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88
Pegasus , the snaky Gorgon 's son ,
s sacred tide
Bold
He strove to curb with many an effort vain , Where that sweet fountain 's bubbling waters run ,
Till virgin Pallas brought the golden rein . 100
In vision to couch rest she came
And cried Can still Eolian monarch sleep
The courser with this wished for bridle tame And the god who rules the stormy deep
'd
d
As the white bullock his altar bleeds
105 Display strong rein checks his fiery steeds
Twas thus
The godlike maid who joys
Polyidus
That when by night retired
plung sleep lay
wield The terrors her azure shield
Seem the shadowy gloom
On eager foot the monarch
say
rose
And seized the wonder glittering near
Then straight the whole bright vision shows
native seer
rest Obedient the high behest
Within her consecrated fane
The virgin progeny
Who darts his lightning spear above
Gave his hand the golden rein 111 120
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THIRTEENTH OLYMPIC ODE .
The prophet bade swift obey This passage the will divine sturdy bull Neptune slay
equestrian Pallas rear the shrine Full oft the gods with power supreme
Have brought the wish Beyond the utmost hope
event birth dream
Of the short sighted sons earth
Even thus Bellerophon the bold
With gentle rein thrown his head 130
The winged courser pride controll And his potent bidding led 122
panoply array
faithful steed sought the field
Then brazen
quickly mounting sportive play
Borne
Where blows the desart air with chilling breath
Made the brave Amazonian squadrons yield And closed their female warrior ranks death
Chimæra breathing fire his arms erthrew
And the proud race Solymi he slew 140
His death sing not while from thraldom freed
The ancient stalls Jove receive steed 132
But tis not mine beyond the mark throw The whirling arrows from my potentbow
aspiring
The high throned Muses willing slave raise 145 With the just tribute poetic praise
142 The scholiast says that these were stars anciently called ovot well patvar Perhaps therefore was the Presepe
Asellorum near the constellation Cancer which being summer sign answers the description given by Theo
critus xxii ovwv ava MECCOV apavpn Patvn onualvolo προς τλούν ευδια παντα
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PINDAR .
The Oligæthida 's Corinthian train , Victors at Isthmus and on Nemea 's plain .
While in brief tale their glories I rehearse , True is the oath that sanctifies my verse .
. .
150 In either contest won , sings to the world around . 143
Since thirty wreaths the herald ' sweet - toned sound
Their triumphs Olympia plain Ere now my song has given fame
And future crowns the lay shall move true my ardent wishes prove
But should the natal Dæmon bless Since God alone confers success
s
Jove and War stern lord The embryo glories achieve
we leave
For them what verdant garlands grow
On the Parnassian mountain brow What chaplets Thebes and Argos yield
And green Arcadia sacred grove Where stands witness the field
The altar Lycæan Jove 154
Pellene Sicyon have beheld their might Æacidæ well guarded grove
Eleusis Megara where oft fight
As oft splendid Marathon they strove 170 Euboea and the wealthy cities spread
Beneath aspiring Ætna head
Through Græcia realm more wreaths them
belong
Than could number the poet song
Still mighty Jove preserve their tranquil state
175 may increasing joys the virtuous race await 165
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THE FOURTEENTH OLYMPIC ODE.
TO ASOPICHUS OF ORCHOMENOS , ON HIS VICTORY IN THE STADIC COURSE , GAINED IN THE SEVENTIETH OLYMPIAD .
ARGUMENT .
This ode begins with a highly poetical invocation to the
Graces , guardians of Orchomenos , that they may bless the
victor with their propitious influence - The poet concludes
with an address to Echo, enjoining her to carry the news of his conquest to the city of Proserpine , in order to gra
tify his father Cleodamus with the pleasing intelligence .
NYMPHs of Cephisian streams ! who reign Where generous coursers graze the plain ,
And rule Orchomenos the fair ;
Ye Graces ! who with power divine
Protect the ancient Minya '
O listen to my humble prayer .
To you the grateful bard should raise
His tribute of poetic praise ;
Since wisdom , beauty , splendor flow
From your bright sphere to man below . Nor without you the bless'd above
Or join in banquet or in chorus move .
But throned on high , your lovely train
Placed near the Pythian god of day ,
Whose golden shafts the beams of light display ,
All high deeds Heaven ordain
And praise Olympic sire with hymns endless
love
s line
,
15
.
th '
18
of
of
the
,
74
PINDAR .
Aglaia , offspring of his might divine, Thalia and Euphrosyne , whose ear
The songs of heaven delights to hear,
Ye tuneful sisters , hearken now to mine .
As moving on , with agile state , The festal pomp we celebrate . To hymn , Asopichus , thy fame,
With Lydian melodies I came;
Since Minyas' prosperous town to thee Owes her Olympic victory . 27
Now to Persephonea ' s hall , Encircled by its sable wall ,
Haste , Echo , bear thy grateful tale To Cleodamus ' ear ;
Which in illustrious Pisa's vale Announced his bright career :
How in life's early bloom his son
The glorious wreath of triumph won '; Encircling with that guerdon fair ,
In winged grace his flowing hair.
