r*f.V,-<:Jjt 
 
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PINDAR 
 
 TRANSLATED BY 
 
 THE REV. C. A. WHEELWRIGHT. 
 
 PREBENDARY OF LINCOLN. 
 
 AND 
 
 AN AC RE O N 
 
 TRANSLATED BY THOMAS BOURNE. 
 
 'iilfosif^ 
 
 NEW. 
 
 HARPER & BROTHERS, 82 CLIFF-ST. 
 
^5V 
 
 
 i-r\ 
 
 C O N T E N T S. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Preface v 
 
 Biographical Skietch of Pindar vii 
 
 THE OLYMPIC ODES. 
 
 Of the Olympic Games 16 
 
 Ode 1 17 
 
 — Li 25 
 
 — III. . 32 
 
 — IV 37 
 
 — V 39 
 
 — VI 42 
 
 — VII 50 
 
 — VIII .58 
 
 — IX 63 
 
 — X 70 
 
 — XI 76 
 
 — XII 78 
 
 — XIII 80 
 
 — XIV 87 
 
 THE PYTHIAN ODES. 
 
 Of the Pythian Games 90 
 
 Odd 91 
 
 — II 100 
 
 — Ill 107 
 
 — IV • . . 115 
 
 — V 133 
 
IV CONTENTS. 
 
 CV.eVI 140 
 
 - VII 143 
 
 ~ V'lII 145 
 
 — IX. . , 151 
 
 — X. . . . 159 
 
 — XI 164 
 
 — XII 168 
 
 THE NEMEAN ODES. 
 
 Of the Nemean Games . 172 
 
 Ode I 173 
 
 — II .177 
 
 — Ill 180 
 
 — IV 185 
 
 — V . . . .191 
 
 — VI 196 
 
 — VII 200 
 
 — VIII 207 
 
 — IX 211 
 
 — X 216 
 
 — XI 223 
 
 THE ISTHMIAN ODES. 
 
 Of the Isthmian Games 228 
 
 Ode 1 229 
 
 — II 233 
 
 — Ill 236 
 
 — IV 238 
 
 — V 243 
 
 — VI 247 
 
 — VII 251 
 
 — Vni 255 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The version of Pindar's Odes which is here offered to 
 the public was first -undertaken in compliance with a sug- 
 gestion contained in a critique written some years ago in the 
 Quarterly Review ; to which was annexed, by way of illus- 
 trating the plan, a metrical translation of the first two Olym- 
 pic odes, in which the usual division into strophe, antis- 
 trophe, and epode was neglected, after it had been exposed 
 in a strain of playful irony, and that into corresponding para- 
 graphs made use of in its stead. 
 
 The versions of these two odes were afterward repub- 
 lished at the end of a small volume of poems by the late 
 Bishop Heber ; and this plan appeared to the author of the 
 present translation to be so worthy of adoption, that he has 
 been induced to go regularly through the odes in the same 
 manner ; and now submits his effort to the ordeal of public 
 opinion. 
 
 If the sentiment of Denham, in his fine panegyric on Sir 
 R. Fanshaw, translator of II Paster Fido, expressed in the 
 following Unes, be well founded, 
 
 " Nor ought a genius less than his that writ, 
 Attempt translation ; for transplanted wit 
 All the defects of air and soil doth share, 
 And colder brains like colder climates are," 
 
 few would be sufficiently bold to grapple in verse with a poet 
 of so sublime a genius as the Theban bard ; the difficulty of 
 transfusing whose peculiar beauties into another language 
 can be appreciated by those alone who have attempted to 
 preserve this poet's sublimity without soaring into empty 
 loftiness ; and to adopt his occasional free tone of diction, 
 without degenerating into the language of colloquial famil- 
 iarity : so high a degree of caution is required in the trans- 
 lator always to be on his guard, lest 
 
 " Migret in obscuras humili sermone tabemas ; 
 Aut dum vitat humum, nubes et inauia captet." 
 
 HORAT. AD PiSON. 229. 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 But whatever fate may attend the present version, I shall 
 scarcely know how to repent of the temerity which urged 
 me to the undertaking, and induced me to persevere in a 
 labour that has furnished an agieeable occupation for many 
 a vacant hour. 
 
 It has been my wish to give throughout my version some 
 idea of the energetic, but rather abrupt, style and manner 
 of an author whose language is exalted by sentiments of 
 piety and genuine patriotism — deserved encomiums to the 
 virtuous and brave, as well as heartfelt gratitude to his gen- 
 erous benefactors ; whose various compositions are appealed 
 to as authority in doubtful cases by Cicero, Pausanias, and 
 other ancient writers quoted by the scholiast on different 
 passages ; whom Plato distinguishes by the epithets most 
 wise and divine ; who was considered by one of the early 
 Christian fathers, Clement of Alexandria, to have been well 
 versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and to have 
 borrowed many passages from that treasury of sacred wis- 
 dom and sublime eloquence, particularly from the Book of 
 Proverbs ; to whom, while living, honours all but divine 
 were paid ; and whose dwelling was spared, many ages after 
 his death, in the general sack of his native city. 
 
 I have annexed a brief account of the four most celebrated 
 games of Greece, as well as an analysis of each ode ; suffi- 
 cient, I trust, to show the connection of idea that often binds 
 together the most apparently digressive of Pindar's compo- 
 sitions ; and added occasional illustrative notes, which may 
 be found useful in explaining historical and mythological al- 
 lusions : nor shall I, perhaps, be thought too presuming in 
 expressing a hope that the English reader may now be en- 
 abled to form a more accurate idea of the poetical character 
 of Pindar than he has hitherto been enabled to effect. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 OP 
 
 PINDAR 
 
 Pindar was a native of Thebes in Boeotia, or, 
 as some authors, among whom is the geographical 
 writer Stephanus Byzantinus, affirm, of the town of 
 Cynocephali, which was mider the Theban juris- 
 diction. He was the son of the musician Scope- 
 linus, or, according to Suidas, of Deiphantus and 
 Myrto : his birth is stated by the same author to 
 have taken place in the sixty-fifth Olympiad, cor- 
 responding nearly with the year 520, A.C. His 
 parents were probably of obscure situations in life, 
 although of illustrious descent ; as he asserts in 
 his fifth Pythian ode that they were of the same 
 origin with Arcesilaus, king of Gyrene. It is said 
 of Pindar when verging to manhood, that a presage 
 of his future lyrical eminence was drawn from the 
 circumstance of a swarm of bees having settled on 
 his lips. For his early skill in musical and poet- 
 
Vlll BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 ical composition he is said to have been chiefly 
 indebted to the instructions of Corinna ; against 
 v/hom, however, when a competitor for the prize, 
 it was his fate to be adjudged inferior in no fewer 
 than five contests : but this perhaps is as much to 
 be attributed to the personal charms of his fair ri- 
 val as to her poetical superiority ; since in the 
 other Grecian assemblies, which did not allow of 
 female competitors, he was almost invariably de- 
 clared victorious. He also received instruction 
 from Simonides of Ceos, at that time the most cel- 
 ebrated lyric poet in Greece. He was contempo- 
 rary with iEschylus, and senior to Bacchylides, 
 having flourished one hundred and fifty years later 
 than Alcman, one hundred after Alcaeus, and fifty 
 after Stesichorus, and surpassed them all in lyrical 
 excellence. Of his numerous compositions, con- 
 sistmg of hymns in honour of the gods, paeans to 
 Apollo, dithyrambics to Bacchus, funeral songs, 
 and odes to the victors at the four great festivals 
 of Greece, the latter only have been preserved to 
 us, with the exception of some considerable frag- 
 ments, one especially of great poetical beauty on 
 the solar eclipse, cited by Dionysius of Halicar- 
 nassus, and the opening verses of a fine dithyram- 
 bic hymn. 
 
 One slight effort of Pindar's juvenile muse has 
 also escaped the ravages of time, but not sufiiciently 
 
OF PINDAR. ix 
 
 considerable to have served, like Pope's Ode on 
 Solitude, or Cowley's Constantia and Philetus, as 
 a presage of that future excellence which placed 
 him, when he had attained his fortieth year, in the 
 first rank of the lyric poets of Greece. 
 
 The encomiums which our poet often lavishes on 
 the wealthy have sometimes been mentioned as a 
 subject of reproach ; but if Pindar's chaste and 
 decorous muse delighted to panegyrize kings, demi- 
 gods, and heroes, in common with the poets of his 
 time, we shall not be able to find throughout his 
 odes any instance of vice in high station flattered, 
 or prosperous wickedness enriched by the golden 
 dews of poetical adulation. In the sincere and ju- 
 dicious advice which he fearlessly bestows on Mi- 
 cro or Arcesilaus, the reader will be reminded of 
 our own Chaucer, who, in the independent spirit of 
 true genius, concludes his " Ballade sent to Kin^ 
 Richard" by this grave admonition to the reigning 
 monarch : — 
 
 " Prince, desire to be honourable, 
 Cherish thy folk, and hate extortion," &c. 
 
 It is to the bold and animated language of the 
 Theban bard that we are in a great measure in- 
 debted for the feeling and interest that accompany 
 the contemplation of those magnificent festivals 
 which, being interwoven with the structure of the 
 
 B 
 
X BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 popular religion, hailed by the hopes of the religious 
 and the aspirations of the devout, have no parallel 
 in the history of modern solemnities. 
 
 His hymns and paeans in honour of Apollo were 
 frequently chanted in the temples of Greece by the 
 poet, seated in his iron chair, which was afterward 
 placed as a venerable relic in the temple at Del- 
 phi ; and the priestess herself declared it to be the 
 will of the presiding deity that Pindar should be re- 
 warded with one half of the first fruits which were 
 ofTered at his shrine.* 
 
 We are not acquainted with many particulars of 
 his early life, but may collect from the accounts of 
 various authors that the character of the living 
 bard was held in the highest degree of estimation, 
 especially by King Hiero, and his memory after 
 death contemplated with the deepest reverence. 
 It is related of him that he had a particular devo- 
 tion for the god Pan, and therefore took up his 
 abode near the temple of that deity. He was ap- 
 pointed to coni|K)se the hymns which were sung by 
 the Theban virgins in honour of that mystic em- 
 blem of universal nature. It also appears from 
 Pyth. iii., 139, that near the dwelling of Pindar 
 stood a shrine or chapel dedicated to the great god- 
 dess Rhea, where the nymphs were wont to assem- 
 
 * See the note on the tenth Olympic ode, line 61. 
 
OF PINDAR. ' XI 
 
 ble at the close of day for the purpose of perform- 
 ing their vows to her and to Pan. We further 
 learn from Aristodemus, quoted by the scholiast on 
 this passage, that Pindar himself raised this shrine 
 to the venerable Mother of the Gods. He likewise 
 cites a fragment of an ode or choral hymn ad- 
 dressed to Pan by our poet, invoking that deity, as 
 president of Arcadia, and companion of the nymphs 
 in their dances, to smile propitiously on his songs. 
 Indeed, the piety of the Theban bard is everywhere 
 conspicuous, and worthy of admiration. It is re- 
 lated by Plutarch, in his Life of Alexander, that 
 when, after a most determined and vigorous de- 
 fence, the city of Thebes was levelled to the ground 
 by that conqueror, the posterity of Pindar were ex- 
 empted from the hard fate which attended his cap- 
 tive fellow-townsmen. 
 
 The same honour had on a former occasion been 
 paid to the habitation of his descendants by the 
 Lacedaemonians ; and Pausanias, the Grecian 
 traveller, relates that he had seen the ruins of this 
 house near the fountain Dirce. 
 
 The manner of Pindar's death has been variously 
 related by diiTerent authors. Pausanias gravely 
 records as authentic the traditionary tale, that 
 while our poet wb.s living in the height of honour 
 and glory, Proserpine appeared to him in a dream, 
 and complained that she alone of all the deities 
 
Xll BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 had been neglected in his poems : this defect he 
 promised to supply as soon as he should arrive in 
 the kingdom of Pluto, when he would consecrate a 
 hymn to her honour ; and that he died either in the 
 theatre or the gymnasium on the tenth day after 
 his dream. 
 
 Another account, by Valerius Maximus, (b. ix., 
 c. 12,) is so far removed from all recorded instances 
 of the departure of illustrious men from the world, 
 as naturally to excite the skepticism of the reader 
 — although it is mentioned by that author as a sign 
 of the favourable regard of the gods, no less than 
 the excellence of his poetic faculty. This event 
 is said to have taken place when the poet had at- 
 tained the advanced age of eighty-six years, A 
 monument was erected to his memory in the hip- 
 podrome at Thebes, near the Prostaean Gate, at the 
 distance of a furlong from the city, and an inscrip- 
 tion engraved on it, recording his candid and agree- 
 able manners both to his fellow-townsmen and to 
 strangers. 
 
 The reader will perhaps net be displeased if to 
 this short biograpliical sketch is added, from 
 Heyne's exceHent edition, a life of Pindar digested 
 according to th«? order of years, together with a 
 notice of the victors who are celebrated in his 
 ody^. 
 
 Olymp. 65,1, A.C. 520, Pindar bom. 
 
OF PINDAR. xiL 
 
 [Suidas says that he was forty years of age at tho 
 battle of Salamis, which account agrees with 
 this.] 
 
 ^t. Olymp. Pyth. A.C. 
 
 22 70,3 22 498 Hippocleas victor— Pyth. x. 
 30 72,3 24 490 Xenocrates— Pyth. vi. 
 Battle of Marathon. 
 In the same, or in the 25th 
 
 Pythiad, Midas gains the 
 
 prize on the flute — Pyth. xii. 
 32 73,1 488 Epharmostus— 01. ix. 
 
 36 74,1 484 Agesidamus — 01. x. and xi. 
 
 40 75,1 480 Battle of Salamis. 
 
 42 75,3 27 478 Hiero conquers in racing — 
 
 Pyth. iii. 
 44 76,1 476 Asopichus — 01. xiv. 
 
 46 76,3 28 474 Megacles— Pyth. vii.— Telesic- 
 
 rates — Pyth. ix. 
 48 77,1 472 Theron— 01. ii. and Ergoteles 
 
 —01. xii. 
 50 77,3 29 470 Hiero in the chariot race — 
 
 Pyth. i. 
 54 78,3 30 4G6 Telesicrates— Pyth. ix. 
 56 79,1 464 Xenophon in the stadic course 
 
 —01. xiii. 
 58 79,3 31 462 Arcesilaus— Pyth. iv. and v. 
 60 80,1 460 Alciniedon— 01. ¥ii/. 
 
 66 81,3 33 454 Thrasydaeus— Pyth. xi. 
 68 82,1 452 Psaumis — 01. iv. and v. 
 
 74 83.3 35 446 Aristomenes— Pyth. viii. 
 
XIV BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PINDAR. 
 
 This, according to Corsini, (Fast. Att.) is the 
 year of Pindar's death, which however is by differ- 
 ent authors assigned to various years between the 
 79th and 87th Olympiad.* 
 
 * The various themes on which his prolific muse was em 
 ployed are thus enumerated by Horace, in his ode beginning 
 " Pindarum quisquis," &c. ; which it may not displease the 
 English reader to peruse in the paraphrase of our excellent 
 Cowley : — 
 
 " Whether th' immortal gods he sings 
 
 In a no less immortal strain, 
 Or the great acts of god-descended kings. 
 
 Who in his numbers still survive and reign ; 
 Whether in Pisa's race he please 
 To carve in polish'd verse the conqueror's images ; 
 Whether some brave man's untimely fate 
 In words worth dying for he celebrate ; 
 Such mournful and such pleasing words, 
 As joy to his mother's and his mistress' grief affords.'* 
 
THE OLYMPIC ODES. 
 
OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES. 
 
 Thb Olympic Games, the most illustrious of all in Greece, 
 take their name from Olympia, a city of Elis, the place of their 
 celebration; or from having been instituted by Hercules in 
 honour of Jupiter Olympius, after a victory obtained over Auge- 
 as, tyrant of Elis, B. C. 1222. They were held at the full moon 
 on the first month of every fifth year, and lasted five days, as 
 appears from 01. v., 15. -cfxirTancpois sv afuWan. 
 
 According to some authors the date of their institution was 
 B.C. 1453. After a Icii? interval of neglect they were rein- 
 stituted B.C. 776, in v .ch year Chor-ebus obtained the vic- 
 tory ; and from this time the era of the Olympiads is usually 
 dated. 
 
 The exercises at these games consisted of running, wrestling, 
 leaping, throw -t the discus, and boxing with the caestus ; which 
 were altogether called by the name ^evraOXov, or quinquertium, 
 and comprehended m the well-known Greek verse : 
 
 dX[ia, i:oSu)KCiT]v, oiaKov, ukovtu, iraXrjv. 
 
 The reward of the victor was a crown of the wild olive-tree, 
 called (01. iv., 19,) eXaia Uiaarn : which, according to the my- 
 thological story, had been transplanted at Olympia by Hercules 
 froui the hyperborean regions ; which fable is related at large 
 in the third Olympic ode. Besides the five contests mentioned 
 above, there were at these games horse and chariot races, and 
 contentions in poetry, eloquence, and the fine ans. They were 
 celebrated with every mark of solemnity : the preparations for 
 ihe festival were very great : none but persons of unblemished 
 f:haracter were allowed to present themselves as combatants ; 
 *.ind they were attended by spectators from every part of Greece. 
 Near the goal of the stadium was placed the semicircular seat of 
 ..;e Olympic judges, who were called hellanodici; and behind 
 them was the large tract of land known by the name of Altis ; 
 for a description of which see the note on 01. x., 62, 
 
THE FmST OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 TO HIERO, KIN© OF SYRACUSE, VICTOR IN THE SINGLE* 
 HORSE RACE IN THE SEVENTY-THIRD OLYMPIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 In this ode Pindar, who, together with other bards, was prob- 
 ably at this time a guest at the royal table, sets forth in a 
 beautiful strain of poetry the glory and superiority of the 
 Olympic contest, in which Hiero has been victorious, to all 
 other games ; ho then digresses to the history of Pelops, son 
 of Tanthlus, \'vho formerly possessed Pisa and Olympia, and is 
 now honoured as a hero within the sacred grove Altis. Re- 
 turning to his principal subject, he concludes the ode with 
 good wishes for the continued prosperity of the victor. 
 
 JSote. — The inner number, placed at the end of the several para, 
 graphs, shows the corresponding line of the original. 
 
 Water with purest virtue flows ; 
 And as the fire's resplendent light 
 Dispels the murky gloom of night, 
 The meaner treasures of the mine 
 With undistinguish'd lustre shine 5 
 
 Where gold irradiate glows. 
 
 1 In the Thalesian philosophy water was corsidered the 
 most excellent of all the elements, as that to which all other 
 things owed their origin. This opinion Plutarch (de Iside et 
 Osiride) considers that Homer as well as Thales borrowed from 
 the Eg>-ptians. Juno, in the Iliad, b. xiv., v. 200, tells Venus, 
 and afterward repeats it to Jupiter, that she came to visit the 
 extremities of the earth, and Ocean, the progenitor of the gods y and 
 their mother Tethys. 
 
18 PINDAR. 
 
 Thus too when flames the orb of day 
 The anxious eye in vain would soar 
 
 Along the desert air, 
 Intently gazing to explore 10 
 
 Another star whose lustre fair 
 Shines with a warmer ray. 
 And we will sing in loftiest strain 
 The contest of Olympia's plain ; 
 Whence, Saturn's mighty son to praise, 15 
 
 Poets the hymn of triumph raise, 
 To Hiero's festal dome who bend their way. 17 
 
 The monarch whose supreme command 
 In Sicily's prolific land 
 
 The righteous sceptre sways, 20 
 
 Culling the pride of every flower 
 That blooms in Virtue's hallow'd bower ; 
 
 A wreath of highest praise. 
 While music adds a brighter gem 
 To gild the regal diadem, 25 
 
 When poets' sportive songs around 
 His hospitable board resound. 26 
 
 Then from its lofty station freed 
 
 Quickly seize the Dorian lyre. 
 If Pisa or the victor steed, 30 
 
 Ne'er doom'd beneath the scourge to bleed 
 The mind with sweetest cares inspire. 
 When by Alpheus urged, his flight 
 Exalts his lord with conquering might, 
 In Syracuse who holds his reign, 35 
 
 And loves the generous horse to train. 36 
 Such too his fame and lustre high 
 From Lydian Pelops' colony ; 
 
 38 A temple was erected to Pelops in the Altis, or sacred 
 grove, which had been fenced from profane tread by Hercules, 
 (see 01. X, 62. ) near to that of Jupiter at Olympia. Hence the 
 
FIRST OLYMPIC ODE. 19 
 
 Whom earth-encircling Neptune loved, 
 When from the glowing caldron's round, 40 
 His arm with ivory shoulder crown'd, 
 Clotho the newborn j^outh removed. 
 So much to fabled lore we trace — 
 For wrapp'd in varied falsehood's veil 
 Full oft the legendary tale 45 
 
 Can win to faith the mortal mind, 
 While truth's unvarnish'd maxims fail 
 To leave her stamp behind. 47 
 
 When from poetic tongue 
 
 The honey'd accents fall, 50 
 
 Howe'er from monstrous fiction sprung, 
 They win their unsuspected way, 
 
 And grace disguises all, 
 Till some far-distant day 
 
 Render the dark illusion plain. 55 
 
 Yet not to mortal lips be given 
 By tales unworthy to profane 
 
 The majesty of Heaven. 57 
 
 Oifspring of Tantalus ! my strain 
 
 A different story shall record ; 60 
 
 How to the genial board 
 Thy father call'd each heavenly guest, 
 
 To share the blameless feast. 
 With grateful hands upon the head 
 Of his dear Sipylus outspread. 65 
 
 'Twas then, by fond desire subdued. 
 Thy form the trident bearer view'd, 
 
 Btorv of Pelops is less episodical, and has a closer connection 
 with the poet's subject than might at first appear. 
 
 Within the precincts of the Altis was planted the sacred olive 
 tree, called callistephanos, from which victors in the Olympic 
 games were crowned. 
 
 65 It was on the top of this mountain that, in a later age, 
 
20 PINDAR. 
 
 And whirl'd thee on his golden steeds above 
 
 To the high palace of immortal Jove ; 
 
 Where Ganymede in days of yore 70 
 
 The same illustrious office bore. 71 
 
 But when the long inquiring train 
 Had sought their absent charge in vain 
 To his fond mother to restore, 
 The slanderous whisper circled round 76 
 
 That in the fervid wave profound, 
 Hewn by the sword, his limbs were cast, 
 And to the lords of heaven supplied a sweet repast ! 
 
 But far the impious thought from me 
 
 To tax the bless'd with gluttony ; 80 
 
 For well I know that pains await 
 
 The lips that slanderous tales relate. 
 
 If the great gods who on Olympus dwell 
 High favour e'er on man bestow'd 
 Above the undistinguish'd crowd, 85 
 
 To Tantalus the lot of honour fell. 
 But ah ! too feeble to digest 
 The raptures of the heavenly feast, 
 His haughty soul incensed to ire 
 The might of his immortal sire ; 90 
 
 "Who o'er his head a massy rock 
 Suspended, that with direful shock 
 
 Niobe, the daughter of Tantalus, melted away into her shower 
 of snowy tears. See the exquisite description of Sophocles — 
 (Antig. 824—833. ;) also that of Ovid— (Met. vi. 301—312.) 
 
 87 Hesiod (Theog. 638, et seq.) declares that the same effigcts 
 of pride and insolence were \\TOught on the minds of the Titans 
 after they had been allowed to partake of the divine aliments : — 
 
 " Their spirits nectar and ambrosia raise." 
 
 Cooke's Version. 
 
 Might not this fable, which is also related, almost in the words 
 
 • of Pindar, by the scholiast on the Odyssey, (iv. 58.,) owe its 
 
 origin to some obscure tradition of the gathering of manna by 
 
 the Israelites in the wilderness, when man did eat angels' food? 
 
 92 Lucretius, in his magnificent description of infernal pun- 
 
FIRST OLYMPIC ODE. 21 
 
 Threatens to crush him from on high, 
 And scare his proud felicity. 94 
 
 Thus still in unavailing strife 96 
 
 He drags a weary load of life, 
 The fourth sad instance of destructive pride 
 Whose hand th' ambrosial food convey'd 
 (Which had himself immortal made) 
 
 To earthly guests beside. 100 
 
 Then hope not, mortal, e'er to shun 
 The penetrating eye of Heaven; 
 For lo ! the rash offender's son 
 Far from the happy haunts is driven 
 To join his kindred shortlived train, 105 
 
 And wander o'er the earth again. 108 
 
 But when the thick and manly down 
 His black'ning chin began to crown, 
 From Pisa's lord he seeks to prove 
 Highborn Hippodamia's love. 110 
 
 Full often near the hoary flood 
 The solitary lover stray'd. 
 And shrouded in nocturnal shade. 
 Invoked the trident-bearing god ; 
 , Who, ready the loud call to greet, 115 
 
 Stood near the youthful suppliant's feet — 
 
 ishments (iii. 991, seq.,) appears to have had this passage in Iiis 
 mind, when he says, 
 
 " Nee miser impendens magnum timet, aere, saxum 
 Tantalus, ut fama est, cassa formidine terpens ; 
 Sed magis in vita Divom metus urguet." 
 
 Our own Spenser, too, has the same allusion, speaking of old 
 Malbeceo, who lives 
 
 " In drery darkenes, and continuall feare 
 Of that rock's fall ; which ever and anon 
 Threates with huge ruine him to fall upon, 
 That he dare never slepee." 
 
 Faery Queen*. 
 
 V7 The other three being Sisiphus, Tityus, and Ixiou. 
 
22 PINDAR. 
 
 When thus he spoke : " If fond desire, 
 Neptune, could e'er thy bosom fire, 
 CEnomaus' brazen spear restrain, 
 And whirl me on thy swiftest car 120 
 
 Victorious to th' Elean plain, 
 Since conquer'd in the rival war 
 Thirteen ill-fated suitors lie, 
 And still the sire delays his daughter's nuptial tie. 
 
