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PINDAR .
And keep the firm and perfect mind From all contagion pure ; Along the stated path of Jove
To Saturn 's royal courts above Have trod their heavenly way ,
1:20 Where round the island of the blest
The ocean breezes play ; There golden flowerets ever blow ,
125
From them the inmates of these seats divine 130
Around their hands and hair the woven garlands twine . 136
Rhea supreme holds his court
those high ranks Peleus and Cadmus shine And the blissful seats above
The prayer Thetis won the breast Jove waft the scion her line
Achilles whose resistless might
Some springing from earth ' s verdant breast , These on the lonely branches glow ,
While those are nurtured by the waves below .
Such Rhadamanthus
Who sits Father Saturn side Where with his all possessing bride
The pride and hope Troy Hector till then unconquer
just decree
erthrew slew
the fight
the metempsychosis and
reserves the beautiful Elysium
who have passed with the divine approbation through the
two conditions mortality this whole description
Till then unshaken
lows the Pythagorean doctrine
pillar
the blessed islands those
and beneath the earth With the Elysian and Tartarian abodes
compare Hesiod Op
paradise the just
those who delight violence and wrong terrestrial
Dies 225 where however the well the opposite residence
143 Catullus addressing Peleus says
Thessaliæ columen Peleu Nupt Pel Thet
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SECOND OLYMPIC ODE . 17
Cycnus the hero gave to death ,
Aurora 's Æthiop son to resign his breath 149
Full many sharp and potent dart 146
150
Like crows pursue their ceaseless round
That thro the airy plains above
Track the majestic bird Jove 158 155
That shows unspent the poet
And the wise sounds clear and shrill Rests my well stored quiver still
art
But minds untaught some guide will need
Safe thro the mystic paths
lead
While witlings learn with empty sound
Then take my soul thy fearless aim Drawn from the quiet storehouse say
To whom thine arrows wing their way Along the path fame
proud Agrigentum height
Should they direct their devious flight sworn truth will declare
160
No heartmore friendly more liberal hand 165 Than Theron who now sways the subject land
Far
That the hundred years whose course hath fled her imperial head
Hath held dominion there 173
Yet Insolence her voice will raise Unjust thwart themonarch praise
And Envy rancorous tongue invade Casting his merits into shade
Howe the base malignant crew His name with violence pursue
170
PIND
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PINDAR .
If thou wouldst his generous deeds explore
soon the sandy grains thy tongue shall number
175 Catullus
Quam magnus numerus Libyssæ
180
175
Lesbiam
arenæ
sepulchrum
Laserpiciteris jacet Cyrenis Oraclum Jovis inter æstuosi
Batti veteris sacrum
Quæ nec pernumerare curiosi Possint
THE THIRD OLYMPIC ODE
THE SAME THERON OCCASION OF VICTORY OBTAINED BY HIM THE CHARIOT RACE THE DATE NOT RE
CORDED
ARGUMENT
This ode was addressed the king Agrigentum whom
the victory was announced oxenia festival honor
he was celebrating the The
the gods instituted the according the mythological
inhabitants Pallene
story by Castor and Pollux
invoking the aid and approbation the Dioscuræ and their
sister Helen digresses
cess the favor the twin deities influenced his piety and the regularity with which celebrated the fes tival of the gods the attempt proceed farther would be
vain the endeavor sail beyond the Pillars Her cules the supposed boundary the old world
olive tree from
concludes
the highest point human glory and attributes his suc
Pindar therefore begins
Thence the mention the olive wreath
the fable Hercules transplanting the wild the Hyperborean regions Olympia He
congratulating Theron who had attained
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THIRD OLYMPIC ode .
To please the hospitable pair
From godlike Tyndarus who spring , And Helen , nymph of lovely hair ,
I would awake th ’ Olympic string ,
And raise the lyric song, to crown 5
Bright Agrigentum with renown , And Theron ' s glories sing ,
Whose steeds' unwearied feet achieve the guerdon fair .
Then may the muse her bard inspire , Who first upon the Dorian lyre
Raised the melodious strain on high To swell the pomp of victory 10
10
The verdant wreaths that proudly glow
Round the triumphant courser 's mane ,
Call on the shrill - toned flute to flow , 15
The varied lyre and well - connected strain .
Which may a due encomium raise Ænesidamus ' son to praise . 16
And Pisa joins the general claim
From her proceeds the song of fame, 20
1 This epithet, as West observes , is very appropriately bestowed on the Dioscuri , Castor and Pollux , on account of
the establishment, by them , of the Theoxenia , a feast to which the gods were invited . With the opening of this ode
compare Euripides , Orestes , sub
Ελενην Ζηνος μελαθροις πελασω
Wemay observe theme of Pindar
his Castle Indolence his Knight Arts and Industry that
with varied fire He roused the trumpet and the martial fife
Thomson
that the praises Agrigentum are grateful muse
favorite says
Or bade the lute sweet tenderness inspire
Orverses framed that well might wake Apollo lyre
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20 PINDAR .
To whom the umpire 's just decree Awards the meed of victory .
