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THE FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE .
TO ARCESILAUS OF CYRENE , ON HIS VICTORY IN THE CHARIOT RACE , GAINED IN THE THIRTY - FIRST PYTHIAD .
ARGUMENT .
In the opening of this extremely long and highly poetical ode
Pindar , whose subject leads him to the mention of Cyrene , interweaving mythology with historical relation , digresses to the origin of the colony , and the prediction given by
Medea to Euphemus , one of the Argonauts , and subjoins the interpretation of it from the Delphic oracle given to Battus concerning the origin of the colony which was to be
planted by him in Libya - This introduces a long and episo dical narration of the Argonautic expedition ; the slaying
of the dragon , and the recovery of the golden fleece - The
simple and beautiful description of Jason 's sudden ap
pearance among the citizens of Iolcos — The remainder of
the ode is occupied with admonitions to Arcesilaus respect
ing the prudent and judicious government of his kingdom - -
In this part the piety and wisdom of the poet are con spicuous , although it may be justly doubted whether the con
clusion be altogether suitable to the nature of a lyric ode .
This day thy prompt assistance lend , Muse, to the hero and the friend ,
Lord of Cyrene , famed generous steeds Delphi and Apollo raise
The well earn melody praise
As the bright pomp Arcesilaus leads ages past the priestess there
Who near Jove golden eagles held her throne With voice oracular made known
What truths the present god inspired her declare
These were placed near the Delphic tripod and proba bly gave rise the story the two birds sent by Jupiter
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104 PINDAR .
That Battus , when he left the sacred isle , (The colonist of Libya's fruitful land ,)
Should rear th ' equestrian city ' s towering pile , Secure upon its chalky rock to stand . 15
And treasured in his mind should lie
Medea 's ancient prophecy .
Which when the seventeenth age was past, . .
Æetes ' vengeful child foretold ,
In every point fulfill'd at last, The sons of Thera should behold .
The Colchian queen , inspired to tell
What from her lips immortal fell ,
Thus spoke the Fates' supreme command To warlike Jason 's naval band :
• From gods and mighty heroes sprung , Give ear to my prophetic tongue .
Hereafter from this sea-beat shore The child of Epaphus shall move,
By mortals cherish '
The majesty of Libyan Jove .
,
And plant the root where men adore
30
28
Instead oars their rein shall steer The cars that mock the storm career
That omen issuing from the skies True will the sure event declare
Then the short finn
Shall they direct the rapid steed
d as before
one from the east and the other from the west order ascertain the true centre the earth and which met at Pytho Delphi
The island Thera Callista pursuits they Instead the naval islanders
shall emulate the equestrian skill their continental neigh hors
dolphin speed
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FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE . 105
When spacious Thera shall arise ,
Metropolis of cities fair :
Which at the mouth of the Tritonian lake ,
From the great god in human form , whose hand
To his kind host return '
d the fertile land
,
Euphemus hurried from the prow To ratify the sign , Saturnian Jove
Thunder '
auspicious
to take . throne above
d
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might
Curb the rapid Argo fight The sailors the ship suspend
He comes their labors attend Twelve days from ocean watery bed
Now while the brazen anchor
On the earth
desert back we led
Counsell by me the naval frame The cheerful mien assuming then
Of him the most revered Alone the mighty godhead
As when each arriving
of men
came guest
The liberal master the feast
At first his courteous speech applies
But sweet desire our homeward way
him who girds and shakes the earth Observed our eager haste move
Then snatching straight the fertile clod
urge
longer stay Eurypylus who traced his birth
Pledge give
the hospitable god Euphemus strove
The god Triton the form This mythological tale
lonius the fourth book 1600
Eurypylus
forbade
Aporl his Argonautics 1550
related length
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PINDAR .
Obedient to the will divine ,
The hero leapt upon the strand ,
Receiving with extended hand
The mystic earth his fates assign :
briny
gather s shadows '
Was from the vessel heard to glide Far in the watery gulf profound . 70
Full oft had I the menial train
To guard that precious gift enjoin '
Thatwhelm ' When evening '
tide
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And render'
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my vain . caution
d beneath the
,
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d; But dull oblivion seized their mind ,
Now in this isle is shed before the time
Th’ immortal seed of spacious Libya 's clime : 80
For when by sacred Tænarus he past , Whose subterranean mouth to Hades leads ,
Athome the treasure had Euphemus cast ,
Great Neptune 's son , who rules his potent steeds ;
Whom in a former age Europa bore, Daughter of Tityus, on Cephisus ' shore 82
His children ' s fourth succeeding race Had seized , with Grecian arms to aid ,
space ;
When , exiles from great Sparta made ,
The continent 's extended
Mycenæ and the Argive bay ,
The wand ' ring train pursue their way .