 Nor think I bear a coward soul 125 
 
 Which every danger can control ; 
 
 Since all the common path must tread 
 
 That leads each mortal to the dead, 
 
 Say wherefore should inglorious age 
 
 Creep slow o'er youth's inactive bloom, 130 
 
 And sinking in untimely gloom, 
 
 Should man desert life's busy stage 
 
 To lie unhonour'd in the tomb 1 
 
 This strife be mine : and thou, whose might 
 
 Can bless the issue of the fight, 135 
 
 Oh ! grant me thy propitious aid."' 
 
 'Twas thus the ardent lover prayM ; 
 
 Nor sued with supplication vain 
 
 The mighty ruler of the main ; 
 
 Who, mounted on his golden car, 140 
 
 And steeds' unwearied wing, 
 Gave him to conquer in the war 
 
 The force of Pisa's king. 
 Obtaining thus the virgin fair. 
 Her valiant hero's couch to share ; 145 
 
 From whom six noble chieftains born, 
 With warlike fame their stem adorn : 
 Now by Alpheus' stream he lies, 
 Bless'd with funereal obsequies, 
 
 123 The same number of Trojans are related by Homer to 
 have been slain by Diomed in his celebrated night expedition, 
 (11. X. 493, &c.,) the last of whom is Rhesus himself. 
 
 The scholiast on this passage gives us two catalogues of their 
 names. 
 
FIRST OLYMPIC ODE. 23 
 
 And every rite divine ; 150 
 
 Where strangers' feet innumerous tread 
 The precincts of the mighty dead, 
 Is rear'd his hallow'd shrine. 
 At distance beams his glory's ray 
 Conspicuous in Olympia's fray, 155 
 
 Where strength and swiftness join in arduous strife : 
 And round the victor's honour'd head 
 The verdant wreath of conquest spread, 
 
 Heightens with bliss the sweet remains of life. 159 
 
 Such bliss as mortals call supreme, 160 
 
 Which with its mild, perpetual beam 
 Cheers every future day : 
 
 And such my happy lot to grace 
 His triumphs in the equestrian race 
 
 With soft iEolian lay. 165 
 
 Nor will the muse another find 
 
 Among the bless'd of human kind 
 
 More potent or in regal fame. 
 
 Or arts that raise a monarch's name, 
 
 For whom she rather would prolong 170 
 
 The rich varieties of song. 
 
 The god who makes thy cares his own. 
 
 Thee, Hiero, still with favour crown. 
 
 And soon, if his protecting love 
 
 Not ain and transitory prove, 175 
 
 1 hope to find on Cronium's sunny height 
 
 A sweeter vehicle of song 
 
 To publish, as it rolls along, 
 
 Thy rapid chariot's flight. 
 
 For me the muse with vigorous art 180 
 
 Prepares her most puissant dart. 179 
 
 165 I.e. Dorian; for the Dorians and ^olians were descended 
 from a common origin : see v. 30, 
 
 176 Pausanias (1. vi.) informs us that the Cronian or Sa- 
 turnian hill at Olympia rose above the Altis, so as to command 
 a full view of the course. 
 
24 PINDAR. 
 
 While men in various paths their efforts bend 
 
 The steep of glory to ascend, 
 
 Sublime above the rest on high 
 
 Glitters the orb of majesty. 185 
 
 No further then thy wishes raise, 
 
 Supreme in glory as in praise. 
 Long be it thine to tread : 
 
 Meanwhile my hymn's triumphant strain, 
 
 That celebrates the victor train, 190 
 
 Exalts through Greece thy bard's illustrious head. 
 
THE SECOND OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 "0 THERON OF AGRIGENTUM, (iN GREEK ACRAGAS,) ON 
 HIS VICTORY IN THE CHARIOT RACE, GAINED IN THE 
 SEVENTY-SEVENTH OLYMPIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet congratulates Theron, sprung from ancestors who 
 had experienced much adversity, though sometimes attended 
 with better fortune — extols him for his skill in the contests, 
 his unsparing expense in bringing them to a happy issue, and 
 the right use to which he applies his great wealth, assuring 
 him that the recompense of his virtuous dispositions will at- 
 tend him after death : this leads to a most noble description 
 of the infernal and Elysian abodes. Returning from tliis di- 
 gression, which he defends from the carpmg malignity of his 
 detractors, Pindar concludes with the praises of Theron. 
 
 Ye hymns that rule the vocal lyre, 
 What god, what hero shall we sing 1 
 What mortal shall the strain inspire ! 
 Jove is fair Pisa's guardian king ; 
 And Hercules Olympia's glorious toil 5 
 
 Ordain'd the first fruits of the battle spoil. 
 
 Theron too demands my strain, 
 Whose four-yoked steeds in triumph sweep the 
 plain. 9 
 
 The hospitable, just, and great. 
 Bulwark of Agrigentum's state, 10 
 
 Of his high stem the flower of fairest pride. 14 
 Who by their long afflictions toss'd, 
 Regain'd their sacred mansion lost, 
 Upon the kindred tide. 
 
 14 The river Acragas, on which the- city of Agrigentum i? 
 situated. (See the opening of the twelfth Pythian ode.) 
 
 C 
 
26 PINDAR. 
 
 « 
 
 Of every care thoy found at last 15 
 
 A sweet and tranquil close, 
 A balm for every danger past, 
 
 A haven of repose. 
 And hence to fair Sicilia springs 
 Her long illustrious hne of kings, 90 
 
 Whose happy life and wealth their native virtues 
 wait. 20 
 
 Oh Rhea's son, Saturnian Jove, 
 Lord of th' Olympic seats above, 
 Vv'hose favouring power the victor gave 
 To triumph by Alpheus' wave, 25 
 
 Still to their latest offspring bear 
 These gifts of thy paternal care. 
 Not Time himself, the sire of all, 
 By mortal or immortal power 
 The deed perform'd can e'er recall : 30 
 
 But sweet oblivion of the gloomy hour 
 Succeeds when joy's enlivening train 
 Scatt'ring the melancholy gloom, 
 Bid the light heart its wonted ease resume. 
 And Heaven's o'errulinglord emits his bliss again. 38 
 
 Cadmus, thy daughters' wayward fate 36 
 
 This moral truth can prove, 
 Who changed their suffering mortal state 
 
 For happy thrones above. 
 Fair Semele, of flowing tresses vain, 40 
 
 By the loud blast of thunder slain, 
 Her joyful recompense can boast, 
 And lives among th' Olympic host. 
 
 36 Cadmus was an ancestor of Thevon, and therefore his 
 daughters, Ino, who was married to Athamas, king of Thebes, 
 and whose story is finely told by Ovid, in the fourth book of the 
 Metamorphoses, and Semele, the concubine of Jove, are judi- 
 ciously selected by the poet to illustrate the mutability of human 
 fortune, while at the same time they show the antiquity and re- 
 gal splendour of the monarch's descent. 
 
SECOND OLYMPIC ODE. 27 
 
 Now Pallas sooths the happy fair 
 
 With everlasting love, 45 
 
 The ivy-circled stripling's care, 
 
 And fond delight of Jove. 50 
 
 Bless'd too, as ancient tales agree, 
 
 Is Ino's alter'd destinj^. 
 
 Their forms where sister Nereids lave 50 
 
 With them at large to stray. 
 And sport amid the ocean wave 
 
 Her happy hours away. 55 
 
 Then let not vain presumptuous man 
 
 Seek with unhallow'd eye to scan 55 
 
 Th' irrevocable doom ; 
 If clouds invest his final day, 
 Or Heaven shall gild with cheerful ray 
 The darkness of the tomb. 
 For bliss and sorrow with alternate flow, 60 
 
 Sway the uncertain tide of life below. 64 
 
 'Twas thus the fates' supreme command 
 Which bless'd old Laius' regal line 
 With power and happiness divine, 
 In after times decreed the blow 65 
 
 That plunged their hapless race in wo. 
 Impell'd the parricidal hand 
 Which struck the Theban monarch's breast, 
 Perfecting the decree in Pythian gloom express'd. 72 
 
 With sharpen'd eye's avenging speed 70 
 
 Erinnys view'd the murderous deed, 
 And soon by mutual slaughter gave 
 The warlike brothers to the grave. 
 Surviving Polynices' doom, 
 Thersander bade in times to come 75 
 
 Adrastus' house revive again, 
 First in each youthful sport, and in the strife of men. 
 
28 riNDAR. 
 
 Then justly, noble king, to thee, 
 TEnesidemus' progeny, 
 
 Thy willing poet's lyre shall raise 80 
 
 The tributary song of praise. 86 
 
 Alone in the Olympic sand 
 
 The victor's crown he wore ; 
 But when upon the Pythian strand, 
 
 As on the Isthmian shore, 85 
 
 Twelve times his steeds the destined bound 
 The car triumphant whirl'd around. 
 The social Graces who decree 
 Each high reward of victory. 
 To his loved brother's head the wreath of conquest 
 bore. 93 90 
 
 This honour'd guerdon to obtain 
 Has povver to free from mental pain. 
 Such bliss the envied wealth of kings, 
 "When crov/n'd by patient labour brings. 
 
 And emulation's flame. 95 
 
 True star of glory ! given to cheer 
 The clouds that hang on life's career. 
 
 And gild the path to fame. 
 But let the proud oppressor know 
 What torments in the world below 100 
 
 79 ^nesidemus, the fether of Theron, was the seventh in 
 lineal descent from Thersander. 
 
 100 These are concisely enumerated by the learned Proper 
 tius : (1. III., V. 39, gqq. :) — 
 
 " Sub terris si jura Deum, et tormenta gigantum, 
 Tisiphones atro si furit angue caput ; 
 Aut Alcmaeoniae furise, aut jejunia Phinei ; 
 
 Num rota, num scopuli, num sitis inter aquas," &c. 
 
 Tibullus also (Eleg. i. iii. 58.) poetically contrasts the joys of 
 Elysium with the pains of Tartarus :— 
 
 " Ipsa Venus campos ducet ad Elysios. 
 Hie chorese cantusque vigent ; — 
 At scelerata jacet sedes in nocte profunda 
 
SECOND OLYMPIC ODE. 29 
 
 The harden'd soul await. 
 By Jove's command what judges there 
 From stern necessity declare 
 
 The fix'd decrees of fate. 108 
 
 Where beams of everlasting day 105 
 
 Through night's unclouded season play, 
 Free from mortality's alloy, 
 The good shall perfect bliss enjoy. 
 They nor with daring hands molest 
 Earth's torn and violated breast, 110 
 
 Nor search the caverns of the main 
 An empty being to sustain ; 
 But with the honour'd gods, whose ear 
 The faithful vow delights to hear, 
 Shall be their tearless age of rest ; 115 
 
 While pangs of aspect dire distract the impious 
 train. 122 
 
 But they whose spirit thrice refined 
 Each arduous contest could endure. 
 And keep the firm and perfect mind 
 
 From all contagion pure ; 120 
 
 Abdita, quam circum fluraina nigra sonant, 
 
 Tisiphoneque impexa feros pro crinibus angues 
 
 Saevit, et hue iiluc impia turba fugit," &c. 
 
 105 One might almost imagine that Pindar had taken this 
 sentiment from a passage in tho book of Proverbs (iv. 18, 19) — 
 
 " The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth 
 more and more unto the perfect day. 
 
 " The way of the wicked is as darkness." 
 
 117 According to the scholiast, Pindar in this passage follows 
 the Pythagorean doctrine of the metempsychosis, and reserves 
 the beautiful Elysium of the blessed islands to those who have 
 passed with the divine approbation through the two conditions 
 of mortality, on and beneath the earth. With this whole de- 
 scription of the Elysian and Tartarian abodes, compare Hesiod ; 
 (Op. et Dies. 225. ;) where, however, the paradise of the just, as 
 well as the opposite residence of those who delight in violenca 
 and wrong, is terrestrial. 
 
30 PINDAR. 
 
 Along the stated path of Jove 
 To Saturn's royal courts above 
 
 Have trod their heavenly way, 
 "Where round the island of the biess'd 
 
 The ocean breezes play ; 125 
 
 There golden flow'rets ever blow, 
 Some springing from earth's verdant breast, 
 These on the lonely branches glow, 
 While those are nurtured by the waves below. 
 From them the inmates of these seats divine 130 
 Around their hands and hair the woven garlands 
 twine. 136 
 
 Such Rhadamanthus' just decree, 
 
 Who sits by Father Saturn's side, 
 
 Where with his all-possessing bride 
 
 Rhea, supreme he holds his court. 136 
 
 In those high ranks Peleus and Cadmus shine, 
 And to the blissful seats above 
 
 The prayer of Thetis won the breast of Jove 
 To waft the scion of her line, 
 Achilles, whose resistless might 140 
 
 The pride and hope of Troy o'erthrew. 
 Hector, till then unconquer'd, slew ; 
 
 Till then th' unshaken pillar of the fight. 
 Cycnus the hero gave to death, 
 
 Aurora's ^Ethiop son to him resign'd his breath. 149 
 
 Full many a sharp and potent dart 146 
 
 That shows unspent the poet's art, 
 
 And to the wise sounds clear and shrill, 
 
 Rests in my well-stored quiver still. 
 
 But minds untaught some guide will need 150 
 
 Safe through the mystic paths to lead ; 
 
 143 So Catullus, addressing Peleus, says, 
 " Thessaliae columen Peleu."— i?e Nuvt. Pel. et Thet. 26, 
 145 Memnon. 
 
SECOND OLYMPIC ODE. 31 
 
 While witlings learn'd with empty sound 
 
 Like crows pursue their ceaseless round, 
 
 That through the airy plains above 
 
 Track the majestic bird of Jove. 158 155 
 
 Then take, my soul, thy fearless aim — 
 
 Drawn from the quiet storehouse say 
 
 To whom thine arrows wing their way 
 
 Along the path of fame 1 
 Far as proud Agrigentum's height 160 
 
 Should they direct their devious flight, 
 If sworn to truth, I will declare 
 That in the hundred years whose course hath fled 
 
 O'er her imperial head, 
 No heart more friendly, no more liberal hand 165 
 Than Theron's, who now sways the subject land, 
 Hath held dominion there. 173 
 
 Yet Insolence her voice will raise 
 Unjust to thwart the monarch's praise, 
 And Envy's rancorous tongue invade, 170 
 
 Casting his merits into shade. 
 Howe'er the base malignant crew 
 His name with violence pursue, 
 If thou wouldst all his generous deeds explore, 
 As soon the sandy grains thy tongue shall number 
 o'er. 180 175 
 
 175 So Catullus : (ad Lesbiam ;) — 
 
 *' Quam magnus nunierus Libyssae arenas 
 Laserpiciferis jacet Cyrenis, 
 Oraclum Jovis inter aestuosi, 
 Et Batti veteris sacrum sepulchrum : 
 
 ******* 
 
 Quae nee pernumerare curiosi 
 Poasint." 
 
THE THIRD OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 TO THE SAME THERON, ON OCCASION OF A VICTORY OB- 
 TAINED BY HIM IN THE CHARIOT RACE: THE DATE IS 
 NOT RECORDED. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 This ode was addressed to the King of Agrigentum, to whom 
 the A'ictory was announced as he was celebrating the The- 
 oxenia : (a festival in honour af all the gods, instituted by the 
 inhabitants of Pallene, or, according to the mythological 
 story, by Castor and Pollux.) Pindar therefore begins by 
 invoking the aid and approbation of the Dioscuraj and their 
 sister Helen — thence on the mention of the olive wreath he 
 digresses to the fable of Hercules transplanting the wild olive 
 tree from the Hyperborean regions to Olympia He concludes 
 by congratulating Theron, who had attained the highest 
 point of human glory, and attributes his success to the favour 
 of the twin deities, influenced by his piety and the regularity 
 with which he celebrated the festival of the gods ; the at- 
 tempt to proceed farther would be as vain as the endeavour 
 to sail beyond the Pillars of Hercules., the supposed boundary 
 of the old world. 
 
 To please the hospitable pair 
 From godlike Tyndariis who spring, 
 And Helen, nymph of lovely hair, 
 I would awake th' Olympic string, 
 And raise the lyric song, to crown 5 
 
 Bright Agrigentum with renown, 
 And Theron's glories sing. 
 Whose steeds' unwearied feet achieve the guerdon 
 fair. 
 
 1 This epithet, as West observes, is very appropriately be 
 stowed on the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, on aecount of the 
 establishment, by them, of the Theoxenia, a feast to which the 
 
THIRD OLYMPIC ODE. 33 
 
 Then may the muse her bard inspire, 
 
 Who first upon the Dorian lyre 10 
 
 Raised the melodious strain on high 
 
 To swell the pomp of victor3^ 1^ 
 
 The verdant wreaths that proudly glow 
 Round the triumphant courser's mane, 
 Call on the shrill-toned flute to flow, 15 
 
 The varied lyre and well-connected strain. 
 Which may a due encomium raise 
 -/Gnesidamus' son to praise. 16 
 
 And Pisa joins the general claim — 
 From her proceeds the song of fame, 20 
 
 To whom the umpire's just decree 
 Awards the meed of victory. 
 Prompt to fulfil Alcides' high command, 
 Who bade the verdant olive glow 
 Twined by th' ^Etolian judge's hand 25 
 
 Around the conqueror's brow. 22 
 Which erst Amphitryo's godlike son 
 
 From Ister's shady fountains bore. 
 The fairest mark of triumph won 
 
 By victor on Olympia's shore, 30 
 
 Gift of the Hyperborean race, 
 
 Who worship in Apollo's fane, 
 
 gods were invited. With the opening of this ode compare Eu- 
 ripides, Orestes, sub fin. 
 
 'K^evriv Zrivog (jLcXaOpois -rreXadu), k. t. A. 
 We may observe that the praises of Agrigentum are a fav 'irite 
 theme of Pindar's grateful muse. 
 
 18 Thomson, in his Castle of Indolence, (ii. 13.,) says oi his 
 Knight of Arts and Industry, that 
 
 With varied fire 
 He roused the trumpet and the martial fife. 
 Or bade the lute sweet tenderness inspire. 
 Or verses framed that well might wake Apollo's lyre. 
 
 31 It would be tedious and not very edifying to the reader to 
 detail the various opinions of the ancients respecting the geo 
 
34 PINDAR. 
 
 The plant which shades that hallow'd place 
 
 His voice persuasive could obtain ; 
 Where Jupiter's tall grove a shelter gave 35 
 Common to all mankind, and chaplets to the brave. 
 
 For now to his great father's name 
 Perform'd was every sacred rite ; 
 And when the fuU-orbM lamp of night 
 Pour'd from her golden car the severing flame, 40 
 He gave each fifth revolving year, 
 Where falls Alpheus' high career, 
 To judge the well-earn'd meed of fame. 39 
 
 But in Saturnian Pelops' vale 
 
 No trees waved beauteous to the gale — 45 
 
 No verdant grove, no depth of shade 
 
 The raging solar beam allay'd ; 
 
 His mind impell'd him then to go 
 Where Ister's streams through Scythian regions 
 flow ; 
 
 Latona's huntress daughter there 50 
 
 Received the hero as he came 
 From Arcady's deep glens and summits fair. 
 
 graphical position of the Hyperboreans : some placing them in 
 Europe and others in Asia ; nay, they have been said to dwell 
 within the polar circle, in a fruitful and temperate clime, free 
 from all skyey influences of an adverse and malignant nature. In 
 Olymp. viii. TO, Pindar says that the Ister flows through the 
 land of Scythia. Hence this northern El Dorado would be 
 situated in a latitude above the equator, as high as that of the 
 modern Siberia. But nothing can be more vague and undefined 
 tha.i the notions of antiquity respecting the limits of the Ister 
 and the territories of the Scythians. In the si.\th Isthmian ode, 
 V. 36, Pindar appears to consider the Nile and the Hyperborean 
 regions as the northern and southern extremities of the habitable 
 globe. It appears that the sacred olive which the Theban Her 
 cules is fabled to have transplanted from their regions grew 
 somewhere above the fountains of the Ister or Danube. The 
 tenth Pythian ode contains a poetical description of the fertility 
 and blessedness of these Utopian regions. 
 39 The Olympic games were celebrated on the day nearest to 
 
THIRD OLYMPIC ODE. 35 
 
 When, as Eurystheus' will was told, 
 Necessity from Father Jove 
 To bring- the hind with horns of gold 55 
 
 His persecuted offspring drove : 
 Which erst, in sacred pomp array'd, 
 Taygeta had given to please th' Orthosian maid. 54 
 
 This as he urged in warm pursuit, 
 His eyes survey 'd the region there 60 
 
 Which chilling Boreas render'd bare. 
 Admiring the tall olive's shoot ; 
 Then sweet desire possess'd his soul 
 To plant the consecrated root 
 Around the twelve-times circled goal. 65 
 
 And now to crown the solemn feast, 
 The hero* comes, propitious guest. 
 With deep-zoned Leda's twinborn pair. 
 To them the glorious charge he gave, 
 Ascending to Olympus' height, 70 
 
 To fix the contest's laws, and crown the brave 
 Who sped his victor car, or won the palm of might. 67 
 
 Then justly noble Theron's fame 
 
 My mind exhorts me to proclaim ; 
 
 And sing th' Emmenidses' high race, 75 
 
 Whom Jove's equestrian offspring grace 
 
 With honours and rewards divine, 
 
 So bright their virtuous actions shine. 
 
 By them the sacred rites are paid. 
 
 By them the liberal banquet laid 80 
 
 With more abundant plenty stored 
 
 Than often crowns a mortal board. 74 
 
 the full moon of that month, the new moon of which immedi- 
 ately followed the summer solstice. 
 
 58 I. e. Diana : so named from her salutary obstetrical in- 
 fluence, or from a mountain of Arcadia. 
 
 The younger scholiast gives a long account of the reason why 
 this stag with gilded horns was offered to Diana, who had benev- 
 olently metamorphosed into the form of that animal Taygeta, 
 the daughter of Atlas. 
 
30 ' PINDAR. 
 
 If water then and shining gold 
 The rank of highest glory hold, 
 Even thus has virtuous Theron gain'd 85 
 
 The farthest point by man attain'd. 
 His fame has reach'd that distant land 
 Where the Herculean pillars stand. 
 Beyond this point who strives to sail, 
 Wise or unwise, can ne'er prevail — 90 
 
 No farther I pursue — my course is here restrain'd. 81 
 
THE FOURTH OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 To PSAUMIS OF CAMARINA, ON HIS VICTORY WITH THE 
 QUADRIGA, OR CHARIOT WITH FOUR HORSES, GAINED 
 IN THE EIGHTY-SECOND OLYMPIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 This ode opens with a sublime invocation to Jupiter, and a 
 prayer for Psaumis. — The poet then proceeds to the praise 
 of the victor, on account of his hospitahty, love of peace, 
 patriotism, and the care he bestows on the training of his 
 horses. — Subjoins the story of Erginus, the son of Clymenus, 
 as an excuse for the premature whiteness of his hair. 
 
 Thy circling hours, immortal Jove, 
 
 Who mak'st th' unwearied lightnings move, 
 
 With song- and lyre's accordant string 
 
 Rouse me the victor's praise to sing. 
 
 When friends succeed, the good rejoice, 5 
 
 And hail the sweet-toned herald's voice. 
 
 Oh son of Saturn ! — thou who rul'st above 
 W^here ^tna with his burning load impress'd 
 Weighs down the hundred-handed Typhon's breast, 
 
 Deign with thy favour to approve 10 
 
 This hymn which to the victor's praise address'd, 
 
 Aspires to crown th' Olympic strife, 
 That gilds with glory's beam the latest hour of 
 life. 15 
 
 High on his car triumphant placed. 
 
 His brows with Pisa's ohve graced, 15 
 
 Lo ! Psaumis brings the meed of fame 
 
 To raise his Camarina's name. 
 
38 PINDAR. 
 
 The god wlio joys to bless thee now, 
 Propitious hear each future vow ! 22 
 
 Him shall my constant praise await, 20 
 
 Who skiird to train the generous steed, 
 To every guest unfolds his gate, 
 And tranquil aids his native state 
 Nurtured to each pacific deed. 
 No falsehood e'er shall stain my lay, 25 
 
 Experience proves the mail, and will his worth dis- 
 play. 30 
 
 From taunts by Lemnian women made, 
 
 This Clymenus' brave offspring freed. 
 
 The course, in brazen arms array'd. 
 
 He left to take the victor's meed, 30 
 
 And thus Hypsipyle address'd : — 
 
 " 'Tis I who gain the palm of speed, 
 
 Mine the firm hand, th' undaunted breast — 
 
 Howe'er upon my youthful brow 
 
 Are shed untimely hues of snow." 42 35 
 
 28 Erginus, one of the Argonauts, who, on their departure for 
 the golden fleece, contended at Lemnos in the funeral games in- 
 stituted by Hypsipyle in memory of her father Thaos, king of 
 the island. He is mentioned by Statius (Theb. ix. 305.) among 
 the heroes killed by Hippomedon, who, in imitation of Achilles, 
 rushes into the Ismenus, and dies its waves with slaughter. 
 Erginus's complaint of his premature gray hairs may be parodied 
 by Boethms (de Consol. Philos. i. 11.) Intempestivi funduntur 
 vertice cani. Hesiod (Op. et Dies, 181.) mentions as a mark of 
 the iron race that they are gray headed from their birth. 
 
THE FIFTH OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 TO THE SAME PSAUMIS, ON HIS THREE VICTORIES, ONE 
 IN THE CHARIOT DRAWN BY FOUR HORSES ; ANOTHER 
 IN THE APENE, OR CHARIOT DRAWN BY MULES ; AND 
 THE THIRD IN THE SINGLE-HORSE RACE — ALL GAINED 
 IN THE EIGHTY-SECOND OLYMPIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet in this ode invocates Camarina, a sea nymph, from 
 whom the town and lake in Sicily wore fabled to have taken 
 their name ; to bespeak her favourable acceptance of the 
 hymn in which are celebrated the three victories of Psaumis ; 
 whom he also commends for his lii)crality and patriotism. — 
 Concludes by supplicating Jupiter to grant continued pros- 
 perity to the victor, and expressing his own good wishes to- 
 wards him. 
 
