus , who came suddenly on the pious inhabitants as they were sacrificing hecatombs
of wild asses to Apollo , is greatly censured by the scholiast as an unreasonable deviation from the original scope and design of the ode. But these irregularities are so character istic of our poet , that whatever place or persons the progress of his story leads him , however slightly , to mention , we look as a matter of course for any mythological record connected with them .
152
PINDAR .
Nor dire disease, nor wasting age, Against their sacred lives engage : But free from trouble and from strife, Through the mild tenor of their life
Secure they dwell , nor fear to know Avenging Nemesis their foe .
Erst, breathing with a heart of flame, The valiant son of Danae came ;
Who by divine Athena's hand,
Led to the blest heroic band ,
Slew Gorgon , and her dire head bore
With dragon locks all cover'
And thus , with stony ruin fraught,
'er ; Death to islanders brought
But when the gods their power display How strange soe the mighty deed Firm reverence and belief pay
Nor doubt nor wonder shall impede Restrain the oar and from the prow Fix secure against the shock
Of many sea embosom rock Your anchor the deep below
For now encomiastic lay
Like bee that flits changeful wing
fresher glories hastes away
But ardent hope inspires my breast
That while the Ephyræans sing My sweet lays Peneus spring
Hippocleas above the rest Mindful each triumphant crown Among the old the virgin train And fellow combatants the strain
Shall dignify with bright renown
do
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