35 It was usual for the victors at the Olympic games to entwine with garlands the names of their horses aswell as their own hair . To this custom Pindar frequently alludes .
35
THE PYTHIAN ODES .
OF THE PYTHIAN GAMES .
The Pythian Games were instituted in honor of Apollo .
Conjectures vary with respect to the origin of the word ,
which some imagine to have been named from the serpent Python slain by that god . So Ovid (Met. i. 445 ) describing
the generation and death of this monster :
Neve operis famam possit delere vetustas, Instituit sacros celebri certamine ludos ; ,
Pythia de domito serpentis nomine dictos .
Others derive the term απο του πυθεσθαι, because the serpent lay and putrefied there ; others again ato TOV TUVOaveo dai, from inquiry , because men in doubt went to consult the Pythian
Apollo . But the most probable conjecture is that which de
rives them from Pytho , the ancient name of the town Del
,
phi, situated in a valley of Mount Parnassus the scene of
their celebration , as the other Grecian games , the Olympian ,
Nemean , and Isthmian , were denominated from the spot on which they were held . The Pythian contests , which the Greeks regarded with the highest reverence , were instituted many years after the Olympic, and before the Isthmian .
Some authors maintain that they were established by Adrastus king of Argos , B . C . 1263 . At first they were held
and that Castor won the prize in the stadic course , Pollux in boxing , Hercules in the pancratium , Calais in the foot race , Zetes in fighting with armor , Telamon in wrestling , and
Peleus in throwing the quoit ; and that the victor's reward
was a laurel crown bestowed by Apollo , afterwards changed
for a garland of palm - leaves . Ovid (loc . says that the wreath was arbitrary
every , ninth
but afterwards every fifth year. It is said that in the first Pythiad the gods themselves were combatants ;
His juvenum quicumque manu pedibusve Vicerat esculeæ capiebat frondis honorem Nondum laurus erat longoque decentia crine
rotave Tempora cingebat qualibet arbore Phæbus
: de ;
.
,
. ,
,
cit . )
PINDAR .
Thine is the potent art to tame The lightning ' s everlasting flame .
Jove's slumbering eagle on his sceptre laid , Rests with swift plume on either side display '
Thy melting sounds his eyelids close In the dark shadows of repose .
While his curved head and quivering back declare
That even in sleep thy darts have enter ' Mars, as he listens to thy lay , Gives his impetuous spear to rest
Thy numbers charm his rage away ,
d
there .
15
Apollo
Conducts the Muses sacred band
Whene
Butwretches whom immortal Jove Deigns not honor with his love
Hear confusion the Pierian strain On earth the mighty main
Casimir appears have imitated this splendid passage
tibi præpes alti Civis Olympi
Hinc hinc pressis reverenter alis Attulit pacem
Homer xxiv 361 calls the eagle Jove winged messenger and the strong sovereign the plumed race Pope Apuleius
Metam 119 gives almost verbal translation the words Pindar Nam supremi Jovis regalis ales illa
the Naiads
With emulation all the sounding choir And bright Apollo leader the song
Their voices through the liquid air exalt
Lyric Ep
pente propansis utrimque pennis affuit rapax aquila The English reader will probably call mind
poetical the celebrated invocation with which this beau
paraphrase
tiful ode begins by Akenside his hymn
d
. 12
And lull to peace his stormy breast. Nor less are the inmates the sky
Sooth the shafts
harmony skilful hand
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FIRST PYTHIAN ODE .
As Typhon , he who dared all heaven to brave ,
And ' gainst the gods with hundred heads to rise , Nurtured of old in famed Cilicia 's cave ,
Now whelm 'd in black Tartarean darkness lies. 30
Cumæ ' s sea
And where
- girdled shores below , Sicilia ' s waters flow ,
imprest
Crush 'd by the island 's weight,
Upon the rebel' s shaggy breast , Ætna his giant form restrains ,
Whose towering height the cloud sustains , Nurse of the sharp perennial snow . 39
Forth from her inmost caverns urge their way Fountains of pure and unapproached fire , Rivers of smoke that blot the face of day ,
And from their source of lurid flame aspire.
But flashes of bright hue illume The horrors of nocturnal gloom ;
And hurl the rocks with thundering sound , Whelm 'd in the watery gulf profound .
The restless monster from his burning seat Sends up to heaven the springs of direst heat ;
27 With this description of the hundred -headed Typhon or
Typhæus , who is also mentioned in the beginning of the fourth Olympic and the eighth Pythian , compare Callimachus
( in Del. 141 ) , who , like Pindar , appears anxious to clothe so vast an image with appropriate magnificence of language :
37 See Theocritus (Id . xi. 47 ), where the Cyclops , de scribing the delights of his Ætnæan residence , says ,
There , from deep - shaded Ætna 's melting snows The cooling spring 's ambrosial beverage flows .