 Daughter of Ocean ! this sweet strain, 
 Which Psaumis' lofty virtues wake, 
 Whose mules untired ghde o'er Olympia's plain, 
 And victory's fairest chaplet gain, 
 With mind propitious take. 7 5 
 
 Eager to grace with hidi renown, 
 
 Oh Camarina ! thy well-peopled town ; 
 
 To the bright rulers of the skies 
 
 He bade the six twin altars rise, 
 
 And spread to each celestial guest 10 
 
 Of oxen slain the liberal feast ; 
 
 Five times the sun's diurnal blaze 
 
 Each well-contested strife surveys. 
 
 The strong-yoked chariot's conquering speed, 
 
 Drawn by fleet mule or generous steed ; 15 
 
40 PINDAR. 
 
 Or where impatient of control 
 The courser presses to the goal. 15 
 Thy mighty combatant to thee 
 Conveys the meed of victory, 
 That bids the herald's loud acclaim 20 
 
 Join with thy new-built walls his father Acron's 
 name. 19 
 
 From Pelops' and (Enomaus' pleasant seat, 
 
 Oh Pallas ! our loved city's guardian pride, 
 The victor comes with festal hymn to greet 
 Thy solemn grove and fair Oanus' tide, 25 
 The native lake, the sacred source 
 Whence Hipparis directs his course. 
 And pours, the thirsting host to lave, 
 Through long canals his fruitful wave, 
 Transported down whose rapid tide 30 
 
 Beams for the stable fabrics glide. 
 When Psaumis rears the wondrous pile. 
 Lightens his country's woes, and renovates her 
 smile. 
 But labour still and cost his steps attend. 
 Whose virtue strives to gain this glorious end. 
 Around his path uncertain hazards wait, 36 
 
 And clouds obscure the mighty combat's fate — 
 Yet when his persevering toils succeed, 
 A nation's voice confirms the wisdom of the deed. 38 
 
 Hear, earth's protecting sovereign, Jove, 40 
 
 Who dwell'st enthron'd in clouds above, 
 And on the Cronian mount — whose care 
 
 Alpheus' widely flowing wave. 
 
 And Ida's venerable cave 
 Protects, oh hear thy suppliant's prayer ! — 45 
 
 Who, breathing on his Lydian reed, 
 Implores thee still to crown this state with valour's 
 meed. 
 
 Oh Psaumis ! victor in th' Olympic strife. 
 Who mak'st Neptunian steeds thy joy and pride, 
 
FIFTH OLYMPIC ODE. 41 
 
 May placid age attend thy closing life, 50 
 
 Thy children standing round to grace a father's 
 side ! 53 
 
 Of fortune's ample stores possessed, 
 And with fair reputation bless'd, 
 No higher let thy wishes rise. 
 
 Since all that mortals gain is thine, 55 
 
 Nor madly try to reach the skies, 
 
 Ambitious of a lot divine. 57 
 D 
 
THE SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 TO AGESIAS OF SYRA.CUSK, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE 
 CHARIOT DRAWN BY MULKS. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The scholiast informs us that this ode, according to some, was 
 inscribed to Stymphehus, son of Sostratus, and that his victory 
 was achieved m tne eighty sixth or eighty-seventh Olympiad. 
 — The poem opens with a noble simile drawn from the front- 
 ispiece of a building, to which he compares the opening of 
 his ode, expatiating on the glory of the Olympic contest. — He 
 then proceeds to mention the praises and regret expressed by 
 Adraslus on Amphiaraas, occasioned by the death of the lat- 
 ter; instituting a comparison between Agesias and the The- 
 ban seer. — The birth of lamus, one of the ancestors of the 
 victor, who are thence called lamidae, is then related at gieat 
 length, together with the story of Evadne, daughter of ^py- 
 tus. — Agesias derived his lineage on the mother's side from 
 Arcadia ; and as there was a connection between the inhab- 
 itants of that country and the Thebans, the poet includes 
 them in his praises. — He then addresses -^neas, the master 
 of the chorus, whom he compliments on his musical skill, 
 and exhorts to wipe away by his exertions the proverbial dis- 
 grace attached to his countrymen by the appellation of Boeotian 
 swine. — Renews his praise of Agesias, and concludes with a 
 prayer to Neptune, still to keep the victor under his propi- 
 tious guidance, and to render the poet's hymns agreeable to 
 those in whose honour they are written and sung. 
 
 Oft as the architect's creative hand 
 Bids the fair porch on golden columns rise, 
 
 And all the dome's magnificence expand, 
 
 To strike the gazing eye with mute surprise — 
 
 1 Gwillim, in a quaint epigram placed after the title page to 
 his book on heraldry, thus alludes to the openmg of this ode : — 
 
 " The noble Pindar doth compare somewhere, 
 Writing with building, and instructs us there 
 
SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE. 43 
 
 Thus splendid from afar should gleam 5 
 
 A noble deed's incipient beam — 
 The guard of Jove's prophetic shrine, 
 If he thy wreath, Olympia, bear, 
 Sprung from that old and noble line 
 Who founded Syracusa fair, 10 
 
 A grateful city hymns the hero's name, 
 "While her unenvying sons unite in glad acclaim 11 
 
 In this exalted station placed. 
 The son of Sostratus is found 
 With no inglorious chaplet graced, 15 
 
 But with his well-earn'd honours crown'd. 
 The warrior on the battle plain. 
 The sailor on the trackless main, 
 Through paths of peril and dismay 
 Wins to renown his arduous way, 20 
 
 And Avhen his toils achieve some glorious deed, 
 The memory of the good shall be his meed. 
 
 Agesias, may such ready praise be thine, 
 As to Oiclides, seer of Theban line, 
 Adrastus gave, when in an earthly tomb 25 
 
 Himself and noble steeds were hurried to their 
 doom. 
 
 But when the seven funeral pyres 
 
 Raised to the dead their sacred fires, 
 
 In sorrow thus his Theban host 
 
 The son of Talaus address'd : 30 
 
 " The pride of all my army lost 
 
 Fills with regret this aching breast. 
 
 Quench'd is the augur's prescient light, 
 
 Nerveless the warrior's arm of fight." 
 
 That every great and goodly edifice 
 Doth ask to have a comely frontispiece. 
 
 23 Amphiaraus, son of Oicleus. I have here followed the 
 ingenious emendation of Dr. Bloomfield, tv Aipxq, instead of the 
 common flat reading ev 6iKq. 
 
44 PINDAR. 
 
 The triumphs which these hymns afford 35 
 Wait on my Syracusan lord. 32 
 
 No lover of contention, I 
 Respect my oath's compulsive tie — 
 And while this honest suffrage crowns my lays, 
 The sweet-toned muses' choir will ratify his praise. 
 
 Oh, Phintis! spurn each dull delay, 41 
 
 And haste the vigorous mules to join — 
 Pursue thy clear and open way 
 To reach his ancestors' remotest line. 41 
 
 No other guide our steps will need 45 
 
 Safe through these lofty paths to lead. 
 
 Since upon their victorious brow 
 
 Olympia's verdant chaplets glow — 
 
 Then to their flight expanding wide 
 
 Let us unbar the gates of song — 50 
 
 Where Pitane in towering pride 
 
 O'erlooks Eurotas' sacred tide, 
 
 This day the bard must pass along. 47 
 
 To Neptune of Saturnian race 
 
 She the black-hair'd Evadne bore — 55 
 
 40 The commonly received interpretation of the word Phin- 
 tis or Philtis, given by the elder scholiast, is doubtless the 
 true one, viz., the poet's own soul, considered as the directing 
 charioteer of the body. With this passage compare Cowley (to 
 his muse :) — 
 
 " Go, the rich chariot instantly prepare, 
 The queen, ray muse, wiil take the air. 
 
 The wheels of thy bold coach pass quick and free, 
 And all's an open road to thee — 
 Whatever god did say. 
 
 Is all thy plain and smooth, uninterrupted way." 
 
 50 The metaphor here is strikingly similar to that in Psalm 
 cxviii. 23. 
 
 " Open me the gates of righteousness, that I may ge into them, 
 and give thanks unto the Lord." 
 
SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE. 45 
 
 This tale to rumour's voice we trace — 
 But when the circling moons reveal'd 
 
 What virgin throes her bosom long conccal'd, 
 To brave Eitatides her high command 
 Bade the attendant damsels bear GO 
 
 The nursling to the hero's care, 
 Whose sceptre ruled Arcadia's land 
 
 In fair Pheesana by Alpheus' shore, 
 Apollo taught her there to prove 
 The fond solicitudes of love. 57 05 
 
 When time to ^Epytus confessed 
 The stolen caresses' fruit divine, 
 The hero in his manly breast 
 Unutterable rage repress'd, 
 And humbly sought the Pythian shrine, 70 
 
 With mind intent the end to know 
 Of this intolerable wo. 
 Her virgin zone with saffron died. 
 And urn of silver laid aside, 
 In the thick grove conceal'd from sight 75 
 
 She brought the heavenly babe to light. 
 Meanwhile the god with golden hair 
 Propitious fate invoked, and kind Eleutho's care. 72 
 
 Her pleasing pains without delay 
 
 Produced young lamus to day. 80 
 
 While there upon the verdant glade 
 
 By his afflicted parent laid, 
 
 Two dragons of caerulean eye 
 
 Commission'd by the will divine, 
 
 With bees' innoxious produce hie 85 
 
 To feed the youth of heavenly line. 
 
 But when from Pytho's rocky height 
 
 The monarch urged his chariot's flight. 
 
 He sought of all the menial train 
 
 Evadne's infant to regain, 90 
 
 77 I. e. Apollo ; this epithet is applied by Alcasus to Zephyrus. 
 (Frag. V. ap. Bloinf.) ^pvaoKoua Zt^vpcf) /xtyetaa. 
 
46 PINDAR. 
 
 Whom erst from his prophetic throne 
 Phoebus, he said, had call'd his own. 84 
 
 That he, o'er all of mortal birth, 
 
 His sire's prophetic power might claim, 
 
 Nor should his race e'er fail on earth 95 
 
 To keep alive their deathless name. 
 
 Thus spoke the god — but they averr'd 
 
 No eye had seen, no ear had heard ; 
 
 Though since his natal day 
 The fifth revolving sun had shed 100 
 
 Its lustre o'er the infant's head. 89 
 Meanwhile within the rushy glade, 
 And tangled bushes' thickest shade, 
 His tender frame all wet with dew, 
 And gemm'd with violet's purple hue, 105 
 
 Conceai'd from human sight he lay 93 
 And hence his mother bade the prophet's name 
 To each succeeding age his birth proclaim. 
 
 Soon as he gain'd from opening time 
 
 The golden flower of youthful prime, 110 
 
 Shrouded in night his steps he bore 
 
 Down to Alpheus' middle shore. 
 
 Invoking from the depths below 
 
 His great forefather Neptune's might, 
 
 And potent sire, whose silver bow 115 
 
 Defends the heaven-built Delos' height. 
 
 That public honour and renown 
 
 His brows might with their chaplet crown. 
 
 When thus in accents of eternal truth 119 
 
 His father's voice approved the suppliant's prayer, 
 •' To Pisa's crowded plain, adventurous youth. 
 Follow my call, and strive for glory there." 108 
 
 104 The exquisite periphrasis of the original may be illus- 
 trated by a passage in Lord Byron, (Childe Harold, iv. cxvii.) 
 
 " The sweetness of the violet's deep-blue dies, 
 Kiss'd by the breath of heaven, seems colour'd by its skies." 
 
SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE. 47 
 
 To lofty Cronium's sun-crown'd hill they came ; 
 Where great Apollo bade his son receive 
 A twofold portion of prophetic fame ; 125 
 
 To hear the voice that knows not to deceive — 
 But when the glory of Amphitryo's line 
 Alcides prosperous in each bold design 
 Appear'd to crown his sire's immortal feast, 
 From every clime to call the frequent giiest, 130 
 And fix the laws of each heroic game, 
 He placed the augur's seat near Jove's exalte/ 
 shrine. 119 
 
 New glories hence through Hellas grace 
 Th' lamidse's illustrious race — 
 And wealth attends to crown their state — 135 
 For those who seek with high emprise 
 The steep where virtue's guerdon lies, 
 The brightest vvalks of life await. 
 In his own path each seeks renown, 
 But carping Envy most his course attends, 140 
 Who first to win Olympia's crown 
 Twelve times around the goal his chariot bends — 
 On him sweet Grace distils a lustre all her own. 128 
 
 Agesias ! if thy brave maternal line. 
 
 Who dwelt beneath Cyllene's hallow'd shade, 145 
 
 Duly their suppliant vows and rites divine 
 
 To Mercury, the god's swift herald, paid ; 
 
 Whose favouring power the contest's law maintains, 
 
 And guards Arcadia's richly peopled plains ; 
 
 By him and by his thundering sire decreed, 150 
 
 Oh son of Sostratus ! expect the victor's meed. 
 
 Another motive prompts my tongue— 
 Which as the stone that whets the blade 
 Upon its sharpening surface laid. 
 Impels me dow^n the flowing tide of song. 143 155 
 
 153 Pindar uses the same metaphor— (Pyth. i. 172.) Hence 
 
48 PINDAR. 
 
 From the Stymphalian nymph, Metopa fair, 
 My mother drew the vital air — 
 Within equestrian Thebes, whose fame 
 Salutes her with a founder's name. 
 At her pure wave my thirst I slake, and raise 160 
 The varied hymn that chants the warriors' praise. 
 
 Now, ^neas, urge thy tuneful hand, 
 Parthcnian Juno first demands the stram. 150 
 Then let clear truth the old disgrace 
 That loads Bceotia's sons efface ; 165 
 
 Thou, like the general's trusty wand. 
 Art charged the faithful embassy to bear, 
 From the sweet muses with the lovely hair. 
 Who bade thy cup the sounding lays retain. 155 
 
 Command them in their grateful verse 170 
 
 The praise of Hiero to rehearse. 
 That monarch whose unblemish'd sway 
 Ortygia's isle and Syracuse obey. 
 
 probably Horace borrowed the idea in his well-known lines, (ad 
 Pis. 304 :)— 
 
 " Fungar vice cotis, acutum 
 Reddere quae ferrum valet, exsors ipsa secandi." 
 
 1G6 The scholiast on this passage gives a long explanation of 
 the scytale, or staflf, which was used in battle to convey orders 
 from the Lacedaemonian general that were to be unintelligible to 
 all but the person to whom they were sent. — (Corn. Nepos. in vit. 
 Pausan. cap. 3.) Aulus Gellius is still more minute in his ac- 
 count of this enigmatical wand. (Lib. xvii., cap. ix. 1.) His 
 description is too long to be transcribed, and will not easily ad- 
 mit of abbreviation. Pindar calls jEneas the scytale of the 
 muses, as being the faithful messenger in conveying his poetical 
 strains to those in whose honour they were addressed. 
 
 172 The reader will be reminded by this passage, especially 
 in the original, in which Hiero is spoken of as governing with a 
 clear sceptre, oi Macbeth's commendation of the royal Duncan : — • 
 
 " Besides, this Duncan 
 Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been 
 So clear in his great office. ^^ 
 
SIXTH OLYMPIC ODE. 40 
 
 To Ceres and her daughter fair 
 Whose milk-white steeds the goddess bear, 
 Duly he pays each sacred rite, 176 
 
 Adoring Jove's ^tnaean might. 
 His name the song and sweet-toned lyre resound, 
 Oh ! may no future age his happy state confound ! 
 
 With wilHng mind may he receive 180 
 
 The hymn which in Agesias' praise I weave. 
 
 Since Fortune now the hero calls 
 
 To kindred Syracuse again, 
 
 Far from his own Stymphalian walls 
 
 That crown Arcadia's fleecy plain. 185 
 
 E'en thus amid the wintry tides. 
 
 Secure the rapid vessel rides, 
 If two firm anchors' grasp her bulk maintain. 173 
 
 Still may the god exalt thy state 
 With either nation's prosperous fate ; 190 
 
 And sceptred Amphitrite's lord, 
 Whose trident rules the stormy sea, 
 Through his own realm a path afford 
 From adverse winds and troubles free. 
 Adorning with sweet flowers my song, 195 
 
 To hail thy vessel as it speeds along. 180 
 
 188 Compare Casimir, (Lyric, iv. 36, 27.) 
 
 " Fortius proram gemino revincit 
 Anchora morsu." 
 E 
 
THE SEVENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 TO DIAGORAS, THE FHODIAN, ON HIS VICTORY WITH THE 
 C^STUS, GAINED IN THE SEVENTY-NINTH OLYMPIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Pindar begins this beautiful ode (which, as the younger scho 
 liast informs us, was said to have been written in letters of 
 gold, and suspended in the temple of Minerva) with a highly 
 poetical simile drawn from domestic life, w^hich introduces 
 the praise of the Rhodian victor and his race. — He then pro- 
 ceeds to the story of Tlepolemus, an ancestor of Diagoras, 
 who, after having murdered Licymnius, departed for Rhodes 
 by the command of Apollo ; the shower of gold which Jupiter 
 caused to descend there. — Then follow the fables respecting 
 the origin of Rhodes, the birth of Pallas, her most ancient 
 sacrifices instituted without the aid of fire, and the gifts im- 
 parted by her to the favoured Rhodians, especially their skill 
 m statuary. — Then follows a digression explaining the reason 
 for consecrating the island to the sun — (Hyperionides ;) his 
 intrigue with the nymph Rhodos, from which sprang seven 
 sons, one of whom gave birth to Camirus, Lindus, and lalysus, 
 who built the three cities of the island of Rhodes, which were 
 named after them. 
 
 The poet then proceeds to panegyrize Tlepolemus and Diagoras, 
 enumerating the several victories of the latter. 
 
 The ode concludes with an invocation to Jupiter, to whom di- 
 vine honours were paid on Atabyrius, a mountain of Rhodes, 
 propitiating his continued favour both for the poet and the 
 victor, and a moral reflection on the mutabiUty of human for- 
 tune. 
 
 As when a sire the golden bowl 
 All foaming with the dew of wine, 
 Takes with a liberal hard and soul, 
 Chief gem where all his treasures shine- 
 Then tends the beverage (hallow'd first 
 By prayers to all the powers above) 
 
SEVENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 51 
 
 To slake the youthful bridegroom's thirst, 
 
 In honour of connubial love. 
 
 The social pledge he bears on high, 
 
 And homeward as his course he bends, 10 
 
 Blesses the fond connubial tie,^ 
 
 Admired by all his circling friends. 11 
 
 E'en thus I bring the nectar'd strain, 
 The muses' gift, to those who gain 
 The Pythian and Olympic crown; 15 
 
 Thrice bless'd, to whom 'tis giv'n to share 
 The arduous fruit of mental care, 
 Cheer'd by the voice of high renown ! 
 Full many a victor in the fray 
 My life-inspiring strains survey — 20 
 
 Which bids the sweet-toned, lyre its music raise, 
 And wake the sounding flutes through all their notes 
 of praise. 22 
 
 And now, Diagoras, to thee 
 
 They breathe united melody. 
 
 When Rhodes the warlike isle is sung, 25 
 
 Apollo's bride from Venus sprung ; 
 
 He too, the hero brave and bold. 
 
 With hardy frame of giant mould, 
 
 W^ho by Alpheus' sacred tide. 
 
 And where Castalia's waters glide, 30 
 
 First in the csestus' manly fray 
 
 Bore the triumphant prize away. 
 
 Let Damagetus next, his sire, ' 
 
 To justice dear, the strain inspire. 
 Fix'd on that isle which three fair cities grace, 35 
 Where Embolus protects wide Asia's coast. 
 They dwell united with the Argive host. 35 
 
 36 " Lycia," says the younger scholiast, " is opposite to 
 Rhodes, and in Lycia is a place called Embolus, sharp and nar- 
 row, and jutting into the sea, so named from its resemblance to 
 the prow of a ship." 
 
52 PINDAR. 
 
 Now to Tlepolemus my song would trace 
 As its first source Alcides' potent race. 
 
 From Jove their sire's high lineage springs ; 40 
 
 While to Astydameia's line 
 
 Amyntor, born of race divine, 
 An equal lustre brings. 42 
 
 But ah ! what crimes round erring mortals wait, 
 Unnumber'd torments in their happiest state — 45 
 Who, ere the checker'd scene of life be past, 
 Can tell if weal or wo shall mark his lot at last ] 48 
 
 Since the high founder of the Rhodian state, 
 Impell'd by fierce ungovernable hate, 
 Laid with his olive sceptre's deadly blow 60 
 
 On earth Alcmena's bastard brother low. 
 liicymnius, whom his hand to Pluto sent. 
 From Midea's chamber as his steps he bent. 
 'Tis thus the maddening tumults of the mind 
 Have oft seduced the wisest of mankind. 5G 55 
 
 He sought the god who could unfold 
 
 The purpose of the will divine, 
 
 W^hen thus the power with locks of gold 
 
 Spoke from his perfume-breathing shrine : 
 
 *' Go, launch your fleet from Lerne's strand, 60 
 
 To gain the sea-encircled land. 
 
 Where the great monarch of the skies 
 
 Sent from his golden clouds a shower 
 
 With flames commission'd to devour 
 
 Th' accepted sacrifice. 6." 
 
 W^hat time by aid of Vulcan's art 
 And brazen axe, Minerva sprang 
 
 38 Homer relates the history of Tlepolemus, son of Hercu]e^ 
 and Astydameia, and the Rhodians at great length, (II. ii. 653.) 
 
 TX>77roX£;/os 5' 'HpaK\£iSr]s, rjvs re ixeya; re, 
 Ek 'Fo6ov tvvta vrjas ayev, k. t. \. 
 
 Astydameia was the daughter of Amyntor, son of Jupiter. 
 
SEVENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 63 
 
 From Jove's head with impetuous start, 
 With long-continued warlike clang : 
 While heaven's high dome and mother earth 70 
 Shuddering beheld the wondrous birth. 70 
 
 Then too the god whose splendour bright 
 Glads mortals with his radiant light, 
 
 Bade his loved sons the high behest obey. 
 
 Them first he urged to rear the splendid shrine, 75 
 
 And to the goddess every rite divine 
 
 With prompt submissive reverence pay. 
 
 This their immortal sire with joy would cheer, 
 
 And please the maid who wields her sounding spear. 
 
 Yet oft oblivion's shadowy veil 80 
 
 O'erclouds the well-intending mind ; 
 
 Then wise Prometheus' counsels fail. 
 
 And reason's path is left behind. 
 So they, obedient to their heavenly sire, 
 Bade in th' acropolis an altar rise, 85 
 
 But carried to the shrine no spark of fire 
 To waft from earth the pious sacrifice. 
 
 On them the supplicated power 
 Rain'd from his yellow cloud a golden shower. 
 
 87 This was a clear manifestation of the divine presence. 
 The same portent attended the birth of Apollo, according to 
 CaUimachus, (in. Del. 260 :)— 
 
 Xpvffea TOi TOTC iravra dtjxei^ia yeivtro At}\s, 
 XpvaCi) Se rpo^oeccra iravrjixcpos eppci Xijivrj, k. t. A. 
 
 Thus, too, at the birth of Hercules, Bromia relates to the aston- 
 ished Amphitryo, (Act. v., sc. i. 44 :) — 
 
 " .^des totse confulgebant tuae, quasi essent aureeey 
 
 So Theocritus, (Idyl. 24 :)— 
 
 *' And see what light o'er all the chamber falls ! 
 Though yet not mom, how visible the walls ! 
 Some strange event !" — Polwhele's version. 
 
 Compare also Homer, (Od. xix. 37—40.) 
 
54 PINDAR. 
 
 Meanwhile the maid with azure eye 90 
 
 Her favour'd Rhodians deig-n'd to grace 
 Above all else of mortal race, 
 With arts of manual industry. 
 Hence framed by the laborious hand, 
 The animated figures stand, 95 
 
 Adorning every public street, 
 And seem to breathe in stone, or move their marble 
 feet. 98 
 
 Wisdom true glory can impart 
 Without the aid of magic art. 
 As ancient fame reports, when Jove 100 
 
 And all th' immortal powers above 
 Held upon earth divided sway ; 
 Not yet had Rhodes in glittering pride 
 On Ocean's breast appeared to ride. 
 But hid beneath his briny caverns lay. 105 105 
 
 Then while the absent god of light 
 
 Delay'd to claim his equal share. 
 
 No friendly voice maintain'd his right 
 
 Of all the bless'd assembly there. 
 
 Jove, to repair the wrong, in vain 110 
 
 Wish'd to adjudge the lots again. 
 
 Since in his course the sun had found 
 
 Retired within the hoary deep 
 
 A fertile land with heroes crown'd. 
 
 Prolific nurse of fleecy sheep. 116 115 
 
 Then straight he gave the high command 
 To Lachesis, whose locks of jet 
 
 97 Pindjr- probably alludes to the Telchines, an ancient peo- 
 ple of Rhodes, much addicted to magical fascination, from 
 which probably they derive their name : (Ov. Met. vii. 365 :) — 
 
 " Phoebeamque Rhodon, et Jalysios Telchinas, 
 Quorum oculos ipso vitiantes omnia visu 
 Jupiter exosus, fraternis abdiait undis." 
 
 117 This ratifying power, which distinguishes Lachesis above 
 
SEVENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 55 
 
 Are gather'd in a golden net, 
 
 To fix with her extended hand 
 
 The oath that binds the powers above, 120 
 
 And stamp with fate the nod of Jove, 
 Which the bright isle emerging from the wave, 
 To Phoebus and his latest offspring gave. 124 
 
 Hence o'er the land extends his sway 
 
 Who darts the piercing beams of day ; 125 
 
 The charioteer whose guiding rein 
 
 Wide over the celestial plain 
 
 His fire-exhaling steeds obey. 130 
 
 With Rhodes there in amorous embrace 
 
 Conjoin'd, the god begat a valiant race ; 130 
 
 Seven noble sons, with wisdom's gifts endow'd 
 
 By their great sire above the vulgar crowd. 
 