Prompt to fulfil Alcides' high command ,
Who bade the verdant olive glow
Twined by th ' Ætolian judge 's hand Around the conqueror' s brow . 22
Which erst Amphitryo's godlike son
From Ister's shady fountains bore, The fairest mark of triumph won
By victor on Olympia 's shore . Gift of the Hyperborean race , Who worship in Apollo 's fane,
The plant which sbades that hallow ' place
25 25
30
35
Where Common to
For now Perform
would
Jupiter ' grove s tall
d His voice persuasive could obtain ;
a shelter gave mankind and chaplets the brave
his great father name was every sacred rite
tedious and not very edifying the reader
detail the various opinions the ancients respecting the geographical position the Hyperboreans some placing
them Europe and others Asia nay they have been said
dwell within the polar circle clime free from all skyey influences
flows through the land Dorado would situated high that the modern
nant nature Olymp viii
fruitful and temperate adverse and malig Pindar says that the Ister
Siberia But nothing can more
Scythia
vague and undefined than the notions antiquity respecting the limits of the Ister and the territories the Scythians
the sixth Isthmian ode Pindar appears consider the Nile and the Hyperborean regions the northern and southern extremities the habitable globe appears that
the sacred olive which the Theban Hercules fabled have transplanted from their regions grew somewhere above the fountains the Ister Danube The tenth Pythian ode contains poetical description the fertility and blessed
ness these Utopian regions
Hence this northern latitude above the equator
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Arcady 's deep glens and summits When , as Eurystheus ' will was told , Necessity from Father Jove
And when the full -orb '
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lamp of night
THIRD . OLYMPIC ODE .
Pour'
He gave each fifth revolving year , Where falls Alpheus' high career ,
d from her severing golden car the
flame
,
40
To judge the well-earn'
d meed of fame. 39
But in Saturnian Pelops ' vale
No trees waved beauteous to the gale— No verdant grove , no depth of shade
regions
fair .
To bring the hind with horns of gold His persecuted offspring drove : Which erst , in sacred pomp array ' ,
The raging solar beam allay ' ;
d
His mind impelld him then to go
Where Ister'
Latona's huntress daughter Received the hero as he came
s streams through
Scythian
flow :
55 Taygeta had given to please th’ Orthosian maid . 54
This as he urged in warm pursuit ,
His eyes survey '
d the region
60
Which chilling Boreas render ' bare
d Admiring the tall olive 's shoot ;
,
39 The Olympic games were celebrated on the day nearest to the full moon of that month , the new moon of which im
mediately followed the summer solstice . salutary
58 I. e. Diana : so named from her obstetrical
influence , or from a mountain of Arcadia .
The younger scholiast gives a long account of the reason
why this stag with gilded horns was offered to Diana , who had benevolently metamorphosed into the form of that animal
Taygeta , the daughter of Atlas .
there
50 50
d
there
his soul To plant the consecrated root
Then sweet desire possess '
d
PINDAR . ,
Around the twelve - times circled goal . 65 And now to crown the solemn feast,
The hero comes , propitious guest ,
With deep - zoned Leda' s twin -born pair . To them the glorious charge he gave ,
Ascending to Olympus' height ,
To the contest laws and crown the brave
Who sped victor car won the palm might
Then justly noble Theron fame My mind exhorts me proclaim
And sing
Whom Jove
With honors and rewards divine
Emmenidæs high race equestrian offspring grace
By bright their virtuous actions shine them the sacred rites are paid
By them the liberal banquet laid With more abundant plenty stored
Than often crowns mortal board water then and shining gold
highest glory hold Even thus has virtuous Theron gain
The rank
The farthest point
His fame has reach that distant land
pillars stand Beyond this point who strives sail
Where the Herculean
prevail
No farther pursue my course here restrain
Wise unwise can
man attain
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THE FOURTH OLYMPIC ODE .
TO PSAUMIS OF CAMARINA , ON HIS VICTORY WITH THE QUA DRIG Æ, OR CHARIOT WITH FOUR HORSES , GAINED IN THE
EIGHTY
- SECOND OLYMPIAD .
ARGUMENT .
opens with a sublime invocation to Jupiter , and a
This ode prayer
Psaumis The poet then proceeds the victor account his hospitality love
the praise peace
patriotism and the care he bestows the training bis horses Subjoins the story Erginus the son Clyme
nus excuse for the premature whiteness his hair
The circling hours
immortal Jove
Who mak unwearied lightnings move With song and lyre accordant string
Rouse me the victor
praise sing
When friends succeed the good rejoice And hail the sweet toned herald voice
son of Saturn thou who rul above
Where Ætna with his burning load imprest
Weighs down the hundred handed Typhon breast Deign with thy favor approve
This hymn which the victor praise address Aspires crown Olympic strife
That gilds with glory beam the latest hour life
High his car triumphant placed
His brows with Pisa olive graced
Lo Psaumis brings the meed fame
raise his Camarina name
15
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PINDAR .
The god who joys to bless thee now , Propitious hear each future vow !
