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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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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
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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
.
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or
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.
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
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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
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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
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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
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,
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
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,
.
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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
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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
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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
,
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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
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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
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THE FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE .
TO ARCESILAUS OF CYRENE , ON HIS VICTORY IN THE CHARIOT RACE , GAINED IN THE THIRTY - FIRST PYTHIAD .
ARGUMENT .
In the opening of this extremely long and highly poetical ode
Pindar , whose subject leads him to the mention of Cyrene , interweaving mythology with historical relation , digresses to the origin of the colony , and the prediction given by
Medea to Euphemus , one of the Argonauts , and subjoins the interpretation of it from the Delphic oracle given to Battus concerning the origin of the colony which was to be
planted by him in Libya - This introduces a long and episo dical narration of the Argonautic expedition ; the slaying
of the dragon , and the recovery of the golden fleece - The
simple and beautiful description of Jason 's sudden ap
pearance among the citizens of Iolcos — The remainder of
the ode is occupied with admonitions to Arcesilaus respect
ing the prudent and judicious government of his kingdom - -
In this part the piety and wisdom of the poet are con spicuous , although it may be justly doubted whether the con
clusion be altogether suitable to the nature of a lyric ode .
This day thy prompt assistance lend , Muse, to the hero and the friend ,
Lord of Cyrene , famed generous steeds Delphi and Apollo raise
The well earn melody praise
As the bright pomp Arcesilaus leads ages past the priestess there
Who near Jove golden eagles held her throne With voice oracular made known
What truths the present god inspired her declare
These were placed near the Delphic tripod and proba bly gave rise the story the two birds sent by Jupiter
to
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104 PINDAR .
That Battus , when he left the sacred isle , (The colonist of Libya's fruitful land ,)
Should rear th ' equestrian city ' s towering pile , Secure upon its chalky rock to stand . 15
And treasured in his mind should lie
Medea 's ancient prophecy .
Which when the seventeenth age was past, . .
Æetes ' vengeful child foretold ,
In every point fulfill'd at last, The sons of Thera should behold .
The Colchian queen , inspired to tell
What from her lips immortal fell ,
Thus spoke the Fates' supreme command To warlike Jason 's naval band :
• From gods and mighty heroes sprung , Give ear to my prophetic tongue .
Hereafter from this sea-beat shore The child of Epaphus shall move,
By mortals cherish '
The majesty of Libyan Jove .
,
And plant the root where men adore
30
28
Instead oars their rein shall steer The cars that mock the storm career
That omen issuing from the skies True will the sure event declare
Then the short finn
Shall they direct the rapid steed
d as before
one from the east and the other from the west order ascertain the true centre the earth and which met at Pytho Delphi
The island Thera Callista pursuits they Instead the naval islanders
shall emulate the equestrian skill their continental neigh hors
dolphin speed
3211 .
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FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE . 105
When spacious Thera shall arise ,
Metropolis of cities fair :
Which at the mouth of the Tritonian lake ,
From the great god in human form , whose hand
To his kind host return '
d the fertile land
,
Euphemus hurried from the prow To ratify the sign , Saturnian Jove
Thunder '
auspicious
to take . throne above
d
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
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106
PINDAR .
Obedient to the will divine ,
The hero leapt upon the strand ,
Receiving with extended hand
The mystic earth his fates assign :
briny
gather s shadows '
Was from the vessel heard to glide Far in the watery gulf profound . 70
Full oft had I the menial train
To guard that precious gift enjoin '
Thatwhelm ' When evening '
tide
,
And render'
d all
my vain . caution
d beneath the
,
d round
d; But dull oblivion seized their mind ,
Now in this isle is shed before the time
Th’ immortal seed of spacious Libya 's clime : 80
For when by sacred Tænarus he past , Whose subterranean mouth to Hades leads ,
Athome the treasure had Euphemus cast ,
Great Neptune 's son , who rules his potent steeds ;
Whom in a former age Europa bore, Daughter of Tityus, on Cephisus ' shore 82
His children ' s fourth succeeding race Had seized , with Grecian arms to aid ,
space ;
When , exiles from great Sparta made ,
The continent 's extended
Mycenæ and the Argive bay ,
The wand ' ring train pursue their way .
Now will he find that chosen race
Sprung from the Lemnian dames' embrace ,
When honor'd by th' immortal host, They come to this sea - girded coast ,
83 Virgil appears to have imitated this passage (Georg . iv .
467 ) : Tænarias etiam fauces , alta ostia Ditis,
Et caligantem nigra formidine lucum
Ingressus , Manesque adiit , Regemque tremendum .