 Cameirus from this root with Lindas came, 
 
 And lalysus, venerable name : 
 
 Three chiefs who over the divided land 135 
 
 In equal portions held supreme command. 
 
 Apart they reign'd, and bade each city bear 
 
 The monarch's name who sway'd the sceptre there. 
 
 In that bless'd isle secure at last 
 
 'Twas thine, Tlepolemus, to meet 140 
 
 For each afflictive trial past 
 
 A recompense and respite sweet. 
 
 Chief of Tirynthian hosts, to thee 
 
 As to a present deity. 
 
 The fumes of slaughter'd sheep arise 145 
 
 In all the pomp of sacrifice : 
 
 Awarded by thy just decree 
 
 The victor gains his verdant prize. 
 
 her sister Destinies, is also asserted by Plutarch : (De Facie in 
 Orbe Lunae, sub finein.) 
 
 129 Their names, according to the scholiast, were Cercaphus, 
 Ochimus, Actis, Macaresas, Tenages, Triopes, Phaethon. 
 
i56 PINDAR. 
 
 That crown whose double honours glow, 
 
 Diagoras, around thy brow : 50 
 
 On which four times the Isthmian pine, 
 
 And twice the Nemean olive shine : 
 
 While Athens on her rocky throne 
 
 Made her illustrious wreath his own. 151 
 
 Trophies of many a well-fought field 155 
 
 He won in glory's sacred cause, 
 
 Irhe Theban tripod, brazen shield 
 
 At Argos, and Arcadia's vase. 
 Her palms Boeotia's genuine contests yield ; 
 
 Six times iEgina's prize he gain'd, 160 
 
 As oft Pellene's robe obtarn'd, 
 
 And graved in characters of fame, 
 Thy column, Megara, records his name. 159 
 
 Great sire of all, immortal Jove, 
 On Atabyrius' mount enshrined, 165 
 
 Oh ! still may thy propitious mind 
 Th' encomiastic hymn approve. 
 Which celebrates in lawful strain 
 The victor on Olympia's plain, 
 Whose valorous arm the caestus knows to wield. 
 
 Protected by thy constant care, 171 
 
 In citizens' and strangers' eyes 
 
 Still more exalted shall he rise 
 
 Whose virtuous deeds thy favour share : 
 
 151 Athens is here put synecdochically for the whole of 
 Attica. Pindar, as the younger scholiast observes, leaves it 
 doubtful in what Attic contest Diagoras came off victorious : 
 whether in the Panathenaic, the Heraclean, the Eleusinian, 
 or the Panhellenic ; or whether he obtained the prize in all 
 these. The same epithet is applied by Homer t-o Ithaca : (11. ii. 
 201.) 
 
 165 A mountain in Khodes, on which was erected a temple 
 to Jupiter, containing brazen bulls, that, according to the scho- 
 liast, had the property of lowing whenever any unseemly action 
 was about to be committed there. 
 
SEVENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 57 
 
 Since he to violence and fraud unknown, 175 
 
 Treads the straight paths of equity alone : 
 His fathers' counsels mindful to pursue, 
 And keep their bright example still in view. 
 Then let not inactivity disgrace 
 The well-earn'd fame of thine illustrious race, 18C 
 Who sprang from great Callianax, and crown 
 Th' Eratidae with splendour all their own. 
 With joy and festal hymns the streets resound — 
 But soon, as shifts the ever varying gale, 
 The storms of adverse fortune may assail — 185 
 Then, Rhodians, be your mirth with sober temper 
 ance crown'd. 176 
 
THE EIGHTH OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 ro THE YOUTH ALCIMEDON, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE 
 PAL.ESTRA, GAINED IN THE EIGHTEENTH OLYMPIAD; 
 HIS BROTHER TIMOSTHENES, VICTOR IN THE NEMEAN 
 GAMES ; AND TO THEIR PRyECEPTOR, OR ALIPTA,* 
 MELESIAS. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 This ode begins with an address to Olympia ; after which Pin- 
 dar proceeds to congratulate Aicimedon and Tiraosthenes, 
 the former on his Olympic, and the latter on his recent Ne- 
 mean victory. — Then follow the praises of the victor's native 
 island ^gina, from its founder ^acus, a theme which ap- 
 pears to be always grateful to our poet, who relates the fables 
 connected with its origin ; as well as the assistance of that 
 hero, which was engaged by Apollo and Neptune when build- 
 ing the walls of Troy. — The praises of Melesias are then sung, 
 and the Blepsiadae, a tribe of Jiginetans, is recorded, as well 
 as the memory of the victor's departed relatives, Iphion and 
 Callimachus. — The ode con( ludes with the expression of good 
 wishes. 
 
 Olympia, mother of heroic games, 
 
 Whose golden wreath the victor's might proclaims, 
 
 Great queen of truth ! — thou whose prophetic band 
 
 From victims blazing in the sacred fire 
 
 Jove's sovereign will, the lightning's guide, inquire, 
 
 "What favour'd mortal shall the crown command 6 
 
 Which bids the anxious hour of contest close, 
 
 And gives to virtuous toil the guerdon and repose. 9 
 
 The^ods above with favouring ear 
 
 The prayers of pious mortals hear. 10 
 
 * Who anointed the combatants, and prepared them for the 
 ing. 
 
EIGHTH OLYMPIC ODE. 59 
 
 Ye woody shades of Pisa's grove, 
 
 That o'er Alpheus' waters bend, 
 
 From you the wreath which victory wove, 
 
 And the triumphant hymn descend ; 
 
 Receive the pomp and festal song 15 
 
 Which justly to your fame belong. 14 
 
 The deeds of glory and renown 
 
 Mankind with well-earn'd chaplets crown ; 
 
 And by th' indulgent powers of heaven 
 
 Success in various paths is given. 20 
 
 Timosthenes, the influence shed 
 
 By Jove around thy youthful head. 
 
 In Nemea's plain eifulgent shone ; 
 
 While Croniam's hill return'd the sound, 
 
 W^hat time Olympia's chaplet crown'd 25 
 
 Thy victor brow, Alcimedon. 
 
 On that fair form and lovely face 
 
 His glorious deeds shed no disgrace. 
 
 Triumphant from the wrestler's toil 
 
 By glory fired and filial pride, 30 
 
 His loved ^gina's naval isle 
 
 With high renown he dignified. 
 
 W^here Themis, the lorn stranger's shield. 
 
 Assessor of protecting Jove, 
 
 Her righteous sceptre joys to wield, 35 
 
 Adored by more than mortal love. 30 
 
 Where nations meet and various laws prevail, 
 'Tis hard with even poise to hold the scale. 
 But the immortal gods' behest 
 Ordain'd this ocean-girded land, 40 
 
 Sure refuge of each wandering guest. 
 Firm as the column's shaft to stand. 
 (And oh ! may future ages join 
 Unwearied to assist their great design !) 38 
 
 Hence ruled by chiefs of Doric race, 45 
 
 W'ho from great yEacus their empire trace. 
 
60 PINDAR. 
 
 On him, to raise the towers of Ilium's wall, 
 "Wide-ruling Neptune andLatona's son 
 Deign'd in the niijrhty work for aid to call. 
 Those towers which, when her destined course was 
 run, 50 
 
 Tremendous war's depopulating sway 
 Should on the ground in smoky ruin lay. 47 
 
 When now complete the stately pile appear'd, 
 
 Their hostile forms three azure dragons rear'd ; 
 
 But from the threaten'd wall with gasping breath 55 
 
 Two fell exhausted in the pangs of death. 
 
 One with terrific shout advancing still, 
 
 Apollo thus pronounced the boded ill : 
 " Uprear'd, great hero, by thy hand, 
 Prostrate shall Pergamus be laid ; 60 
 
 (For true wdll future ages prove 
 The omen sent from thundering Jove ;) 
 But not without thy children's aid — 
 What by the fathers is begun, 
 
 Shall in the fourth succeeding age be done." 59 65 
 
 Thus having clear'd the fatal sign, 
 Sure presage of the will divine. 
 To Xanthus and the Amazonian band, 
 "Whose guiding rein the generous steeds obey, 
 And where flows Ister through t'ne Scythian land, 
 His flaming chariot urged its rapid way. 71 
 
 But he who w ields the trident's might. 
 His course to sea-beat Isthmus bent. 
 And with his golden coursers' flight 
 Hither great jEacus he sent 75 
 
 To view from Corinth's lofty brow 
 His solemn festival below. 69 
 
 But no delight to men secure 
 Shall in this earthly state endure. 
 
 65 Telamon and Neoptolemus. 
 
EIGHTH Olympic ode. 61 
 
 If of the beardless train I raise 80 
 
 The hymn that sings Melesias' praise, 
 Let not the tongue of Envy rail, 
 Nor with sharp stone my fame assail. 
 His valiant deeds in Nemea's plain 
 Alike inspire the poet's strain — 85 
 
 And next the great pancratium's meed, 
 Which to the strife of heroes is decreed. 77 
 
 His triumph is our surest guide. 
 Whose feet the arduous paths have tried ; 
 But light their mind and counsel vain 90 
 
 Whose skill could ne'er the palm obtain. 
 Who tells his own victorious deeds 
 To others points the path of fame. 
 And shows what glorious lot succeeds 
 His conquest in each sacred game. 95 
 
 So thine the thirtieth garland won 
 Adds to thy teacher's fame, Alcimedon. 87 
 
 With fortune and his manly arm to aid. 
 He sent four vanquish'd striphngs back in shame, 
 Darken'd their homeward path with sorrow's shade, 
 And gave to slandering infamy their name. 101 
 
 'Twas this his grandsire's age inspired 
 
 W'ith vigorous youth's returning breath ; 
 
 For by the victor's glory fired 
 
 His mind forgot the hour of death. 96 105 
 
 Be mine the task, Blepsiad8e, to raise 
 
 A record worthy of your deathless praise. 
 
 101 Statius appears to have had this highly poetical passage 
 in his mind when, speaking of the return of the worsted and 
 dejected Pelasgi from the field, he says — (Theb. xi. 759 :) — 
 " Eunt taciti passim, et pro funere pulchro 
 Dedecorem amplexi vitam reditusque pudendos. 
 Nox favet, et giata proliigos amplectitur umbra." 
 
62 PINDAR. 
 
 Ye whom the verdant wreath six times decreed, 
 Again encircles with the victor's meed. 
 
 And even the dead will joy to share 110 
 
 This tribute of the poet's care : 
 Since the bright actions of the just 
 Survive unburied in the kindred dust. 105 
 
 There let Iphion's tongue proclaim 
 
 Callimachus, to charm thine ear, 115 
 
 The tale which Hermes' daughter, Fame, 
 
 Gave him, while yet on earth, to hear. 
 
 That Jove once more had deigned to grace 
 
 With Pisa's crown their favour'd race. 
 
 His blessings may he still impart, 120 
 
 And ward disease's bitter dart ! 
 
 Forbear amid the happy state 
 
 Discordant Nemesis to throw, 
 
 But give secure their life to flow, 124 
 
 And crown their country's prosperous fate. 
 
THE NINTH OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 TO EPHARMOSTUS, THE OPUNTIAN, ON HIS VICTORY IN 
 THE PALESTRA, GAINED IN THE SEVENTY-THIRD OLYM- 
 PIAD. 
 
 AEGUMENT. 
 
 Beginning with the praises of the victor, Pindar digresses 
 to those of his native city Opus. — Then, being led by th-^ 
 mention of the propitious power of the Graces, to speak ot 
 Hercules' contest with Neptune, Apollo, and Pluto, which 
 was carried on by their assistance, he checks himself, con- 
 sidering it an act of impiety to relate tales that may be dis- 
 paraging to any of the gods. — Then follows a digression re- 
 lating to Deucalion's flood, and the reparation of the human 
 race after the waters had subsided. — The poet addressing 
 Epharmostus and the citizens of Opus, as being descended 
 from DeucaUon and Pyrrha, through their daughter Proto- 
 geneia, who had by Jupiter a son called Opus, from whom the 
 city was named. — His hospitality is celebrated, and his re- 
 ception, among his other guests, of Menaetius, whose son 
 Patroclus is mentioned with high commendation as having 
 assisted Achilles in his attack on Telephus, who had put to 
 flight the Grecian band. — He then aspires to the car of the 
 muses, who would enable him to frame a song that might do 
 justice to the several triumphs of Lampromachus and Ephar- 
 mostus, which he enumerates ; attributing the victor's excel- 
 lence and various graces to the favour of the gods, and con- 
 cluding with a compliment to his hero, who, after his victory 
 in the Oilean games, offered sacrifices and funeral rites at the 
 tomb of Ajax. 
 
 Archilochus' Olympic strain 
 With triple harmony combined, 
 Might have sufficed the friendly trains, 
 And gratified the victor's mind. 
 
 1 It appears to have been customary to sing at the Olympic 
 
64 PINDAR. 
 
 What, time, as Epharmostus leads, 5 
 
 By Saturn's hill the pomp proceeds. 
 
 But haste the sounding shafts to throw 
 
 From the far-darting muses' bow ; 
 
 The first to heaven's eternal king, 
 
 Who guides the lightning's lurid wing ; 10 
 
 The next to Elis' sacred tower, 
 
 Uprear'd the rocky heights above. 
 
 Which Lydian Pelops gain'd, fair dower 
 
 Of chaste Hippodameia's love. 16 
 
 Towards Pytho next thine efforts bend, 15 
 
 A sweet and winged shaft to send. 
 Nor shalt thou raise a feeble strain. 
 Earth sprung, that falls to earth again. 
 When in fair Opus' praise you shake the string. 
 And her brave hero of the wrestler's ring ; 20 
 
 Whose sons, preserved by equal laws, obey 
 Bright Themis and her glorious daughter's sway. 
 There now the virtues flourish wide. 
 And with transplanted radiance glow, 
 Blooming as by Alpheus' tide, 25 
 
 Or where Castalia's waters flow. 
 Hence from her verdant grove the frequent crown 
 His Locrian city's fame exalts with fair renown. 32 
 
 But I, who joy ray much-loved state 
 
 With festal hymns to celebrate, 30 
 
 Swift as the courser sweeps the plain, 
 
 Or winged vessel ploughs the main, 
 
 To all the listening world around 
 
 Will send the conquest's joyful sound. 
 
 games a hymn of Archilochus, consisting of three strophes, and 
 composed in honour of Hercules ; which began thus : 
 
 'HpaKXcis. 
 To this Pindar lie e jjuudej. 
 7 Addressed co the chorus. 
 22 Eunomia, the genius of good government. 
 
NINTH OLYMPIC ODE. 65 
 
 Since, aided by a hand divine, 35 
 
 Within the Graces' choicest bower, 
 I make their blooming treasures mine, 
 And cull the sweets of every flower. 
 For they the charms of life bestow, 
 While all the brave and wise to them their virtues 
 owe. 43 40 
 
 How else could great Alcides' hand 
 
 With shaken club provoke to fighi 
 
 The god who wields the trident's might, 
 
 At Pylos when he took his stand. 
 
 To drive the hero from the laud I 45 
 
 How dare to challenge as a foe 
 
 The monarch of the silver bow 1 
 
 Nor could stern Pluto's grasp retain 
 
 Unmoved the sceptre of his reign, 
 
 Which drives the forms devoid of breath 50 
 
 Within the hollow vale of death. 
 
 No more, unhallow'd lips, assail 
 
 The mighty gods with slanderous tale. 
 
 It sounds of madness thus to rise 
 
 In impious vaunts against the skies. 55 
 
 Be contests banish'd from the strain 
 
 That celebrates th' immortal train ; , 
 
 And rather by the poet's tongue 
 
 Protogeneia's city sung. 
 
 50 The office which is here attributed to the sceptre of Pluto, 
 IS by the poets usually described as characterizing the caduceus 
 of Mercury.— See Homer, II. xxiv. 213; Virg., ^n. iv. 242; 
 Herat., Od. i, 24. — The last of which passages is thus trans- 
 lated by Francis : — 
 
 " Yet ne'er returns the vital heat, ■ 
 The shadowy form to animate. 
 Soon as the ghost-compelling god 
 Forms Kis black troops with horrid rod, 
 He will not, lenient to the breath 
 Of prirfyej, unbar ilie gates of death." 
 
 F 
 
66 PINDAR. 
 
 Where, as ordaiii'd by heaven's eternal king-, GO 
 Whose power directs the Hghtninij's varied wing, 
 Descending from Parnassus' lofty height, 
 Pyrrha and her Deucalion sought the plain, 
 Rear'd the first dome, and calPd that race to light, 
 Whose stony birth they bade tlie name retain. 65 
 
 Then wake for them the tuneful string — 
 Though wine improved bj- mellowing age 
 The palate's suffrage more engage, 
 Yet choose a newer lay the victors praise to sing. 
 
 In tales of ancient lore 'tis said 70 
 
 O'er earth the v.'helming waters spread 
 
 Urged all their congregated force. 
 
 But Jove's high will his headlong course 
 
 Bade the usurping foe restram. 
 
 And sink absorb'd the refluent mam. 75 
 
 From them your sires, the warlike race 
 
 Of old lapetus, descend ; 
 
 Whose glorious deeds the brightest grace 
 
 To Saturn their forefather lend ; 
 
 63 Aaos, a people, from Xaaj, a stone. So Ovid, speaking of 
 Deucalion's Deluge, (Met. i. 411,) says : — 
 
 " Superorum munere, saxa 
 Missa viri manibus faclem traxere virilem ; 
 Et de fcEmineo r^arata est foemina jactu. 
 Inde genus durum sumus, experiensque laborum , 
 Et documenta damus, qua simus origine nati." 
 
 Pindar, by deducing the origin of the Locrians from a daughter 
 or daughters of Jupiter, gives another proof of his anxiety to 
 assign to the cities in honour of whose townsmen his odes are 
 composed, as ancient and illustrious a source as history or my 
 thology will permit. It would be a futile attempt to supply 
 the defective links in the genealogical chain between Deu- 
 calion and Locrus, from whom the people derive their appella- 
 tion ; but this perplexity involves the origin of many ancieni 
 nations, who have recourse to mythological fiction for thai 
 which the integrity of truth will not supply. 
 
NINTH OLYMPIC ODE. 67 
 
 And hence a line of native kings 80 
 
 In regular succession springs. 84 
 
 Ere yet th' Olympic ruler's hand 
 
 Had ravish'd from th' Epean land 
 
 The daughter of fair Opus' lord, 
 
 And on the dark Mi3enalian heights 85 
 
 Mingled with her in love's delights ; 
 
 To Locrus then his bride restored, 
 
 Lest age, death's harbinger, should doom 
 
 The childless monarch to the tomb. 92 
 
 Soon as the heavenly scion came, 90 
 
 The raptured hero gazed with joy 
 On the supposititious boy, 
 And call'd him by his uncle's name- 
 In manly deeds and outward grace 
 Above the sons of mortal race — • 95 
 
 Permitting to his sceptred hand 
 Dominion o'er the subject land. 100 
 
 From Argos some, from Thebes, and Pisa's plain, 
 And fair Arcadia, throng the frequent train. 
 But most his love and admiration won 100 
 
 Menaetius, Actor and ^gina's son : 
 
 Whose offspring, when brave Atreus' host 
 
 Invaded Teuthras' Mysian land, 
 
 Alone could with Achilles boast 
 
 The adverse army to withstand : 105 
 
 When Telephus the Grecian train 
 
 Drove seaward to their ships again. 
 
 Hence might the wise and prudent find 
 
 The strength of great Patroclus' mind. 115 
 
 Hence might the tender love appear 110 
 
 By Thetis' warlike offspring shown ; 
 " Quit not," he said, " my conquering spear. 
 Nor join the war's array alone." 
 
68 ri.NDAU. 
 
 Oh ! could I in the muses' car 
 
 Soar, eloquent of speech, afar — 115 
 
 Since bold emprise and power belong 
 
 To the high-favour'd child of song. 
 
 Inspired with hospitable aim 
 
 I come the virtues to proclaim, 
 
 Which round thy honour'd temples twine, 120 
 
 Lanipromachus, the Isthmian pine ; 
 
 When both in one triumphant day 
 
 The victor's chaplet bore away. 
 
 Two other joys at Corinth's ^gate 
 
 His brow in after times await ; 125 
 
 And victory twice in Nemea's grove 
 
 The wreath for Epharmostus wove. 
 
 In Argos' strife of men renown'd. 
 
 While yet a boy at Athens crown'd ; 
 
 When in the Marathonian field, 130 
 
 Departing from the beardless train. 
 
 He made the veteran warriors yield, 
 
 The cup of silver to obtain. 
 
 Oh ! with what matchless swiftness there 
 
 He ran the circus' destined round, 135 
 
 While shouting myriads rend the air 
 
 With admiration's joyful sound. 
 
 His lonely form and deeds of might 
 
 Bursting upon the raptured sight. 
 
 Wondrous in the Parrhasian plain 110 
 
 Before contending hosts he strove, 
 
 When all the congregated train 
 
 Hallowed thy feast, Lycoean Jove. 145 
 
 And when Pallene's robe he bears, 
 
 Warm refuge from the chilling airs. 145 
 
 132-'I. e., in the Isthmus, where the games were celebrated 
 So iEschyius, describing the Cimmerian Bosphorus, says, (P 
 V. 754. 0— 
 
 laOiiov 5' ^jr* avTii crrevo-Kopois \ijxvt]S n-vXais 
 
 KljlfUpiKOV fj^tlS- 
 
MiMll oLVMPIC ODE. 69 
 
 Full oft has lolaus' shrine 
 
 Upon Eleiisis' sea- girt strand 
 
 Witnessed the splendid acts which shine 
 
 To crown the efforts of his hand. 
 
 In his own path each labours well, 150 
 
 As nature grants him to excel. 
 
 While many with laborious aim 
 
 Toil up the rugged steep of fame, 
 
 If the kind god forbear to bless 
 
 Their vain endeavour with success, 155 
 
 Let silence hide th' unfinish'd tale 
 
 Within oblivion's dusky veil. 
 
 Far different are the ways which tend 
 
 To glory as their common end. 158 
 
 Not all mankind are prone to feel 160 
 
 In the same care an equal zeal. 
 
 But arduous paths must they explore 
 
 Who to the heights of wisdom soar. 
 
 While I this lay triumphant bring, 
 
 With voice sonorous let me sing 165 
 
 The hero's praise whose spirit bold 
 
 Join'd to a frame of hardy mould, 
 
 Urged him upon th' Oilean plain 
 
 The palm of glory to obtain. 
 
 Then round the ^antean shrine 170 
 
 In festal pomp the wreath entwine. 168 
 
 171 It was the custom for the victors on their return from 
 Olympia to institute sacred rites in honour of the indigenous hero 
 Ajax, son of Oileus, and to crown his shrine with a chaplet. 
 The iEantean games were particularly celebrated at Opus, 
 
THE TENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 TO AGESIDAMUS, SON OF ARCHESTRATUS, THE EPIZE- 
 PHYRIAN, OR WESTERN LOCRIAN, ON HIS VICTORY WITH 
 THE C^STUS GAINED IN THE SEVENTY-THIRD OLYM- 
 PIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 This ode opens with an address to the mnse and to Truth, 
 whom he wishes to remind him of his long-forgotten promise 
 to celebrate the son of Archestratus and the city of the Lo- 
 crians ; as well as his alipta Has, who encouraged him by the 
 example of Hercules and Patroclus to persevere in the con- 
 test notwithstanding its unfavourable commencement. — Then 
 follows a digression concerning the institution of the Olympic 
 games by Hercules, with an enumeration of his conquests 
 over the Molionidse, and Augeas, king of Elis : the victors in 
 these games are likewise recorded. — The poet then sings the 
 praises of Jupiter, and concludes with comphmenting Agesi- 
 damus on his prowess and personal beauty, comparing him in 
 this respect to Ganymedes. 
 
 Inscribed upon the poet's mind 
 Archestratus' illustrious son, 
 Who late th' Olympic wreath has won, 
 Thou Imov/'st, celestial muse, to find : 
 For dull obhvion swept away 5 
 
 All record of the promised lay. 
 And thou, oh Truth I fair child of Jove, 
 "With thine unerring hand efface 
 The tale that speaks his foul disgrace, 
 Who slights a claim, and wrongs the stranger's 
 love. 10 
 
 For when time's rapid course had flown, 
 I felt the glowing tinge of shame, 
 
TENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 71 
 
 To think how large the debt became. 
 
 But ample interest now shall close 
 
 The sharp reproach of envious foes, 15 
 
 And all the guilty past atone. 
 
 Now whelm'd beneath the flowing tide, 
 
 Where is the pebble seen to glide ? 
 
 And to confound the slanderous tongue, 
 
 How shall the friendly strain be sung] 16 20 
 
 For Truth her Locrians' favour'd land, 
 
 Refresh'd by Zephyr's breath, defends : 
 
 Calliope her guardian hand 
 
 O'er them with brazen Mars extends. 
 
 E'en Hercules' superior might 25 
 
 Fainted in the Cycnean fight. 
 
 And as Patroclus, safe from harm, 
 
 Bowed grateful to Achilles' arm, 
 
 So should Agesidamus pay 
 
 His thanks to lias in the fray. 30 
 
 Who gave him on Olympia's plain 
 
 The wrestler's chaplet to obtain. 
 
 For by the favouring god inspired, 
 
 To glorious deeds the breast is fired, 
 
 Where emulation points the way. 25 35 
 
 But few to eminence can rise. 
 And without labour seize the prize, 
 
 17 The metaphor in the original is similar to that in Joshua, 
 v., 9 : " I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt " I understand 
 the words of Pindar interrogatively with the Oxford editors, al- 
 though against the opinion of Heyne. 
 
 21 One of the scholiasts, instead of ArpsKeia, here reads a 
 rpay^tia tto\is, as if the poet was alluding to the rocky situation 
 of the town ; but the common reading appears far preferable. 
 