Now will he find that chosen race
Sprung from the Lemnian dames' embrace ,
When honor'd by th' immortal host, They come to this sea - girded coast ,
83 Virgil appears to have imitated this passage (Georg . iv .
467 ) : Tænarias etiam fauces , alta ostia Ditis,
Et caligantem nigra formidine lucum
Ingressus , Manesque adiit , Regemque tremendum .
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE . 107
And there beget the man , whose reign Shall stretch o'er Libya 's clouded plain .
Phoebus will his decree unfold ,
That he in ships should bring a numerous band Far as Saturnian Nilus' fruitful land . 99
Such were the strains by fate inspired That dropp from sage Medea tongue
Silent the godlike men admired
Pythian dome
When to the sacred
That glitters with abundant gold , 100 Battus in after times shall come,
And round
Bade the sublimest hopes maintain
105 The scholiast says that Pindar here mentions Nilus instead of Jupiter since this river was by the Egyptians
worshipped god He also quotes hemistich from Par
meno addressing the Nile the Egyptian Jove ALYVATIE Ζευ Νειλε
111 The expression the original remarkable ueniora Aerpis Callimachus the priestesses Ceres
Δηοι ουκ απο παντος υδωρ φορεουσι Μελισσαι
attention hung Polymnestus thee
this spontaneous strain 110 The Delphic priestess augury
Blest son Gladden
Perhaps jedloga this sense may not improbably derived from the He
See the annotation Benedict edition
brew yobos intercessor interpreter whose office was smooth render agreeable the suit the petitioner Park
hurst verb same root
speaking
Meliora bee probably descends from the primitive meaning sweet Virgil indeed
Pythagorean says Georg
the bee some sages have assign
Hence
portion the god
253
and heavenly mind
Sotheby Version
Pis 391 sucer interpresque deorum Genesis xlii
Horace Orpheus
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108 PINDAR . Thrice cried her monitory voice ,
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• Cyrene
When thou inquiredst at the Pythian
The doubtful issue of the voice divine, 112
And now , as in the vernal hour
Empurpled glows each opening flower , So shines his eighth succeeding race ,
Arcesilaus' youthful grace . Apollo in the Pythian field
And just amphictyons ' high decree To his triumphant coursers yield
The glorious palm of victory .
Him will I to the Muses ' train
Give with the ram 's bright fleece of gold ,
Minyæ
Honors from heaven 'twas theirs to gain . 123
urge their bark career what cause was found chains of adamant what peril bound
Twas doom that Pelias should expire
force fraudulent design
Who waked the hero vengeful ire
's destined
king , rejoice
! ' shrine
For which when sail'
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bold
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Sprung from the brave Æolian line
To his quick thought returning still 135
Delphi spoke
sounds woe that loud and shrill
From earth well wooded centre broke
And bade his jealous mind beware The man with foot sandal bare
When from Chiron high retreat
The oracle
The stranger citizen
should come
famed Iolcos western seat
And gain length foreign home
Then brandishing his double spear
Approach
the wondrous mortal near
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FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE .
Wrapp '
Within
Magnesian , and the foreign pard ,
'Gainst pelting rains the surest guard ; 150 While locks in sacrifice unshorn
His ample back with grace adorn . Straight coming on with quiet tread ,
da
He show ' mind devoid of dread . 151
When one among th ' assembled crowd 155 Turn ’d to the unknown , thus spoke aloud :
Otus , and thou , king Ephialtes bold . The virgin huntress ' rapid dart
d are his limbs of beauteous mould a double vesture 's fold
'Tis not Apollo
I behold
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Nor Venus'spouse, the god ofwar, Who thunders in his iron car ,
Long since , as ancient fame has told , Deceased in fertile Naxos lie Iphimedeia ' s progeny ,
From her unconquer '
And high aspiring Tityus slew ,
That mortals may desire to prove The transports of permitted love .
,
164
So they their mutual thoughts impart .
Then with his mules and polish ' Came Pelias rushing from afar ,
Mute wonder held his mind in thrall Soon as alone the right foot round
He view '
But with dissembled fear address ' The monarch , his unwelcome guest :
d the well -known sandal d
163 Homer Od 304 gives the same character the
Aloida gemini See also Virg Æn 581 and Stat Theb
850
Vidisti Aloidas cum cresceret impia tellus
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109
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110 PINDAR .