' όποτ'
Ως δ
Σειoνται μυχα παντα , κατουδαιοιο γιγαντος .
| Compare also Euripides (Phæn . 815 ). PIND .
Αιτναιου ορεος πυρι τυφομενοιο
PoLwHELE .
82 . PINDAR .
And strikes with mute surprise their eye and ear
Who see the wondrous fire, and sounds prodigious hear . 50
So close his pinion 'd form is bound
50
Ætna 's leafy head ; the rugged ground ,
Beneath dark Supported on
that bed may power protecting Jove
While his back
My humble prayer and deeds approve
This mountain
erlooks the fruitful land below
torn reclining
guard whose lofty brow
And the neighb ring city gives name
Rear the builder immortal fame While the loud herald shout declared afar
First the Pythian course Ætnæan Hiero car
men who the ocean sail gale Tis sweet launch before the
And ere they leave the port discern The omen blest return
encomiastic lay
might
Recording these triumphant deeds
Foretell many future day
Of garlands won by conquering steeds
Which shall illustrious city raise festal melodies of praise
Lycian Phobus Delian king
For the ruling powers All virtues are mortals
Hiero whom the first Olympic ode addressed
pure Parnassian spring May these warm hopes acceptance find
Who lovest Castalia
With Ætna valiant sons thine approving mind
heaven given
59
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FIRST PYTHIAN ODE .
Wisdom is theirs— from them are sprung The active hand , the fluent tongue .
And when , the victor ' s might to sing , Eager I wake the lyric string ,
I fear not from an erring bow
The brazen -headed shaft to throw , But scattering far the darts of song ,
Hope to confound the rival throng .
O ! thus may Hiero '
happy state
Succeeding And grant ,
Oblivion
Her solace Recording
s
ages give to last ,
to crown prosperous fate the sorrows past
Remembrance yields what numerous fields
90
95
His hand the noble chaplet gain
While by the favoring powers
him were brighter honors given
Than Grecian victor
He still though with enfeebled might Like Philoctetes wag the fight Howe oppress the brave contend
soothe him with the name
friend
100
100
105
Tis said that erst the godlike band Urged with inquiring haste their way
Lemnos solitary strand
Where Pæan tortured offspring lay
Without whose bow the fated wall OfPriam city ne could fall
allusion heremade Hiero recovery from very dangerous illness under which had been laboring The transition the story Philoctetes and comparison that
hero with the Sicilian monarch The scholiast informs us that
Anaxilaus king Rhegium Theron king Agrigentum
highly poetical and just covert allusion here made
others understand
obtain
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PINDAR .
Thus from the deity may Hiero gain All future joy and respite from his pain
84
Though
powers opposed
sickness
Yet the Grecian labors closed
Then aid me Muse the lay Sung Deinomenes glad ear
raise
110
115
115
The pious youth father praise
From conquering steeds will joy hear
Come let find friendly hymn sing The majesty Ætna future king
To whom that city Hiero rear
Subjected
Which Doric states from Hyllus draw
the bonds law
Since heavenly freedom reigns where laws are fear
The heroes who their noble race 120
From Pamphilus and great Alcides trace Who dwelt distant times below
Taygetus aspiring brow
By true allegiance bound would still
Ægimius high behests fulfil 125 From Pindus rushing the main
Twas theirs Amyclæ walls gain glory station near
The heavenly Twins from Leda sprung 129 Whose milk white steeds and conquering spear
Throughout applauding world are sung 129
preside And may the tongue truth proclaim
Still their fortune Jove
By Amena Sicilian tide
Their citizens and monarch fame 135
The colony Ætna well the Megarensians and Syracusans were Doric origin the latter whom received
118
their laws from Hyllus son Hercules
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And
our naval contest end peace
From the swift ships their youth
Deep plunged beneath the watery world Setting the land Hellas free
From the rude bonds of slavery
By Syracusa
FIRST PYTHIAN ODE .
Still may the
Direct his harmony
And firm ties Saturnian king
Soon will the shouts
Phænicia baffled sons from Cumæ sail
venerable king
obedient mind subjects bring
concord bind
aught my prayers avail 140
lord erthrown What sad reverses have they known
145
hostile Tuscans cease
141
hurla
praise Athenian name my Muse 150 From Salamis her lay would choose
While Sparta glories the fight Waged near Cithæron towering height
142 This naval victory achieved by the brothers Hiero
and Gelo over the Etruscans off the coast Cumæ mentioned the ninth Nemean ode 69
the same invocation Saturnian Jupiter
peace and prosperity the Sicilians cians general Pindar ascribes
well the Gre the most important
consequences
merely Sicily from the heavy yoke
less than the liberation
second victory recorded 154 was that gained by the sons Deinomenes over the Carthaginians Himera the
same day with the victory by the Athenians Salamis
the patriotic poet them pecu
liar delight 152 Pindar alludes
gained by Pausanias with the united forces Lacedæmon and Athens over army Persians vastly superior num bers 479 the same day with that Mycale This great victory completed the liberation Greece and per haps the whole range descriptive poetry we shall
scarcely find series victorious actions more concisely yet more appropriately described
480 These were themes worthy enthusiasm and he appears expatiate
again with nearly grant continued
Greece and not captivity The
the battle Platæa
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86
PINDAR .