 36 This passage is rather obscure, and the construction not 
 very clear. From the v/ords as they stand, I have endeavoured 
 to elicit the most obvious and natural meaning. By the The- 
 mites, daughters of Jupiter, the poet probably means nothing 
 more than the righteous eye of the heavenly king, surveying 
 with especial interest his own Olympic contests. Tlxe younger 
 
72 PINDAR. 
 
 The light and joy of fleeting life. 
 
 Daughters of heaven's eternal king, 
 
 Urged by your high command, I sing, 40 
 
 Ye Theniites, the j^lorious strife? 
 Which Hercules at Pelops' ancient shrine. 
 Ordain'd, when from unwilling Augeas' hand, 
 That he the promised guerdon might demand, 
 Neptune's proud sons he slew, who scorn'd his 
 might divine. 45 
 
 Within Cleonae's thickeF>t wood 
 
 Alcides in dark ambush lay, 
 
 When blameless Cteatus pursued 
 
 With Eurytus his deadly way. 
 Thus was avenged his brave Tiryntliian host, 50 
 By Molion's haughty race in pass of Elis lost. 42 
 
 Ere long the fraudulent Epean king 
 Saw potent fire and the devouring blade 
 Destruction to his rich dominions bring. 
 Deep in the lowest gulf of misery laid. 55 
 
 'Tis hard a mightier foe's assault to quell. 
 Thus the devoted Augeas, seized at last 
 By vengeful fate, bereft of counsel, fell, 
 And death atoned for all his treachery past. 50 
 
 His whole array the warlike son of Jove 60 
 
 On Pisa's plain assembling with the spoil, 
 Raised to his mighty father Altis' grove. 
 And fenced from tread profane the hallo v/'d soil. 
 
 scholiast says : al Qiy.iT£^, riyovv ai voiioOeaicu tov Aios, at Kara 
 vofiovi (TvvT]dciat. 
 
 51 This story is related at great length to Patroclus by old 
 JN'estor, (II., xi. 670, et seq.,) whose unseasonable garrulity oV the 
 occasion is justly reprehended by Pope. 
 
 61 An early instance of the consecration of a tenth part of the 
 spoils taken in battle to the service of the gods is given by Xtn- 
 ophon, (Anab.jV., 3. ;) Kat -rjv SsKartjv, f/v t-^) AtoWiovi t^ziXov Kai 
 rri E0£(T<a AftTefii^i, 6i£Xn(3ov o'l cTparTjyoi, to yzpog iKcurras, ^vXarretv 
 Tots Otois' at the end of the chapter the planting of a large grove 
 
TENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 73 
 
 Shrines to th' immortal twelve he placed, 
 
 Who the celestial banquet graced, 65 
 
 Ranking with these Alpheus' wave, 
 
 To Saturn's hill the name he gave. 
 
 (For erst, while old (Enomaus' hand 
 
 Possess'd the sceptre of the land, 
 
 Upon the nameless mountain's head 70 
 
 Their snows unnumber'd ages shed.) 
 
 On the first rites with aspect mild 
 
 The destinies assistant smiled ; 
 
 And hoary Time, whose steady ray 
 
 Oft brings undoubted truth to day. 67 75 
 
 He in his onward course reveal'd 
 What time Alcides' conquering might 
 Bestow'd, to found Olympia's field, 
 The earliest offerings of the fight. 
 And on each fifth returning year 80 
 
 Bade victory's sons the chaplet wear. 
 Tell, muse, in that illustrious day 
 Who first the glorious prize obtain'd ; 
 Who bore the wrestler's palm away ; 
 Who the high meed of swiftness gain'd : 85 
 
 Or urged his chariot to the goal, 
 Curbing by deeds the pride of boastful rivals' soul. 75 
 
 around the temple of Jupiter is mentioned. Thus Ovid, addres- 
 sing Bacchus, says, (Fast, iii., 729) — 
 
 " Te memorant, Gange, totoque Oriente subacto, 
 Primitias magno seposuisse Jovi." 
 
 And Calhmachus, addressing Apollo, (in Del. 278) — 
 
 AXXa TOt ajicpuTeLS SeKaTrjtpopoi aUv airap^ai 
 
 lie [.iirovTai. 
 On which passage see the learned dissertation of Spanheim, 
 who mentions the same custom to have prevailed among the 
 Jews, who were wont to convey to their holy metropolis the 
 first fruits and tenths of the produce of the soil forthe mainte- 
 nance of the temple and its service. Spencer (de Legg. }iet,>. 
 1161. &c.) shows at great length that many of the rues ob- 
 served in bringing the first fruits to Jerusalem were- borrowed 
 from heathen nations^ 
 
74 PINDAR. 
 
 First ill the stadium's level course 
 CEonus, brave Lj^^ymnius' son, 
 Who brought from Midea's walls his force, 90 
 The chaplet's glorious honours won : 
 And Echemus his Tegea's name 
 Raised in the wrestler's ring to fame. 
 Doryclus bade the manly caestus crown 
 His lovely Tirynthian city with renown. 82 95 
 
 And Semus' steeds unwearied in the race, 
 Mantinea with the hymn of triumph grace. 
 Phrastor with certain aim the javelin threw; 
 While from Eniceus' hand the discus flew, 
 And as the circling orb ascended high 100 
 
 Above the rest, what clamours rent the sky ! 
 The full-orb'd moon, with her nocturnal ray 
 Shed o'er the scene a lovely flood of day. 91 
 
 And all the grove with festal chorus rang, 
 
 Oft as the crowd the victor's praises sang. 105 
 
 Now shall the muse prepare her loftiest verse, 
 
 Obedient to the rites of ancient days, 
 
 The lurid bolts and shafts of light rehearse. 
 
 And sing the mighty Thunderer's deathless praise. 
 
 Symphonious with the song shall wake the reed, 
 
 By Dirce's sacred fount — a tardy note indeed ! Ill 
 
 Grateful as comes th' expected heir 
 
 To bless his age — enfeebled sire. 
 
 The source of sweetly anxious care, 
 
 And object of his fond desire. 115 
 
 Since wealth, if foreign hands must seize the hoard. 
 
 Is view'd with hatred by its djing lord. 
 
 E'en thus,-arrived at Pluto's dark domain, 
 
 The hero, nameless in the poet's lay. 
 
 By glorious acts and aspirations vain 120 
 
 Will not have soothed life's brief and anxious day. 
 
 The dulcet flute and lyre's accordant string 
 Thy happier deeds, Agesidamus, sing. 
 
TENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 75 
 
 While the Pierian maids, Jove's tuneful race, 
 
 On thy fair deeds bestow illustrious grace ! 116 125 
 
 And I, the muses' faithful friend, 
 With ardent zeal my efforts bend 
 To hymn the mighty Locrians' name : 
 Shedding o'er their well-peopled town 
 The honey'd dews of fair renown, 130 
 
 Archestratus' loved stripling 1 proclaim. 
 Victorious near th' Olympic shrine. 
 With strength of arm I saw him shine 
 In bloom of youth and beauty's flower. 
 Incipient manhood's golden hour, 135 
 
 Which with the Cyprian queen of love 
 Disgraceful fate from Ganymedes drove. 125 
 
THE ELEVENTH OLYMPIC ODE* 
 
 TO THE SAME AGESIDAMUS, A SUPPLEMENTARY ODE, 
 KNOWN BY THE GREEK TITLE Tocos, OR INTEREST 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet addresses this short ode to AgeBidamus, as a kind of 
 amends for his delay in sending him the preceding, — It con- 
 tains the praises of the Locri and of Agesidamus : the latter 
 on account of his victory with the c^stus ; the other for wis- 
 dom, hospitaUty, and fortitude. 
 
 As men, o'er ocean's paths who sail, 
 Implore from Heaven a favouring gale, 
 And others joy when, at their call, 
 Showers, the clouds' humid daughters, fall ; 
 Thus too v/hen some laborious deed 5 
 
 Is crown'd with victory's well-earn'd meed, 
 The hero's virtues soft-toned hymns proclaim, 
 Sure pledge that after times shallcelebrate his name. 
 
 Praises like these unenvied yield 
 
 The conquests of Olympia's field ; 10 
 
 And such my tongue aspired to gain. 
 
 But human wishes all are vain, 
 
 Unless the god his aid bestow. 
 
 From whom success and genius flow. 
 
 Son of Archestratus ! I raise 15 
 
 In thy triumphant ceestus' praise 
 
 The hymn whose melody around 
 
 The golden olive's wreath shall sound ; 
 
 * The Greek title of this ode was ToKog, or Interest, as it was 
 sent to Agesidamus with the preceding, in order to compensate 
 for the poet's tardiness in sending him the precedmg. 
 
ELEVENTH OLYxMPIC ODE, 77 
 
 While the melodious numbers grace 
 
 The western Loorians' honour'd race. 15 20 
 
 Thither, ye muses, lead the festal train, 
 
 If to that land your hallo w'd footsteps stray, 
 
 Ye find no rude, inhospitable swain. 
 
 Who drives the stranger from his door away. 
 
 But one, in wisdom's ample treasures bless'd, 25 
 
 Whose veins with all his father's valour glow ; 
 
 For time but steels the rugged lion's breast, 
 
 Nor can the tawny fox his wiles forego. 22 
 
THE TWELFTH OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 TO ERGOTELES OF HIMERA, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE 
 FOOT RACE, CALLED Ac?j;^c<J/)0yM5j,* OR THE LONG 
 COURSE, GAINED IN THE SEVENTY-SEVENTH OLYMPIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 This ode, almost as short as the preceding, begins with an in- 
 vocation to Fortune, the supreme arbitress of events, the 
 issue of which is alwa3's uncertain, to be propitious to the 
 Himerjpans. The victor would have remained in ignoble 
 obscurity, passing his life in domestic broils, had he not re- 
 moved from Crete, his native land, to Himera : in which 
 town, being favourably received, he cultivated those faculties 
 of strength and swiftness which enabled him to obtain the 
 Olympic, Pythian, and Isthmian crowns. 
 
 Oh Fortune, saviour of the state, 
 
 Daughterof Eleutherian Jove, 
 
 For Himera thy constant love 
 
 And guardian care I supplicate. 
 
 Toss'd on the rough and stormy sea, 6 
 
 The rapid ships are sway'd by thee ; 
 
 And marshaird in its long array 
 
 Uncertain war allows thy sway. 
 
 Since, or in council or in field, 
 AH to thy sovereign fiat yield. 10 
 
 While flattering hope's delusive dream 
 Cheats men with visions false and vain ; 
 
 •* This course, according to some, consisted of six, according 
 to others, of twenty-four stadia. It was longer than the diaulos, 
 which was a course from the starting post to the goal and back 
 a?ain without intermission. 
 
TWELFTH OLYMPIC ODE. 79 
 
 Now glads the heart with transport's beam, 
 Now whirls them in despair again. 9 
 
 But not to any son of earth 15 
 
 Has ever yet a sign been given 
 By the immortal powers of heaven 
 To know th' event before it come to birth. 
 Full oft the wishes of mankind 
 An unexpected issue find, 20 
 
 When joy's bright promise ends in wo. 
 Oft too the beams of bliss arise 
 To him whose shatter'd vessel lies 
 Whelm'd in the stormy gulf below, 18 
 
 Son of Philanor ! — like the bird 25 
 
 Whose shouts within are only heard, 
 Ne'er had thy speed, unknown to fame, 
 Exalted an inglorious name. 
 Driven by sedition's broils to roam 
 Far from thy native Cretan home, 30 
 
 Olympia's verdant chaplet now 
 Encircles thine illustrious brow. 
 For thee their twofold chaplets twine 
 The Delphic palm and Isthmian pine, 
 Now fix'd in Himera's adopted plain, 35 
 
 The tepid fountains of the nymphs you crown, 
 Ergoteles, with your own high renown, 
 And bid their springs unwonted honour gain. 28 
 
 25 I. e., the cock, sacred to Mars. By this simile Pindar in- 
 timates that had not Ergoteles beeh expelled by domestic sedi- 
 tion from his native land, he would still have remained inglori- 
 ous at home, like a cock enclosed within a coop. Heyne re- 
 marks that this image is the more obvious, as, the coins of Hi- 
 mera were usually distinguished by the image of that bird. 
 The Himerffians experienced in a remarkable manner the insta- 
 bility of human fortune, as their city was destroyed by the 
 Carthaginians in little more than two hundred years from its 
 foundation. ' 
 
 38 This allusion to the celebrated warm springs of Himera is 
 understood by some commentators in an allegorical sense. 
 
TIIE THIRTEENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 TO XENOPHON, THE CORINTHIAN, ON HIS VICTORY IN 
 ^HE STA.DIC COURSE AND THE PANTATHLON, GAINED 
 IN THE SEVENTY-NINTH OLYMPIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet begins this ode with celebrating the praises of Xeno- 
 phon, conjointly with those of his native town. — He then pro- 
 ceeds to enumerate the different conquests of the victor and 
 his father Ptceodorus. — Then returns to Corinth, and digresses 
 to the story of Belterophon, thrown to earth by Pegasus, who 
 was afterward received into the celestial stalls. — Then fol- 
 low encomiums of the Oligaethidre of the tribe Xenophon, 
 who had been victorious at Thebes, Argos, and various other 
 
 ' cities where games, inferior to the four great contests, were 
 celebrated. — Concludes with a prayer to Jupiter that he may 
 bless them with continued prosperity. 
 
 While to the house of Xenophon I raise 
 The grateful tribute of poetic praise, 
 Who, thrice victorious in Olympia's field, 
 With equal care the friend and stranger shield, 
 Well-peopled Corinth, Isthmian Neptune's gate, 5 
 In this triumphant strain I celebrate. 
 Ennomia with her sisters fair, 
 The state's firm guard, inhabit there — 
 Concord and Justice, who dispense 
 To man unbounded affluence. 10 
 
 They, prudent Themis' golden train, 
 Impetuous arrogance control ; 
 And foul-mouth'd insolence restrain, 
 Which breeds satiety of soul. 12 
 
 12 The oracle of Bacis, mentioned by Herodotus, (Urar*. 
 Lixvii.,) ascribes the same birth to satiety : — 
 
 Vipatipov Kopor, T;?/)(Os Aov. 
 
THIRTEENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 81 
 
 But truth and upright confidence prevail 15 
 
 O'er my bold tongue to speak its pleasing tale. 
 
 Sons of Aietes ! vainly would you hide 
 
 The native valour stamp'd upon the mind. 
 
 To you full often in triumphant pride 
 
 Victory's high palm the blooming hours assign'd ; 20 
 
 And oft they bade your skilful art explore 
 
 The secret mysteries of ancient lore. 24 
 
 But all the glorious action's fame 
 
 Illustrates the inventor's name. 
 
 Who taught, save Corinth's noble race, 26 
 
 The Dithyrambic hymn to grace, 
 
 In festal pride the bull to lead, 
 
 Or curb with reins the generous steed 1 
 Or on the temples with expanded wing 
 Placed the twin semblance of the feather'dking? 30 
 
 Them the sweet-breathing muse inspires. 
 
 While Mars in his sublime career, 
 
 Their youth with thirst of glory fires, 
 
 And gives to hurl the deadly spear. 33 
 
 Supreme, wide-ruling Jove, whose sway 35 
 
 Olympia glories to obey, 
 
 Through every age with guardian arm 
 
 Shielding this happy race from harm, 
 
 Conducted by thy prosperous gale. 
 
 May Xenophon's light pinnace sail. 40 
 
 16 The Corinthians are so called, as being descended from 
 King Aietes, who came into the Peloponnesus with the Hera- 
 clidae, and obtained the empire of Corinth. 
 
 29 There is some obscurity in this passage'. It is doubted by 
 the commentators whether the double eagle were sculptured on 
 the pediment, (aetoma,) or placed inside of the temple. Green 
 is of the latter opinion, but supports it by rather a singular ar- 
 gument, viz., that the word in the original is evdtjK' ; whereas it 
 is evident that the corresponding line in the second epode re- 
 quires EdriK in the first, which is the common and doubtless the 
 true readmg. 
 
 Pausanias, in his description of the temple of Minerva Epyavri, 
 G 
 
82 PINDAR. 
 
 Receive th' encomiastic strain, 
 
 His tribute, wiio on Pisa's plain 
 
 The pentathletic garland won : 
 
 Urged by insuperable force 
 
 While he the stadium's lengthen'd course 45 
 
 With rapid foot was first to run. 
 
 Of all in that great strife renown'd, 
 
 Such wreaths no former mortal crown'd. 44 
 
 His brow, in pride of triumph placed, 
 
 Twice has the Isthmian parsley graced — 50 
 
 As oft conspicuoiis in the Nemean field, 
 
 To him the crown his vanquished rivals yield — 
 
 And by Alpheus' shore his father's name, 
 
 Swift-footed Thessalus, is given to fame. 
 
 Him the same sun beheld on Pytho's plain, 55 
 
 The stadic and diaulic prize obtain : 
 
 And rocky Athens wove her chaplet fair 
 
 Thrice in one moon, to deck the victor's hair. 55 
 
 Seven times th' Hellotian palm he gain'd ; 
 
 But when on Isthmian Neptune's strand 60 
 
 The efforts of his victor hand 
 
 Join'd to great Ptaeodorus' might, 
 
 His sire and partner in the fight, 
 
 The glorious prize obtain'd ; 
 
 More lengthen'd pomps and songs proclaim 65 
 
 Terpsias' and Eritimus' fame. 
 
 the Artificer, in the citadel at Lacedaemon, has these words : — 
 f] Se TTpos f>vaiJias £%£t tuv ^wwr aerovi re 6vo, rtrvs opvidas, Kat laas 
 £7r' avTois viKag. 
 
 59 The Hellotia was a festival of Minerva celebrated at 
 Corinth ; in which was a game called AaiiiraSoSf>o^ia, from 
 youths running with lamps in their hands. The scholiast informs 
 OS that when the Dorians, with the Heraclidae, invaded Corinth 
 and burned the city, the greater part of the virgir/s fled ; but 
 Hellotia, with her sister Euryiione, perished in the flames ol 
 the temple of Minerva. 
 
 66 The former was the son of Ptaeodorus ; the latter the son 
 of Terpsias. 
 
THIRTEENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 83 
 
 What palms to him from Delphic contests rise ! 
 "What honours Nemea's grassy field supplies ! 
 If all his glorious deeds my song would tell, 
 The shore's uniiumber'd stones I might recount as 
 well. 66 70 
 
 Wisdom still follows in the mean, 
 
 On every fit occasion seen. 
 
 I, when true friendship wakes the string, 
 
 Prudence or warlike fame to sing, 
 
 Not e'en for Corinth's sires will raise 75 
 
 Strains of exaggerated praise. 
 Thence Sisyphus, the craftiest son of earth, 
 His hands endued with more than mortal skill. 
 And to this race Medea owes her birth, 
 Whose wedded choice opposed her father's will. 80 
 Her ready aid, by love inspired, could save 
 Argo and all her crew from the remorseless grave. 
 
 What time the troops in long array 
 
 Appear'd before the Dardan wall, 
 
 Anxious to end the doubtful fray, 85 
 
 Begun at the Atridae's call. 
 
 When, aided by their friendly host, 
 
 Greece strove her Helen to regain. 
 
 And Troy beyond her threaten'd coast 
 
 To drive th' invaders to the main. 90 
 
 While Danaus' sons with fear survey'd 
 
 Glaucus, from Lycia's field array'd — 
 
 The plain, he said with conscious pride, 
 
 Where flows Pirene's sacred tide, 
 
 That was my sire's dominion fair, 95 
 
 Whose palace tower'd in splendour there. 88 
 
 Bold Pt!gasus, the snaky Gorgon's son, 
 He strove to curb with many an effort vain, 
 Where that sweet fountain's bubbling waters run, 
 Till virgin Pallas brought the golden rein. 100 
 
 In vision to his couch of rest she came. 
 
84 PINDAR. 
 
 And cried, " Can still th' Q^olian monarch sleep ■? 
 The courser with this wished-for bridle tame, 
 And to the god who rules the stormy deep, 
 As the white bullock on his altar bleeds, 105 
 
 Display as strong a rein as checks his fiery steeds." 
 
 'Twas thus, as plunged in sleep he lay, 
 
 The godlike maid, who joys to wield 
 
 The terrors of her azure shield, 
 
 Seem'd in the shadowy gloom to say. 110 
 
 On eager foot the monarch rose 
 
 And seized the wonder glittering near, 
 
 Then straight the whole bright vision shows 
 
 To Polyidus, native seer, 
 
 That when by night retired to rest, 115 
 
 Obedient to the high behest, 
 
 Within her consecrated fane. 
 
 The virgin progeny of Jove, 
 
 Who darts his lightning spear above. 
 
 Gave to his hand the golden rein. Ill 13 
 
 The prophet bade him swift obey 
 This passage of the will divine, 
 A sturdy bull to Neptune slay. 
 And to equestrian Pallas rear the shrine. 
 
 Full oft the gods with power supreme 125 
 
 Have brought the wish'd event to birth, 
 
 Beyond the utmost hope or dream 
 
 Of the short-sighted sons of earth. 
 
 Even thus Bellerophon the bold 
 
 With gentle rein thrown o'er his head, 130 
 
 The winged courser's pride controil'd, 
 
 And at his potent bidding led. 122 
 
 Then quickly mounting, sportive play'd 
 
 In brazen panoply array'd. 
 Borne by his faithful steed, he sought the field, 135 
 Where blows the desert air with chilling breath ; 
 
THIRTEENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 85 
 
 Made the brave Amazonian squadrons yield, 
 And closed their female warrior ranks in death. 
 Chimaera, breathing fire, his arms o'erthrew, 
 And the proud race of Solymi he slew. 140 
 
 His death I sing not — while from thraldom freed, 
 The ancient stalls of Jove receive th' aspiring 
 steed. 132 
 
 But 'tis not mine beyond the mark to throw 
 
 The whirling arrows from my potent bow. 
 
 The high-throned muses' willing slave, I raise 145 
 
 With the just tribute of poetic praise, 
 
 The Oligaethidse's Corinthian train, 
 
 Victors at Isthmus and on Nemea's plain. 
 
 While in brief tale their glories I rehearse, 
 
 True is the oath that sanctifies my verse. 150 
 
 Since- thirty wreaths the herald's sweet-toned sound 
 
 In either contest won, sings to the world around. 143 
 
 Their triumphs on Olympia's plain 
 
 Ere now my song has given to fame ; 
 
 And future crowns the lay shall move, 155 
 
 If true my ardent wishes prove. 
 
 But should the natal demon bless, 
 
 Since God alone confers success, 
 
 To Jove and war's stern lord we leave 
 
 The embryo glories to achieve. 160 
 
 For them what verdant garlands grow 
 
 On the Parnassian mountain's brow ! 
 
 What chaplets Thebes and Argos yield, 
 
 And green Arcadia's sacred grove ! 
 
 Where stands as witness of the field, 165 
 
 The altar of Lycaean Jove. 154 
 
 142 The scholiast says that these were stars anciently called 
 ovoi as well as (parvai. Perhaps, therefore, it was the PrcBsepe 
 Asellorum, near the constellation Cancer ; which, being a sum- 
 mer sign, answers to the description of it given by Theocritus, 
 (xxii. 21.) — ov<j>v ava ixe<raov afxavpr) iarvr), arinaivuiaa ra irpog nXoav 
 ev^ia iravra. 
 
86 PINDAR. 
 
 Pellene, Sicyon, have beheld their might — 
 
 J^acidae's well-guarded grove, 
 
 Eleusis, Megara, where oft in fight, 
 
 As oft in splendid Marathon they strove. 170 
 
 Euboea and the wealthy cities spread 
 
 Beneath aspiring Etna's head. 
 
 Through Graecia's realm more wreaths to them be- 
 long 
 
 Than could be number'd in the poet's song. 
 
 Still, mighty Jove, preserve their tranquil state, 175 
 
 And may increasing joys the virtuous race await ! 165 
 
THE FOURTEENTH OLYMPIC ODE. 
 
 TO ASOPICHUS OF ORCHOMENOS, ON HIS VICTORy IN THE 
 STADIC COURSE, GAINED IN THE SEVENTIETH OLYM- 
 PIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 This ode begins with a highly poetical invocation to the Graces, 
 guardians of Orchomenos, that they may bless the victor with 
 their propitious influence. — The poet concludes with an ad- 
 dress to Echo, enjoining her to carry the news of his conquest 
 to the city of Proserpine, in order to gratify his father Cleo- 
 damus with the pleasing intelligence. 
 
 Nymphs of Cephisian streams ! who reign 
 
 Where generous coursers graze the plain, 
 
 And rule Orchomenos the fair ; 
 
 Ye Graces ! who with power divine 
 
 Protect the ancient Minyae's line, 5 
 
 Oh listen to my humble prayer. 
 
 To you the grateful bard shall raise 
 
 His tribute of poetic praise ; 
 
 Since wisdom, beauty, splendour flow 
 
 From your bright sphere to man below. 10 
 
 Not without you the bless'd above 
 Or join in banquet or in chorus move. 
 
 But throned on high, your lovely train 
 Placed near the Pythian god of day. 
 Whose golden shafts the beams of light display, 15 
 
 All the high deeds of Heaven ordain, 
 And praise th' Olympic sire with hymns of endless 
 love. 18 
 
 Aglaia, offspring of his might divine, 
 Thalia and Euphrosyne, whose ear 
 
88 PINDAR. 
 
 The songs of heaven delights to hear, 20 
 
 Ye tuneful sisters, harken now to mine. 
 
 As moving on, with agile state, 
 
 The festal pomp we celebrate. 
 
 To hymn, Asopichus, thy fame, 
 
 With Lydian melodies I came ; 25 
 
 Since Minyas' prosperous town to thee 
 
 Owes her Olympic victory. 27 
 
 Now to Persephonea's hall, 
 
 Encircled by its sable wall, 
 
 Haste, Echo, bear thy grateful tale 30 
 
 To Cleodamiis' ear ; 
 Which in illustrious Pisa's vale 
 
 Announced his bright career: 
 How in life's early bloom his son 
 The glorious wreath of triumph won ; 35 
 
 Encirchng with that guerdon fair. 
 In winged grace his flowing hair. 35 
 
 35 Pt was usiral for the victors at the Olympic games to en- 
 twine with garlands the manes of their horses as well as their 
 own hair, To this custom Pindar frequently alludes. 
 