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE . 107
And there beget the man , whose reign Shall stretch o'er Libya 's clouded plain .
Phoebus will his decree unfold ,
That he in ships should bring a numerous band Far as Saturnian Nilus' fruitful land . 99
Such were the strains by fate inspired That dropp from sage Medea tongue
Silent the godlike men admired
Pythian dome
When to the sacred
That glitters with abundant gold , 100 Battus in after times shall come,
And round
Bade the sublimest hopes maintain
105 The scholiast says that Pindar here mentions Nilus instead of Jupiter since this river was by the Egyptians
worshipped god He also quotes hemistich from Par
meno addressing the Nile the Egyptian Jove ALYVATIE Ζευ Νειλε
111 The expression the original remarkable ueniora Aerpis Callimachus the priestesses Ceres
Δηοι ουκ απο παντος υδωρ φορεουσι Μελισσαι
attention hung Polymnestus thee
this spontaneous strain 110 The Delphic priestess augury
Blest son Gladden
Perhaps jedloga this sense may not improbably derived from the He
See the annotation Benedict edition
brew yobos intercessor interpreter whose office was smooth render agreeable the suit the petitioner Park
hurst verb same root
speaking
Meliora bee probably descends from the primitive meaning sweet Virgil indeed
Pythagorean says Georg
the bee some sages have assign
Hence
portion the god
253
and heavenly mind
Sotheby Version
Pis 391 sucer interpresque deorum Genesis xlii
Horace Orpheus
The word
of .
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,
108 PINDAR . Thrice cried her monitory voice ,
.
• Cyrene
When thou inquiredst at the Pythian
The doubtful issue of the voice divine, 112
And now , as in the vernal hour
Empurpled glows each opening flower , So shines his eighth succeeding race ,
Arcesilaus' youthful grace . Apollo in the Pythian field
And just amphictyons ' high decree To his triumphant coursers yield
The glorious palm of victory .
Him will I to the Muses ' train
Give with the ram 's bright fleece of gold ,
Minyæ
Honors from heaven 'twas theirs to gain . 123
urge their bark career what cause was found chains of adamant what peril bound
Twas doom that Pelias should expire
force fraudulent design
Who waked the hero vengeful ire
's destined
king , rejoice
! ' shrine
For which when sail'
d the
bold
,
Sprung from the brave Æolian line
To his quick thought returning still 135
Delphi spoke
sounds woe that loud and shrill
From earth well wooded centre broke
And bade his jealous mind beware The man with foot sandal bare
When from Chiron high retreat
The oracle
The stranger citizen
should come
famed Iolcos western seat
And gain length foreign home
Then brandishing his double spear
Approach
the wondrous mortal near
130
140
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125
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE .
Wrapp '
Within
Magnesian , and the foreign pard ,
'Gainst pelting rains the surest guard ; 150 While locks in sacrifice unshorn
His ample back with grace adorn . Straight coming on with quiet tread ,
da
He show ' mind devoid of dread . 151
When one among th ' assembled crowd 155 Turn ’d to the unknown , thus spoke aloud :
Otus , and thou , king Ephialtes bold . The virgin huntress ' rapid dart
d are his limbs of beauteous mould a double vesture 's fold
'Tis not Apollo
I behold
<
Nor Venus'spouse, the god ofwar, Who thunders in his iron car ,
Long since , as ancient fame has told , Deceased in fertile Naxos lie Iphimedeia ' s progeny ,
From her unconquer '
And high aspiring Tityus slew ,
That mortals may desire to prove The transports of permitted love .
,
164
So they their mutual thoughts impart .
Then with his mules and polish ' Came Pelias rushing from afar ,
Mute wonder held his mind in thrall Soon as alone the right foot round
He view '
But with dissembled fear address ' The monarch , his unwelcome guest :
d the well -known sandal d
163 Homer Od 304 gives the same character the
Aloida gemini See also Virg Æn 581 and Stat Theb
850
Vidisti Aloidas cum cresceret impia tellus
d car
bound .
109
,
quiver
d flew
, &
,
iv .
c . .
.
of
175
X .
.
.
(
) .
.
vi .
.
;
.
110 PINDAR .
• What country boast'st thou thy dear land to call ?
Fair offspring of a spotless womb ,
By mortal lineage art thou come ?
Tell quickly thine illustrious race , 180
Nor by detested lies disgrace , 178
To him the bold and fearless youth
In placid words this answer gave :
“ I come from Chiron 's shady cave ,
Who disciplined my soul to truth . 185
By Chariclo and Philyra the fair ,
Centaurus ' daughters , I was nurtured there .