When her brave progeny o ’ erthrew The Median archers ' bended yew . Even thus, Deinomenes , thy fame
Sounded in hymns of loud acclaim ,
d, Near Himera 's well -water ' shore
Where thy strong arm in glory's field Made the contending foemen yield ,
Thy latest children shall explore . 156 If just, the brief and simple tale
’ er lengthen ' prevail d numbers shall
:
O
While loathes the breast and sated ear Exaggerated strains to hear ;
Strains which disgust and envy raise By superfluity of praise ;
And the dark jealous mind annoy
That hears with pain
another
'
s
joy
But unsubdued by envious hate , (For pity were a lower state,
Still be thine honest actions sung ; With steady hand direct the helm ,
Protector of the peopled realm , And on truth 's whetstone edge thy
tongue . 168
For know , a fault of lightest blame 176 Would brand a king with flagrant shame.
Since be thy bearing good or Unnumber eyes survey thee still
170 That the scholiast explains the passage you had
better praised for your virtues than pitied for your vices
bad actions Thierry 176 similar sentiment occurs Fletcher
and
Theodoret act where the prince Austracia says royal delinquents
The sins we people behold through optics
Which show them ten times more than common vices
And often multiply them
.
.
,
do
as
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of
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ill ,
SECOND PYTHIAN ODE .
Then tarnish not thy generous mind , If thy delighted ear rejoice
In honest fame' s applauding voice ,
thy bounties unconfined Before the free and liberal gale
Be
Like the skill pilot spread thy sail
Nor friend let flattery Thy better judgment
When life brief span And closed the transitory
177
specious wile beguile
pass away
scene The storied page poet lay
190
195
But he whose lot both triumphant lies 200 Receives the highest crown that fortune can bestow 195
THE SECOND PYTHIAN ODE
THE SAME HIERO HIS VICTORY THE CHARIOT RACE
ARGUMENT
Pindar begins this ode with address Syracuse de claring that he brings her hymn account Hiero victory The merits the victor justly demand this tri
bute By way illustration he digresses the story
Jupiter
Declares how bright that life has been Still Crosus philanthropic virtue lives While Phalaris who made his victims flame
Within the brazen bull
ignited everlasting infamy survives
frame
Nor the hated tyrant sung
festal chorus by the youthful tongue
Success mortals chief reward below
The nextwhen hymns proclaim the glorious prizem
Ixion who repaid the benefits received from
,
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88 PINDAR .
base ingratitude , and when placed on the wheel , uttered a memorable saying , in order to deter men from such con duct : this leads to the fabulous birth and history of Cen taurus — The poet then adds various moral sentiments , with a view of confirming the moral truth deduced from this narration , and repels the odious charge of having slandered his patron and benefactor , from which the example of Ar
chilochus would be sufficient to deter him — Then follow the praises of Hiero, especially on account of his wisdom , and the glory of his martial exploits, in the assistance
which he rendered to his brother Gelon , whom Hiero suc
ceeded on the throne of Syracuse , in his contest with the Carthaginians - In conclusion he subjoins various precepts
and admonitions, especially warning him not to lend an ear to the voice of adulation .
O SYRACUSE ! in whom combine
Four towns their might to furnish thine, Mars ' loved abode - of generous steeds,
And men renown’d for martial deeds, The fostering nurse divine
To thee from splendid Thebes I come , And bear the grateful tidings home,
How Hiero 's victor coursers' might
Sped his earth - shaking chariot 's flight.
By frequent crowns that shine afar Resplendent in the Pythian war ,
Ennobling high Ortygia's seat,
Where Dian 's river shrine Alpheus ' waters greet .
Without whose aid his agile grasp in vain
Had check 'd his coursers with the varied rein . 15
For prompt with each assisting hand ,
2 These towns are thus enumerated by the scholiast , Acra dina , Neapolis , Tyche , Epipolæ : justly therefore might the poet address Syracuse by the epithet μεγαλοπολιες .
13 I. e . the island Ortygia , at the south of Sicily . The scholiast interprets potaplas by ons Anpelwoas .
SECOND PYTHIAN ode .
The huntress maid who joys to slay With certain aim her sylvan prey ,
And Mercury whose godhead claims
Dominion o'er the sacred games ,
Placed round his polish 'd car the shining band .
Taming by bit and curb applied
The docile steeds ' impetuous pride ;
And calling to the arduous course
The god who wields the trident's force . Each lyric poet for a different lord
Frames the sweet hymn his valor to record .