• What country boast'st thou thy dear land to call ?
Fair offspring of a spotless womb ,
By mortal lineage art thou come ?
Tell quickly thine illustrious race , 180
Nor by detested lies disgrace , 178
To him the bold and fearless youth
In placid words this answer gave :
“ I come from Chiron 's shady cave ,
Who disciplined my soul to truth . 185
By Chariclo and Philyra the fair ,
Centaurus ' daughters , I was nurtured there .
But when the twentieth year had fled , Homeward my youthful steps I bent .
To them no word of parting said , 190 Nought that could mark my intent
take the sceptre of the land
Grasp another lawless hand An honor which the king of heaven
folus and his sonshad given 192 195
For fame reports that Pelias bold Slave his wishes uncontroll
My honor
parents rightful sway Has snatch with violence away
They when first the light survey Dreading the haughty leader pride
Sent me purple robes array While female shrieks every side
Raised through the house solemn show The mimic note funeral woe
When only dark and silent night Was conscious ofmy secret flight
And Saturnian Chiron gave
The nurture his hand crave 205
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FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE ,
But all the tale ye know full well Where rose my noble sire ' s abode
111 210
In car with milk -white steeds who rode , Illustrious townsmen , clearly tell.
Great Æson ' s offspring , lo ! I come
A native to no foreign home. 215
From Saturn sprung , the heavenly beast
charge by
His Jason 's name address’
He spoke : a father 's doting eye Soon recognised his progeny ;
And from his aged lids below
The copious tears began to flow ;
Which showed the soul's o ’ erflowing To see his best and loveliest boy .
Attracted the hero
them both Æson brothers came
This Pheres from Hyperia fountain calls And Amythaon from Messene walls
These soon Admetus and Melampus join
To greet their kinsman with friendly mind
But the sixth Repeats his tale
Then follow haste he from
once more the youth words truth
the kindred band the mansion went
fame
Them the hospitable board 230 Jason with courteous speech address
And bade the cheer profusely stored Exhilarate the frequent guest
Five days and nights their courses roll
While pleasure warms each festive soul 233 235
Their steps Pelias dome they bent 240 On rushing with tumultuous stand
Soon the sound assail his ear Camebright hair Tyro offspring near
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• Petræan Neptune 's son , the mind To praise deceit is more inclined ,
Than justice , though in grief it end , And to a bitter issue tend .
Hence let our lawless anger cease ,
Be the future joy and peace One mother full well know
Bore Cretheus and Salmoneus bold And the third race from them who flow We the sun golden might behold
The Fates survey with adverse eyes When impious kindred feuds arise
Tis not for with sword dart
Jason 's
lips
The mild and gentle speech distill’
From
with sweetness
fill’
PINDAR .
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. 245 245
250
255 260
260
With all our parents
Which thou hast seized enlarging thine 265
Nor shall my mind with envy grieve
see thy house new wealth receive But thou the sceptred monarch throne
Seat of old Cretheus royal son
That perforate the brazen Our fathers ample wealth
shield part
The heritage their glories yield
the white flocks that graze the plain And yellow herds thee resign
justice fraught his equestrian subjects taught
Whence he the laws with
These without pain that both must rue Restore lest fresher grief ensue 276
When thus the youthful hero spoke From Pelias thismild answerbroke
wide domain
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FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE .
.
280
285
While thou art fresh
Potent thy vigorous arm shall prove
infernal godheads
though tardy age
closing stage
youth gay floweret still
wrath remove Phryxus high behest fulfil
And murder
Haste from Æetes chambers bear
My soul he cried and golden hair On the ram fleecy back outspread
That once certain refuge gave
stepdame treachery and the wave
From
Twas thus the wondrous vision said
Where the Castalian waters flow
go
When straight the voice prophetic there
search the oracle
Bids me for naval flight prepare thou thy prompt assistance lend
Which may this arduous contest end swear make the lot thine own
monarchise and rule alone
Firm witness the faithful oath Be Jove the common sire both
They part this compact ratified
295 298
300
305
trump fame proclaim
every side
Thither the sons
And Saturnian
Alcmena too her eyelids set
Jason the herald His instant voyage Urges sound
Within silken
fringe
Leda fair Jove repair
281 Phryxus whose manes Pelias craftily insinuates are be appeased by the youthful Jason was the father
Athamas and Ino who were driven from their paternal soil and died Colchis
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PINDAR .