THE PYTHIAN ODES. 
 
OF THE PYTHIAN GAMES. 
 
 The Pythian Games were instituted in honour of Apollo. 
 Conjectures vary with respect to the origin of the word, wliich 
 some imagine to have been named from the serpent Python 
 slain by that god. So Ovid (Met. i. 445) describing the genera- 
 tion and death of this monster : — 
 
 " Neve operis famani possit delere vetustas, 
 Instituit sacros celebri certamine ludos ; 
 Pythia de domito serpentis nomine dictos." 
 
 Others derive the term airo tov -rvQcaQai, because the serpent lay 
 ?iin\ putrefied there; others again a-^o tov TrwOavtadai, from in- 
 ojiiry, because men in doubt went to consult the Pythian Apollo, 
 out the most probable conjecture is that which derives them 
 from Pytho, the ancient name of the town Delphi, situated in a 
 valley of Mount Parnassus, the scene of their celebration, as 
 the other Grecian games, the Olympian, Nemean, and Isthmian, 
 were denominated from the spot on which they were held. 
 The Pythian contests, which the Greeks regarded with the 
 highest reverence, were instituted many years after the Olympic, 
 and before the Isthmian. 
 
 Some authors maintain that they were established by Adrastus, 
 king of Argos, B. C. 1263. At tirst they were held every ninth, 
 but afterward every fifth year. It is said that in the first Pythiad 
 the gods themselves were combatants ; and that Castor won 
 the prize in the stadic course, Pollux in boxing, Hercules in the 
 pancratium, Calais in the foot race, Zetes in fighting with ar- 
 mour, Telamon in wrestling, and Peleus in throwing the quoit ; 
 and that tlxe victor's reward was a laurel crown bestowed by 
 Apollo, afterward changed for a garland of palm leaves. Ovid 
 (loc. cit.) says that the wreath was arbitrary. 
 
 "His juvenum quicumque manu, pedibusve, rotave 
 Vicerat, esculeae capiebat frondis konorem. 
 Nondum laurus erat ; longoque descentia crine 
 Tempora cingebat de qualibet arbore Phoebus." 
 
 The exercises at these games were originally the same as at 
 the Olympic, with the exception of the chariot race, which, how- 
 ever, was at length added. The songs by which the praises 
 of Apollo for his victory over the serpent Pytho were celebrated 
 were, according to Strabo, divided into avuKpovais, the prelude; 
 an allusion to which is probably contained in the opening of the 
 Pythian odes : cinreipa, the first experiment ; KaraKcXtvcrfios, collect- 
 ing courage and rousing for the fight ; lajxpos Kai SaKrvXos, the in- 
 sults of the god over his prostrate enemy ; avpiyyeg, a shrill air ex- 
 pressing the hisses of the expiring serpent. 
 
 According to some authors, these games were introduced into 
 Rome under the title of Ludi ApolUnares. 
 
. THE FIRST PYTHIAN ODE. 
 
 TO HIERO, THE ^TNiEAN, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE CHAR- 
 IOT RACE, GAINED IN THE TAVENTY-NINTH PYTHIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Pindar begins this ode with a beautiful and poetical invocation 
 to the lyre, expatiating on its powerful effects on gods and 
 men. — The impious alone are incapable of enjoying its sweet- 
 ness : among which number is Typhoeus, who is described 
 with great sublimity, as struggling under the superincumbent 
 weight of ^tna. — This digression leads to the mention of the 
 town built by Hiero at the foot of the mountain, and named 
 from it. — Of this ciiy he had caused himself to be proclaimed 
 a citizen by the herald, who declared him victorious in the 
 Pythian chariot race. This the poet regards as a presage of 
 future triumphs, and invokes Apbilo to take the town, to- 
 gether with the surrounding country, under his especial pro- 
 tection : since, as his pious disposition leads him frequently 
 to declare, all mortal advantages, as wisdom, strength, elo- 
 quence, are derived from the gods. — Then follow the praises of 
 Hiero, and good wishes for his future prosperity, together with 
 the mention of his son Dinomenes. — Calling to mind the an- 
 cient history of the family and the calamities which they 
 had suffered, the poet invokes Jupiter to be propitious to them 
 in future, and to avert the perils of war by which they were 
 threatened. — Concludes with offering his advice and good 
 wishes. 
 
 Oh golden lyre ! to whose harmonious string 
 Apollo and the fair-hair'd muses sing, 
 Glad prelude which the choral train obey, 
 
 When moving in the mazy dance 
 
 To the sweet strains the band advance, 5 
 
 Their movements guided by thy sovereign sway — 
 
 Thine is the potent art to tame 
 
 The lightning's everlasting flame. 
 
92 PINDAR. 
 
 Jove's slumbering eagle on his sceptre laid, 
 
 Rests with swift plume on either side display'd. 12 
 
 Thy melting sounds his eyelids close 11 
 
 In the dark shadows of repose. 
 While his curved head and quivering back declare 
 That even in sleep thy darts have entered there. 
 
 Mars, as he listens to thy lay, 15 
 
 Gives his impetuous spear to rest — 
 Thy numbers charm his rage away, 
 And lull to peace his stormy breast. 
 Nor less are all the inmates of the sky 
 Sooth'd by the shafts of harmony ; 20 
 
 Whene'er Apollo's skilful hand 
 Conducts the muses' sacred band. 24 
 
 But wretches \vhom immortal Jove 
 Deigns not to honour with his love, 
 Hear in confusion the Pierian strain 25 
 
 On earth or on the mighty main. 
 As Typhon, he who dared all heaven to brave, 
 And 'gainst the gods with hundred heads to rise, 
 
 9 Casimir appears to have imitated this splendid passage : 
 (Lyric. Ep. ix. 15 :) — 
 
 " tibi prsepes alti 
 
 Civis Olympi 
 Hinc et hinc pressis reverenter alls 
 Attulit pacem." 
 
 Homer (II. xxiv. 361,) calls the eagle Jove^s winged messenger, 
 and the strong sovereign of the phimed race. — Pope. Apuleius 
 (Metam. vi. 119,) gives almost a verbal translation of the words 
 of Pindar : " Nam supremi Jovis regalis ales ilia, repente, pro- 
 pansis utrimque pennis, affuit rapax aquila." 
 
 The English reader will probably call to mind a poetical para- 
 phrase of the celebrated invocation with which this beautiful 
 ode begins, by Akenside, in his hymn to the Naiads : — 
 
 " With emulation all the sounding choir, 
 And bright Apollo, leader of the song, 
 Their voices through the liquid air exalt," &c. 
 
 27 With this description of the hundred-headed Typhon or 
 Typhosus, who is also mentioned in the beginning of the fouith 
 
FIRST PYTHIAN ODE. 93 
 
 Nurtured of old in famed Cilicia's cave, 
 Now whelm'd in black Tartarean darkness lies. 30 
 Cumai's sea-girdled shores below, 
 And where Sicilia's waters flow, 
 Crush'd by the island's weight, impress'd 
 Upon the rebel's shaggy breast, 
 ^tna his giant form restrains, 35 
 
 Whose towering height the cloud sustains, 
 Nurse of the sharp perennial snow. 39 
 
 Forth from her inmost caverns urge their way 
 Fountains of pure and nnapproached fire, 
 Rivers of smoke that blot the face of day, 40 
 
 And from their source of lurid flame aspire. 
 
 But flashes of bright hue illume 
 
 The horrors of nocturnal gloom ; 
 
 And hurl the rocks with thundering sound, 
 
 "Whelm'd in the watery gulf profound. 45 
 
 The restless monster from his burning seat 
 Sends up to heaven the springs of direst heat ; 
 And strikes with mute surprise their eye and ear 
 Who see the wondrous fire, and sounds prodigious 
 hear. 50 
 
 So close his pinion'd form is bound 50 . 
 
 Beneath dark ^Etna's leafy head ; 
 Supported on the rugged ground, 
 While all his back is torn, reclining on that bed. 
 
 Olympic and the eighth Pythian, compare Calhmachus, (in 
 Del. 141,) who, like Pindar, appears anxious to clothe so vast 
 an image with appropriate magnificence of language ; — 
 
 'Slg 6^ Sttot' AiTvatov opeos nvpi rvpOfiEvoio 
 'Luovrai l>-V')(a, ttuvto, KarovSaioio yiyavTog. 
 
 37 See Theocritus, (Id. xi. 47,) where the Cyclop, descri- 
 bing the delights of his ^tnaean residence, says, 
 
 There, from deep-shaded Etna's melting snows 
 The cooling spring's ambrosial beverage flows. 
 
 POLWHELE. 
 
 Compare also Euripides— (Phcen. 815.) 
 
94 PINDAR. 
 
 Oh ! may tliy power, protecting Jove, 
 My humble prayer and deeds approve ; 55 
 
 This mountain's guard, whose lofty brow 
 O'erlooks the fruitful land below. 
 And to the neighbTing city gives its name, 
 Rear'd b3^the builder of immortal fame, 
 While the toud herald's shout declared afar 60 
 
 First in the Pythian course ^tnaean Hiero's car 64 
 
 To men who o'er the ocean sail 
 
 'Tis sweet to launch before the gale, 
 
 And ere they leave the port, discern 
 
 The omen of a bless'd return ; 65 
 
 So might th' encomiastic lay 
 
 Recording these triumphant deeds, 
 
 Foretel in many a future day 
 
 Of garlands won by conquering steeds -, 
 
 Which shall th' illustrious city raise 70 
 
 In festal melodies of praise. 
 
 Oh Lycian Phoebus ! Delian king, 
 
 Who lovest Castalia's pure Parnassian spring, 
 May these warm hopes acceptance find 
 
 With Etna's valiant sons, in thine approving mind! 
 
 For by the ruling powers of heaven 76 
 
 All virtues are to mortals given. 
 
 Wisdom is theirs — from them are sprung 
 
 The active hand, the fluent tongue. 
 
 And when, the victor's might to sing, 80 
 
 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, 
 
 Hop© k) confound the rival throng. 85 
 
 Oh ! thus may Fliero's happy state 
 
 Succeeding ages give to last, 
 
 69 Hiero, to whom the first Olympic ode is addressed. 
 
FIRST PYTHIAN ODE 95 
 
 And grant, to crown his prosperous fate, 
 Oblivion of the sorrows past ! 90 
 
 Her solace too Remembrance yields, 90 
 
 Recording in what numerous fields 
 
 His hand the noble chaplet gain'd ; 
 
 While by the favouring powers of heaven 
 
 To him were brighter honours given 
 
 Than Grecian victor e'er obtain'd : 95 
 
 He still, though with enfeebled might, 
 
 Like Philoctetes, waged the fight. 
 
 Howe'er oppress'd, the brave contend 
 
 To sooth him with the name of friend. 100 
 
 'Tis said that erst the godlike band 100 
 
 Urged with inquiring haste their way 
 To Lemnos' solitary strand, 
 Where Paean's tortured offspring lay ; 
 Without whose bow the fated wall 
 Of Priam's city ne'er could fall. 105 
 
 Though sickness all his powers opposed, 
 Yet he the Grecian labours closed. 
 Thus from the deity may Hiero gain 
 All future joy and respite from his pain. 
 
 Then aid me, muse, the lay to raise, 110 
 
 Sung to Deinomenes' glad ear — 
 
 The pious youth a fathers praise 
 
 From conquering steeds will joy to hear. 115 
 
 Come, let us find a friendly hymn, to sing 
 
 The majesty of ^Etna's future king: 115 
 
 89 An allusion is here made to Hiero's recovery from a very 
 dangerous illness under which he had been labouring. The 
 transition to the story of Philoctetes, and comparison of tliat 
 hero with the Sicilian monarch, is highly poetical and just. 
 The scholiast informs us that a covert allusion is here made to 
 Anaxilaus, king of Rhegium ; or, as others understand it, to 
 Theron, king of Agrigentum. 
 
96 PINDAR. 
 
 To whom that city Hiero rear'd — 
 Subjected to the bonds of law 
 Which Doric states from Hyllus draw — 
 
 Since heavenly freedom reigns where laws are 
 fear'd. 
 The heroes who their noble race 120 
 
 From Pamphilus and great Alcides trace, 
 Who dwelt in distant times below 
 Taygetus' aspiring brow, 
 By true allegiance bound would still 
 jEgimius' high behests fulfil. 125 
 
 From Pindus rushing to the main 
 'Twas theirs Amyclae's walls to gain. 
 In glory as in station near 
 The heavenly twins from Leda sprung, 129 
 
 Whose milk-white steeds and conquering spear 
 Throughout th' applauding world are sung. 129 
 
 Still o'er their fortune, Jove, preside, 
 
 And may the tongue of Truth proclaim 
 
 By Amena's Sicilian tide 
 
 Their citizens' and monarch's fame. 135 
 
 Still may the venerable king 
 
 Direct his son's obedient mind, 
 
 To harmony his subjects bring. 
 
 And in firm ties of concord bind. 
 Saturnian king ! — if aught my prayers avail, 140 
 
 Soon will the shouts of hostile Tuscans cease, 
 Phoenicia's baffled sons from Cumae sail. 
 And all our naval contest end in peace. 141 
 
 By Syracusa's lord o'erthrown, 
 
 What sad reverses have they known ! 145 
 
 "•S The colony of ^tna, as well as the Megarensians and 
 Syracusaus, were of Doric origin ; the latter of whom received 
 their laws from Hyllus, son of Hercules. 
 
 142 This naval victory, achieved by the brothers Hiero and 
 Gelo over the Etruscans off the coast of Cumae, is again men- 
 tioned in the ninth Nemean ode, v. 69, et sq., with nearly the 
 
FIRST PYTHIAN ODE. 97 
 
 From the swift ships their youth he hurl'd 
 
 Deepphinged beneath the watery world; 
 
 Setting the land of Hellas free 
 
 From the rude bonds of slavery. 
 
 To praise th' Athenian name, my muse 150 
 
 From Salamis her lay would choose ; 
 
 While Sparta glorious in the fight 
 
 Waged near Cithseron's towering height ; 
 
 When her brave progeny o'erthrew 
 
 The Median archers' bended yew. 155 
 
 E'en thus, Deinomenes, thy fame 
 
 Sounded in hymns of loud acclaim, 
 
 Near Himera's well-water'd shore, 
 
 Where thy strong arm in glory's field 
 
 Made the contending foeman yield, 160 
 
 Thy latest children shall explore. 150 
 
 If just, the brief and simple tale 
 
 O'er lengthen'd numbers shall prevail : 
 
 While loathes the breast and sated ear 
 
 Exaggerated strains to hear; 165 
 
 Strains which disgust and envy raise 
 
 By superfluity of praise ; 
 
 same invocation to Saturnian Jupiter to grant continued peace 
 and prosperity to the Sicilians, as well as to the Grecians in 
 general. Pindar ascribes to it the most important consequences, 
 no less than the liberation of Greece, and not merely of Sicily, 
 from the heavy yoke of captivity. The second victory, recorded 
 at V. 154, was that gained by the sons of Deinomenes over the 
 Carthaginians at Himera on the same day with the victoiy by 
 the Athenians at Salamis, (A. C. 480.) These were themes 
 worthy of the patriotic poet's enthusiasm, and he appears to ex- 
 patiate on them with pecuhar delight. In v. 152 Pindar alludes 
 to the battle of Platsea, gained by Pausanias with the united 
 forces of Lacedeemon and Athens over an army of Persians 
 vastly superior in number, (A. C. 479,) on the same day vlAi 
 that of Mycale. This great victory completed the liberation of 
 Greece ; and perhaps in the whole range of descriptive poetry 
 we shall scarcely find a series of victorious actions mure con- 
 cisely yet more appropriately described. 
 
98 PINDAR. 
 
 And the dark jealous mind annoy 
 
 That hears with pain another's joy. 
 
 But unsubdued by envious liate, 170 
 
 (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 ill, 
 
 Unnumber'd eyes survey thee still. 
 
 Then tarnish not thy generous mind, 180 
 
 If thy delighted ear rejoice 
 
 In honest fame's applauding voice. 
 
 Be all thy bounties unconfined. 
 
 Like the skilFd pilot, spread thy sail 
 
 Before the free and liberal gale. 177 185 
 
 Nor, friend, let flattery's specious wile 
 
 Thy better judgment e'er beguile. 
 
 When life's brief span is past away, 
 
 And closed the transitory scene, 
 
 The storied page or poet's lay 190 
 
 Declares how bright that life has been. 
 Still Croesus' philanthropic virtue lives ; 
 While Phalaris, who made his victims flame 
 Within the brazen bull's ignited frame, 
 To everlasting infamy survives : 195 
 
 170 That is, as the schoUast explains the passage, you had 
 better be praised for your virtues than pitied for your vices or 
 bad actions. 
 
 176 A similar sentiment occurs in Fletcher's Thierry and 
 Theodoret, (act i., so. 1.), where the Prince of Austracia says of 
 royal delinquents, 
 
 " The sins we do people behold through optics, 
 Which show them ten times more than common vices, 
 And often multiply them." 
 
FIRST PYTHIAN ODE. 99 
 
 Nor is the hated tyrant sung 
 In festal chorus by the youthful tongue. 
 Success is mortals' chief reward below — 
 The next when hymns proclaim the glorious prize — 
 But he whose lot in both triumphant lies 200 
 
 Receives the highest crown that Fortune can be- 
 stow. 125 
 
THE SECOND PYTHIAN ODE. 
 
 TO THE SAME HIERO, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE CHARIOT 
 
 RACE. - ■ 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Pindar begins this ode with an address to SjTacusc, declaring 
 that he brings her a hymn on account of Hiero's victory. — The 
 merits of the "victor justly demand this tribute. — By way of 
 illustration, he digresses to the story of Ixion, who repaid the 
 benefits received from Jupiter by base ingratitude, and when 
 placed on the wheel, uttered a memorable saying, in order to 
 deter men from such conduct : this leads to the fabulous birth 
 and history of Centaurus. — The poet then adds various moral 
 sentiments, with a view of confirming the moral truth de- 
 duced from this narration, and repels the odious charge of 
 having slandered his patron and benefactor, from which the 
 example of Archilochus 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 v/arning him not to lend an ear 
 to the voice of adulation. 
 
 Oh 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 — 5 
 
 To thee from splendid Thebes I come, 
 And bear the grateful tidings home, 
 
 2 These towns are thus enumerated by the scholiast : Acra- 
 dina, Neapolis, Tyche, Epipol« : justly, therefore, nught the poet 
 addiess Syracuse by the epithet /leyaXoTOXtcf. 
 
SECOND PYTHIAN ODE. 101 
 
 How Hiero's victor coursers' might 
 Sped his earth-shaking chariot's flight. 
 By frequent crowns that shine afar 10 
 
 Resplendent in the Pythian war, 
 Ennobhng 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, 
 The huntress maid who joys to slay 
 With certain aim her sylvan prey. 
 And Mercury whose godhead claims 
 Dominion o'er the sacred games, 20 
 
 Placed round his polished 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. 25 
 
 Each lyric poet for a different lord 
 Frames the sweet hymn his valour to record. 
 The Cyprians thus with acclamations sing 
 The praise of Cinyras, their glorious king; 
 Loved by Apollo with his golden hair, 30 
 
 The priest of Venus and her cherish'd care. 
 Favours of friends conferr'd upon the good, 
 Lead to a just return of gratitude. 
 
 Son of Deinomenes ! the Locrian maid 
 
 Raises the loud and joyful strain to thee, 35 
 
 13 I. e., the island Ortygia, at the south of Sicily, The scho- 
 liast interprets 7roTa//ias by tth A\<penoaas. 
 
 19 The scholiast quotes a fragment of ^schylus in which 
 Mercury is called evayofvioi, president of the games. In the 
 Agamemnon (v. 521.) the herald invokes Apollo under the titles 
 oia(j)Trjp Kuiraywvioi ; and in the next verse addresses rovi aywviovs 
 dsovs navTOi. 
 
 29 Homer, who so ofteji confirms the historical and mytho-- 
 logical tales of Pindar, also mentions Cinyras, king of Cyprus, 
 as having given to Agamemnon a breastplate, as a pledge of 
 Kospitable friendship : (11, xi., 19, 20.) 
 
102 PINDAR. 
 
 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, 
 VVhirlM on his rapid wheel Ixion cries — 
 "Mortals, bear this upon your minds impress'd — 40 
 Requite their love from whom your blessings rise." 
 
 This truth he from experience drew, 
 
 Dwelling with heaven's Saturnian train, 
 
 His raptured soul unable grew 
 
 Such mighty transport to sustain ; 45 
 
 When raging with unhallow'd flame 
 
 His wild imagination strove 
 
 To ravish the celestial dame 
 
 Who shares the glorious couch of .love. 
 
 The deed, with peril fraught, he tried, 50 
 
 B^ fearless insolence impell'd; 
 
 But quickly his aspiring pride 
 
 Avenging retribution quell'd. 
 
 These crimes with double weight pursued 
 
 The sinning hero to his doom, 55 
 
 Hands first in kindred blood imbrued, 
 
 A father hurried to the tomb. 59 
 
 Next his endeavour, rash and vain, 
 
 The partner of Jove's bed to gain. 
 
 Let this instruct ambitious man GO 
 
 The measure of his might to scan; 
 
 Since but disgrace and endless wo 
 
 From unallow'd embraces flow. 
 
 The fool who grasp'd at heavenly charms 
 
 Fill'd with a cloud his cheated arms ; 05 
 
 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. 
 
 67 This alludes to the murder of Deioneus by his son-in-favv 
 Ixion, which was perpetrated by throwing him ahve into a pit 
 filled with burning coals. 
 
SECOND PYTHIAN ODE. 103 
 
 There on the deadly circle laid, 70 
 
 Whose fourfold chain himself had made, 
 His liinbs in dreadful torment wound 
 Th' inevitable wheel around, 
 The wretch with tardy wisdom fraught, 
 To all mankind this lesson taught. 75 
 
 Submitting to his strong embrace. 
 Her proud ungracious son she bore, 
 Unhonour'd by the heavenly race. 
 Nor known to mortal birth before. 
 Centaurus (such the nursling's name) 80 
 
 Mingled in Pelion's shady grove 
 With the Magnesian mares in love. 
 And hence a wondrous army came. 
 Each parent's 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. 
 Sporting on rapid fin, the vc'atery deep. 
 Can mortal hopes to prosperous issue bring ; 90 
 Subdues- the pride of one aspiring mind, 
 And deathless fame to others has assign'd. 
 But let me not with slanderous tale 
 Like beast of hostile tooth assail ; 
 For as I saw, though far away, 95 
 
 Archilochus, whose bitter vein 
 His rancorous spleen could ne'er restrain, 
 O'erwhelmed in want and misery lay. 
 Imperial wealth by wisdom graced 
 In the first lot of bliss is placed ; 100 
 
 71 I. a., the wheel with four radii or spokes to which Ixiou 
 was bound. 
 
 96 The story of this poet, who, by the bitterness of his poet- 
 ical slander, caused the death of his father-in-law Lycambes, 
 presents a remarkable instance of retributive justice. By far 
 away is meant distant in point of time, as Archilochus flourished 
 nenrly one hundred and fifty years prior to Pindar. 
 
104 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, 106 
 
 Whatever tongue should dare proclaim 
 
 Through Greece that any hero's fame 
 
 In wealth or honours brighter shone, 
 
 With folly's mark would stamp his name. 1 12 
 
 But when thy virtues wake the song, 110 
 
 By flowery ways I pass along. 
 
 In youth the valour of thine arm 
 
 Shielded thy life from adverse harm. 
 
 Hence I declare that thou hast found 
 
 A glory which exceeds all bound ; 115 
 
 Whether on foot the warriors rage, 
 
 Or in equestrian strife engage ; 
 
 And free from blame my praise shall sound 
 
 Thy counsels in maturer age. 
 Farewell — this hymn across the hoary sea, 120 
 
 As by Phoenician craft, I send to thee. 
 
 121 It appears from this passage, which is confirmed by a 
 fragment of Sophocles, as well as one of Aristophanes, that the 
 Phcenicians, like the Canaanites of Scripture, were always dis- 
 tinguished above other nations by their eminence as merchants, 
 which seems to have passed into a sort of proverb. The Cas- 
 torean song, which Pindar sends across the sea to Hiero, it is 
 probable that nothing more is intended than a hymn commemo- 
 rative of an equestrian victory, Castor being the god of horse- 
 manship : nor must it be confounded with the Kaaropeior /^eXos, 
 or war song of the Spartans. The purport of the tollowing pas- 
 sage is very obscure, referring, probably, to some story unknown 
 to us. The praise of the righteous judge, Rhadamanthus, which 
 follows, Heyne considers to have been a favourite theme with 
 the ancient poets, and affords another proof of the noble inde- 
 pendence of Pindar's mind, and of the value of his friendship, 
 which prompted him to warn even a king with perfect plainnes? 
 and sincerity against being corrupted by the false praises of ve- 
 nal adulators. The construction of the next four lines is by no 
 means clear, although the seatiment, cautioning Kiero to be- 
 
SECOND PYTHIAN ODE. 105 
 
 Thou the triumphant Castorean song-, 
 With music that th' ^olian lyre shall make. 
 To which the seven harmonious chords belong, 
 Skill'd as thou art, with wilhng- candour take. 125 
 
 Let witless boys extol the shape 
 
 Of the deform'd unsightly ape : 
 
 But we the lofty song of praise 
 
 To Rhadamanthus justly raise — 
 
 Clear-sighted judge ! whose rigorous mind 130 
 
 With wisdom and experience fraught, 
 
 Ne'er by the mists of flattery bhnd, 
 
 In her seducing wiles is caught. 
 
 How often from her whisper'd lies 
 
 Inextricable evils rise I 135 
 
 To him whose lips with foxlike art 
 
 The slanderous calumnies impart ; 
 
 And him who with believing ear 
 
 The tale of falsehood joys to hear. 
 