The Cyprians thus with acclamation sing The praise of Cinyras , their glorious king ;
Loved by Apollo with his golden hair,
The priest of Venus and her cherish ' d care .
Favors of friends conferr '
Lead to a just return of gratitude .
Son of Deinomenes !
the Locrian maid
Raises the loud and joyful strain to thee , 35
Whose step secure proclaims her nation made
By thy brave arm from war '
s dire tumults free . As fame reports , thus by the gods ' behest,
Whirl'
d on his
rapid
wheel Ixion
cries
upon good , d the
• Mortals , bear this upon your minds imprest - 40 Requite their love from whom your blessings
rise . ' 44
19 The scholiast quotes a fragment of Æschylus in which Mercury is called evaywios , president of the games . In the
Agamemnon ( v . 521 . ) the herald invokes Apollo under the titles of owTnp karaywvios ; and in the next verse addresses
τους αγωνιους θεους Παντας . mytho 29 Homer , who so often confirms the historical and
logical tales of Pindar , also mentions Cinyras , king of Cy . prus, as having given to Agamemnon a breastplate, as a pledge ofhospitable friendship ( Il. xi. 19, 20 ).
90
PINDAR . experience drew ,
This truth he from Dwelling with heaven '
His raptured soul unable grew Such mighty transport to sustain ;
When raging with unhallow '
d flame His wild imagination strove
To ravish the celestial dame
Who shares the glorious couch of Jove.
The deed , with peril fraught , he tried , By fearless insolence impell’ d ;
But quickly his aspiring pride
Avenging retribution quell ’
d
These crimes with double weight pursued
s Saturnian
train
,
.
The sinning hero to his doom ,
Hands first in kindred blood imbrued ,
A father hurried to the tomb . 59
Next his endeavor , rash and vain , The partner of Jove 's bed to gain .
Let this instruct ambitious man
The measure of his might to scan ; Since but disgrace and endless woe
From unallow 'd embraces flow .
heavenly charms
Fill’d with a cloud his cheated arms ; Whose form became the stately mien
That marks the bright Saturnian queen . The hands of Jove this dire deceit
Framed , for his crimes a guerdon meet . There on the deadly circle laid ,
Whose fourfold chain himself had made ,
The fool who grasp '
d
at
This alludes to the murder of Deioneus by his son - in law Ixion , which was perpetrated by throwing alive into
spokes which Ixion
57
the wheel with four radii was bound
pit filled with burning coals
.
7I1
.
e .
or
a
.
to
him
SECOND PYTHIAN ODE .
His limbs in dreadful torment wound Th ’ inevitable wheel around ,
The wretch with tardy wisdom fraught, To all mankind this lesson taught . Submitting to his strong embrace ,
Her proud ungracious son she bore , Unhonor ' d by the heavenly race ,
Nor known to mortal birth before . Centaurus (such the nursling ' s name) Mingled in Pelion 's shady grove With the Magnesian mares in love , And hence a wondrous army came . Each parents nature form ’d to show Bent to the mother ' s shape below ,
While rose the stately sire above. 88
The god whose speed prevents the eagle 's wing, And moves more swiftly than the dolphins sweep ,
the watery deep prosperous issue bring
Sporting on rapid
Can mortal hopes Subdues the pride And deathless fame
one aspiring mind others has assign But let me not with slanderous tale
Like beast hostile tooth assail
His rancorous spleen could ne restrain
erwhelm want and misery lay Imperial wealth by wisdom graced
the first lot bliss placed
The story this poet who poetical slander caused the death
For saw
though away Archilochus whose bitter vein
cambes presents remarkable instance
By far away meant distant point
florished nearly one hundred and fifty years prior Pindar
the bitterness his his father law Ly
retributive justice time Archilochus
100
to
in -
,
.
of .
of
'
as
. ;
,
, in
96
In
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as is I
,
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' d
is ,
far
of by
of ; er
, of
of to,
, in
of to fin
, 'd, .
-
,
;
,
92
PINDAR .
And this high rank is clearly thine Lord of the host and well-built town,
Let thy free mind with blessings crown Those whom thy fates to thee assign .
Of all thy mighty fathers gone , Whatever tongue should dare proclaim Through Greece that any hero fame
wealth honors brighter shone
With folly mark would stamp his name 112
Butwhen thy virtues wake the song 110 By flowery ways pass along
Hence declare that thou hast found glory which exceeds all bound
Whether foot the warriors rage Or equestrian strife engage
And free from blame my praise shall sound
youth
the valor thine arm Shielded thy life from adverse harm
Thy counsels maturer age Farewell this hymn across the hoary sea
As Phænician craft send thee
121 appears from this passage which confirmed by fragment Sophocles well one Aristophanes that the Phænicians like the Canaanites Scripture were always distinguished above other nations by their eminence mer
chants which seems have passed into sort proverb The Castorean song which Pindar sends across the sea
Hiero probable that nothing more intended than hymn commemorative equestrian victory Castor being
the god horsemanship nor must confounded with the
KCOTOPELOV Medos war song the Spartans The purport the following passage very obscure referring probably some story unknown The praise the righteous
udge Rhadamanthus which follows Heyne considers been favorite theme with the ancient poets and
was another proof the noble independence Pindar Was
ve ds
, , by
A
In In '
"
a
I
on s
of , is
to ,
I of
, or
or
of
it, It
is of — in
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, be
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120 115 105
a
. ;
is , ,
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,
,
. ,
seconD PYTHIAN ODE .