Two heroes of th' earth -shaker 's race , Whose locks in clustering beauty play ,
Dreading by fear or dull delay Their ancient valor to disgrace ;
From Pylos one directs his flight ,
310
And one from the Tænarean height.
Be this , Euphemus , to thy glory told ,
And thine , O Periclymenus the bold !
The harper Orpheus join ’ d the valiant train
Apollo's vaunted son , and father of the strain . 315
,
Sent his twin sons , whose bosoms beat To join the enterprising band
With fervent youth 's impetuous heat .
Prompt at the call , with fearless heart Echion , Erytus depart
From their loved home, that lay below Distant Pangæus ' lofty brow .
Boreas , whose rule the winds obey ,
Arm ’d brave sons whose back display The ample pinions purple shade
Zetes and Calais for the fray
Great Juno waked the sweet desire Which bade the demigods aspire
With Argo the deep roam That fixed his maternal home
Remote from peril none should stay And wear his laggard age away
But share his fellow heroes toil Death fairest antidote the spoil
Soon proud Iolcos town
Came the bright flower seamen down
Jason extoll with praises due And number the valiant crew
And Hermes of the golden wand
316
- 320
325
330
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FOURTH PYTHIAN ode .
115 sky , 340
345
Skill '
And sacred lots of augury ,
d in each bird that cleaves the
Mopsus enjoin '
To spread before the favoring gale .
d the host their sail But when they hang upon the prow
Their anchors o
' er
the deep below ,
Fix '
d at the stern
the chief
displays
,
His sacred phial's golden blaze .
Invoking heaven 's great father Jove , Who wields his lightning spear above ;
Waves that o ' er ocean ' s bosom play , 350 And breezes' every - varying way ,
Calm nights and days prayers implore And sweet return their wanderings
Propitious thunder awful sound
Heaven favoring answer quickly spoke
And lightning forked darts around From all the clouds irradiate broke
Elated the prosperous sign
The heroes glow with joy divine
The augur issued his command 360
To ply their oars with constant force
Suggesting
Sweet hopes cheer them their course
the valiantband
Quick gaining with the breezy south inhospitable ocean mouth
There the god shrine they rear
365
370 367
Who sways the raging sea
Of Thracian bulls tawny herd
appear
And hollow altar heaven built pile
From stony quarry hewn erewhile
Not yet the dangerous pass explored They supplicate the vessel lord
aid the sacrifice
career
349
355
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PINDAR .
daughter persuasion
Echo some assert Peitho the goddess of who by philtres magical incantations allured
Jupiter
To inevitable shock
That springs from the twin clashing rock 375 But now the jarring portals close
For ever dead repose Since the proud demigods by fate
Are urged cross the narrow strait
And next the wandering heroes trace 380
Phasis flowing streams their way Mingling with Colchis swarthy race
And great Æetes the fray
Venus whose darts inflict the sharpest wound First mankind the raging songster bore
385
390
Which the wheel indissolubly bound
That From Olympus gain its magic round Taught wise Æsonides her charmed lore
That from Medea raging mind All shame parents leftbehind
386
Persuasion lash might take and prove Greece the sole object her love
The sum Enjoin
all the labors dire him by her cruel sire
and mingled with the oil 395
She told
Her antidotes rugged toil Given anoint his manly frame
Then sweet Hymen bands they vow quench their flame 397
386 This the celebrated ivyš bird which was supposed
possess the power inspiring the emotions love The scholiast gives us long explanation its properties and
his comment Nem where again mentioned gives its allegorical pedigree by declaring have been
the love Ino and was transformed by the re vengeful Juno into bird which by its continued whirling ex pressed emblematically the raging agitation love The
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The soil with brazen He only their rough
hoofs they beat
spirit broke , 405
410
415
FOURTH PYTHIAN ode .
117
plough
Æetes in the midst had set , 400
But when the adamantine
And oxen wont the fires to blow
From cheeks that rage with constant fret, While thundering on alternate feet ,
And led obedient to the yoke .
