TO HIPPOCLEAS , THE
THESSALIAN
, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE
RACE OF TWO STADIA , GAINED IN THE TWENTY - SECOND PYTHIAD .
RACE OF TWO STADIA , GAINED IN THE TWENTY - SECOND PYTHIAD .
Pindar
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132 PINDAR .
Whilst thy sweet arts his willing mind 55 Equestrian lord , earth -shaking Neptune, bind ;
And his sweet soul, in social converse free , Transcends the honied labor of the bee . 54
THE SEVENTH PYTHIAN ODE .
TO MEGACLES THE ATHENIAN , ON HIS VICTORY WITH THE QUADRIGÆ , GAINED IN THE TWENTY -EIGHTH PYTHIAD .
ARGUMENT .
This short ode opens with an address to Athens , whence the victor derives a great portion of his fame, tracing his lineage
to Alcmæon ; his triumphs in the different games of Greece
are enumerated – The poet expresses his concern that the happiness of Megacles should be diminished by the envy of his rivals , and the mutability of human fortune, which
however affects all men alike .
The fairest prelude to my strain Athena ' s noble walls contain ;
Whence struck , thy steeds the lyre shall grace , That hymns Alcmæon ' s potent race .
What house , what country shall I name Through Greece ofmore illustrious fame,
When all the various cities round Erectheus ' townsmen 's praise resound ?
They who in Pytho the divine ,
7
5
10
Apollo , rear'
thy
wondrous
shrine .
d Five triumphs
in the Isthmian field Urge me the lyric song to yield
EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE . 133
O Megacles ! one glorious crown,
By thee and thy forefathers gain ’
I joy that merited success
Should all thy recent efforts bless .
But I lamentthat envy's cloud
Must thy victorious actions shroud . 20
Yet such , they say , is man — whose fate
;
THE EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE
ARISTOMENES OP ÆGINA ON HIS VICTORY WITH THẾ CÆS TUS GAINED THE THIRTY FIFTH PYTHIAD
ARGUMENT
In Jove 's Olympic strife obtain ' ,
d
And two from Cirrha 's sacred town, 15
By weal or woe is chequer '
No constant happiness his state
d still Attends without approaching
d
.
16
Pindar begins this ode with quillity then expatiates
beautiful invocation Tran the might Apollo whose
Xenarces gained his Pythian conquest Then follow the praises Ægina the mother
favor Aristomenes the son
heroes especially from the descendants Æacus He then
applying
him the saying Amphiaraus that innate valor heredi tary and interweaves that seer prediction respecting the
Epigoni descendants Adrastus and the Argive chiefs who should besiege Thebes To these he subjoins the ex
resumes the commendation Aristomenes
pression
which regards him Returning the victory sup
plicates Apollo
his affection for Alcmæon and the esteem with
crown him with success future re minding him that he indebted the favor the gods
for his past glory the several instances which he pro
to ,
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134
PINDAR .
ceeds to enumerate - Expatiates on the felicity of those who conquer in the games, which is sufficient to counter balance the miseries of short- lived mortality - And con
cludes with an address to Ægina .
BLAND Quiet ! who preserv'st the state In tranquil peace serene and great,
Daughter of Justice , whose high sway Council and war alike obey,
The Pythian hymn that now I weave For Aristomenes receive ;
Since well thou know ' st thine active aid to Or mildly to the occasion bend
When ruthless anger fills the breast
Severe and hostile the foe
Thy power soon lays the storm rest
And plunges the wave below Thee ere he felt the deadly stroke
Reckless Porphyrion dared provoke But learn length the dearest gain From willing owners obtain
And she her superior strength
The boaster pride ercame length
This metaphor denoting the well ordered tranquillity which distinguishes Ægina highly poetical and
many other passages applied Pindar the same state the
origin viii
he traces Æacus See Isth
scriptural the expression Exolga klaïdas Treptatas
particularly Ol
Typho fled
That dire and monstrous hundred head
which Nem
how
the height power Matt xvi Tas KAELS Tns Baolelas Twv oupavwv Again
Kai Swow oot Apocal
See also cap
denote
Kai edoon autq KAELS TOU Opeatos TNS aßvocoy
lend ,
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Nor he who ruled the giantbrood :
For by the lightning ' deadly blow , s
And arrows of Apollo 's bow , .
Were the rebellious tribe subdued .
' Twas he that with propitious mind Received Xenarces' son ,
From Cirrha 's walls , his brows entwined
With the Parnassian bays in Doric triumph won . 29
And not, as by the Graces scorn 'd , Have Æacus ' bright race adorn 'd
In vain with virtuous deeds the isle Where cities ruled in justice smile ;
Since from old time her glorious name
Excites her sons to deeds of fame : Great heroes nourish 'd to the fight Of swiftness and victorious might ;
And tribes of meaner mortals round Throughout the earth her praises sound .
But all my vacant hours will fail ; Ere to the lyre and dulcet strain
d
I can commit the lengthen ' tale
Satiety the mind will pain . 46
Thy triumphs now , heroic boy ,
The labors ofmymuse employ,
Who shall convey with winged speed 45
The record of thy latest deed ;
21 The chief of these are briefly enumerated by Horace
(Od.
PYTHIAN ode .
Sed quid Typheus validus Mimas
Aut quid minaci Porphyrion statu Quid Rhæcus evulsisque truncis
Enceladus jaculator audax
attempt made by Porphyrion take away the oxen Hercules
The scholiast informs that verse alludes against the will the hero
of
53 ):
tous , .
ofto an
15 ?
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,
et
,
111 .
iv .
136 PINDAR .
For in th ’ Olympic wrestler's game
Tracking thy noble uncle 's fame, Thine efforts Theognotus not disgrace :
The glories of Clitomachus efface .
Thy deeds, the tribe of Midylus that raise ,
Deserve Oïcleus son's prophetic praise ;
Who erst in Thebes beheld with prescient sight
And in the strong -limb’
fray
d Isthmian The wreaths thy vigor bore away
50
55
To the seven - portalld town th ' Epigoni were come . 61
When thus he spoke : • of those whose heart Nature with generous ardor fires , 60
The martial youth still constant in the fight, When having now twice left their Argive home ,
I see th ’ impetuous youth depart,
Warm ’d with the spirit of their sires. Alcman on his refulgent shield
Whirling the dragon '
Foremost at Cadmus ' gates he bides the battle storm . 67
And he who in the former fray
s
Clearly I view , while in the field
65
Fatigued and vanquish '
urged flight ;
Adrastus of heroic might
Now views a better omen 's
Howe'er in his domestic state
by
To him alone of all the Grecian band
70
. Vex'
d
the storms of adverse
fate .
With his uninjured host by equal heaven ,
varied form
d
his way . :
54 Amphiaraus , the Theban prophet , whose son Alcmæon ,
called by Pindar Alcman , bears on his shield the insigne of a dragon . prefiguring , according to the scholiast , the death of
his father , who was to descend alive into the grave , as that animal goes into the holes and caverns of the earth . . .
