No More Learning

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! - VII . ! - VIII .
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XIII . ! ·
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-XIV. . . .
Of the Pythian Games Ode I.
ODES .
. . . . . 79
- II. . HII .
- IV. . . .
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i
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THE PYTHIAN
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. 87 . . . 95
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103
iv
Ode V. VI
.
CONTENTS .
-.
VII . .
-
- XI. !
VIII .
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. . . .
192
129 132 133 140 149 154
163
167
170 175
181 186 190 197 201 206
13
218 219 223
926 928 233 236
240 244
! . -- IX .
-X.
.
Nemean Games Ode
III
. .
- XII.
Of the Ode
THE ISTHMIAN ODES Games
Isthmian III
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VI VII
VIII
THE NEMEAN ODES
! VI ! VII
. .
. . . . . . . . . .
VIII XI
- ----
- -----
- ---III- Of
Til
V
IV
X V 1the
II . I IX
II . . . . IV.
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158
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
PINDAR .
PINDAR was a native of Thebes in Bæotia , or, as
some authors , among whom is writer Stephanus Byzantinus affirm
geographical
the town Theban
Cynocephali
which was under
He was the
the musician Sco Deiphantus and
corresponding nearly with the year 520
His parents were probably obscure situations life although illustrious descent as
serts fifth Pythiau ode that they were the same origin with Arcesilaus king Cyrene
said Pindar when verging manhood presage his future lyrical eminence was
from the circumstance swarm bees settled his lips For early skill
jurisdiction pelinus
according
birth have taken place
Suidas
Myrto
the same author
stated
the sixty fifth Olympiad
.
of
of his a
in
to
in
' e
as
,
' of
d. , heA tł . C
the
. of . ,
a
It
of
of
of
;
the of to
in is
of his
his or is
, to
of
the ,
in
,
:,
on
of ,.
of
-
by
, of
son
,
,
vi
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
and poetical composition he is said to have been chiefly indebted to the instructions of Corinna; against whom , however , when a competitor for the prize , it was his fate to be adjudged inferior in no
fewer than five contests : but this perhaps is as much to be attributed to the personal charms of his fair rival as to her poetical superiority ; since in
the other Grecian assemblies which did not allow of female competitors he was almost invariably
declared victorious. He also received instruction from Simonides of Ceos, at that time the most celebrated lyric poet in Greece . He was contem porary with Æschylus , and senior to Bacchylides ,
having florished one hundred and fifty years later than Alcman , one hundred after Alcæus , and fifty
after Stesichorus , and surpassed them all in lyrical
excellence . Of numerous compositions con
sisting hymns honor Apollo Dithyrambics
and Odes victors
Greece the latter only have been preserved
with exception one especially
olar Eclipse cited
the gods Pæans Bacchus Funeral Songs
some considerable frag great poetical beauty
Dionysius Halicar
and opening verses fine dithyram VI
Von
the four great festivals
-
--
us '
.
V -
nts ,
the
,
the
in
his
of a
of ,
- -
by
of of
to at
of
,
*
,
of
on
to
,
to
=
the
,
to
,
of
,
OF PINDAR . vii
One slight effort of Pindar's juvenile muse has also escaped the ravages of time, but suffi
ciently considerable
Ode Solitude letus presage
placed him when
the first rank
gods and heroes time we shall not odes any instance
but Pindar chaste and common with the poets
have served like Pope Cowley Constantia and Phi
that future excellence which had attained his fortieth year
the lyric poets Greece
The encomiums which our poet often lavishes the wealthy have sometimes been mentioned
subject reproach
decorous muse delighted panegyrise kings demi
throughout vice high station flattered
able find
prosperous wickedness enriched the golden
dews poetical adulation sincere and judicious advice which fearlessly bestows
Hiero Arcesilaus reader will reminded
King Richard this grave admonition the reigning monarch
Prince desire be honorable Cherish thy folk and hate extortion
the bold and animated language the
our own Chaucer who the
spirit true genius concludes his Ballade sept
independent
It is to
to of or
of
, of
', & c
be to
by
.