But when the twentieth year had fled , Homeward my youthful steps I bent .
To them no word of parting said , 190 Nought that could mark my intent
take the sceptre of the land
Grasp another lawless hand An honor which the king of heaven
folus and his sonshad given 192 195
For fame reports that Pelias bold Slave his wishes uncontroll
My honor
parents rightful sway Has snatch with violence away
They when first the light survey Dreading the haughty leader pride
Sent me purple robes array While female shrieks every side
Raised through the house solemn show The mimic note funeral woe
When only dark and silent night Was conscious ofmy secret flight
And Saturnian Chiron gave
The nurture his hand crave 205
200
205
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FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE ,
But all the tale ye know full well Where rose my noble sire ' s abode
111 210
In car with milk -white steeds who rode , Illustrious townsmen , clearly tell.
Great Æson ' s offspring , lo ! I come
A native to no foreign home. 215
From Saturn sprung , the heavenly beast
charge by
His Jason 's name address’
He spoke : a father 's doting eye Soon recognised his progeny ;
And from his aged lids below
The copious tears began to flow ;
Which showed the soul's o ’ erflowing To see his best and loveliest boy .
Attracted the hero
them both Æson brothers came
This Pheres from Hyperia fountain calls And Amythaon from Messene walls
These soon Admetus and Melampus join
To greet their kinsman with friendly mind
But the sixth Repeats his tale
Then follow haste he from
once more the youth words truth
the kindred band the mansion went
fame
Them the hospitable board 230 Jason with courteous speech address
And bade the cheer profusely stored Exhilarate the frequent guest
Five days and nights their courses roll
While pleasure warms each festive soul 233 235
Their steps Pelias dome they bent 240 On rushing with tumultuous stand
Soon the sound assail his ear Camebright hair Tyro offspring near
,
d
. '
220 joy
225
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112
• Petræan Neptune 's son , the mind To praise deceit is more inclined ,
Than justice , though in grief it end , And to a bitter issue tend .
Hence let our lawless anger cease ,
Be the future joy and peace One mother full well know
Bore Cretheus and Salmoneus bold And the third race from them who flow We the sun golden might behold
The Fates survey with adverse eyes When impious kindred feuds arise
Tis not for with sword dart
Jason 's
lips
The mild and gentle speech distill’
From
with sweetness
fill’
PINDAR .
d d
,
. 245 245
250
255 260
260
With all our parents
Which thou hast seized enlarging thine 265
Nor shall my mind with envy grieve
see thy house new wealth receive But thou the sceptred monarch throne
Seat of old Cretheus royal son
That perforate the brazen Our fathers ample wealth
shield part
The heritage their glories yield
the white flocks that graze the plain And yellow herds thee resign
justice fraught his equestrian subjects taught
Whence he the laws with
These without pain that both must rue Restore lest fresher grief ensue 276
When thus the youthful hero spoke From Pelias thismild answerbroke
wide domain
:
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Now warn me life
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE .
.
280
285
While thou art fresh
Potent thy vigorous arm shall prove
infernal godheads
though tardy age
closing stage
youth gay floweret still
wrath remove Phryxus high behest fulfil
And murder
Haste from Æetes chambers bear
My soul he cried and golden hair On the ram fleecy back outspread
That once certain refuge gave
stepdame treachery and the wave
From
Twas thus the wondrous vision said
Where the Castalian waters flow
go
When straight the voice prophetic there
search the oracle
Bids me for naval flight prepare thou thy prompt assistance lend
Which may this arduous contest end swear make the lot thine own
monarchise and rule alone
Firm witness the faithful oath Be Jove the common sire both
They part this compact ratified
295 298
300
305
trump fame proclaim
every side
Thither the sons
And Saturnian
Alcmena too her eyelids set
Jason the herald His instant voyage Urges sound
Within silken
fringe
Leda fair Jove repair
281 Phryxus whose manes Pelias craftily insinuates are be appeased by the youthful Jason was the father
Athamas and Ino who were driven from their paternal soil and died Colchis
PIND
. in
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H
,
s ; a's
to
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. of ' be , s of—
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290
113
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114
PINDAR .
Two heroes of th' earth -shaker 's race , Whose locks in clustering beauty play ,
Dreading by fear or dull delay Their ancient valor to disgrace ;
From Pylos one directs his flight ,
310
And one from the Tænarean height.
Be this , Euphemus , to thy glory told ,
And thine , O Periclymenus the bold !
The harper Orpheus join ’ d the valiant train
Apollo's vaunted son , and father of the strain . 315
,
Sent his twin sons , whose bosoms beat To join the enterprising band
With fervent youth 's impetuous heat .