EIGHTH PYTHIAN ode .
137
His dead son 's bones, collected through the land , 75 To bring to Abas ' spacious streets ' given
Twas thus Amphiaraus said And around Alcmæon head
The verdant chaplet joy place
Sprinkled with hymns mellifluous grace He guarded by whose neighb ring fane
All my possessions
safe remain prophetic centre went
To earth
By his paternal art convey
The answer night gloomy shade Which my charmed ear Apollo sent
Far darting god whose glorious dome Within the Pythian hollow stands
Receiving
Whatever suppliants thither roam
The greatest joy
And gav him
man below
thy feast eager hand
from all distant lands
Twas there thou deignedst
bestow
king
With willing mind accept my prayer And view the numbers which declare
honied pomp but words truth The deeds this victorious youth
Argos thus denominated Pindar having been built by Abas son Lynceus and father Adrastus whose
son Ægialeus was the only one the Epigoni the de scendants the seven Argive chiefs who did not return safe
their native land after the Theban war
The house Pindar stood near the temple shrine of
Alcmaon and the poet went consult the oracle the Pythian Apollo the answer was conveyed him dream
by that hero who appears have been worshipped with great reverence ouyyovolol Texvals by the art vati cination practised his father
bring The high pentathlic guerdon home
Snatch with
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138
PINDAR .
Your fate , Xenarcidæ , to bless
I ask the gods' perpetual love . 103
For should a hero 's might success With no laborious effort prove ,
His prosperous life the witless tribe To his own prudent aims ascribe .
The vigor of a mortal hand
Such happiness can ne 'er command .
For by the gods ' superior power To hope and joy the vanquish '
d rise
While he whose boundless wishes tower, 110
Triumphant in the wrestler 's hardy
Thy frame upon four prostrate bodies lay “
Pythian fray 120 The gods decreed to their loved native soil .
No wish '
d return from the dire
115
blished city
Alluding probably
Ægina by imitation the queen the gods
the Heræan contests esta those Argos the favored The Æginetæ were colony
from the Argives hence the epithet kindred Didymus
the scholiast informs are here alluded
121 think there can here kpion pro ekplon
says that the Hecatombæan contests
toil ,
little doubt that the
was decreed although some commen
tators prefer Πυθιαδι κριθη founding the interpretation on notion which believe be quite gratuitous the victors
the Pythian games being sent home crowned with bar ley chaplet Besides that the first syllable the Homeric
word kpion hordeum long 69 Od 110 xix
,
Beneath their arm defended lies. Thy valiant deeds unknown to fail ,
Delighted Megara proclaims
And Marathon Thee too in
Thrice crown'
' s sequester ' Juno ' s kindred
;
games 115
d th '
applauding Victorious Aristomenes ! 116
circle sees
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right reading
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EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE .
No mother's smile of joyful praise Could their desponding spirits raise ;
But as their steps in coward flight
139
Shunn 'd
the proud adversaries ' sight,
grief they shame and trod
125 darkest
130 131
Harass '
ways .
the
d
by
But he who has obtain 'd the meed
That crowns each fair and noble deed ,
With hope and joy transported glows .
Him swift-wing ’d valor gives to rise , And a superior good supplies
To the bliss that wealth bestows
Full often with increasing light Glitters each mortal pleasure bright And shortly dash upon the ground
By some unhappy stroke tis found Man the frail being day
Uncertain shadow dream Illumined by the heavenly beam
Flutters his easy life away
Ægina guardian
Peopled freedom generous band
Preserve this city with mother love Thee may king Æacus behold
Peleus and Telamon the bold With blest Achilles and immortal Jove
112 whereas the corresponding verse
short one
peais exwv KpEccova Tovtov
phe requires
145
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THE NINTH PYTHIAN ODE.
TO TELESICRATES , THE CYRENEAN , ON HIS VICTORY IN THE ARMED COURSE , GAINED IN THE TWENTY - EIGHTH PYTHIAD . *
ARGUMENT .
"The poet begins with celebrating the praises of his hero , which leads him to a digression concerning the early bistory
of Cyrene , the forcible abduction of the nymph from whom that city was named , and the birth of Aristæus, the fruit of
her connexion with the god Apollo - Returns to his sub ject, with which he unites the story of Iolaus , a friend of
Hercules , who , having had his life renewed for one single
day , made use of his recovered existence to overcome and slay Eurystheus - Excuses the episodical style ofhis narra
tive by the wish that all poets entertain to celebrate the praises of Hercules - Returns to the victor , and enume rates his triumphs - Recalls the memory of an old contest , in which Antæus, the Libyan , proposed as a reward to the
victor the hand of his daughter , which was gained by Alexidamas , a fellow - townsman , or ancestor , of Telesi crates .
The hero of the brazen shield , Victorious in the Pythian field ,
Great Telesicrates my lays
Would with the deep -zoned Graces praise ; Blest man ! Cyrene 's joy and crown , Equestrian seat of high renown .
* The armed course was one in which the contending heroes ran with brazen shields , as the first line indicates . This ode is remarkable for the flowing beauty of its diction ,
and general simplicity of construction .
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE .
Her in his golden car of yore
141
Ravish '
d from Pelion 's
sylvan dell, Where storms with ceaseless fury swell,
Latona 's bright - hair ’
Giving the huntress virgin ' s hand
Empire o 'er Libya's realm to keep, Third portion of the peopled land ,
That teems alike with fruits and sheep .
The silver - footed Cyprian dame Received her Delian guest ,
And with a touch ethereal press ' The heaven -built chariot' s frame ;
And o 'er his genial bed she threw
Sweet modesty of virgin hue ; Joining the god in nuptial tie
With powerful Hypseus' progeny ;
He who then made his regal sway , Th ’ impetuous Lapithæ obey :
15
offspring ; d bore
d
The second hero whose bright line From ocean drew source divine
Him erst Pindus vallies fair Peneus bed well pleased share
Daughter While
His white arm
earth Creüsa bore father tender love
Cyrene gave
prove
Alluding
child
the ancient division
into Asia Europe and Libya Africa Hypseus
Peneus was the son Oceanus and the father Cyrene was son Peneus and the nymph Creusa
daughter Tellus The description given by the poet
this passage the martial disposition Creusa will remind
the classical reader the character Camilla sketched by
Virgil
Æn vii 805
Bellatrix non illa colo calathisve Minervæ Fæmineas assueta manus sed prælia virgo Dura pati cursuque pedum prævertere ventos
the habitable globe
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,
142
PINDAR .
Not fond with dull delay to pore The web 's repeated progress o’ er ,
Nor hallow with domestic rites
The banquet's festival delights .