 From such deceit what good can spring ? 140 
 
 Will this or fame or profit bring ? 
 
 As in the fisher's watery toil, 
 
 Aloft the buoyant cork remains, 
 
 While laden with its finny spoil. 
 
 The whelming gulf his net retains. ' 145 
 
 So I from fear and danger free. 
 
 Float corklike on the briny sea. 147 
 
 Ne'er is a good and potent word 
 From lips of treacherous townsman heard. 
 His wiles that all alike deceive, 150 
 
 A web of endless mischief weave. 
 Such boldness ne'er can I approve — 
 Still be it mine a friend to love ; 
 But like a wolf the foe to view, 
 . And in his crooked ways pursue. 155 
 
 ware of being misled by the arts of whispering slanderers, is 
 sufficiently obvious. 
 
 151 1 have here followed Heyne's emendation, arav instead of 
 the common reading ayav. 
 
106 PINDAR. 
 
 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, 160 
 
 Or chief of the tumultuous crowd. 
 
 Against the potent will of Heav^en 
 
 '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 wishM possession bless'd. 
 
 But he, the patient and the wise. 
 
 Who to the yoke his neck applies, 
 
 Lifts not, like oxen prone to feel 
 
 Each casual sting, his angry heel — 175 
 
 Be my complacent temper shown, 
 
 Conversing with the good alone. 176 
 
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 laboured under a grievous 
 disorder. — Hence the friendly poet takes occasion to express 
 his wish that the centaur Chiron, the preceptor ot iEscula- 
 pius 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 clandestine 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 con- 
 solatory exhortation to bear adversity with an equal mind, de- 
 rived from the uncertain condition of mortality, and the con- 
 stant interruption to earthly happiness ; which truth he illus 
 trates by the examples of Cadmus' and Peleus ; interweaving 
 the mythological story of the nuptials of Peleus and Thetis. 
 — He concludes by recommending equanimity from his own 
 example. 
 
 Oh ! could to life my anxious care 
 
 Chiron Phillynides recall ; 
 
 (If my weak tongue may form a prayer 
 
 Breathed for the common good of all ;) 
 
 Celestial Saturn's potent child, 5 
 
 To rule o'er Pelion'a 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 10 
 
 For the rack'd limbs relief could find, 
 
 And bid each torturing pain depart. 13 
 
 Him e'er by Eilithyia's aid 
 Equestrian Phlegyas' daughter bore, 
 
108 PIKDAR. 
 
 Transfix'd by Dian's shafts, the maid li 
 
 Went down to Pluto's dreary shore; 
 
 A.nd lifeless in her chamber lay, 
 
 A victim to the god of day. 
 
 No slight or trivial wounds proceed 
 
 From wrath of Jove's irnmortcil seed. 30 
 
 Her sire beguiled — her mhid subdued 
 
 By folly — with contempt she view'd 
 
 The ties that charard her heart before ; 
 
 Loved by the god, whose locks unshorn 
 
 His brow with youthful grace adorn, 25 
 
 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 ; 30 
 
 Whose melody their raptured ear 
 
 At evening's hour delights to hear : 
 
 But sicken'd with desire to prove 
 
 The ardours of an absent love. 
 
 Full many share the damsel's pain — 35 
 
 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 40 
 
 Fair-robed Coronis' scornful mind 
 
 Such fate was justly doom'd to find ; 
 
 For in the stranger's couch she lay, 
 
 Who from Arcadia bent his way. 
 
 But Loxias, v/ho on Pytho's shrine 45 
 
 With kingly eye in act divine 
 
 Sees many a victim bleed, 
 
 He who by wisdom all his own 
 
 Makes to himself each action known, 
 
 Survey'd the impious deed. 50 
 
 45 Apollo or the Sun, so named from his oblique course 
 through the ecliptic. 
 
THIRD PYTHIAN ODE. 109 
 
 No falsehood mocks his piercing sight, 
 
 Nor gods nor men ekide the skill 
 
 Which judges in proplietic light 
 
 The open act, the secret will. 
 
 Then having known the fraud that led 55 
 
 The nymph to Ischys' foreign bed, 
 
 His sister fierce with dire intent 
 
 To Lacertea straight he sent. 
 
 The maid whose habitation rose 
 
 Where marshy Boebias' fomitain flows, 60 
 
 Too soon her alter'd demon drove 
 
 The ills that wait on crime to prove. 
 
 W^hen by the cruel plague pursued 
 
 Her sin the guiltless neighbours rued — 65 
 
 Sad victims of a common tomb — 
 
 As from one fatal spark arise , 
 
 The flames aspiring to the skies, 
 
 And all the crackling wood consume. 67 
 
 60 Boebias, so named from one of the nymphs, is a fountain 
 Bear Laceraea, in Pelasgiotis. Catullus, (de Nupt. Pel. etThet. 
 286, ed. Voss :)— 
 
 " Xyniasi et linquens Doris celebrata choreis 
 Boebiados." 
 
 in which passage some editions read Minosin and Nonatios for 
 Xyniasi and Bcebiados. Doering reads Mnemonidum, and Non- 
 vacuus instead of Boebiados. Strabo (Geogr. lib. ix.) appears to 
 confirm Vossius' readmg. 
 
 61 It is perhaps unnecessary to refer the critical reader to 
 Bentley's Dissertation on Phalaris (p. 216— 218) for an excel- 
 lent elucidation of the expression iaiuuiv trepos, which the Ex- 
 aminer had denied to be poetical. The schohast explains irepos 
 by b KaKOTToiog ; and quotes a choliambic of Callimachus to con- 
 firm his interpretation. To the remarks of our admirable critic, 
 who, if not gifted with any great talent in metrical composition, 
 had nevertheless a very accurate perception of the niceties of 
 poetical expression, I would add the words of Euripides r. (Med. 
 1106:)— 
 
 u8e Kvptjaci 
 
 meaning deatli 
 
110 PIjNDAR. 
 
 But when upon the funeral pyre 
 
 Her kindred placed the maid, 70 
 
 And curling round the greedy fire, 
 
 In vivid lustre play"d — 
 " My soul," thus spoke the god of day, 
 " Its own bright race abhors to slay ; 
 O'erwhelm'd by that most wretched death 75 
 Which stopp'd the hapless mother's breath." 
 This said, with one short step he came, 
 And snatch'd his infant from the flame ; 
 Through whose divided channel troti 
 The feet of the departing god. 80 
 
 The rescued child he gave to share 
 Magnesian centaur's fostering care ; 
 And learn of him the soothing art 
 That wards from man disease's dart. 82 
 
 Of those whom nature made to feel 85 
 
 Corroding ulcers gnaw their frame ; 
 
 Or stones far hurl'd, or glittering steel, 
 
 All to the great physician came. 
 
 By summer's heat or winter's cold 
 
 Oppress'd, of him they sought relief. 90 
 
 Each deadly pang his skill controll'd, 
 
 And found a balm for every grief. 
 On some the force of charmed strains he tried, 
 To some the medicated draught applied : 
 Some limbs he placed the amulets around ; 95 
 
 Some from the trunk he cut, and made tlie patient 
 sound. 95 
 
 But wisdom yields to sordid gain • 
 Hands which the golden bribes contain 
 
 Are bound by them alone. 
 At their command the grasp of death 100 
 
 Restored the man whose forfeit breath 
 
 Had from its mansion flown. 
 
 101 Alluding, perhaps, to the fable of the resuscitated HippoU 
 
THIRD PYTHIAN ODE. IJl 
 
 But quickly heaven's Saturnian lord 
 Snatch'd with each hand the life restored ; 
 And wing'd his bolt of lin-id flame 105 
 
 Once more to crush the mortal frame. 
 From him let all of human kind 
 Learn to acquire an humble mind : 
 Nor 'gainst the rulers of the sky 
 To vaunt their fleeting destiny. 108 110 
 
 Affect not then, beloved soul, 
 
 The life immortal of the bless'd : 
 
 Let prudence thy desires control, 
 
 In practicable schemes to rest. 
 
 If Chiron, of unerring skill, 115 
 
 Dwelt in his Pelion cavern still ; 
 
 And if the sv/eet-toned hymns could find 
 
 Their wanton passage to his mind, 
 
 Then my persuasive tongue had pray'd 
 
 (Nor vainly) the physician's aid; 120 
 
 Who should some healing brother give, 
 
 Latona's son or Jove's, to gain 
 
 ■Respite from fever's burning pain, 
 
 And bid th' afflicted god revive. 
 
 In ships that cut th' Ionian sea 125 
 
 I come to my JDtneean friend. 
 
 Mild king ! whose cares, from envy free. 
 
 O'er Syracusa's sons extend. 
 
 Foster'd by him, e'en 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 joys a garland fair. 
 
 Health's golden charm, the loud acclaim 135 
 
 That sings the Pythian victor's fame ; 
 
 ytus, thence called Virbms ; some suppose Tyndarus, others 
 Glavcus, others HymencEus, others Orion, or Capaneus. 
 
112 PINDAR. 
 
 Such triumphs as in days of yore 
 
 At OLrrha Pherenicus bore : 
 
 And brighter than the airy star 
 
 For him my splendour beams afar. 130 140 
 
 But to the mother would 1 pray, 
 Whose altar near my dwelling stands : 
 There oft the nymphs, who bend their way 
 To her and Pan, their vows to pay, 
 Assemble in nocturnal bands. 145 
 
 Thee, Hiero, whose exalted mind * 
 
 Can to the heights of science rise ; 
 7Vue wisdom, with experience join'd, 
 And former ages render wise. 
 When gods or man one good bestow, 150 
 
 That blessing leads to double wo. 
 While fools can ne'er with decent pride 
 
 Sustain their adverse fate. 
 Calm patience, outwardly elate. 
 
 Shows but the brighter side. 155 
 
 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 160 
 
 A life exempt from every care ; 
 Who, beyond mortals bless'd, were said 
 The height of happiness to share. 
 They heard when Pelion's woody hill 
 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 led. 164 
 
 To both the hymeneal feasts 170 
 
 Came Saturn's sons, heaven's kingly guests ; 
 
 139 1. e., the sun. See 01. i. v. 9. 
 
THIRD PYTHIAN ODE. 113 
 
 Whom, seated on their thrones of gold, 
 
 They saw the splendid gifts unfold. 
 
 Thus every care and labour past, 
 
 Rewarded by the fostering love 175 
 
 That guards the favour'd sons of Jove, 
 
 Their drooping hearts were raised at last. 
 
 But Cadmus, in a later age, 
 
 By his three daughters' wretched fate, 
 
 Their awful death and frantic rage, 180 
 
 Fell from his bless'd paternal state ; 
 
 When Father Jove, in radiant flame, 
 
 To thy sweet couch, fair-arm'd Thyone, came. 177 
 
 While Peleus' offspring, whom on Phthia's shore 
 Her only son, immortal Thetis bore, 185 
 
 Burn'd on the funeral pyre, in cries of grief 
 Compeird the Greeks to mourn their slaughter'd 
 chief. 183 
 
 Whoever then of mortal kind 
 
 To certain truth directs his mind, 
 
 Let him with grateful heart enjoy 190 
 
 What good the blessed gods bestow : 
 
 His shortlived pleasures to destroy 
 
 Soon will the adverse tempests blow. 
 
 How great soe'er, it speeds away, 
 
 Though rushing with the tempest's sway. 195 
 
 179 The fate of tv/o of the daughters of Cadmus, Ino and 
 Semele, has been mentioned befure, (01. ii. 36.) To these Pin- 
 dar now adds the third, Agave, who, in a fit of madness, slew 
 her son Pentheus. (See Ovid. Met. lib. iii. ad fin.) The his- 
 tory of these three sisters, to whom may be added Autonoe, 
 mother of the ili-fated Actseon, presents a striking instance of 
 the uncertain tenure by which mortal prosperity is held. In v. 
 184 Semele is called Thyone ; so named, says the scholiast, a-no 
 
 TOV TCEpl TOV AlOVVdOV TTaOoV?, OTl Ov£l KQl CvdoVGlCl KaTU TOVg ^OpOVi ', 
 
 as the name Semele was given, Iri ctui ra fieXjjruiv otvovpyovvTOiv 
 avTov (o Aiorvffos scil.) 
 
 193, 194 The metaphor is here expressed in nearly the same 
 words as in the last verse of the seventh Olympic ode. 
 
114 PliNDAR. 
 
 Lowly when in a lot obscure, 
 
 But liberal if my fortunes rise ; 
 
 These blessings I shall render sure, 
 
 Obtain'd with all my energies. 
 
 If wealth the favouring god should give, 200 
 
 I hope that not unknown to fame 
 
 My honoured and illustrious name 
 
 In ages yet to come may live. 
 
 We know that glorious powers belong 
 
 To the sweet poet's epic song ; 205 
 
 What time he wakes the sounding lyre, 
 
 And bids departed worth aspire. 
 
 Such Nestor's lot. This charm could save 
 
 Lycian Sarpedon from the grave : 
 
 But few the lengthen'd age obtain 210 
 
 Whose virtue blooms in lyric strain. 205 
 
THE FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE. 
 
 TO ARCESILAUS OF CYRENE, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE CHAR- 
 IOT 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 inter- 
 pretation of it from the Delphic oracle given to Battus con- 
 cerning the origin of the colony which was to be planted by 
 him in Libya. — This introduces a long and episodical narra- 
 tion of the Argonautic expedition ; the slaying of the dragon, 
 and the recovery of the golden fleece. — The simple and beau- 
 tiful description of Jason's sudden appearance among the 
 citizens of lolcos. — The remainder of the ode is occupied 
 with admonitions to Arcesilaus respecting the prudent and 
 judicious government of his kingdom. — In this part the piety 
 and wisdom of the poet are conspicuous, although it may 
 be justly doubted whether the conclusion be altogether suit- 
 able to the nature of a lyric ode. 
 
 Tins day thy prompt assistance lend, 
 
 Muse, to the hero and the friend, 
 Lord of Cyrene, famed for generous steeds — ^^ 
 
 To Delphi and Apollo raise 
 
 The well-earn'd melody of praise, 5 
 
 As the bright pomp Arcesilaus leads. 
 
 In ages past the priestess there, 
 Who near Jove's golden eagles held her throne. 
 
 With voice oracular made known 
 What truths the present god inspired her to declare. 
 
 8 These were placed near the Delphic tripod, and probably 
 gave rise to the story of the two birds sent by Jupiter, one from 
 
110 riNDAR. 
 
 That Battus, wlien he left the sacred isle, 11 
 
 (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 15 
 
 Medea's ancient prophecy. 
 
 Which when the seventeentli age was past, 
 
 iEetes' vengeful child foretold, 
 
 In every point fulfiird at last, 
 
 The sons of Thera should behold. 20 
 
 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, 25 
 
 Give ear to my prophetic tongue. 
 
 Hereafter from this seabeat shore 
 
 The child of Epaphus shall move, 
 
 By mortals cherish'd as before, 
 
 And plant the root where men adore 30 
 
 The majesty of Libyan Jove. 28 
 
 Then for the short-finn'd dolphin's speed 
 
 Shall they direct the rapid steed ; 
 
 Instead of oars, their rein shall steer 
 
 The cars that mock the storm's career. 35 
 
 That omen issuing from the skies 
 
 True will the sure event declare, 
 
 When spacious Thera shall arise, 
 
 Metropolis of cities fair : 
 Which at the mouth of the Tritonian lake, 40 
 
 From the great god in human form, whose hand 
 
 the east and the other from the west, in order to ascertain the 
 true centre of the earth, and which met at Pytho, or Delphi. 
 
 11 The island Thera or CaUista. 
 
 32-35 I.e., instead of the naval pursuits of islanders, they 
 shall emulate the equestrian skill of their continental neighbours. 
 
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE. 117 
 
 To his kind host return'd the fertile land, 
 
 Euphemus hurried from the prow to take. 
 
 To ratify the sign, Saturnian Jove 
 
 Thunder'd auspicious from his throne above. 41 
 
 Now while the brazen anchor's might, 46 
 
 Curb of the rapid Argo's flight, 
 
 The sailors o'er the ship suspend, 
 
 He comes their labours to attend. 
 
 Twelve days from ocean's watery bed 50 
 
 On the earth's desert back we led, 
 
 Counsell'd by me, the naval frame. 
 
 The cheerful mien assuming then 
 
 Of him, the most revered of men. 
 
 Alone the mighty godhead came ; 55 
 
 As when to each arriving guest 
 
 The liberal master of the feast 
 
 At first his courteous speech applies. 65 
 
 But sweet desire, our homeward way 
 
 To urge, forbade a longer stay. 60 
 
 Eurypylus who traced his birth. 
 
 To him who girds and shakes the earth, 
 
 Observed our eager haste to move : 
 
 Then snatching straight the fertile clod, 
 
 Pledge of the hospitable god, 65 
 
 To give it to Euphemus strove. 
 
 Obedient to the will divine. 
 
 The hero leap'd upon the strand, 
 
 Receiving with extended hand 
 
 The mystic earth his fates assign : 70 
 
 That whelm'd beneath the briny tide, 
 
 "When evening's shadows gather'd round, 
 
 Was from the vessel heard to glide 
 
 Far in the watery gulf profound. 70 
 
 49 The god Triton in the form of Eurypylus. 
 64 This mythological tale is related at length by Apollonius, 
 in the fourth book of his Argonautics: (1550-1600.) 
 
118 PINDAR. 
 
 Full oft had 1 the menial train 75 
 
 To guard that precious gift enjoin'd; 
 
 But dull oblivion seized their mind, 
 
 And render'd all my caution vain. 
 Now in this isle is shed before the time 
 The immortal seed of spacious Libya's clime ; 80 
 For when by sacred Tasnarus he pass'd, 
 Whose subterranean mouth to Hades leads, 
 At home the treasure had Euphemus cast, 
 Great Neptune's son who rules his potent steeds ; 
 Whom in a former age Europa bore, 85 
 
 Daughter of Tityus, on Cephisus' shore. 82 
 
 His children's fourth succeeding race 
 Had seized, with Grecian arms to aid, 
 The continent's extended space ; 
 When, exiles from great Sparta made, 90 
 
 Mycenae 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 honour'd by th' immortal host, 95 
 
 They come to this sea-girded coast, 
 And there beget the man, whose reign 
 Shall stretch o'er Libya's clouded plain. 
 When to the sacred Pythian dome 
 That glitters with abundant gold, 100 
 
 Battus in after times shall come, 
 Phcebus will his decree unfold, 
 That he in ships should bring a numerous band 
 Far as Saturnian Nilus' fruitful land." 99 
 
 83 Virgil appears to have imitated this passage : (Georg. iv. 
 467 :)— 
 
 " TcBnarias etiam fauces, alia ostia Ditis, 
 Et cahgantem nigra formidine lucum 
 Ingressus, Manesque adut, Regemque tremendum." 
 104 The scholiast says that Pindar here mentions Nilus in- 
 stead of Jupiter, since this river was by the Egyptians worshipped 
 as a god. He also quotes a hemistich from Parmeno, address 
 iug the Nile as the Egyptian Jove : Atyirrts 7.tv ^ii',\i. 
 
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE. 119 
 
 Such were the strains by fate ihspired 105 
 
 That dropp'd from sage Medea's tongue, 
 Silent the godhke men admired, 
 And round in fix'd attention hung. 
 Bless'd son of Polymnestus ! thee, 
 Gladden'd by this spontaneous stram, 110 
 
 The Delphic priestess' augury 
 Bade the sublimest hopes maintain. 
 Thrice cried her monitory voice, 
 " Gyrene's destined king, rejoice !" 
 When thou inquiredst at the Pythian shrine 115 
 The doubtful issue of the voice divine. 112 
 
 And now, as in the vernal hour 
 
 Impurpled glows each opening flower, 
 
 So shines his eighth succeeding race, 
 
 Arcesilaus' youthful grace. 120 
 
 Apollo in the Pythian field 
 
 And just Aniphictyons' high decree 
 
 To his triumphant coursers yield 
 
 The glorious palm of victory. 
 
 Him will I to the muses' train 125 
 
 Give with the ram's bright fleece of gold, 
 
 For which when sail'd the Minyse bold. 
 
 Honours from heaven 'twas theirs to gain. 123 
 
 111 The expression in the original is remarkable, fteXiaffa 
 AiX(pis. So Callimachus of the priestesses of Ceres : 
 Ar]oi 6' ovK airo itavrog vStiip <{ioptov<n 'iAtXiaaai. 
 See the annotation in Benedict's edition. Perhaps nzKicoa in this 
 sense may not improbably be derived from the Hebrew ■'i''''7»3, 
 an intercessor or interpreter, whose office it was to sjnooth, or 
 render agreeable the suit of the petitioner :* (Parkhurst ad verb. :) 
 as fizKiaaa, a bee, probably descends from the same root in its 
 primitive meaning of sweet. Virgil, indeed, speaking as a Py 
 thagorean, says, (Georg. iv. 253,) 
 
 " Hence to the bee some sages liave assign'd 
 A portion of the god, and heavenly mind." 
 
 Sotheby's Version. 
 So Horace of Orpheus, (ad Pis. 391,) sacer iriterprcsque deorum. 
 
 * The word in Genesis, .\lii., 23. 
 
120 PINDAR. 
 
 To ur^e their bark's career what cause was found? 
 
 In chains of adamant what peril bound ? 130 
 
 'Twas doom'd that Pelias should expire 
 By force or fraudulent design, 
 Who waked the hero's vengeful ire, 
 Sprung from the brave ^olian line. 
 To his quick thought returning still 135 
 
 The oracle of Delphi spoke 
 In sounds of wo that loud and shrill 
 From earth's well-wooded centre broke ; 
 And bade his jealous mind beware 
 The man with foot of sandal bare. 140 
 
 When he from Chiron's high retreat 
 The stranger citizen should come 
 To famed lolcos' western seat, 
 And gain at length a foreign home. 
 Then brandishing his double spear, 145 
 
 Approaclvd the wondrous mortal near. 
 W^rapp'd are his limbs of beauteous mould 
 Within a double vesture's fold — 
 Magnesian, andlhe 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. 
 He show'd a mind devoid of dread. 151 
 
 When one among th' assembled crowd 155 
 
 Turn'd to th' unknown, thus spoke aloud : 
 
 " 'Tis not Apollo I behold, 
 
 Nor Venus' spouse, the god of war, 
 
 Who thunders in his iron car. 
 
 Long since, as ancient fame has told, 160 
 
 Deceased in fertile Naxos lie 
 
 Iphimedeia's progeny, 
 
 Otus, and thou, King Ephialtes bold. 
 
 163 Homer (Od., iv., 304,) gives the same character of the 
 AloidcB gemini. See also Virg. Mn., vi., 581 ; and Stat. Theb., x., 
 850, 
 
 " Vidisti Aloidas, cum cresceret impia tellus." &c. 
 
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE. 121 
 
 The virgin huntress' rapid dart 
 
 From her unconquer'd quiver Hew, 165 
 
 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'd car 170 
 
 Came Pelias rushing from afar. 
 Mute wonder held his mind in thrall 
 Soon as alone the right foot round 
 He view'd the well-known sandal bound. 
 But with dissembled fear address'd 175 
 
 The monarch, his unwelcome guest : 
 ** What country boast'st thou thy dear land to call ? 
 Fair offspring of a spotless womb, 
 By mortal lineage art thou come 1 
 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 
 
 Naught that could mark my fixM intent 
 To take the sceptre of the land, 
 Grasp'd by another's lawless hand. 
 An honour which the king of heaven 
 To iEolus and to his sons had given. 192 195 
 
 For Fame reports that Pelias bold. 
 Slave to his wishes uncontroU'd, 
 My honour'd parents' rightful sway 
 Has snatch'd v.ith violence away. 
 
 FIND. — L K 
 
122 PINDAR. 
 
 They, when I fixst the light sun^ey'd, 200 
 
 Dreading the haughty leader's pnde. 
 
 Sent me iu purple nil^es array'd, 
 
 (While female shrieks on every sitie 
 
 Raised through the house in solemn show 
 
 The mimic note of funeral wo,) 205 
 
 When only dark and silent nigixi 
 
 Was conscious of my secret tiight ; 
 
 And to Saturnian Chiron gave, 
 
 The nurture of his hand to crave. 205 
 
 But all the tale 5^e know full well — 210 
 
 Where rose my noble sire's abode, 
 
 In car with milk-white steeds who rode, 
 
 Illustrious townsmen, clearly tell. 
 
 Great iEson's offspring, lo ! I come 
 
 A native to no foreign home. 215 
 
 From Saturn sprung, the heavenly beast 
 
 His charge by Jason's name address'd." 
 
 He spoke : a father's doting eye 
 
 Soon recognised his progeny ; 
 
 And from his aged lids below 220 
 
 The copious tears began to flow ; 
 
 Which showed the soul's o'erflowing joy 
 
 To see his best and loveliest boy. 219 
 
 Attracted by the hero's fanie, 
 
 To them both ^Eson's brothers came. 225 
 
 This Pheres from Hyperia's fountain calls, 
 
 And Araythaon from Messene's vi'alls. 
 
 These soon Admetus and Melampus join'd, 
 
 To greet their kinsman with a friendly mind. 
 
 Them at the hospitable board 230 
 
 Jason with courteous speech address'd, 
 
 And bade the cheer profusely stored 
 
 Exhilarate the frequent guest. 
 
 Five days and nights their courses roll, 234 
 
 While pleasure warms each festive soul. 233 
 
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE. 123 
 
 But on the sixth, once more the youth 
 
 Repeats his tale in words of truth. 
 
 Then foUow'd by the kindred band, 
 
 In haste he from the mansion went. 
 
 Their steps to Pelias' dome they bent, 240 
 
 On rushing with tumultuous stand. 
 
 Soon as the sound assail'd his ear 
 
 Came bright-hair'd Tyro's offspring near. 
 
 From Jason's lips with sweetness fili'd, 
 
 The mild and gentle speech distill'd. 245 245 
 
 " Petraean Neptune's son, the mind 
 
 To praise deceit is more inchned, 
 
 Than justice, though in grief it end, 
 
 And to a bitter issue tend. 
 