Thou the triumphant Castoréan song ,
With music that th ’ Æolian lyre shall make , To which the seven harmonious chords belong ,
Skill'
d as thou art
,
with
candor take .
93
125
To Rhadamantbus justly raise
Clear sighted judge ! — whose rigorous mind 130
willing
Let witless boys extol the shape
Of the deform ’ unsightly ape d:
Butwe the lofty song of praise
With wisdom and experience fraught ,
Ne'er by the mists of flattery blind , In her seducing wiles is caught .
How often from her whisper ' lies d
Inextricable evils rise !
To him whose lips with fox -like art
impart ;
135
From such deceit what good can spring ? 140 Will this or fame or profit bring ?
The slanderous calumnies And him who with believing
ear The tale of falsehood joys to hear.
As in the fisher ' s watery toil , Aloft the buoyant cork remains ,
While laden with
finny spoil The whelming gulf his net retains
145
So from Float cork
Ne
From lips
fear and danger free like the briny sea
147
good and potent word treacherous townsman heard
mind and the value his friendship which prompted him warn even king with perfect plainness and sincerity
beware suffi
against being corrupted the false praises
tors The construction the four next lines clear although the sentiment cautioning Hiero being misled by the arts whispering slanderers
ciently obvious
venal adula no means
.
is a
of
its
. ,
to ,
,
to by ,
is
of
is of
of a
er
ofby of
on
,
of
-
.
'
I
.
, .
,
PINDAR .
His wiles that all alike deceive ,
A web of endless mischief weave . Such boldness ne'er can I approve Still be it mine
150
155
160
a to ; friend love
But like a wolf the foe to view , And in his crooked ways pursue .
Oft from a man of upright tongue A state ' s true happiness has sprung
Whether in solitary pride
A king the reins of empire guide ,
Or the grave band of nobles proud , Or chief of the tumultuous crowd .
:
Against the potent will of Heaven
'Tis mad ambition to contend ,
By whom to these now might is given ,
Now others call the god their friend . 165
But calm content the envious mind
In their delight can never find . When the preponderating scale
Bids any happier lot prevail ,
The rankling wound torments their breast , 170
Till in the wish '
d
possession
blest .
But he, the patient and the wise , Who to the yoke his neck applies,
Lifts not, like oxen prone to feel
Each casual sting, angry heel Be my complacent temper shown
Conversing with the good alone
175
151 here followed Heyne emendation atav instead the cominten reading ayav
176
of
.
his
I ha
' s
ye
,
.
,
THE THIRD PYTHIAN ODE .
TO THE SAME HIERO , ON HIS VICTORY IN THE SINGLE - HORSE RACE , GAINED IN THE TWENTY -SIXTH PYTHIAD .
ARGUMENT .
When the intelligence of Hiero's victory in the Pythian
games was reported to him , that monarch labored under a grievous disorder - Hence the friendly poet takes occasion to express his wish that the centaur Chiron , the preceptor of Æsculapius in the healing art , could return to life , in
order to restore health to the afflicted Hiero - This leads to the fabulous story of Apollo and Coronis , to whose clan destine love he owed his birth - He then proceeds to the
victor 's praises , and prays to the gods for his continued
prosperity - Then follows a consolatory exhortation to bear
adversity with an equal mind , derived from the uncertain
condition of mortality , and the constant interruption to
earthly happiness ; which truth he illustrates by the exam ples of Cadmus and Peleus ; interweaving the mythological
story of the nuptials of Peleus and Thetis - He concludes by recommending equanimity from his own example .
O ! could to life my anxious care Chiron Phillynides recall ;
( Ifmy weak tongue may form Breathed for the common good
Celestial Saturn 's potent child
To rule o ’ er Pelion 's valleys still ,
Howe ' er in form like monster wild , Yet men approved his friendly will .
He nurtured once the hero kind , Asclepias , whose assuaging art
For the rack ' d limbs relief could find , And each torturing pain depart
by Eilithyia
Equestrian Phlegyas daughter bore
Him
aid
a prayer
of all ;) ,
5
'
s
,
.
e' er
bid
'
13
96
PINDAR .
by ,
d Dian 's shafts the maid 15
Transfix '
Went down to Pluto 's dreary shore ;
And lifeless in her chamber lay , A victim to the god of day .