But with her dart and brazen spear
The beasts of savage brood to chase ,
And render free from
Her father 's herds of quiet race ;
Permitting the dull weight of sleep
But lightly o 'er her lids to creep ; When on her sweet and tranquil bed
The early beams of morn were shed . 44
every fear
Her , as unarm '
d she
waged
the
fight
'Gainst an impetuous lion ' might, s
Apollo found , whose matchless aft From his broad quiver wings the dart.
Then Chiron from his mansion straight Hebade the potent call await.
• Hasten , Phillyrides , to leave
The dark and venerable cave ,
In mute astonishment survey
What mind a woman dares display ;
Fearless of heart , what perils dread She brings to her courageous head ,
A damsel whose unconquer ' d soul No labors tire , no fears control !
Whatmortal gave her vital air ?
Sprung from what source , a scion fair
Holds she th ' umbrageous mountain ' s breast, 60 With more than human valor blest ? 60
Is it a hallow 'd action , say ,
By fraud to seek the virgin bower ,
And pluck with ruthless arm away
The sweetness of her hallow 'd flower ?
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE .
To him the sturdy centaur , while From relaxing brow smile
placid sweetness softly broke Withoutdelay his counsel spoke
The key that opes persuasion wise
Conceal mystic darkness lies
Since gods and men alike approve Phæbus that ingenuous shame
Should hide the deeds sacred flame And all secrecy love
But thee whom
Somemotive Has with feign
falsehood doubtful kind
can reach
ignorance inclined utter this ambiguous speech
For whence
The damsel Whose eye
king thy fond desire lineage inquire
all events surveys The fated end the various ways
Who what leaves the teeming earth spring prolific hour gives birth
What sands are moved when waves tempestuous swell Canst number with omniscient mind
And every future period find
Which time revolving course shall impel
But with thine must compare Mywisdom this will declare
Her husband thou who seek this vale Shalt the paths ocean sail
Thus Apollo with oracular voice declares Herod Clio xlvii
himself Οιδα εγω ψαμμου αριθμον και μετρα θαλασσης
δ'
if
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86
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144
PINDAR .
And to the verdant plain of Jove Convey the object of thy love .
Thou shalt appoint Cyrene there
The ruler of a city fair , Collecting all the island train
.
' S
100
105 103
To the steep hill that crowns the plain . Now sacred Libya' s empire wide Possesses thine illustrious bride ,
Who her fair residence shall hold That glitters with imperial gold .
Justly to her that fertile field
Will
unceasing produce yield land with fruits abundant crown
95
Where beasts unnumber graze around
She shall produce offspring there
Whom the high throned Hours and Earth
Illustrious Mercury shall bear
From the dear author his birth
They their knees the babe shall place Bidding his young and tender
Sweet nectar and ambrosia
And with immortal honor grace Making the rustic shepherd boy
Whom mortals Aristæus name Skill pursue the savage game
His friends delight and dearest joy Adored with almost equal love
110
115
120
To sacred Phoebus Jove
116 breast
Thus having said wedlock
he moved his fully bless
soil and climate ship paid there
figurative
expression denoting
Libya called Jupiter Ammon
the amenity the account the wor
sip
to of
'
; or so ,
be
,
94
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NINTH PYTHIAN ODE . 145
But when the gods to action speed ,
Short is the road and swift the deed . 125 That very day 's revolving sun
Beheld the fated purpose done :
Saw them on
Which in each contest gains renown .
Once more upon the Pythian plain , Carneades , thine offspring brave
By the bright wreath which Fortune gave ,
For her new lustre joys to gain 135
.
Join ' the d in
Libya ' hymeneal
s
golden strand
;
Where she protects that beauteous town 130
Glory
band
for her his conquests weave Who shall with willing mind receive
The hero from the Delphic toil ,
In his loved female -beauteous soil. 132
Great virtues ask a lengthen ’d song 140 But to adorn a high emprise
Briefly , is grateful to the wise ;
Since its due limits to each act belong . Seven -portall’d Thebes great Iolaus knew
The fitting opportunity pursue . 145 Him , when the proud Eurystheus ' head
His vengeful sword had severed ,
By charioteer Amphitryo 's tomb Earth hid within tranquil breast
Whither ages past had come 150 His grandsire earth sown warrior guest
Who dwelt where milk white coursers Sounded the Cadmæan street 147
PIND
Compress
his and Jove embrace With the same pang Alcmena bore
feet
.
155
;
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in by
in
.
,'
s
,
-
its -
'
,
th '
To them will I the hymn address Who crown my efforts with success .
Ne'er let the vocal Graces' ray
Oft raised this glorious city 's name, Once in Ægina's day of fight,
And thrice on the Megarean height ;
my lay Cease to illuminate .
165
170
Already has the victor '
s
fame
PINDAR .
146
Forgetting the Dircæan spring , 160 That nurtured him and Iphicles , to sing .
Of sons a twin heroic race .
Mute and unskill 'd in sacred lore Were he who would refuse to raise His voice in great Alcides ' praise ;
Forbidding
Silence to draw her dusky veil . 163
Then let the friendly townsmen tell , Nor even the candid foe conceal
o
' er the victor' s tale
What his strong arm hath wrought so well , . Laborious for the common weal. 175
The words of ocean ' s hoary sage
Submissive reverence should engage . • Crown even an enemy 's fair deed
With approbation ' s honest meed . '
Thee too at Pallas ' stated feasts 180
Her husband or her offspring thee
Has wish ’d , O Telesicrates, to be ! 176 185
To him in bright Olympia 's day , And in deep -bosom ’d Rhea ' s fray ,
Full often have my eyes survey '
o
d
' er th ' assembled guests ,
Triumphant
While many a silent gazing maid
As
From me then , who the debt would pay , 190 Slaking my thirst of song , they claim
Once more to build the lyric
And hymn thy great forefathers fame
Irasa walls the suitors came
seek the Libyan nymph Antæus fair hair
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE .
And heroes on his native field The palm in every contest yield .
147
dame 187
Kinsmen with many Illustrious throng
Eager crop The floweret
But her ambitious sire whose ear From Argive Danaus joy hear That he had bound wedlock tie
His numerous virgin progeny
Ere yet the sun resplendent light
brighter hymeneal chain 200
For the stadium farthest end
195
200
205
210
215
Had traveli its meridian
For his own daughter hoped gain
place And bade the amorous train contend
By skill the pedestrian race Where each aspiring hero strove
win the object his love Twas thus the Libyan sire allied
The husband his destined bride
195 Named the scholiast Barce Alceis
the whole choir
Irasa was city the Tritonian lake The Antæus here mentioned
stranger vied call her bride
sublime
form
golden prime
not be confounded with the gigantic antagonist Her cules
height
. to in
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148
PINDAR .