. , not
in
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in
In the
, be the
to
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if
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of a ,
in
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'
as
on ,hishis aon , s
'
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Theban bard that we are in a great measure in
debted for the feeling and interest that accon pany the contemplation of those magnificent festi
vals which , being interwoven with the structure of the popular religion , hailed by the hopes of the
religious and the aspirations of devout have parallel the history modern solemnities
His hymns and pæans honor Apollo were
frequently chanted the temples Greece the
poet seated iron chair which was afterwards placed venerable relic the temple Delphi
and priestess herself declared will presiding deity that Pindar should
warded with one half first fruits which were
offered his shrine
We are not acquainted with many particulars
his early life but may collect from the accounts
various authors that the character
hard was held the highest degree especially King Hiero and
living
estimation memory after
death contemplated with the deepest reverence related him that had particular devo
tion for the god Pan and therefore took
abode near the temple that deity Hewas ap
See the note tenth Olympic ode
the
*
It is
of thethe as
on
the of,
his
in
v .
.
.
of
by , in
he
,
the in
, in
a
his
it
the of of
of of
to
, beat,
61 .
up be the his . , ofof re :
by
no
at
a
in
in
. *
of of
pointed to compose Theban virgins
OF
PINDAR .
hymns which were sung
honor that mystic emblem also appears from Pyth
universal nature
139 that near the dwelling Pindar stood
shrine chapel dedicated the great goddess Rhea where the nymphs were wont assemble
purpose performing Pan We farther learn
dressed Pan our poet invoking that deity
day their vows her and
close
from Aristodemus quoted
the scholiast this that Pindar himself raised this shrine
passage
the venerable Mother the Gods He likewise cites fragment ode choral hymn ad
president
nymphs their dances smile propitiously
The same honor had
former occasion been his descendants the
Pausanias Grecian
paid
Lacedæmonians and
the habitation
Arcadia and companion the
songs Indeed the piety the Theban bard every where conspicuous and worthy admi
ration related Plutarch Life Alexander that when after most determined and
vigorous defence the city Thebes was levelled the ground that conqueror the posterity
Pindar were exempted from the hard fate which attended his captive fellow townsmen
;
by
,
of
by of
of ,
the
,. . in
of to
to
.
a
,
the ,
,
of on a
,
by
his of
of
on
to
is
his
as
at
iii of
. the
,
It ,
. in to
or
is
to
an of by, to
for
It
- to the ofa , by
to
of
of
,, of
tra ontoaby - of of , .
.
,or .
.
in
the
,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
veller, relates that he had seen the ruins of this house near the fountain Dirce .
Themanner of Pindar 's death has been variously related by different authors . Pausanias gravely records as authentic the traditionary tale, that while our poet was living in the height of honor and glory, Proserpine appeared to
complained that she alone
been neglected poems
this defect pro should arrive the
would consecrate died either the the tenth day after
dream and all the deities had
mised kingdom
hymn
theatre dream
supply soon Pluto when
her honor and that the gymnasium
Another account Valerius Maximus
far removed from recorded instances
the departure illustrious men from the world naturally excite scepticism the reader
although
mentioned sign the favorable regard
poetic faculty event said have taken place when
than the excellence
less
This poet
years the hip
age eighty monument was erected his memory
had attained advanced
podrome
distance furlong from city inscrip
Thebes near the Præetæan Gate the
that author the gods
of a
at
so it
or .
of
the
he he : of
,
A
-
as of c. 12
the to ,
to is
as in his
to
as
is
of
. )is
to
to
of his
by the
of
,
;,
on
of of all he him
by
in and of a
-
an in six , (, , the.
he
,
at no b. as
in
in
a ix . ,.
a
his
OF PINDAR .
tion engraved on itrecording his candid and agree
townsmen and displeased
added Pindardigested
able manners both strangers
to fellow The reader will perhaps not
this short biographical
Heyne according
notice the odes
Olymp
sketch
excellent edition the order
from years together with
life victors who are
celebrated
520 Pindar born
Suidas says that was forty years age battle Salamis which account agrees with
this
Olymp Pyth
498 Hippocleas victor Pyth
Pyth
Marathon
the same the 25th Pythiad Midas gains the
prize the flute Pyth
xii
488 Epharmostus 01
484 Agesidamus 01
480 Battle
478 Hiero Pyth
490 Xenocrates
Battle
Asopichus
474 Megacles Pyth
sicrates
and Salamis
conquers
racing
01
vii Tele Pyth
46 44 36 32 30 22 Æt . .