Him shall my constant praise await ,
Who skill'
To every guest unfolds his gate ,
20
d to
train the
generous
steed
,
And tranquil aids his native state Nurtured to each pacific deed .
No falsehood e'er shall stain my lay ,
25 worth dis
Experience proves the man, and will play
From taunts Lemnian women made This Clymenus brave offspring freed
The course brazen arms array He left take the victor meed And thus Hypsipyle address
22
Tis who gain the palm speed
Mine the firm hand undaunted breast
Howe upon my youthful brow
Are shed untimely hues snow 35
Erginus one the argonauts who
for the golden fleece contended Lemnos
games instituted by Hypsipyle memory her father Thoas
king 305
Achilles rushes into the Ismenus and its waves with slaughter Erginus complaint his premature
tation
the island He mentioned Statius Theb
among the heroes killed Hippomedon who dyes imi
grey hairs may be parodied by Boethius Consol Philos Intempestivi funduntur vertice cani Hesiod Op
Dies 181 mentions mark the iron race that they are grey headed from their birth
their departure
the funeral
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THE FIFTH OLYMPIC ODE .
TO THE SAME PSAUMIS , ON HIS THREE VICTORIES , ONE IN THE CHARIOT DRAWN BY FOUR HORSES ; ANOTHER IN THE APENE , OR CHARIOT DRAWN BY MULES ; AND THE THIRD IN THE
SINGLE HORSE RACE - ALL GAINED OLYMPIAD .
ARGUMENT .
The poet in this ode invocates Camarina , a sea -nymph , from whom the town and lake in Sicily were fabled to have taken their name ; to bespeak her favorable acceptance of the
hymn in which are celebrated the three victories of Psau mis ; whom he also commends for his liberality and pa triotism - Concludes by supplicating Jupiter to grant con
tinued prosperity to the victor, 'and expressing his own good wishes towards him .
DAUGHTER of Ocean ! this sweet strain , Which Psaumis ' lofty virtues wake,
Whose mules untired glide o 'er Olympia 's plain ,
And victory '
With mind propitious take .
s fairest
chaplet
gain 7
,
Eager to grace with high renown ,
O Camarina ! thy well -peopled town ; To the bright rulers of the skies
He bade the six twin - altars rise ,
And spread to each celestial guest
Of oxen slain the liberal feast ;
Five times the sun's diurnalblaze Each well - contested strife surveys ,
The strong - yoked chariot's conquering speed , Drawn by fleet mule or generous steed ;
IN THE EIGHTY - SECOND
26
PINDAR .
Orwhere impatient of control The courser presses to the goal.
Thy mighty combatant to thee Conveys the meed of victory ,
That bids the herald ' s loud acclaim
15
20 father Acron
Join with thy new -built walls name
From Pelops and Enomaus pleasant seat Pallas our loved city guardian pride
The victor comes with festal hymn greet Thy solemn grove and fair Oanus tide The native lake the sacred source
Whence Hipparis directs course And pours the thirsting host lave
Thro long canals his fruitful wave Transported down whose rapid tide
Beams for the stable fabrics glide
When Psaumis rears the wonderous pile
Lightens his country woes and renovates her smile But labor still and cost his steps attend
Whose virtue strives gain this glorious end Around his path uncertain hazards wait
And clouds obscure the mighty combat fate Yet when his persevering toils succeed
nation voice confirms the wisdom the deed
Hear Earth protecting Sovereign Jove
Who dwell enthron
the Cronian mount whose care
And
And Ida
Protects hear thy suppliant prayer
Who breathing his Lydian reed
Implores thee still crown this state with valor meed
Alpheus widely
flowing wave
venerable cave
clouds above
.
to on
19
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SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE .
27
O Psaumis ! victor in th ’ Olympic strife , . Who mak 'st Neptunian steeds thy joy and pride ,
Thy
May placid age attend thy closing life, children standing round to grace a
side ! 53
Of Fortune ' s ample stores possest ,
And with fair reputation blest , No higher thy wishes rise
Since all that mortals gain thine
50 father ' s
Normadly try
Ambitious lot divine
THE SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE
reach the skies
AGESIAS SYRACUSE HIS VICTORY THE CHARIOT DRAWN BY MULES
ARGUMENT
The scholiast informs that this ode according some was inscribed Stymphelius son Sostratus and that his
victory was achieved olympiad The poem
the eighty sixth eighty seventh
the frontispiece
opening his ode expatiating
mention the praises and re
contest He then proceeds gret expressed by Adrastus
opens with building
noble simile drawn from
which he compares the the glory the olympic
Amphiaraus occasioned
the death the latter instituting comparison between
Agesias and the Theban seer The birth Iamus one
the ancestors the victor who are thence called Iamidæ then related great length together with the story
Evadne daughter Æpytus Agesias derived his lineage
the mother side from Arcadia
and there was con
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28
PINDAR .