Adorn ' Close
d with her the goal
bright array
bade her stay 208
Sweet issue their manly toil
Her garments thus he cried aloud Who touches first all the crowd
Shall bear away the lovely spoil
Alexidamus then who press
Through the swift course before the rest
Seizing the noble virgin
Led her through Libya warlike band 25
him many strife before
The leafy crown they gave victory wing
soar 220
hand
227 The metaphor here the same
the conclusion
the fourteenth Olympic ode and the last the ninth Pythian
129 the eighth and
considers the expression appears be favorite
which passage the scholiast simply periphrasis for victory
image with Pindar denote the exultation produced by victory the ardent mind West
however his note tains the opinion founded
the fourteenth Olympic ode main passage Plutarch that the literal sense denote some
the Olympic wreaths
word wings taken emblematical ornaments added
Let the reader decide
be .
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THE TENTH PYTHIAN ODE .
TO HIPPOCLEAS , THE THESSALIAN , ON HIS VICTORY IN THE
RACE OF TWO STADIA , GAINED IN THE TWENTY - SECOND PYTHIAD .
ARGUMENT .
The poet, tracing the victor's lineage to Aristomachus , the descendant of Hercules, attributes his conquest to the favor of Apollo , and the example of his father Phricias
Expresses his wishes for the perpetuity of the good fortune which both father and son have acquired , and which is so great that no mortal can surpass it; as the traveller who has arrived at the Hyperborean regions can proceed no
farther - This leads him to a digression on the mythology of the Hyperboreans - Pindar then checks himself, and concludes with renewed commendation of the victor , and
his kinsmen and brothers , Thorax , & c. , whose glorious deeds ennoble their native Thessaly .
Blest Lacedæmon ! Thessaly the blest ! Whose sceptred kings their potent race
To the same valiant Hercules can trace ; Why should my ardent spirit raise
Strains of unseasonable praise ? But me prophetic Pytho ' s wall ,
Aleva's sons and Pelinæum call;
Wishing
With strains of high renown by tuneful bards ex
Hippocleas to grace
press ’
d
.
10
For in the contests as he tried his strength , Amphictyon 's host and the Parnassian cave
10
6 Aleva was an ancient king of Thessaly , from whom the inhabitants were named. Pelinæum was the native city of the victor . It is doubted by commentators whether the word 'Aplotouaxou be used by Pindar as an epithet to Hercules , or to denote one of the Heraclidæ , from whom Aleva derived
his origin . The scholiast asserts the former .
150
PINDAR .
Pronounced him foremost of the youthful brave,
Contending in the double ' length s
stadium . Apollo ! if thine aid befriend ,
Sweet is man's onset and his end ;
This deed the youth achieved through thee , And thine auspicious deity .
Twice from the field , by kindred fire , Urged in the footsteps of his sire ,
, 15
Th ’ Olympic chaplet he convey ’ ,
d In martial panoply array’d . 23
And where, upon her sheltering plain ,
Beneath the rock fair Cirrha lies , Swift -footed Phricias joy 'd to gain
The Pythian contest 's glorious prize . In times to come may prosperous fate
Exalt, as now , their blissful state !
Nor , having gain ' ample
d an share
Of all that Greece esteems as fair ,
May envious blasts from heaven assail The victims of a backward gale . 31
Still may the god with liberal heart Unshaken happiness impart !
30
Hymn '
Who with strong hands or rapid
d isthatmanin
poets
lay
'
feet
Has borne the noblest palms away :
In whom firm strength and valor meet . Still living , by his youthful son
Who saw the Pythian garlands won . Not yet to them the lot is given
To scale the brazen soil of heaven :
41 This epithet of Olympus is repeated in the seventh Isth mian ( v . 72 ) . It will probably remind the reader of that ter . rible prophetic denunciation of the Jewish lawgiver ( Deut .
TENTH PYTHIAN ODE .
But the remotest point that lies Open to human enterprise
151
But not along the wondrous way
To Hyperborean crowds can ships or feet convey . 48
Of old , as at their sacred feast ,
Whole hecatombs appeased the god , The steps of an illustrious guest,
Perseus, their habitation trod ;
Whose festivals and songs of praise Apollo with delight surveys ;
And smiles to see the bestial train In wanton pride erect and vain . 56
Yet never will th ' impartial Muse
To dwell with minds like these refuse : Around them move the virgin choirs ,
The breathing flutes and sounding lyres ; .
And twining with their festive hair 60 The wreath of golden laurel fair ,
With temperate mirth and social glee They join in solemn revelry .
3 ) : • Thy heaven that is over thy head shall be
46 This digression to the Hyperborean regions, which
Pindar here seems to consider as the western boundary of
Their course has 'd well skill' The wide expanse of glory 's deep ;
gain , sweep
d to
xxviii . brass . '
the world , and to the story of Perseus , who came suddenly on the pious inhabitants as they were sacrificing hecatombs
of wild asses to Apollo , is greatly censured by the scholiast as an unreasonable deviation from the original scope and design of the ode. But these irregularities are so character istic of our poet , that whatever place or persons the progress of his story leads him , however slightly , to mention , we look as a matter of course for any mythological record connected with them .
152
PINDAR .
Nor dire disease, nor wasting age, Against their sacred lives engage : But free from trouble and from strife, Through the mild tenor of their life
Secure they dwell , nor fear to know Avenging Nemesis their foe .
Erst, breathing with a heart of flame, The valiant son of Danae came ;
Who by divine Athena's hand,
Led to the blest heroic band ,
Slew Gorgon , and her dire head bore
With dragon locks all cover'
And thus , with stony ruin fraught,
'er ; Death to islanders brought
But when the gods their power display How strange soe the mighty deed Firm reverence and belief pay
Nor doubt nor wonder shall impede Restrain the oar and from the prow Fix secure against the shock
Of many sea embosom rock Your anchor the deep below
For now encomiastic lay
Like bee that flits changeful wing
fresher glories hastes away
But ardent hope inspires my breast
That while the Ephyræans sing My sweet lays Peneus spring
Hippocleas above the rest Mindful each triumphant crown Among the old the virgin train And fellow combatants the strain
Shall dignify with bright renown
do
,
,84 , ,
,
of ,
th '
,
,
.
,
'
’ he d
.
, to .
To
a
,
by ;' on er
,
.
iv ; .
to
'
;
,
,
of
.
;
.
36
. on
of, ,;
.
', s.
'd
no
' d
s s
in to
132 PINDAR .
Whilst thy sweet arts his willing mind 55 Equestrian lord , earth -shaking Neptune, bind ;
And his sweet soul, in social converse free , Transcends the honied labor of the bee . 54
THE SEVENTH PYTHIAN ODE .
TO MEGACLES THE ATHENIAN , ON HIS VICTORY WITH THE QUADRIGÆ , GAINED IN THE TWENTY -EIGHTH PYTHIAD .
ARGUMENT .
This short ode opens with an address to Athens , whence the victor derives a great portion of his fame, tracing his lineage
to Alcmæon ; his triumphs in the different games of Greece
are enumerated – The poet expresses his concern that the happiness of Megacles should be diminished by the envy of his rivals , and the mutability of human fortune, which
however affects all men alike .