Then straight a cubit's length impress'd
Offurrow on earth '
s yielding
And thus he spoke : “ In this high deed
If the ship ' s ruler shall succeed , The fleece immortal him bear Irradiate with its golden hair
He said his robe saffron hue Aside the youthful Jason threw
And trusting immortalaid His arduous enterprise essay
411
breast
,
On him the fire could work no harm
Awed by his potent hostess
Then dragging the rustic load
Their necks and well ribb
With thongs compulsive thrown around He urged the sharp and bitter goad
Then labor with manly strength
Completing soon his measured erwhelm first
Æetes view the arduous deed
transports flow
And praises unrepress succeed 424
classical reader will call mind the importance attached
agency Simætha the second Idyllium Theo critus
Then admiration
charm
haunches bound 420
length
speechless woe 425
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PINDAR .
To the brave youth their friendly hands Extend the social train ,
His brow they crown with verdant bands, And greet in courteous strain .
Straight the sun ' s wondrous offspring
Where was the shining skin bestow ' ,
Extended high on Phryxus' sword , A gift to war's impetuous lord .
But still , these mighty dangers pass’ , d
430
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He hoped the youth would fail at last . For in an ambush 'd wood 'twas laid ,
Keptby a greedy dragon
's care
,
440 ,
, large display With whose dire bulk at
'
d
show
435
No lengthen ’ d vessel might compare ,
Though urged by fifty cars, by strokes of iron
made . 438
Still could I speed my chariot 's way , But time forbids the long delay .
A shorter path I know full well ,
445
450
In wisdom who the rest excel. The varied snake of azure hue
He soon , Arcesilaus , slew ; And with it bore Medea home ,
Author of murder 'd Pelias ' doom Then mingling in the ocean deep , The Erythræan sea they sweep ;
.
453 It would not be an easy task to explain the geographi cal course which Pindar here describes the Argonauts to have taken on their return from the expedition in quest of
the golden fleece . By the Eruthrean Sea the Indian Ocean is to be understood , through which it seems they came into Africa , and when arrived on land , carrying the ship on their shoulders until they came to the Tritonian lake , they sailed into the Mediterranean , and touched at Thera ; thence through the Ægean they caine to the island ofLemnos, and connected
themselves with its homicidal women .
d
cautions Arcesilaus
wards his Cyrenean subjects
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE .
119
Thence ʼmid the Lemnian race , who gave
Their youthful husbands to the grave , 455 A test of corporal strength they made
( Aside the cumbering garments laid )
And shared their couch of sweet repose . 452
Thus in a foreign region bright
By day or in the peaceful night 460
Your beams of happiness arose . For planted there , Euphemus ' race
Illustrious shines with endless grace . To Lacedæmon 's fertile seats
And hardy sons the wanderers come ; . 465 Then fair Callista' s island greets
The heroes in a foreign home.
With honor hence derived from heaven
To you Latoides has given
Fair Libya' s wealthy plain to crown ,
And golden - throned Cyrene's town With counsel justly framed to sway, Which her blest citizens obey . 466
Now learn the Theban sage 's art
If sharp - edged axe with ruthless stroke
Her branches from the giant oak , The form disgraced , compel to part,
Though shorn her fruit, enough is there Her pristine beauties to declare
If fire be ever sought at last
To shelter from the wintry blast,
469 Apollo , the son of Latona . part Edipus the remaining
470
475
480
ode Pindar against using unnecessary severity
this
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474
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of
120
PINDAR .
Or among pillars straight and
It now sustain
Hard labor
Leaving all bare its native home. 479 485
some lordly foreign wall ,
tall , dome ,
in a
Thou a most timely healer art,
Since Pæan 's favor crowns thy name Then , oh ! a tender hand impart
To heal the state ' s disordered
frame :
pride
city
May shake with danger and alarm .
'
s
the
weakest arm
490
495
500
A
But hard indeed the task to place Her glory on ancient base
Unless the god with sudden sway Direct the steersman his way For thee gratitude wove
The garland of people love Then still let blest Cyrene share
Thy kind and persevering care 492
Now monarch with attentive ear This maxim the poet hear
virtuous messenger will crown
Each action with supreme renown
And thus will the Muse accrue
Praise from the herald message true 505
Long time through fair Cyrene town Has just Demophilus been known
And Battus glorious house confess The graces his spotless breast
Ere yet complete youth narrow span 510 Among the boys he shone man
500 The maxim Homer called by eminence the poet which Pindar alludes contained the fifteenth hook the Iliad the exhortation Neptune Iris
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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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:
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of
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το και
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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
to ,
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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
denote
Kai edoon autq KAELS TOU Opeatos TNS aßvocoy
lend ,
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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
15 ?
,
,
et
,
111 .
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 .