nexion between the inhabitants of that country and the Thebans , the poet includes them in his praises — He then addresses Æreas, the master of the chorus , whom he com pliments on his musical skill , and exhorts to wipe away by his exertions the proverbial disgrace attached to his coun
trymen by the appellation of Bæotian swine . — Renews his praise of Agesias , and concludes with a prayer to Neptune ,
still to keep the victor under his propitious guidance, and to render the poet's hymns agreeable to those in whose honor they are written and sung . ·
Oft as the architect 's creative hand
Bids the fair porch on golden columns rise ,
And
magnificence expand
strike the gazing eye with mute surprise
Thus splendid from afar should gleam noble deed incipient beam
The guard Jove prophetic shrine
the dome
he thy wreath Olympia
bear Sprung from that old and noble line
Who founded Syracusa fair
grateful city hymns the hero name
While her unenvying sons unite glad acclaim
this exalted station placed The son Sostratus found
inglorious chaplet graced
But with his well earn honors crown
Gwillim quaint epigram placed after the title page
his book Heraldry thus alludes the opening this
ode
The noble Pindar doth compare somewhere
With
Writing with building and instructs us there That every great and goodly edifice
Doth ask have
comely frontispiece
to a
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sixth OLYMPIC ODE .
The warrior on the battle plain , The sailor on the trackless main , Through paths of peril and dismay
Wins to renown his arduous way ,
And when his toils achieve some glorious deed ,
The memory of the good shall be his meed . 17
Agesias , may such
ready praise be thine , As to Ciclides , seer of Theban line ,
Adrastus gave , when in an earthly tomb
25 their
Himself and noble doom . 22
steeds were hurried to
But when the seven funeral pyres Raised to the dead their sacred fires,
In sorrow thus his Theban host The sun of Talaus address 'd :
· The pride of all my army lost
regret this aching breast .
is the augur's prescient light,
the warrior ' s arm of fight. ' The triumphs which these hymns afford
Wait on my Syracusan lord . 32
No lover of contention , I Respect my oath 's compulsive
Fills with
Quench 'd Nerveless
tie
And while this honest suffrage crowns my lays,
The
sweet- toned muses' quire will ratify praise
Phintis spurn each dull delay And haste the vigorous mules join
Amphiaraus
son ingenious emendation
Oicleus
the common flat reading
The commonly received interpretation
41
have here followed the Dr Blomfield Alpkq instead
diką
theword Phin
40 23
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30
PINDAR .
Pursue thy clear and open way
To reach his ancestors' remotest line. 41
No other guide our steps will need Safe through these lofty paths to lead .
Since upon their victorious brow Olympia ' s verdant chaplets glow
Then to their flight expanding wide Let us unbar the gates of song ~ Where Pitane in towering pride
45
. 50
55
60
doubtless the
true one viz the poet own soul considered
ing charioteer the body With this passage compare
’erlooks Eurotas' sacred tide, To Neptune of Saturnian race
.
:
O
This day the bard must pass along. 47
Cowley
Go the rich chariot instantly prepare
his muse
The queen
The wheels
my muse will take the
thy bold coach pass quick and free open road thee
And
Whatever god did say
thy plain and smooth
uninterrupted way cxviiiThe metaphor here strikingly similar that
Psalm
Open me the gates righteousness that may into them and give thanks unto the Lord
d
the direct
.
She the black - hair '
But when the circling moons reveal' What virgin throes her bosom long conceal'd ,
To brave Eitatides her high command Bade the attendant damsels bear
The nursling to the hero's care , Whose sceptre ruled Arcadia 's land
In fair Phæsana by Alphéus' shore .
Philtis given the elder scholiast
Evadne bore This tale to rumor 's voice we trace
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SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE .
Apollo taught her there to prove The fond solicitudes of love . 57
When time to Æpytus confess' The stolen caresses ’ fruit divine , The hero in his manly breast
Unutterable rage repress ’ d ,
And humbly sought the Pythian shrine ,
With mind intent the end to know Ofthis intolerable woe.
Her virgin zone with saffron dyed ,
And urn of silver laid aside ,
In the thick grove conceal'd from sight She brought the heavenly babe to light.
Meanwhile the god with golden hair Propitious fate invoked , and kind Eleutho ' s care .
Her pleasing pains without delay
Produced young Iamus to day . While there upon the verdant glade
By his afflicted parent laid ,
Two dragons of cærulean eye Commission 'd by the will divine ,
With bees ' innoxious produce hie
To feed the youth of heavenly line . But when from Pytho's rocky height
The monarch urged his chariot's flight, He sought of all the menial train
Evadne ' s infant to regain ,
Whom erst from his prophetic throne
Phæbus , he said , had call ’d his own. 84
I. e. Apollo : this epithet is applied by Alcæus to Ze phyrus. (Frag. v. ap. Blomf. )xpuookouaZepupu Miyeloa.
77
d
32
Thathe,o’erall of mortal birth,
Thus spoke the god — but they averr' No eye had seen , no ear had heard ;
Though since his natal day The fifth revolving sun had shed
prophetic power might Nor should his race e'er fail on earth
His sire'
PINDAR .
claim To keep alive their deathless name .
s
,
'er the infant's head . 89 Meanwhile within the rushy glade,
And tangled bushes ' thickest shade ,
His tender frame all wet with dew ,
Its lustre o
d
And gemm '
violet 's purple hue ,
d with
dfromhuman he. 93
sight lay
And hence his mother bade the prophet 's name
Conceal '
succeeding age his birth proclaim .