The fairest prelude to my strain Athena ' s noble walls contain ;
Whence struck , thy steeds the lyre shall grace , That hymns Alcmæon ' s potent race .
What house , what country shall I name Through Greece ofmore illustrious fame,
When all the various cities round Erectheus ' townsmen 's praise resound ?
They who in Pytho the divine ,
7
5
10
Apollo , rear'
thy
wondrous
shrine .
d Five triumphs
in the Isthmian field Urge me the lyric song to yield
EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE . 133
O Megacles ! one glorious crown,
By thee and thy forefathers gain ’
I joy that merited success
Should all thy recent efforts bless .
But I lamentthat envy's cloud
Must thy victorious actions shroud . 20
Yet such , they say , is man — whose fate
;
THE EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE
ARISTOMENES OP ÆGINA ON HIS VICTORY WITH THẾ CÆS TUS GAINED THE THIRTY FIFTH PYTHIAD
ARGUMENT
In Jove 's Olympic strife obtain ' ,
d
And two from Cirrha 's sacred town, 15
By weal or woe is chequer '
No constant happiness his state
d still Attends without approaching
d
.
16
Pindar begins this ode with quillity then expatiates
beautiful invocation Tran the might Apollo whose
Xenarces gained his Pythian conquest Then follow the praises Ægina the mother
favor Aristomenes the son
heroes especially from the descendants Æacus He then
applying
him the saying Amphiaraus that innate valor heredi tary and interweaves that seer prediction respecting the
Epigoni descendants Adrastus and the Argive chiefs who should besiege Thebes To these he subjoins the ex
resumes the commendation Aristomenes
pression
which regards him Returning the victory sup
plicates Apollo
his affection for Alcmæon and the esteem with
crown him with success future re minding him that he indebted the favor the gods
for his past glory the several instances which he pro
to ,
of
,
is -
of
— ofa
IN
,
to
of
.
he of
,,; —
,
to
,
ill .
,
, of s
'
, of of ,
of
in
of
,
23
he ,
,
by to
.
, to
of
is
-
,
on
-
TO
.
134
PINDAR .
ceeds to enumerate - Expatiates on the felicity of those who conquer in the games, which is sufficient to counter balance the miseries of short- lived mortality - And con
cludes with an address to Ægina .
BLAND Quiet ! who preserv'st the state In tranquil peace serene and great,
Daughter of Justice , whose high sway Council and war alike obey,
The Pythian hymn that now I weave For Aristomenes receive ;
Since well thou know ' st thine active aid to Or mildly to the occasion bend
When ruthless anger fills the breast
Severe and hostile the foe
Thy power soon lays the storm rest
And plunges the wave below Thee ere he felt the deadly stroke
Reckless Porphyrion dared provoke But learn length the dearest gain From willing owners obtain
And she her superior strength
The boaster pride ercame length
This metaphor denoting the well ordered tranquillity which distinguishes Ægina highly poetical and
many other passages applied Pindar the same state the
origin viii
he traces Æacus See Isth
scriptural the expression Exolga klaïdas Treptatas
particularly Ol
Typho fled
That dire and monstrous hundred head
which Nem
how
the height power Matt xvi Tas KAELS Tns Baolelas Twv oupavwv Again
Kai Swow oot Apocal
See also cap
denote
Kai edoon autq KAELS TOU Opeatos TNS aßvocoy
lend ,
Her nor Cilician
i.
to
18 .
41
û
iv 'by d .
. .
.
.
& c. ,
.
of
19 s at ;,
fit
!
,
to
to
'
(
,
.
( at. to -
, . )
.
.
-
In 5 28
v ;of .
4 ,
,
.
'
is. v to
. by
o'
is 24
. ,-
18
,
in ) 19
. ; .
,
ix . 1
, is
in 20
,,
in
.
to, 9 ,
eightH
Nor he who ruled the giantbrood :
For by the lightning ' deadly blow , s
And arrows of Apollo 's bow , .
Were the rebellious tribe subdued .
' Twas he that with propitious mind Received Xenarces' son ,
From Cirrha 's walls , his brows entwined
With the Parnassian bays in Doric triumph won . 29
And not, as by the Graces scorn 'd , Have Æacus ' bright race adorn 'd
In vain with virtuous deeds the isle Where cities ruled in justice smile ;
Since from old time her glorious name
Excites her sons to deeds of fame : Great heroes nourish 'd to the fight Of swiftness and victorious might ;
And tribes of meaner mortals round Throughout the earth her praises sound .
But all my vacant hours will fail ; Ere to the lyre and dulcet strain
d
I can commit the lengthen ' tale
Satiety the mind will pain . 46
Thy triumphs now , heroic boy ,
The labors ofmymuse employ,
Who shall convey with winged speed 45
The record of thy latest deed ;
21 The chief of these are briefly enumerated by Horace
(Od.
PYTHIAN ode .
Sed quid Typheus validus Mimas
Aut quid minaci Porphyrion statu Quid Rhæcus evulsisque truncis
Enceladus jaculator audax
attempt made by Porphyrion take away the oxen Hercules
The scholiast informs that verse alludes against the will the hero
of
53 ):
tous , .
ofto an
15 ?
,
,
et
,
111 .
iv .
136 PINDAR .
For in th ’ Olympic wrestler's game
Tracking thy noble uncle 's fame, Thine efforts Theognotus not disgrace :
The glories of Clitomachus efface .
Thy deeds, the tribe of Midylus that raise ,
Deserve Oïcleus son's prophetic praise ;
Who erst in Thebes beheld with prescient sight
And in the strong -limb’
fray
d Isthmian The wreaths thy vigor bore away
50
55
To the seven - portalld town th ' Epigoni were come . 61
When thus he spoke : • of those whose heart Nature with generous ardor fires , 60
The martial youth still constant in the fight, When having now twice left their Argive home ,
I see th ’ impetuous youth depart,
Warm ’d with the spirit of their sires. Alcman on his refulgent shield
Whirling the dragon '
Foremost at Cadmus ' gates he bides the battle storm . 67
And he who in the former fray
s
Clearly I view , while in the field
65
Fatigued and vanquish '
urged flight ;
Adrastus of heroic might
Now views a better omen 's
Howe'er in his domestic state
by
To him alone of all the Grecian band
70
. Vex'
d
the storms of adverse
fate .
With his uninjured host by equal heaven ,
varied form
d
his way . :
54 Amphiaraus , the Theban prophet , whose son Alcmæon ,
called by Pindar Alcman , bears on his shield the insigne of a dragon . prefiguring , according to the scholiast , the death of
his father , who was to descend alive into the grave , as that animal goes into the holes and caverns of the earth . . .
EIGHTH PYTHIAN ode .