[
.
76 76 3, 1,
757574
3, 1, , , 11
70 . ] 3, 3,
' s
28
27
24 22
65 1,
-- iii
476
A he, . C ,A
.
of
of
,
73 ,
72
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of
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of . to
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In
. . C.
of a,
his
.
on
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—
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xiv in . x in
ix . ,-
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. . - vi
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or
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.
. xi . at x
in
if
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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
peruse
the
' s
' d
of
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:
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In
To
In
* 68 of
to inno in in
th of ’
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, he
-
to on . *
,
a
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; . ;
is by
;
in
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it in
the
PREFACE .
The version of Pindar 's Odes , which is here offered to the public , was first undertaken in compliance with a suggestion contained in a critique written some years ago in the Quarterly Review ; to which was annexed , by way of illustrating the plan , a metrical translation
of the two first Olympic odes ; in which the usual division into strophe, antistrophe , and epode , was
neglected , after it had been exposed in a strain of playful irony , and that into corresponding paragraphs
made use of in stead
The versions of these two odes were afterwards re
published the end small volume poems
the late Bishop Heber and this plan appeared the Author of the present translation be worthy of
adoption
that he has been induced regularly the odes the same manner and now sub
through
mits his effort the ordeal
the sentiment Denham
public opinion
his fine panegyric
Pastor Fido ex well founded
Sir pressed
few would sufficiently bold grapple verse with
Fanshaw translator the following lines
Nor ought genius
Attempt translation All the defects
that writ
less than
for transplanted wit
and soil doth share And colder brains like colder climates are
be
a
to
, of in
at
its
to
be of , Il in
in
to
goso of
of air ;
;of . a
his
to ;
, ;,.
in
R .
,
,
,
to
by
on If
of ,
xiv
PREFACE .
a poet of so sublime a genius as the Theban bard ; the difficulty of transfusing whose peculiar beauties into another language can be appreciated by those alone who have attempted to preserve this poet's sublimity ; without soaring into empty loftiness ; and to adopt his occasional free tone of diction , without degenerating
into the language of colloquial familiarity : so high a degree of caution is required in the translator always
to be on his guard , lest
Migret in obscuras bumili sermone tabernas ;
Aut dum vitat humum , nubes et inania captet . ,
HORAT . AD Pison , 229
But whatever fate may attend the present version , I shall scarcely know how to repent of the temerity
which urged me to the undertaking , and induced me
to persevere in a labor that has furnished an agree able occupation for many a vacant hour .
It has been my wish to give throughout my version
some idea of the energetic, but rather abrupt, style
and manner of an author whose language is exalted by sentiments of piety and genuine patriotism - de
served encomiums to the virtuous and brave , as well as heartfelt gratitude to his generous benefactors ; whose various compositions are appealed to as autho rity in doubtful cases by Cicero , Pausanias , and other
ancient writers quoted by the scholiast on different passages ; whom Plato distinguishes by the epithets most wise and divine ; who was considered by one of the early Christian fathers , Clement of Alexandria ,
to have been well versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and to have borrowed many passages from
that treasury of sacred wisdom and sublime eloquence ,
PREFACE . XV
particularly from the Book of Proverbs ; to whom ,
while living, honors all but divine were paid ; and whose dwelling was spared , many ages after his death ,
in the general sack of his native city.
I have annexed a brief account of the four most
celebrated games of Greece, as well as an analysis of
each ode ; sufficient , I trust , to show the connexion
of idea that often binds together the most apparently digressive of Pindar 's compositions ; and added occa
sional illustrative notes, which may be found useful
in explaining historical and mythological allusions : nor shall I, perhaps, be thought too presuming in ex
pressing a hope that the English reader may now be enabled to form a more accurate idea of the poetical character of Pindar than he has hitherto been enabled to effect .
to .
Testamu. that treasr
PIN .
THE OLYMPIC ODES .
OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
The Olympic Games , the most illustrious of all in Greece , take their name from Olympia , a city of Elis, the place of their celebration ; or from having been instituted by Her cules in honor of Jupiter Olympius , after a victory obtained over Augeas, tyrant of Elis, B . C . 1222 . They were held at the full moon on the first month of every fifth year, and lasted five days, as appears from Ol. v . 15 . Teuttauepois ev ågirdais .