Soon as he gain ' opening
d from time
The golden flower of youthful prime , 110
Shrouded in night his steps he bore . Down to Alphéus ' middle shore , Invoking from the depths belowmight, His great forefather Neptune's
And potent sire , whose silver bow 115 Defends the heaven -built Delos ' height.
That public honor and renown
His brows might with their chaplet crown .
When thus in accents of eternal truth .
His father ' s voice approved the suppliant 's prayer ,
104 The exquisite , periphrasis of the original may be illus trated by a passage in Lord Byron , (Childe Harold , iv , cxvii . )
To each
Kiss'
d
by
the breath
of
The sweetness
of the violet's deep - blue dyes ,
d
heaven , seems color ' by its skies. :
SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE . . 33 " To Pisa 's crowded plain , adventurous youth , 120
Follow my call , and strive for glory there .
'
To lofty Cronium 's sun -crown ' hill they came ;
Where great Apollo bade
d
his son receive A twofold portion of prophetic fame ;
To hear the voice that knows not to deceive But when the glory of Amphitryo ' s line Alcides prosperous in each bold design Appear ' d to crown his sire 's immortal feast ,
125
From And He
every clime to call the frequent guest,
the laws each heroic game
placed the augur seat near Jove
shrine 119
130 exalted
133
108
New glories hence through Hellas grace Iamidæ illustrious race
And wealth attends crown their state For those who seek with high emprise The steep where virtue guerdon lies
The brightest walks life await his own path each seeks renown
But carping Envy most his course attends Who first win Olympia crown
140 On him sweet Grace distils lustre all her own 128
Agesias thy brave maternal line
Who dwelt beneath Cyllene hallow shade
Duly their suppliant vows and rites divine 145 Mercury the gods swift herald paid
Whose favoring power the contest law maintains And guards Arcadia richly peopled plains
By him and by his thundering sire decreed
Twelve times around the goal his chariot bends
son PIXD
Sostratus expect the victor meed 139 150
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135
PINDAR .
Another motive prompts my tongue
Which as the stone that whets the blade Upon its sharpening surface laid ,
Impels medown the flowing tide of song .
143
155
From the Stymphalian
My mother drew the vital air
Within equestrian
nymph , Metopa fair ,
Thebes, whose fame Salutes her with a founder's name.
At her pure wave my thirst I slake , and raise
The varied hymn that chants the warriors ' praise . 148
161
155
170
152 Pindar uses the same metaphor Pyth 172
probably Horace borrowed the idea his well known lines
165 The scholiast this passage gives long explanation
the scytale staff which was used battle convey
telligible Nepos
Now , Æneas , urge thy tuneful band , Parthenian Juno first demands the strain . 150
Then clear truth the old disgrace That loads Bæotia sons efface
Thou like the general trusty wand
Art charged the faithful embassy bear
From the sweet Muses with the lovely hair Who bade thy cup the sounding lays retain
Command them their grateful verse The praise Hiero rehearse
Pis 304
Fungar vice cotis acutum Reddere quæ ferrum valet exsors ipsa secandi
orders from the Lacedæmonian general that were be unin
all but the person whom they were sent Corn vit Pausan cap Aulus Gellius still more his account this enigmatical wand Lib xvII
minute
cap
and will not easily admit abbreviation Pindar calls
His description too long be transcribed
Æneas the scytale of the muses as being the faithful mes
senger conveying his poetical strains those whose honor they were addressed
Hence
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SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE .
35
That monarch whose unblemish ' sway
d Ortygia 's isle and Syracuse obey .
To Ceres and her daughter fair
Whose milk - white steeds the goddess bear ,
Duly he pays each sacred rite , 175
Adoring Jove's Ætnæan might.
His name the song and sweet -toned lyre resound ,
Oh ! may no future age his happy state confound ! 164
With willing mind may he receive
The hymn which in Agesias' praise I weave . 180
Since Fortune now the hero calls To kindred Syracuse again ,
Far from his own Stymphalian walls
That crown Arcadia 's fleecy plain .
Even thus amid the wintry tides 185
Secure the rapid vessel rides ,
If two firm anchors' grasp her hulk maintain . 173
Still may the god exalt thy state
With either nation 's prosperous fate ;
And sceptred Amphitrite ' s lord , 190
Whose trident rules the stormy sea , Through his own realm a path afford
From adverse winds and troubles free .
Adorning with sweet flowers my song,
To hail thy vessel as it speeds along . 180 195
171 The reader will be reminded by this passage , espe cially in the original, in which Hiero is spoken of as govern
ing with a clear sceptre , of Macbeth 's commendation of the
royal Duncan :
Besides , this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek , hath been
So clear in his great office . Compare Casimir Lyric
Fortius proram gemino revincit Anchora morsu
190
iv . .
187
(
.
36 .