137
His dead son 's bones, collected through the land , 75 To bring to Abas ' spacious streets ' given
Twas thus Amphiaraus said And around Alcmæon head
The verdant chaplet joy place
Sprinkled with hymns mellifluous grace He guarded by whose neighb ring fane
All my possessions
safe remain prophetic centre went
To earth
By his paternal art convey
The answer night gloomy shade Which my charmed ear Apollo sent
Far darting god whose glorious dome Within the Pythian hollow stands
Receiving
Whatever suppliants thither roam
The greatest joy
And gav him
man below
thy feast eager hand
from all distant lands
Twas there thou deignedst
bestow
king
With willing mind accept my prayer And view the numbers which declare
honied pomp but words truth The deeds this victorious youth
Argos thus denominated Pindar having been built by Abas son Lynceus and father Adrastus whose
son Ægialeus was the only one the Epigoni the de scendants the seven Argive chiefs who did not return safe
their native land after the Theban war
The house Pindar stood near the temple shrine of
Alcmaon and the poet went consult the oracle the Pythian Apollo the answer was conveyed him dream
by that hero who appears have been worshipped with great reverence ouyyovolol Texvals by the art vati cination practised his father
bring The high pentathlic guerdon home
Snatch with
,
;
, ,is d’
- to 's
,
I
by
-
,
of '
st
81
to
76
''
as of
of
of
in
In
, an atof
,
to, '
' . ass
to ofby 'I to i, ,d
, of,Оto ':
e to,, . .
of
,
to
i,
.
.
,,.
tis
in a
or . e
,.
. '
of
.
of , as
,,
,,, ,
87
' s
138
PINDAR .
Your fate , Xenarcidæ , to bless
I ask the gods' perpetual love . 103
For should a hero 's might success With no laborious effort prove ,
His prosperous life the witless tribe To his own prudent aims ascribe .
The vigor of a mortal hand
Such happiness can ne 'er command .
For by the gods ' superior power To hope and joy the vanquish '
d rise
While he whose boundless wishes tower, 110
Triumphant in the wrestler 's hardy
Thy frame upon four prostrate bodies lay “
Pythian fray 120 The gods decreed to their loved native soil .
No wish '
d return from the dire
115
blished city
Alluding probably
Ægina by imitation the queen the gods
the Heræan contests esta those Argos the favored The Æginetæ were colony
from the Argives hence the epithet kindred Didymus
the scholiast informs are here alluded
121 think there can here kpion pro ekplon
says that the Hecatombæan contests
toil ,
little doubt that the
was decreed although some commen
tators prefer Πυθιαδι κριθη founding the interpretation on notion which believe be quite gratuitous the victors
the Pythian games being sent home crowned with bar ley chaplet Besides that the first syllable the Homeric
word kpion hordeum long 69 Od 110 xix
,
Beneath their arm defended lies. Thy valiant deeds unknown to fail ,
Delighted Megara proclaims
And Marathon Thee too in
Thrice crown'
' s sequester ' Juno ' s kindred
;
games 115
d th '
applauding Victorious Aristomenes ! 116
circle sees
,
d
vale
right reading
,
.
εν ( I
, is
us ),be ,
(Il .
. to of
xi .
,
;
at .
in . ,
ix .
of
,
in a
,
,
to
:
,
;
. . as
a
,
a
is I
of in
to ;of, .
,
,
120
EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE .
No mother's smile of joyful praise Could their desponding spirits raise ;
But as their steps in coward flight
139
Shunn 'd
the proud adversaries ' sight,
grief they shame and trod
125 darkest
130 131
Harass '
ways .
the
d
by
But he who has obtain 'd the meed
That crowns each fair and noble deed ,
With hope and joy transported glows .
Him swift-wing ’d valor gives to rise , And a superior good supplies
To the bliss that wealth bestows
Full often with increasing light Glitters each mortal pleasure bright And shortly dash upon the ground
By some unhappy stroke tis found Man the frail being day
Uncertain shadow dream Illumined by the heavenly beam
Flutters his easy life away
Ægina guardian
Peopled freedom generous band
Preserve this city with mother love Thee may king Æacus behold
Peleus and Telamon the bold With blest Achilles and immortal Jove
112 whereas the corresponding verse
short one
peais exwv KpEccova Tovtov
phe requires
145
the antistro
the land
avo
,
a
;, !
all
:
'of of a
' d
, &
c . )
in
,
.
a
s
of a
' s
.
by
,, ,, ,
. ,.
,
.
'
:
THE NINTH PYTHIAN ODE.
TO TELESICRATES , THE CYRENEAN , ON HIS VICTORY IN THE ARMED COURSE , GAINED IN THE TWENTY - EIGHTH PYTHIAD . *
ARGUMENT .
"The poet begins with celebrating the praises of his hero , which leads him to a digression concerning the early bistory
of Cyrene , the forcible abduction of the nymph from whom that city was named , and the birth of Aristæus, the fruit of
her connexion with the god Apollo - Returns to his sub ject, with which he unites the story of Iolaus , a friend of
Hercules , who , having had his life renewed for one single
day , made use of his recovered existence to overcome and slay Eurystheus - Excuses the episodical style ofhis narra
tive by the wish that all poets entertain to celebrate the praises of Hercules - Returns to the victor , and enume rates his triumphs - Recalls the memory of an old contest , in which Antæus, the Libyan , proposed as a reward to the
victor the hand of his daughter , which was gained by Alexidamas , a fellow - townsman , or ancestor , of Telesi crates .
The hero of the brazen shield , Victorious in the Pythian field ,
Great Telesicrates my lays
Would with the deep -zoned Graces praise ; Blest man ! Cyrene 's joy and crown , Equestrian seat of high renown .
* The armed course was one in which the contending heroes ran with brazen shields , as the first line indicates . This ode is remarkable for the flowing beauty of its diction ,
and general simplicity of construction .
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE .
Her in his golden car of yore
141
Ravish '
d from Pelion 's
sylvan dell, Where storms with ceaseless fury swell,
Latona 's bright - hair ’
Giving the huntress virgin ' s hand
Empire o 'er Libya's realm to keep, Third portion of the peopled land ,
That teems alike with fruits and sheep .
The silver - footed Cyprian dame Received her Delian guest ,
And with a touch ethereal press ' The heaven -built chariot' s frame ;
And o 'er his genial bed she threw
Sweet modesty of virgin hue ; Joining the god in nuptial tie
With powerful Hypseus' progeny ;
He who then made his regal sway , Th ’ impetuous Lapithæ obey :
15
offspring ; d bore
d
The second hero whose bright line From ocean drew source divine
Him erst Pindus vallies fair Peneus bed well pleased share
Daughter While
His white arm
earth Creüsa bore father tender love
Cyrene gave
prove
Alluding
child
the ancient division
into Asia Europe and Libya Africa Hypseus
Peneus was the son Oceanus and the father Cyrene was son Peneus and the nymph Creusa
daughter Tellus The description given by the poet
this passage the martial disposition Creusa will remind
the classical reader the character Camilla sketched by
Virgil
Æn vii 805
Bellatrix non illa colo calathisve Minervæ Fæmineas assueta manus sed prælia virgo Dura pati cursuque pedum prævertere ventos
the habitable globe
.