No slight or trivial wounds proceed From wrath of Jove's immortal seed . Her sire beguiled her mind subdued By folly — with contempt she view '
d
The ties that charm ' d her heart before ; Loved by the god , whose locks unshorn
His brow with youthful grace adorn ,
The fruit of heavenly
race she bore . Her haughty soul could ne' er sustain
To see the marriage table spread ,
Or listen to the nuptial strain By the coeval virgins led ;
Whose melody their raptured ear At evening ' s hour delights to hear :
prove The ardors of an absent love.
Full many share the damsel 's pain What tribes of mortals rash and vain ,
Blind to the good that courts their view , Eager some distant joy pursue !
And lured by hope 's delusive gleam Chase but an unsubstantial dream . 41
Fair -robed Coronis ' scornful mind
d to find Such fate was justly doom ' ;
For in the stranger 's couch she lay , Who from Arcadia bent his way .
But Loxias , who on Pytho ' s shrine With kingly eye in act divine
Sees many a victim bleed ,
But sicken ’
d with desire to
45 Apollo or the Sun , so named from his oblique course through the ecliptic .
THIRD PYTHIAN ODE .
He who by wisdom all his own Makes to himself each action known ,
Survey ' d the impious deed .
No falsehood mocks his piercing sight,
Nor gods nor men elude the skill Which judges in prophetic light,
The open act , the secret will.
Then having known the fraud that led The nymph to Ischys ' foreign bed , His sister fierce with dire intent
To Laceræa straight he sent.
The Maid whose habitation rose Where marshy Bæbias ' fountain flows,
Too soon her alter '
d
dæmon drove
The that wait
When the cruel plague pursued
crime prove Her sin the guiltless neighbors rued
61 Bæbias
named from one the nymphs
Pelasgiotis Catullus
fountain Nupt Pel
near Laceræa
Thet 286 Voss
Xyniasi linquens Doris celebrata choreis Bæbiados
which passage some editions read Minosin and Nonatios for Xyniasi and Bæbiados Doering reads Mnemonidum and Non
vacuus instead Bæbiados Strabo Geogr confirm Vossius reading
Bentley perhaps unnecessary refer the
cellent Dissertation elucidation
Examiner had denied
appears
critical reader
poetical The scholiast explains
Phalaris 216
the expression daruwv Tepos which the
έτερος κακοποιος
confirm his interpretation the remarks our admirable
and quotes choliambic Callimachus
critic whó not gifted with any great talent metrical
composition had nevertheless very accurate perception
the niceties poetical expression would add the words Euripides Med 1106
δαιμων ούτος meaning death
PIND
ειδε κυρησει
218 for ex
.
.
so in
:
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of . to
. et
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an
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PINDAR .
Sad victims of a common tomb As from one fatal spark arise
The flames aspiring to the skies , And the crackling wood consume
But when upon the funeral pyre
Her kindred placed theMaid And curling round the greedy fire
My vivid lustre play
soul thus spoke the god day
Its own bright race abhors slay erwhelm that most wretched death
Which stopp the hapless mother breath This said with one short step came
And snatch his infant from the flame Through whose divided channel trod
The feet the departing god
The rescued child he gave share Magnesian Centaur fostering care
And learn of him the soothing art
That wards from man disease dart 82
Ofthose whom nature made feel Corroding ulcers gnaw their frame
Or stones far burl glittering steel All the great physician came
85
By summer heat winter cold
Oppress him they sought relief 90
Each deadly pang
skill controll every grief
And found balm
On some the force charmed strains he tried
some the medicated draught applied
Some limbs placed the amulets around Some from the trunk cut and made the
sound
patient
he ,
,s
he
’ d ,
of
,
' d
of 95
by
.
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to
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all
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for his
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.
95
80
75
,
67
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•
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THIRD PYTHIAN ODE .
But wisdom yields to sordid gain : Hands which the golden bribes contain
Are bound by them
At their command the grasp of death 100 Restored the man whose forfeit breath
Had from mansion flown But quickly heaven Saturnian lord
Snatch with each hand the life restored
And wing
Once more From him
his bolt lurid flame 105 crush the mortal frame
108 110
let all humankind acquire humble mind
Learn
Nor gainst the rulers of the sky
vaunt their fleeting destiny
Affect not then beloved soul The life immortal the blest
Let prudence thy desires control practicable schemes rest
Chiron unerring skill
Dwelt his Pelion cavern still
And the sweet toned hymns could find
Their wonted passage his mind Then my persuasive tongue had pray
Nor vainly the physician
Who should some healing brother give Latona son Jove gain
ships that cut Ionian sea 125 come my Ætnæan friend
Mild king whose cares from envy free
Syracusa
101 Alluding perhaps the fable the resuscitated Hip polytus thence called Virbius some suppose Tyndareus others
Glaucus others Hymenæus others Orion Capaneus
alone.