27 . )
38
PINDAR .
Where Embolus protects wide Asia 's coast , They dwell united with the Argive host. 35
Now to Tlepolemus my song would trace
As
first source Alcides potent race
high lineage springs line
An equal lustre brings
From Jove their sire
While Amyntor
Astydameia
born race divine
But
Unnumber torments their happiest state Who the chequer scene life be past Can tell weal woe shall mark his last
Since the high founder the Rhodian state Impell fierce ungovernable hate
Laid with his olive sceptre deadly blow On earth Alcmena bastard brother low
Licymnius whom his hand Pluto sent
From Midea chamber his steps bent Tis thus the maddening tumults the mind
Have oft seduced the wisest mankind
He sought the god who could unfold The purpose the will divine
Lycia says the younger scholiast opposite
Rhodes and Lycia place called Embolus sharp and
narrow and jutting into the sea named from its resem
les and Astydameia and the Rhodians 653
ηύς
what crimes round erring mortals wait
blance the prow ship
Homer relates the history Tlepolemus son
Hercu Astydameia was the daughter Amyntor son Jupiter
Τληπόλεμος Ηρακλειδης Podov evvea vnas ayev
great length μεγας
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SEVENTH OLYMPIC ode . When thus the power with locks of gold
39
Spoke from
• Go, launch
his perfume - breathing shrine :
But carried
waft from On them
the shrine spark fire
earth the pious sacrifice the supplicated power
your
fleet from Lerne 's strand , 60 To gain the sea - encircled land ,
Where the great monarch of the skies Sent from his golden clouds a shower
With flames commission ' d to devour Th ' accepted sacrifice .
What time by aid of Vulcan 's art And brazen axe , Minerva sprang
From Jove's head with impetuous start ,
With long continued warlike clang ;
While heaven 's high dome and mother earth 70
Shuddering beheld the wondrous birth . 70
Then the god whose splendor bright Glads mortals with his radiant light Bade his loved sons the high behest obey
Them first urged rear the splendid shrine And the goddess every rite divine
With prompt submissive reverence pay This their immortal sire with joy would cheer
And please the Maid who wields her sounding spear
shadowy veil erclouds the well intending mind
Yet oft Oblivion
Then wise Prometheus
And Reason path left behind
So they obedient their heavenly sire Bade acropolis altar rise
Rain from his yellow cloud golden shower
This was clear manifestation the divine presence
counsels fail
87
To
a
of
.
79
75
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PINDAR .
Meanwhile the maid with azure eye 90
Her favor’d Rhodians deign' grace
d to Above all else of mortal race ,
With arts of manual industry . Hence framed by the laborious
hand ,
figures stand , Adorning every public street,
95
The animated
And seem to breathe in stone , or move their marble feet . 98
Wisdom true glory can impart Without the aid of magic art.
As ancient fame reports , when Jove 100 And all th ' immortal powers above
Held upon earth divided sway ;
Not yet had Rhodes in glittering pride
On Ocean ' s breast appear '
But hid beneath his briny caverns lay . 105 105
The same portent attended the birth of Apollo , according to Callimachus ( in Del . 260 . )
Χρυσεα τοι τοτε παντα θεμειλια γεινετο Δηλε ,
Χρυση δε τροχοεσσα πανημερος ερρεε λιμνη , κ. τ . λ .
Thus too , at the birth of Hercules , Bromia relates to the astonished Amphitryo , ( Act . v . sc . i. 44 . )
Ædes totæ confulgebant tuæ , quasi essent aurea . So Theocritus ( Idyl . 24 . )
* And see what light o 'er all the chamber falls ! Though yet not morn , how visible the walls !
Some strange event ! ' - Polwhele 's version .
ComparealsoHomer,Od. xix. 37 –40. _
97 Pindar probably alludes to the Telchines , an ancient
people of Rhodes , much addicted to magical fascination , from which probably they derive their name (Ov. Met . vii .
363 . )
Phæbeamque Rhodon , et Ialysios Telchinas , Quorum oculos ipso vitiantes omnia visu Jupiter exosus , fraternis abdidit undis .
d to
ride ,
seventh OLYMPIC
Then while the absent god of light
'
No friendly voice maintain ’d his right
Delay
d to claim his equal
share ,
Of all the blest assembly
Jove , to repair the wrong , in vain 110
Wish '
Retired within the hoary deep
adjudge
Since in his course the sun had found
d to
the
lots again .
fertile land with heroes crown'd ,
A
Prolific nurse of fleecy sheep. 115
Then straight gave the high command
there .
ODE
jet Are gather golden net
Lachesis whose locks
with her extended hand
The oath that binds the powers above 120
And stamp with fate the nod of Jove Which the bright isle emerging from the wave
To Phæbus and his latest offspring gave
Hence the land extends his sway Who darts the piercing beams day
124
The charioteer whose guiding
Wide over the celestial plain
His fire exhaling steeds obey 130
With Rhodos there amorous embrace Conjoin the god begat valiant race
125
130
Seven noble sons with wisdom gifts endow By their great sire above the vulgar crowd
117 This ratifying power which distinguishes Lachesis above her sister Destinies also asserted Plutarch De
Facie Orbe Lunæ sub finem
129 Their names according the scholiast were Cerca
phus Ochimus Actis Macaresas Tenages Triopes Phae thon
rein
.