;
,
or ,
; of
’ d
he
a of in
,. to ,
, of
sq of
. )
of
,' s,
-
.
of 25
13
( . -
, of ,
'
of
of of . of
,
to
as
in
,
,
,
to
,
,
,
32
’ its
,
142
PINDAR .
Not fond with dull delay to pore The web 's repeated progress o’ er ,
Nor hallow with domestic rites
The banquet's festival delights .
But with her dart and brazen spear
The beasts of savage brood to chase ,
And render free from
Her father 's herds of quiet race ;
Permitting the dull weight of sleep
But lightly o 'er her lids to creep ; When on her sweet and tranquil bed
The early beams of morn were shed . 44
every fear
Her , as unarm '
d she
waged
the
fight
'Gainst an impetuous lion ' might, s
Apollo found , whose matchless aft From his broad quiver wings the dart.
Then Chiron from his mansion straight Hebade the potent call await.
• Hasten , Phillyrides , to leave
The dark and venerable cave ,
In mute astonishment survey
What mind a woman dares display ;
Fearless of heart , what perils dread She brings to her courageous head ,
A damsel whose unconquer ' d soul No labors tire , no fears control !
Whatmortal gave her vital air ?
Sprung from what source , a scion fair
Holds she th ' umbrageous mountain ' s breast, 60 With more than human valor blest ? 60
Is it a hallow 'd action , say ,
By fraud to seek the virgin bower ,
And pluck with ruthless arm away
The sweetness of her hallow 'd flower ?
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE .
To him the sturdy centaur , while From relaxing brow smile
placid sweetness softly broke Withoutdelay his counsel spoke
The key that opes persuasion wise
Conceal mystic darkness lies
Since gods and men alike approve Phæbus that ingenuous shame
Should hide the deeds sacred flame And all secrecy love
But thee whom
Somemotive Has with feign
falsehood doubtful kind
can reach
ignorance inclined utter this ambiguous speech
For whence
The damsel Whose eye
king thy fond desire lineage inquire
all events surveys The fated end the various ways
Who what leaves the teeming earth spring prolific hour gives birth
What sands are moved when waves tempestuous swell Canst number with omniscient mind
And every future period find
Which time revolving course shall impel
But with thine must compare Mywisdom this will declare
Her husband thou who seek this vale Shalt the paths ocean sail
Thus Apollo with oracular voice declares Herod Clio xlvii
himself Οιδα εγω ψαμμου αριθμον και μετρα θαλασσης
δ'
if
o’ ' to
-
(
86
.
. )
be
! in
τ' II of
! to
in
of a
,
of .
,
er s 's '
, ofs,
' d
' st
ne '
In
To
,
O
In
his
. er
89 90
e;
,
O
’ d
of a
;'; ,
.
er
,
,
68
.
,
.
74 ? . ,
,
144
PINDAR .
And to the verdant plain of Jove Convey the object of thy love .
Thou shalt appoint Cyrene there
The ruler of a city fair , Collecting all the island train
.
' S
100
105 103
To the steep hill that crowns the plain . Now sacred Libya' s empire wide Possesses thine illustrious bride ,
Who her fair residence shall hold That glitters with imperial gold .
Justly to her that fertile field
Will
unceasing produce yield land with fruits abundant crown
95
Where beasts unnumber graze around
She shall produce offspring there
Whom the high throned Hours and Earth
Illustrious Mercury shall bear
From the dear author his birth
They their knees the babe shall place Bidding his young and tender
Sweet nectar and ambrosia
And with immortal honor grace Making the rustic shepherd boy
Whom mortals Aristæus name Skill pursue the savage game
His friends delight and dearest joy Adored with almost equal love
110
115
120
To sacred Phoebus Jove
116 breast
Thus having said wedlock
he moved his fully bless
soil and climate ship paid there
figurative
expression denoting
Libya called Jupiter Ammon
the amenity the account the wor
sip
to of
'
; or so ,
be
,
94
AIn A
to
or
- an
to
' d
. of
on
,
,
,
lip
of of
,.
’ d
.
.
' d
on
to
its
to
; ;d
,
,
' ,
. ,
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE . 145
But when the gods to action speed ,
Short is the road and swift the deed . 125 That very day 's revolving sun
Beheld the fated purpose done :
Saw them on
Which in each contest gains renown .
Once more upon the Pythian plain , Carneades , thine offspring brave
By the bright wreath which Fortune gave ,
For her new lustre joys to gain 135
.
Join ' the d in
Libya ' hymeneal
s
golden strand
;
Where she protects that beauteous town 130
Glory
band
for her his conquests weave Who shall with willing mind receive
The hero from the Delphic toil ,
In his loved female -beauteous soil. 132
Great virtues ask a lengthen ’d song 140 But to adorn a high emprise
Briefly , is grateful to the wise ;
Since its due limits to each act belong . Seven -portall’d Thebes great Iolaus knew
The fitting opportunity pursue . 145 Him , when the proud Eurystheus ' head
His vengeful sword had severed ,
By charioteer Amphitryo 's tomb Earth hid within tranquil breast
Whither ages past had come 150 His grandsire earth sown warrior guest
Who dwelt where milk white coursers Sounded the Cadmæan street 147
PIND
Compress
his and Jove embrace With the same pang Alcmena bore
feet
.
155
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To them will I the hymn address Who crown my efforts with success .
Ne'er let the vocal Graces' ray
Oft raised this glorious city 's name, Once in Ægina's day of fight,
And thrice on the Megarean height ;
my lay Cease to illuminate .
165
170
Already has the victor '
s
fame
PINDAR .
146
Forgetting the Dircæan spring , 160 That nurtured him and Iphicles , to sing .
Of sons a twin heroic race .
Mute and unskill 'd in sacred lore Were he who would refuse to raise His voice in great Alcides ' praise ;
Forbidding
Silence to draw her dusky veil . 163
Then let the friendly townsmen tell , Nor even the candid foe conceal
o
' er the victor' s tale
What his strong arm hath wrought so well , . Laborious for the common weal. 175
The words of ocean ' s hoary sage
Submissive reverence should engage . • Crown even an enemy 's fair deed
With approbation ' s honest meed . '
Thee too at Pallas ' stated feasts 180
Her husband or her offspring thee
Has wish ’d , O Telesicrates, to be ! 176 185
To him in bright Olympia 's day , And in deep -bosom ’d Rhea ' s fray ,
Full often have my eyes survey '
o
d
' er th ' assembled guests ,
Triumphant
While many a silent gazing maid
As
From me then , who the debt would pay , 190 Slaking my thirst of song , they claim
Once more to build the lyric
And hymn thy great forefathers fame
Irasa walls the suitors came
seek the Libyan nymph Antæus fair hair
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE .
And heroes on his native field The palm in every contest yield .