The exercises at these games consisted of running , wrest ling , leaping , throwing the discus , and boxing with the
cæstus ; which were altogether called by the namemevtaOlov , or quinquertium , and comprehended in the well-known
Greek verse :
árua , toOWKELNV, diokov , akoita , tarnv .
The reward of the victor was a crown of thewild olive
tree , called ( Ol . iv . 19 . ) Elala Iligatis : which , according to themythological story , had been transplanted at Olympia by
Hercules from the hyperborean regions ; which fable is related
According
to some authors the date of their institution was B . C . 1453 . After a long interval of neglect they were re - instituted B . C . 776 , in which year Chorcebus obtained the victory ; and from this time the era of the olympiads is usually dated .
at large in the third olympic ode.
Besides the five contests
mentioned above , there were at these games horse and cha
riot races , and contentions in poetry, eloquence , and the fine
arts. They were celebrated with every mark of solemnity :
the preparations the festival were very great none but
persons themselves
unblemished character were allowed present combatants and they were attended by spec
every part Greece Near the goal the stadium
tators from
was placed the semicircular seat the olympic judges who were called hellanodici and behind them was the large tract
land known the name Altis for description which see the note Ol
x .
,
for ;
62 .
of
;
of
of
on by
as
of
.
;
of a
of
to : of
,
THE FIRST OLYMPIC ODE .
TO HIERO , KING OF SYRACUSE , VICTOR IN THE SINGLE - HORSE RACE IN THE SEVENTY - THIRD OLYMPIAD .
ARGUMENT .
In this ode Pindar, who,together with other bards , was pro bably at this time a guest at the royal table , sets forth in a beautiful strain of poetry the glory and superiority of the
olympic contest, in which Hiero has been victorious , to all other games ; he then digresses to the history of Pelops,
son of Tantalus,who formerly possessed Pisa and Olympia ,
and is now honored as a hero within the sacred grove Altis - Returning to his principal subject, he concludes the ode
with good wishes the continued prosperity the victor
Note The inner number placed paragraphs shows the corresponding line
WATER with purest virtue flows
the several the original
resplendent light Dispels the murky gloom night
The meaner treasures the mine With undistinguish lustre shine
Where gold irradiate glows
And the fire
the Thalesian philosophy water was considered the most excellent all the elements that which all other things owed their origin This opinion Plutarch Iside
Osiride considers that Homer from the Egyptians Juno the Venus and afterwards repeats
visit the extremities the earth and Ocean the progenitor the gods and their mother Tethys
the end
well Thales borrowed Iliad xiv 200 tells
Jupiter that she came
of to
,
et
In
,
)
of .
for
,
. of v
of .
' s
, in
of
, it
,to as ,
of
at
as
1
,. ;
' d
,
b. as to ,
, of
.
(
de ,
of
as
.
,
. —
.
PINDAR .
Thus too when flames the orb of day The anxious eye in vain would soar
Along the desert air, Intently gazing to explore
Another star whose lustre fair Shines with a warmer ray .
And we will sing in loftiest strain The contest of Olympia 's plain ;
Whence , Saturn ' s mighty son to praise , Poets the hymn of triumph raise ,
To Hiero's festal dome who bend their way. 17
The monarch whose supreme command In Sicily ' s prolific land
The righteous sceptre sways , Culling the pride of every flower
That blooms in Virtue's hallow '
;
d bower A wreath of highest praise .
While music adds a brighter gem To gild the regal diadem ,
When poets ' sportive songs around His hospitable board resound . 26
Then from its lofty station freed Quickly seize the Dorian lyre ,
If Pisa or the victor steed ,
Ne'er doom '
scourge to bleed ,
d beneath the
The mind with sweetest cares inspire .
When by Alpheus urged , his flight
Exalts his lord with conquering might, In Syracuse who holds his reign ,
And loves the generous horse to train . Such too his fame and lustre high From Lydian Pelops' colony ;
35
38 A temple was erected to Pelops in the Altis , or sacred
36
FIRST OLYMPIC ODE .