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To fix
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116
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42 PINDAR .
Cameirus from this root with Lindus came ,
And Ialysus , venerable name :
Three chiefs who over the divided land equal portions held supreme command
Apart they reign and bade each city bear
The monarch name who sway
135
there 140 140
145
150
151
155
the sceptre that blest isle secure last
Twas thine Tlepolemus
meet
For each afflictive trial past recompense and respite sweet
Chief of Tirynthian hosts thee
all the pomp of sacrifice Awarded by thy just decree
The victor gains his verdant prize That crown whose double honors glow Diagoras around thy brow
On which four times the Isthmian pine And twice the Nemean olive shine
While Athens her rocky throne Made her illustrious wreath his own
Trophies many well fought field He won glory sacred cause
The Theban tripod brazen shield At Argos and Arcadia vase
Her palms Boeotia genuine contests yield
As
present deity
The fumes slaughter sheep arise
151 Athens here put synecdochically for the whole Attica Pindar the younger scholiast observes leaves doubtful what Attic contest Diagoras came off victorious
uwhether the Panathenaic the Heraclean the Eleusinian hellenic or whether he obtained the prize all
The same epithet applied Homer Ithaca
je '
11
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135
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Six times Ægina As oft Pellene
prize gain
sevexTH OLYMPIC ODE .
And graved
Thy column Megara records his name
Great sire immortal Jove On Atabyrius mount enshrined
still may thy propitious mind Th encomiastic hymn approve
Whose valorous arm
159
Which celebrates
The victor Olympia plain
robe obtain characters fame
lawful strain the cæstus knows
wield 164 171
thy constant care
Protected
citizens and strangers eyes
Still more exalted shall rise Whose virtuous deeds thy favor share
Since violence and fraud unknown 175 Treads the straight paths equity alone
His fathers counsels mindful And keep their bright example
Then not inactivity disgrace
pursue still view
The well earn fame
Who sprang from great Callianax and crown
But soon shifts the ever varying gale
The storms adverse fortune may assail 185
Th Eratidæ with splendor
their own
With and festal hymns the streets resound
Then Rhodians crown
your mirth with sober temperance 175
Rhodes which waserected temple
thine illustrious race
180
165 mountain
Jupiter containing brazen bulls that according the
scholiast had the property lowing whenever any unseemly action was about be committed there
,
joy
let
he to
to
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160
46
Hence ruled by chiefs of Doric race , Who from great Æacus their empire trace.
On him , to raise the towers of Ilium 's wall, Wide- ruling Neptune and Latona 's son
PINDAR .
(And oh ! may future ages join : Unwearied to assist their great design ! ) 38
45
work for aid to
Those towers which , when her destined course was run ,
Tremendous war 's depopulating sway 51 Should on the ground in smoky ruin lay . 47
Deign '
d in the
mighty
call .
the '
complete stately pile appear ,
When now
Their hostile forms three azure dragons reard ;
But from the threaten ’ d wall with gasping breath 55 Two fell exhausted in the pangs of death .
One with terrific shout advancing still , Apollo thus pronounced the boded
Uprear great hero thy hand Prostrate shall Pergamus be laid
For true will future ages prove
The omen sent from thundering Jove
Butnot without thy children aid
done
What the fathers
begun Shall the fourth succeeding age
Thus having clear the fatal sign Sure presage the will divine
Xanthus and the Amazonian band
Whose guiding reign generous steeds obey
And where flows Ister through the Scythian land His flaming chariot urged rapid way
Telamon and Neoptolemus
d
65
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59 65
70
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EIGHTH OLYMPIC
But he who wields the trident's might, His course to sea -beat Isthmus bent , And with his golden coursers ' flight Hither great Æacus he sent
To view from Corinth 's lofty brow
His solemn festival below .
But no delight to men secure Shall in this earthly state endure .
If of the beardless train I raise
The that praise , hymn sings Melesias'
Let not the tongue of Envy rail,
Nor with sharp stone my fame assai).
His valiant deeds in Nemea 's plain Alike inspire the poet 's strain
And next the great pancratium 's meed , Which to the strife of heroes is decreed . 77
His triumph is our surest guide ,
Whose feet the arduous paths have tried ;
But light their mind and counsel vain Whose skill could ne'er the palm obtain . Who tells his own victorious deeds
To others points the path of fame, And shows what glorious lot succeeds
His conquest in each sacred game . So thine the thirtieth garland won
Adds to thy teacher 's fame, Alcimedon . With fortune and his manly arm to aid ,
He sent four vanquish '
striplings in d back
87
shame ,
Darken ’
And gave to slandering infamy their name. . 101
d their bomeward path with
101 Statius appears to have had this highly poetical pas .
69
ode .
sorrow '
s shade
,
48 PINDAR .
' Twas this his grandsire ' s age inspired With vigorous youth 's returning breath ;
For by the victor ' s glory fired
His mind forgot the hour of death . 96 105
Be mine the task , Blepsiadæ , to raise
A record worthy of your deathless praise .