147
dame 187
Kinsmen with many Illustrious throng
Eager crop The floweret
But her ambitious sire whose ear From Argive Danaus joy hear That he had bound wedlock tie
His numerous virgin progeny
Ere yet the sun resplendent light
brighter hymeneal chain 200
For the stadium farthest end
195
200
205
210
215
Had traveli its meridian
For his own daughter hoped gain
place And bade the amorous train contend
By skill the pedestrian race Where each aspiring hero strove
win the object his love Twas thus the Libyan sire allied
The husband his destined bride
195 Named the scholiast Barce Alceis
the whole choir
Irasa was city the Tritonian lake The Antæus here mentioned
stranger vied call her bride
sublime
form
golden prime
not be confounded with the gigantic antagonist Her cules
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148
PINDAR .
Adorn ' Close
d with her the goal
bright array
bade her stay 208
Sweet issue their manly toil
Her garments thus he cried aloud Who touches first all the crowd
Shall bear away the lovely spoil
Alexidamus then who press
Through the swift course before the rest
Seizing the noble virgin
Led her through Libya warlike band 25
him many strife before
The leafy crown they gave victory wing
soar 220
hand
227 The metaphor here the same
the conclusion
the fourteenth Olympic ode and the last the ninth Pythian
129 the eighth and
considers the expression appears be favorite
which passage the scholiast simply periphrasis for victory
image with Pindar denote the exultation produced by victory the ardent mind West
however his note tains the opinion founded
the fourteenth Olympic ode main passage Plutarch that the literal sense denote some
the Olympic wreaths
word wings taken emblematical ornaments added
Let the reader decide
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THE TENTH PYTHIAN ODE .
TO HIPPOCLEAS , THE THESSALIAN , ON HIS VICTORY IN THE
RACE OF TWO STADIA , GAINED IN THE TWENTY - SECOND PYTHIAD .
ARGUMENT .
The poet, tracing the victor's lineage to Aristomachus , the descendant of Hercules, attributes his conquest to the favor of Apollo , and the example of his father Phricias
Expresses his wishes for the perpetuity of the good fortune which both father and son have acquired , and which is so great that no mortal can surpass it; as the traveller who has arrived at the Hyperborean regions can proceed no
farther - This leads him to a digression on the mythology of the Hyperboreans - Pindar then checks himself, and concludes with renewed commendation of the victor , and
his kinsmen and brothers , Thorax , & c. , whose glorious deeds ennoble their native Thessaly .
Blest Lacedæmon ! Thessaly the blest ! Whose sceptred kings their potent race
To the same valiant Hercules can trace ; Why should my ardent spirit raise
Strains of unseasonable praise ? But me prophetic Pytho ' s wall ,
Aleva's sons and Pelinæum call;
Wishing
With strains of high renown by tuneful bards ex
Hippocleas to grace
press ’
d
.
10
For in the contests as he tried his strength , Amphictyon 's host and the Parnassian cave
10
6 Aleva was an ancient king of Thessaly , from whom the inhabitants were named. Pelinæum was the native city of the victor . It is doubted by commentators whether the word 'Aplotouaxou be used by Pindar as an epithet to Hercules , or to denote one of the Heraclidæ , from whom Aleva derived
his origin . The scholiast asserts the former .
150
PINDAR .
Pronounced him foremost of the youthful brave,
Contending in the double ' length s
stadium . Apollo ! if thine aid befriend ,
Sweet is man's onset and his end ;
This deed the youth achieved through thee , And thine auspicious deity .
Twice from the field , by kindred fire , Urged in the footsteps of his sire ,
, 15
Th ’ Olympic chaplet he convey ’ ,
d In martial panoply array’d . 23
And where, upon her sheltering plain ,
Beneath the rock fair Cirrha lies , Swift -footed Phricias joy 'd to gain
The Pythian contest 's glorious prize . In times to come may prosperous fate
Exalt, as now , their blissful state !
Nor , having gain ' ample
d an share
Of all that Greece esteems as fair ,
May envious blasts from heaven assail The victims of a backward gale . 31
Still may the god with liberal heart Unshaken happiness impart !
30
Hymn '
Who with strong hands or rapid
d isthatmanin
poets
lay
'
feet
Has borne the noblest palms away :
In whom firm strength and valor meet . Still living , by his youthful son
Who saw the Pythian garlands won . Not yet to them the lot is given
To scale the brazen soil of heaven :
41 This epithet of Olympus is repeated in the seventh Isth mian ( v . 72 ) . It will probably remind the reader of that ter . rible prophetic denunciation of the Jewish lawgiver ( Deut .
TENTH PYTHIAN ODE .
But the remotest point that lies Open to human enterprise
151
But not along the wondrous way
To Hyperborean crowds can ships or feet convey . 48
Of old , as at their sacred feast ,
Whole hecatombs appeased the god , The steps of an illustrious guest,
Perseus, their habitation trod ;
Whose festivals and songs of praise Apollo with delight surveys ;
And smiles to see the bestial train In wanton pride erect and vain . 56
Yet never will th ' impartial Muse
To dwell with minds like these refuse : Around them move the virgin choirs ,
The breathing flutes and sounding lyres ; .
And twining with their festive hair 60 The wreath of golden laurel fair ,
With temperate mirth and social glee They join in solemn revelry .
3 ) : • Thy heaven that is over thy head shall be
46 This digression to the Hyperborean regions, which
Pindar here seems to consider as the western boundary of
Their course has 'd well skill' The wide expanse of glory 's deep ;
gain , sweep
d to
xxviii . brass . '
the world , and to the story of Perseus , who came suddenly on the pious inhabitants as they were sacrificing hecatombs
of wild asses to Apollo , is greatly censured by the scholiast as an unreasonable deviation from the original scope and design of the ode. But these irregularities are so character istic of our poet , that whatever place or persons the progress of his story leads him , however slightly , to mention , we look as a matter of course for any mythological record connected with them .
152
PINDAR .
Nor dire disease, nor wasting age, Against their sacred lives engage : But free from trouble and from strife, Through the mild tenor of their life
Secure they dwell , nor fear to know Avenging Nemesis their foe .
Erst, breathing with a heart of flame, The valiant son of Danae came ;
Who by divine Athena's hand,
Led to the blest heroic band ,
Slew Gorgon , and her dire head bore
With dragon locks all cover'
And thus , with stony ruin fraught,
'er ; Death to islanders brought
But when the gods their power display How strange soe the mighty deed Firm reverence and belief pay
Nor doubt nor wonder shall impede Restrain the oar and from the prow Fix secure against the shock
Of many sea embosom rock Your anchor the deep below
For now encomiastic lay
Like bee that flits changeful wing
fresher glories hastes away
But ardent hope inspires my breast
That while the Ephyræans sing My sweet lays Peneus spring
Hippocleas above the rest Mindful each triumphant crown Among the old the virgin train And fellow combatants the strain
Shall dignify with bright renown
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