Whom earth -encircling Neptune loved , When from the glowing cauldron 's round ,
His arm with ivory shoulder crown ' ,
d Clotho the new -born youth removed .
So much to fabled lore we trace
For wrapt in varied
Full oft the legendary
Can win to faith the mortal mind , While Truth 's unvarnish ' d maxims fail
To leave her stamp behind . 47
falsehood 's veil tale
poetic tongue The honied accents fall ,
Howe' er from monstrous fiction sprung , They win their unsuspected way ,
And grace disguises all, Till some far-distant day
Render the dark illusion plain . ' Yet not to mortal lips be given By tales unworthy to profane
The Majesty of heaven . 57
Offspring of Tantalus ! my strain A different story shall record ;
How to the genial board
When from
Thy father call'
heavenly guest, To share the blameless feast,
d each
With grateful hands upon the head
Of his dear Sipylus outspread . 65
grove , which had been fenced from profane tread by Hercu les (see Ol. x . 62. ),near to thatofJupiteratOlympia. Hence the story of Pelops is less episodical , and has a closer con nexion with the poet ' s subject than might at first appear .
Within the precincts of the Altis was planted the sacred olive- tree , called callistephanos, from which victors in the olympic games were crowned .
65 It was on the top of this mountain that , in a later age ,
And whirl'
d
d thee on his steeds above
golden
To the high palace of immortal Jove ;
PINDAR .
' Twas then , by fond desire subdued , Thy ,
form the trident-bearer view '
Where Ganymede in days of yore The same illustrious office bore . 71
long inquiring train
Had sought their absent charge vain
That the fervid wave profound
Hewn by the sword his limbs were cast
But when
his fond mother
restore
The slanderous whisper circled round
And
the lords
past 81
heaven supplied sweet re
But far the impious thought from me tax the blest with gluttony
For well know what pains await
The lips that slanderous tales relate the great gods who Olympus dwell
High favor man bestow Above the undistinguish crowd
Tantalus honor Butah too feeble digest
The raptures the heavenly feast
Niobe the daughter Tantalus melted away into her shower snowy tears See the exquisite description Sophocles
Antig 824 833 also that Ovid Met 301 312 Hesiod Theog 638 seq declares that the same effects
pride and insolence were wrought the minds the Titans after they had been allowed partake the divine
aliments
Might not this fable which also related almost the words Pindar the scholiast the Odyssey
Their spirits nectar and ambrosia raise
Cooke Version
by
e . ,'
!
the
on
to
(
fell .
i(v in .
of
) .
58
. ) ,
.
of
is . ) ,
' d
, vi .
,
's . ' of
—
a
of ,
of ( of To If 87
of . :
, . ) the
. , TotoTo
(— in
.
! I
, er of of lot
, of et
on
on
of
,
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;
,
to
to
, in . ,
.
FIRST OLYMPIC
His haughty soul incensed to ire The might of his immortal sire ;
'er his head a massy rock And scare his proud felicity . 94
90
95
d
100
105
Who
o
Suspended , that with direful shock Threatens to crush him from on high ,
Thus still in unavailing
strife He drags a weary load of life ,
The fourth sad instance of destructive pride Whose hand th ' ambrosial food convey ' (Which had himself immortal made )
To earthly guests beside .
hope not, mortal,
For lo ! the rash offender '
Far from the happy haunts is driven
To join his kindred short-lived train , And wander o ' er the earth again . 108
But when the thick and manly down His black ’ning chin began to crown ,
owe its origin to some obscure tradition of the gathering of manna by the Israelites in the wilderness , when man did
his mind when says
Nec miser impendens magnum timet aëre saxum
eat angel'
s food ?
92 Lucretius, in his magnificent description of infernal
punishments ( 991 appears have had this passage
Tantalus Sed magis
Our own Spenser Malbeceo who lives
has the same allusion speaking old
e
shun
ode .
Then
The penetrating eye of Heaven ;
'er to
s son
fama est cassa formidine torpens vita Divom metus urguet
too
drery darkenes and continuall feare
Of that rock fall which ever and anon Threates with huge ruine him fall upon
That he dare never sleepe Faery Queene
The other three being Sisyphus Tityus and Ixion
97
.
; of
,
to
to
. -
In
,
, in ut s
'
, ;,
sq . )
, ,.