Ye whom the verdant wreath six times decreed ,
Again encircles with the victor 's meed . And even the dead will joy to share
This tribute of the poet 's care :
Since the bright actions of the just Survive unburied in the kindred dust. 105
110
115
20
Iphion tongue proclaim
There
Callimachus charm
thine ear
The tale which Hermes daughter Fame
Gave him while yet earth hear That Jove once more had deign
grace
With Pisa crown their favor race His blessings may he still impart
And ward disease bitter dart
Forbear amid the happy state Discordant Nemesis throw
But give secure their life And crown their country
flow 124 prosperous fate 116
the return the worsted
says Theb 759 pro funere pulchro
his mind when speaking
sage
and dejected Pelasgi from the field
Eunt taciti passim
Dedecorem amplexi vitam reditusque pudendos Nox favet grata profugos amplectitur umbra
,
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120
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,
THE NINTH OLYMPIC ODE .
TO EPHARMOSTUS , THE OPUNTIAN , ON HIS VICTORY IN THE PALESTRA , GAINED IN THE SEVENTY - THIRD OLYMPIAD ,
ARGUMENT .
BEGINNING with the praises of the victor , Pindar digresses to those of his native city Opus — Then , being led by the mention of the propitious power of the Graces , to speak of
Hercules ' contest with Neptune , Apollo , and Pluto , which
was carried on by their assistance , he checks himself , con
sidering it an act of impiety to relate tales that may be disparaging to any of the gods — Then follows a digression
relating to Deucalion 's flood , and the reparation of the hu man race after the waters had subsided -- The poet address ing Epharmostus and the citizens of Opus, as being de
scended from Deucalion and Pyrrha, through their daugh ter Protogeneia , who had by Jupiter a son called Opus,
from whom the city was named -. His hospitality is cele brated , and his reception , among his other guests , of Me. nætius , whose son Patroclus is mentioned with high com mendation as having assisted Achilles in his attack on
Telephus , who had put to flight the Grecian band - He then aspires to the car of the Muses , who would enable him to frame a song that might do justice to the several triumphs of Lampromachus and Epharmostus , which he enumerates ; attributing the victor' s excellence and various graces to the favor of the gods, and concluding with a com
pliment to his bero, who after his victory in the Oilean games , offered sacrifices and funeral rites at the tomb of
Ajax .
ARCHILOCHUS ' Olympic strain With triple harmony combined ,
1 It appears to have been customary to sing at the Olympic PIND .
50
PINDAR .
Might have sufficed the friendly train , And gratified the victor 's mind .
What time, as Epharmostus leads,
By Saturn 's hill the pomp proceeds. But haste the sounding shafts to throw
From the far-darting Muses'bow ; The first to heaven 's eternal king ,
Who guides the lightning 's lurid wing ; The next to Elis ' sacred tower ,
Uprear' rocky heights , d the above
Which Lydian Pelops gain ’ ,
d fair dower
Of chaste Hippodameia ' s love .
16
Toward Pytho next thine efforts bend , A sweet and winged shaft to send .
Nor shalt thou raise a feeble strain ,
Earth sprung , that falls to earth again . When in fair Opus ' praise you shake the string,
And her brave hero of the wrestler ' s ring ; Whose sons, preserved by equal laws , obey Bright Themis and her glorious daughter ' s sway .
There now the virtues florish wide , And with transplanted radiance glow ,
Blooming as by Alpheus' tide ,
Or where Castalia 's waters flow .
25
Hence from her verdant grove the frequent crown His Locrian city 's fame exalts with fair renown . 32
games a hymn of Archilochus , consisting of three strophes, and composed in honor ofHercules ; which began thus :
Καλλινικε χαιρ' αναξ 'Hpakiels .
To this Pindar here alludes.
7 Addressed to the chorus .
22 Eunomia , the genius of good government .
NINTH OLYMPIC
But I who joy my much -loved state With festal hymns to celebrate ,
Swift as the courser sweeps the plain , Or winged vessel ploughs the main ,
To all the listening world around
Will send the conquest's joyful sound . Since , aided by a hand divine ,
Within the Graces' choicest bower ,
I make their blooming treasures mine ,
And cull the sweets of every flower. For they the charms of life bestow ,
While all the brave and wise to them owe. 43
How else could great Alcides' hand With shaken club provoke to fight
their virtues 40
The god who wields the trident's might, AtPylos when he took his stand ,
To drive the hero
from the land ?
How dare to challenge as a foe The monarch of the silver bow ?
Nor could stern Pluto ' s grasp retain
Unmoved the sceptre of his reign ,
Which drives the forms devoid of breath 50
Within the hollow vale of death .
50 The office , which is here attributed to the sceptre of Pluto , is by the poets usually described as characterising the
caduceus of Mercury . See Homer Il . xxiv . 243 . Virg . Æn . iv.