99
Respite from fever
burning pain And bid afflicted god revive
sons extend
115
120
,
O er
To
I( , ’ In
If In
, to ;
th ' anof ''
of . . or
s,
,
aid
;;, .
.
,
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or ,
- its
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s, to
, to' to
,
;
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if
in tod
to ! 'd
th
,’ ) of to
s' of
of
,
s
,,:
,
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.
. :,.
'
100
PINDAR .
Foster ' d by him , even strangers prove
The blessings of a father 's love . 126 130
If, crossing the Sicilian deep ,
Her onward course my bark should keep , To him my grateful hand would bear
Of twofold joy Health ' s golden
a garland fair .
charm , the loud acclaim
135
That sings the Pythian victor's fame ; Such triumphs as in days of yore
At Cirrha Pherenicus bore :
And brighter than the airy star
For him my splendor beams afar 136 140
But to the Mother would I pray , Whose altar near my dwelling stands :
There oft the Nymphs , who bend their way
To her and Pan, their vowsto pay, Assemble in nocturnal bands .
Thee , Hiero , whose exalted mind
Can to the heights of science rise ;
145
When gods or man one good bestow , 150 That blessing leads to double woe .
with '
, experience join ,
True wisdom
And former ages render wise.
d
While fools can ne'er with decent pride Sustain their adverse fate ,
Calm Patience , outwardly elate , Shows butthe brighter side.
In the first rank of fortune placed , Monarch ! such happiness is thine ; For kings, with power superior graced
Must above all conspicuous shine , Peleus nor godlike Cadmus led
139 I. e. thesun. SeeOl. i. v. 9.
,
155
160
THIRD PYTHIAN ODE .
A life exempt from every care ;
Who , beyond mortals blest , were said The height of happiness to share .
They heard when Pelion 's woody hill
101
And the seven Theban portals rang 165 With strains which the melodious skill
Of the gold -netted Muses sang .
One fair Harmonia to the nuptial bed ,
One prudent Nereus' child , illustrious Thetis 164
both the hymeneal feasts 170
Came Saturn sons heaven Whom seated on their thrones
kingly guests
gold They saw the splendid gifts unfold
Thus every care and labor past Rewarded the fostering love
That guards the favor sons of Jove Their drooping hearts were raised last
But Cadmus later age
By his three daughters wretched fate
175
Their awful death and frantic rage 180 Fell from his blest paternal state
When father Jove
thy sweet couch fair arm Thyone came 177
radiant flame
While Peleus offspring whom Phthia shore Her only son immortal Thetis bore
185
Cadmus Ino and To these Pin
madness slew The his
tory these three sisters whom may
mother the fated Actæon presents striking instance the uncertain tenure by which mortal prosperity held
184 Semele called Thyone named says the scholiast
απο του περι τον Διονυσον παθους ότι θυει και ενθουσια κατα τους
χορους the name Semele was given ότι σειει μελη των
179 The fate two the daughters Semele has been mentioned before ol
dar now adds the third Agave who
her son Pentheus See Ovid Met iii
added Autonoe
olvovpYourTwv
autov ALOvvoos scil
(
(
, in
'
v .
To
; of ,
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as
of
is
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, , at s,
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led .
.
.
,
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by
s
102 PINDAR .
pyre , in cries of grief
Burn '
Compell’ d the Greeks to mourn their slaughter' d
d on the funeral chief. 182
Whoever then mortal kind certain truth directs his mind
Let him with grateful heart enjoy
What good the blessed gods bestow His short lived pleasure destroy
Soon will the adverse tempests blow How great soe speeds away
Though rushing with the tempest sway 190 195
Lowly when my lot obscure
Obtain with
Weknow what glorious powers belong
To the sweet poet epic song 205
What time wakes the sounding lyre And bids departed worth aspire
Such Nestor lot This charm could save Lycian Sarpedon from the grave
But few the lengthen age obtain
Whose virtue blooms lyric strain 205
193 194 The metaphor here expressed nearly the same words the last verse the seventh Olympic ode
But liberal fortunes rise These blessings shall render
sure my energies
wealth the favoring god should give hope that not unknown fame
Myhonor and illustrious name ages yet comemay live
, InI as
If
To
in
' d
ofis
' d
it
to
.
in
,
,: .
in
.
210
200
190
'
' d if
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he .
to
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in
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all I
a er ,
of
;
.
to
.
,
:. ' . s,
,
.
,
,
;
,
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
to
-
of
for of
8
to ,
10 ,
.
' s
' d
,
In
To
,
.
,
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
3211 .
of
.
–
35
,
or .
I
e .
for ,
of or
of
,
.
of
' d
,
,
; 's .
, in
,
to
35
' s
.
of
-
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
from
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
)
64 49
.
,
To
To
To ,
(
41 45
in
of is
of
's to
' s
his
, in
' s
o' er
it of to
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of
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by
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55
a
of
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.
:. .