 Hence let our lawless anger cease, 250 
 
 Be all the future joy and peace. 
 
 One mother, as full well ye know. 
 
 Bore Cretheus and Salmoneus bold. 
 
 And the third race from them who flow, 
 
 We the sun's golden might behold. 255 
 
 The fates survey with adverse eyes 
 
 When impious kindred feuds arise. 260 
 
 'Tis not for us with sword or dart. 
 
 That perforate the brazen shield, 
 
 Our fathers' ample wealth to part, 260 
 
 The heritage their glories yield. 
 
 I the white flocks that graze the plain, 
 
 And yellow herds to thee resign, 
 
 With all our parents' wide domain, 
 
 Which thou hast seized, enlarging thine. 265 
 
 Nor shall my mind with envy grieve 
 
 To see thy house new wealth receive. 
 
 But thou the sceptred monarch's throne. 
 
 Seat of old Cretheus' royal son, 
 
 Whence he the laws with justice fraught 270 
 
 To his equestrian subjects taught — 
 
124 PINDAR. 
 
 These without pain that both must rue, 
 Restore — lest fresher grief ensue !" 276 
 
 When thus the youthful hero spoke, 
 
 From Pelias this mild answer broke : 275 
 
 " Such will I be — though tardy age 
 
 Now warn me of life's closing stage, 
 
 While thou art fresh in youth's gay flow'ret still — 
 Potent thy vigorous arm shall prove, 
 Th' infernal godheads' wrath remove, 280 
 
 And murder'd Phryxus' high behest fulfil : 
 ' Haste, from yEetes' chambers bear 
 My soul, he cried, and golden hair, 
 On the ram's fleecy back outspread, 
 That once a certain refuge gave 285 
 
 From stepdame's treachery and the wave.' 
 'Twas thus the wondrous vision said. 
 Where the Castalian waters flow, 
 To search the oracle I go — 
 When straight the voice prophetic there 290 
 Bids me for naval flight prepare. 
 If thou thy prompt assistance lend, 
 Which may this arduous contest end, 
 I swear to make the lot thine own, 
 To monarchize and rule alone. 295 
 
 Firm witness of the faithful oath 
 Be Jove, the common sire of both." 298 
 
 They part ; this compact ratified, 
 
 Jason the herald's trump of fame. 
 
 His instant voyage to proclaim, 300 
 
 Urges to sound on every side. 
 
 Thither the sons of Leda fair 
 
 And of Saturnian Jove repair ; 
 
 281 Phryxus, whose manes, as Pelias craftily insinuates, are 
 to be appeased by the youthful Jason, was the father of Atha- 
 mas and Ino, who were driven from their paternal soil and died 
 in Colchis. 
 
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE. 125 
 
 Alcmena's too, her eyelids set 
 
 Within a silken fringe of jet. 305 
 
 Two heroes of th' earth-shakers race, 
 
 Whose locks in clustering beauty play, 
 
 Dreading by fear or dull delay 
 
 Their ancient valour to disgrace ; 
 
 From Pylos one directs his flight, 310 
 
 And one from the Tsenarean height. 
 
 Be this, Euphemus, to thy glory told, 
 
 And thine, oh Periclymenus the bold ! 
 
 The harper Orpheus joinM the valiant train, 
 
 Apollo's vaunted son, and father of the strain. 315 
 
 And Hermes of the golden wand 316 
 
 Sent his twin sons, whose bosoms beat 
 
 To join the enterprising band 
 
 With fervent youth's impetuous heat. 
 
 Prompt at the call, with fearless heart 320 
 
 Echion, Erytus depart 
 
 From their loved home, that lay below ; 
 
 Distant Pangasus' lofty brow. 
 
 Boreas, whose rule the winds obey, 
 
 Arm'd his brave sons, whose back display 'd 325 
 
 The ample pinions' purple shade, 
 
 Zetes and Calais for the fray. 326 
 
 Great Juno waked the sweet desire 
 
 Which bade the demigods aspire 
 
 With Argo o'er the deep to roam ; 330 
 
 That fix'd in his maternal home 
 
 Remote from peril none should stay. 
 
 And wear his laggard age away. 
 
 But share his fellow heroes' toil. 
 
 Death's fairest antidote, the spoil 335 
 
 Soon as to proud lolcos' town 
 
 Came the bright flower of seamen down, 
 
 Jason extoll'd with praises due, 
 
 And numbered all the valiant crew. 
 
126 PINDAR. 
 
 Skill'd in each bird that cleaves the sky, 340 
 
 And sacred lots of augury, 
 
 Mopsus enjoin'd the host their sail 
 
 To spread before the favouring gale. 
 
 But when they hang upon the prow 
 
 Their anchors o'er the deep below, 345 
 
 Fix'd at the stern, the chief displays 
 
 His sacred vial's golden blaze. 
 
 Invoking heaven's great father Jove, 
 
 Who wields his lightning spear above ; 
 
 Waves that o'er ocean's bosom play, 350 
 
 And breezes' every varying way. 
 
 Calm nights and days his prayers implore, 
 
 And sweet return, their wanderings o'er. 349 
 
 Propitious thunder's awful sound 
 
 Heaven's favouring answer quickly spoke, 
 And lightning's forked darts around 356 
 
 From all the clouds irradiate broke. 
 Elated at the prosperous sign. 
 The heroes glow with joy divine. 
 The augur issued his command 360 
 
 To ply their oars with constant force, 
 Suggesting to the vahant band 
 
 Sweet hopes to cheer them on their course. 
 Quick gaining with the breezy south 
 Th' inhospitable ocean's mouth, 365 
 
 There to the god a shrine they rear 
 Who sways the raging sea's career. 
 (Of Thracian bulls a tawny herd. 
 To aid the sacrifice, appear'd,) 
 And hollow altar's heaven-built pile, 370 
 
 From stony quarry hewn erewhile. 367 
 
 Not yet the dangerous pass explored, 
 
 They supplicate the vessel's lord 
 
 To fly the inevitable shock 
 
 That springs from the twin clashing rock. 375 
 
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE. 127 
 
 But now the jarring portals close, 
 
 For ever fixM in dead repose : 
 
 Since the proud demigods by fate 
 
 Are urged to cross the narrow strait. 
 
 And next the wandering heroes trace 380 
 
 To Phasis' flowing streams their way, 
 
 Mingling with Colchis' swarthy race, 
 And great ^Eetes in the fray. 
 Venus, whose darts inflict the sharpest wound, 
 First to mankind the raging songster bore, 385 
 
 Which to the wheel indissolubly bound, 
 That from Olympus gain'd its magic round, 
 Taught wise ^sonides her charmed lore ; 38G 
 
 That from Medea's raging mind 
 All shame of parents left behind 390 
 
 Persuasion's lash might take, and prove 
 Greece the sole object of her love. 
 The sum of all the labours dire 
 Enjoin'd him by her cruel sire 
 She told ; and mingled with the oil 395 
 
 Her antidotes to rugged toil, 
 Given to anoint his manly frame, 
 Then in sweet Hymen's bands they vow'd to quench 
 their flame. 397 
 
 But when the adamantine plough 
 -(Eetes in the midst had set, 400 
 
 386 This is the celebrated £vy|, a bird which was supposed 
 to possess the power of inspiring the emotions of love. The 
 scholiast gives us a long explanation of its properties, and in his 
 comment on Nem. iv. 56, where it is again mentioned, gives its 
 allegorical pedigree, by declaring it to liave been a daughter of 
 Echo, or, as some assert, of Peitho, the goddess of persuasion, 
 who by filters, or magical incantations, allured Jupiter to the 
 love of Ino, and was transformed by the revengeful Juno into a 
 bird, which by its continued whirling expressed emblematically 
 the raging agitation of love. The classical reader will call to 
 mind the importance attached to its agency by Sima?tha, in the 
 second Idyllium of Theocritus. 
 
128 PINDAR. 
 
 And oxen wont the fires to blow 
 
 From cheeks that rage with constant fret, 
 While thundering' on alternate feet, 
 The soil with brazen hoofs they beat — 
 He only their rough spirit broke, 405 
 
 And led obedient to the 5'oke. 
 Then straight a cubit's length impress'd 
 Of furrow on earth's yielding breast, 
 And thus he spoke : "In this high deed 
 - If the ship's ruler shall succeed, 410 
 
 The fleece immortal let him bear, 
 Irradiate with its golden hair." 411 
 
 He said : his robe of saffron hue 
 
 Aside the youthfuf Jason threw, 
 
 And trusting in immortal aid, 415 
 
 His arduous enterprise essay'd. 
 
 On him the fire could work no harm. 
 
 Awed by his potent hostess' charm. 
 
 Then dragging on the rustic load, 
 
 Their necks and well-ribb'd haunches bound 420 
 
 With thongs compulsive thrown around, 
 
 He urged the sharp and bitter goad ; 
 
 Then labour'd on with manly strength, 
 
 Completing soon his measured length. 
 
 O'erwhelm'd at first in speechless wo, 425 
 
 iEetes view'd the arduous deed ; 
 Then admiration's transports flow, 
 
 And praises unrepress'd succeed. 424 
 
 To the brave youth their friendly hands 
 
 Extend the social train, 430 
 
 His brow they crown with verdant bands, 
 
 And greet in courteous strain. 
 Straight the sun's wondrous offspring show'd 
 Where was the shining skin bestow'd, 
 Extended high on Phryxus' sword, 435 
 
 A gift to war's impetuous lord. 
 
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE. 129 
 
 But still, these mighty dangers pass'd 
 He hoped the youth would fail at last. 
 For in an anibush'd wood 'twas laid, 
 Kept by a greedy dragon's care, 440 
 
 With whose dire bulk, at large display'd, 
 No lengthen'd vessel might compare, 
 Though urged by fifty oars, by strokes of iron made. 
 
 Still could I speed my chariot's way, 
 
 But time forbids the long delay. 445 
 
 A shorter path I know full well, 
 
 In wisdom who the rest excel. 
 
 The varied snake of azure hue 
 
 He soon, Arcesilaus, slew ; 
 
 And with it bore Medea home, 450 
 
 Author of murder'd Pelias' doom. 
 
 Then mingling in the ocean deep. 
 
 The Erythraean sea they sweep ; 
 
 Thence mid the Lemnian race, who gave 
 
 Their youthful husbands to the grave, 455 
 
 A test of corporal strength they made — 
 
 (Aside the cumbering garments laid) 
 
 And shared their couch of sweet repose. 452 
 
 Thus in a foreign region bright 
 
 By day or in the peaceful night 460 
 
 Your beams of happiness arose. 
 
 For planted there, Euphemus' race 
 
 Illustrious shines with endless grace. 
 
 4B3 It would not be an easy task to explain the geographical 
 course which Pindar here describes the Argonauts to have 
 taken on their return from the expedition in quest of the golden 
 fleece. By the ErythrcBan Sea, the Indian Ocean is to be un- 
 derstood, through which it seems they came into Africa, and 
 when arrived on land, carrying the ship on their shoulders until 
 they came to the Tritonian lake, they sailed into the Mediter- 
 ranean, and touched at Thera ; thence through the iEgean they 
 came to the island of Lemnos, and connected themselves with 
 its homicidal women, 
 
 Ij 
 
130 PINDAR. 
 
 To Lacedaemon's fertile seats 
 
 And hardy sons the wanderers come ; 465 
 Then fair Callista's island greets 
 
 The heroes in a foreign home. 
 "With honour hence derived from heaven 
 To you Latoides has given 
 Fair Libya's wealthy plain to crown, 470 
 
 And golden-throned Gyrene's town 
 With counsel justly framed to sway. 
 Which her bless'd citizens obey. 4,6G 
 
 Now learn the Theban sage's art — 
 
 If sharp-edged axe with ruthless stroke 475 
 
 Her branches from the giant oak, 
 
 The form disgraced, compel to part. 
 
 Though shorn her fruit, enough is there 
 
 Her pristine beauties to declare — 
 
 If fire be ever sought at last 480 
 
 To shelter from the wintry blast, 
 
 Or among pillars straight and tall, 
 
 It now sustain some lordly dome. 
 Hard labour in a foreign wall. 
 
 Leaving all bare its native home. 479 485 
 
 Thou a most timely healer art. 
 
 Since Pasan's favour crowns thy name — 
 
 Then, oh ! a tender hand impart 
 To heal the state's disorder'd frame : 
 
 A city's pride the weakest arm 490 
 
 May shake with danger and alarm. 
 
 But hard indeed the task to place 
 
 Her glory on its ancient base. 
 
 Unless the god with sudden sway 
 
 Direct the steersman on his way. 495 
 
 469 Apollo, the son of Latona. 
 
 474 (Edipus. In the remaining part of this ode Pindar cau- 
 tions ArcesUaus against using unnecessary severity towards his 
 Cyrenean subjects. 
 
FOURTH PYTHIAN ODE. 131 
 
 For thee in gratitude is wove 
 The garland of a people's love ; 
 Then still let bless'd Cyrene share 
 Thy kind and persevering care. 492 
 
 Now, monarch, with attentive ear 500 
 
 This maxim of the poet hear ; 
 
 A virtuous messenger will crown 
 
 Each action with supreme renown ; 
 
 And thus will to the muse accrue 
 
 Praise from the herald's message true. 505 
 
 Long time through fair Gyrene's town 
 
 Has just Demophilus been known ; 
 
 And Battus' glorious house confess'd 
 
 The graces of his spotless breast. 
 
 Ere yet complete youth's narrow span, 510 
 
 Among the boys he shone a man : 
 
 In solemn counsel he appears 
 
 The Nestor of a hundred years : 
 
 Slander's free tongue he bids be mute, 
 
 His virtues all her tales confute : 504 515 
 
 Taught the base railer to abhor, 
 And with the good to wage no war ; 
 Protracting naught by slow delay, 
 For short with man occasion's stay. 
 Well can he seize the fitting hour, 520 
 
 No slave to wayward fortune's power. 
 The heaviest this of human woes, 
 That he who each fair blessing knows, 
 Bound by necessity's strong chain, 
 Must his encumber'd foot restrain. 525 
 
 Like Atlas, tottering with the weight 
 Of all the bright incumbent heaven, 
 
 500 The maxim of Homer, called by eminence the poet, to 
 which Pindar alludes, is contained in the fil'teenth book of the 
 Iliad, in the exhortation of Neptune to Iris. 
 
 520 Alludes to Demophilus, who had been banished by Arces- 
 ilaus, and whom Pindar wishes tbe nionarch to recall. 
 
132 PINDAR. 
 
 He struggles with oppressive fate, 
 
 From home and his possessions driven. 
 Immortal Jove the Titan crew 530 
 
 Released at length from thraldom due. 
 The seaman in a flagging gale 
 Loosens his idly-fluttering sail. 521 
 
 But soon, his deadly troubles o'er, 
 
 He prays to see his home once more. 533 
 
 There by Apollo's sacred spring 
 
 To youthful revels yield his soul, 
 And to his skilful townsmen bring 
 
 The lyre its varied strains to roll 
 With them to lead, remote from strife, 540 
 
 The quiet tenour of his life. 
 And then in Thebes recall'd to dwell, 
 His grateful tongue shall freely tell 
 What new fount of ambrosial lays 
 He struck, Arcesilaus, in thy praise. 533 545 
 
 543 This perhaps alludes to the discovery of the fountain 
 Hippocrene by the horse Pegasus. 
 
THE FIFTH PYTHIAN ODE. 
 
 TO THE SAME ARCESILAUS ON HIS VICTORY IN THE 
 CHARIOT RACE, GAINED IN THE THIRTY-FIRST OLYM- 
 PIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Pindar begins by proclaiming the happiness of Arcesilaus, espe- 
 cially in gaining the Pythian victoiy, for which he exhorts 
 him, in his usual pious manner, to return thanks to the gods, 
 and to his charioteer Carrhotus ; at the same time cautioning 
 the victor not toexpect sincere and perpetual happiness, since 
 no one is free from trouble. — The reader should bear in mind 
 that this ode was written at a time of civil dissension between 
 the king and people of Cyrene. — Nevertheless the ancient fe- 
 licity of Battus will attend Arcesilaus, who is protected by the 
 favour of Apollo. — The poet then makes a transition to the 
 predictions of that god, which induced the Heraclidas to return 
 into Peloponnesus, A. C. 1104, eighty years after the Trojan 
 war ; at which time Pindar's ancestors, the ^gidae, came 
 with the colony toThera, and thence to Cyrene.— Then follow 
 the praises of Battus, and of his posterity, particularly of Ar- 
 cesilaus. — The ode concludes with good wishes for their 
 prosperity. 
 
 All-powerful is the wealth of kings, 
 
 The golden store when Fortune brings, 
 
 And Virtue her pure radiance blends. 
 
 Around, to bless their mortal state, 
 
 Attendant crowds obsequious wait 5 
 
 Of clients and expecting friends. 
 
 Oh thou ! to whom, by favouring heaven, 
 
 Arcesilaus, wealth is given, 
 
 "Which Glory, from life's earliest day, 
 
 Illumines with her brilliant ray; 10 
 
 Shining by Castor's aid afar, 
 
 Ilefulgent in his golden car ; 
 
134 PINDAR. 
 
 Who, the tempestuous winter o'er, 
 
 Returning quiet gives to reign, 
 When the retreating clouds restore 15 
 
 Light to thy blessed house again. 13 
 
 The gifts that mark Heaven's favouring care, 
 With brighter grace the prudent bear. 
 Round thee wealth flows in copious tide ; 
 Whose feet the paths of justice tread ; 20 
 
 Wliose potent empire, far and wide, 
 Is over numerous cities spread. 
 The fairest charms of royal sway, 
 
 Prudence and majesty combined, 
 In thee their genuine marks display, 25 
 
 Whose eye declares a kindred mind. 
 Now happy in thy recent fame, 
 Won in th' equestrian Pytho's game ; 
 This pomp displaying hymn is thine, 
 Which leads Apollo's sport divine. 29 30 
 
 Nor thou, great king, forget the lays 
 
 That celebrate Gyrene's praise ; 
 
 Gyrene, round whose fertile soil 
 
 The charms of lovely Venus smile. 
 
 Ascribe the whole to God above, 35 
 
 And more than all Carrhotus' love ! 
 
 Who not to Battus' royal court. 
 
 Where Justice and her train resort, 
 
 Gonvey'd Excuse, with glozing tongue. 
 
 From laggard Epimetheus sprung. 40 
 
 30 AiroWuyviov Qvfijxa. The Roman Ludi Apollinares. 
 
 36 The charioteer of Arcesilaus. 
 
 39 Epimetheus, the fabled brother of Prometheus, married 
 Pandora, and_thus introduced all kinds of evil among mankind. 
 Excuse or Negligence was the daughter of the former, as Pru- 
 dence sprang-from the latter. This passage of Pindar will per- 
 haps bring to the recollection of the reader a similar one m 
 Milton : (Par. Lost, ix. 853 :)— 
 
 " In her face excuse 
 Came prologue, and apology too prompt." 
 
FIFTH PYTHIAN ODE. 13^5 
 
 But in his victor chariot borne, 
 
 Where pure Castalia's waters flow, 
 
 He gain'd the envied wreath, thy brow 
 
 With honour'd triumph to adorn : 
 
 Urging his wheels' uninjured force 45 
 
 Twelve times around the sacred course. 44 
 
 For never by unskilful stroke 
 
 His car's compacted strength he broke ; 
 
 But, the Criscean hill o'ercome, 
 
 This fabric of ingenious hands 50 
 
 Is hung aloft in Phcebus' dome 
 
 That in the woody hollow stands, 
 Upon the beam of cypress laid, 
 Where the bright image is display'd ; 
 Which, fix'd by Cretan archers, stood, 55 
 
 A single offspring of the wood ; 
 Conspicuous on its lofty place, 
 The proud Parnassian fane to grace. 
 'Tis then thy part, with willing mind, 
 To meet th)?^ benefactor kind. 60 
 
 Offspring of Alexibius, thee 
 Extol the bright-hair'd graceful three. 
 How bless'd to have thy labours past 
 Long in the poet's record last ! 
 Of forty guides, whose skill would steer 65 
 'Gainst thine their chariot's rash career. 
 Bringing with fearless mind thy car 
 Alone unbroken in the war. 
 And now, the strife of glory past. 
 
 Thou art return'd once more 70 
 
 45 The scholiast informs us that forty charioteers contended 
 with Arcesilaus, and all had their cars broken in the course ; 
 but Carrhotus preserved uninjured that of his employer : in 
 consequence of which the unbroken chariot was placed in the 
 temple at Delphi, and consecrated to Apollo. 
 
 This is one of the earliest recorded instances of the custom 
 of suspending votive offerings in the temples of the gods, as 
 testimonies of gratitude for favours received or calamities 
 avoided. 
 
136 PINDAR. 
 
 To thy paternal walls at last, 
 On Libya's fertile shore. 70 
 
 But no one is, or e'er shall be 
 
 From grief, the lot of mortals, free. 
 
 Yet Battus' ancient fortunes wait 75 
 
 His prosperous and his adverse state. 
 
 He forms the city's guardian pride, 
 
 A shining light to all beside. 
 
 Struck with deep awe and panic dread, 
 
 From him the roaring lions fled ; 80 
 
 When he to speak, divinely taught, 
 
 A language o'er the ocean brought. 
 
 Apollo struck the beasts with fear, 
 
 Who led the colonizing train. 
 Lest great Gyrene's lord should hear, 85 
 
 And find the high prediction vain. 84 
 
 He who to man with healing art 
 
 Could blunt disease's heavy dart ; 
 
 Who gives the lyre's sweet notes to flow. 
 
 And muse to still each mental wo ; 90 
 
 Bidding within his favourites' breast 
 
 The tranquil love of virtue rest. 
 
 And ruling the prophetic sound 
 
 That issues from his cave profound. 
 
 This could in Lacedaemon place, 95 
 
 In Argos, Pylos the divine. 
 The chiefs of brave Alcides' race, 
 
 And old iEgimius' noble line. 
 Let me the fair renown proclaim. 
 Which from illustrious Sparta came. 98 100 
 
 My fathers hence to Thera's seat 
 
 Th' ^gidae moved their wandering feet. 
 
 79 It is related by Herodotus that Battus, the founder of Cy 
 Tene, meeting a lion in Libya, uttered a cry so piercing as to 
 
FIFTH PYTHIAN ODE. 137 
 
 Heaven and the fates' supreme behest 
 
 Impell'd them to the victim feast. 
 
 Apollo, taking- hence the hoard 105 
 
 Which thy Carnean rites afford, 
 
 We raise the strain of fair renown 
 
 To hymn Gyrene's v^ell-built town. 
 
 Where Trojans of Antenor's race, 
 
 All sheathed in brass, have fix'd their place. 110 
 For they with Helen came, when they survey'd 
 Their native soil by war in smoky ruin laid. 113 
 
 Approaching then th' equestrian band, 
 
 The courteous natives of the land 
 
 Receive with hospitable care, 115 
 
 And sacrifice with presents bear. 
 
 These Battus led, when the deep wave 
 
 To his swift ships a passage gave. 
 
 He to th' inhabitants divine 
 
 Rear'd the tall grove and ample shrine, 120 
 Making for steeds a smooth and stony way, 
 
 That the great god whose potent art 
 
 From mortals wards disease's dart, 
 
 Might all his festal pomp display ; 
 
 Where at the forum's utmost bound 125 
 
 Now dead he lies apart in holy ground. 126 
 
 While among men, his life was bless'd; 
 And when the hero sank to rest, 
 
 scare the savage beast, and to restore to him the use of his 
 voice, according to the prediction of Apollo. 
 
 104 This is the epithet of Apollo mentioned by Callimachus, 
 and which he prefers to that derived from Claros : (in Apol. 
 70.) See also v. 88, where he describes the festivities celebrated 
 near the fountain of Cyre, where the men danced in solemn 
 measure with the yellow-haired Libyan damsels. 
 
 118 It appears that Aristotle, surnamed Battus, constructed 
 a paved way, (aKupwrav oSov,) by which the sacred pomps were 
 brought to the temple of Apollo. On this passage the scholiast 
 remarks : Xsysrat 6& gkvputt] am tpv XidoarpdiTos ; the word used 
 
138 PINDAR. 
 
 A people's love was still his own ; 
 
 While other sacred monarchs laid 130 
 
 Apart to death's impervious shade 
 
 Before the palace gates are flown. 
 
 And now thy mighty valour's fame, 
 
 Steep'd in the hymn's melhfluous dew, 
 Piercing their ear with loud acclaim, 135 
 
 Earth's dark recess shall travel through. 
 The common bliss of all the race, 
 Whose wreaths Arcesilaus grace. 
 His triumphs in the Pythian field 
 Apollo with his sword of gold 140 
 
 In graceful numbers shall unfold; 
 A recompense the lyric strain 
 Recited by the youthful train. 
 For all his toil and cost will yield. 
 'Tis said of old the prudent raise 145 
 
 Their voice in such a hero's praise. 
 Superior to his tender years, 
 He carries an unshaken mind, 
 And bold of tongue and heart appears 
 The eagle of the feather'd kind ; 150 
 
 Whose wide-extended wings display 
 His sheltering valour in the fray. 
 He from his early youth sublime 
 Was skill'd to raise the sudden rhyme, 
 And foremost in th' equestrian war 155 
 
 Guide to the goal his rapid car. 154 
 
 Of native arts through each fair road 
 
 His persevering steps have trod ; 
 
 And still to crown his efforts high 
 
 May heaven its ready aid supply; 160 
 
 And grant him, bless'd Saturnian line, 
 
 In council as in act to shine ! 
 
 by St. John (xix. 13) a« denoting the same place which the He- 
 brews called Ta^^aQa. 
 
FIFTH PYTHIAN ODE. 139 
 
 Let not the black tempestuous gale 
 
 With hostile force his life assail, 
 
 As when th' autumnal fruits are cast 105 
 
 On earth before the wintry blast. 
 
 The sovereign majesty of Jove 
 
 Guides the bless'd object of his love. 
 
 And may Olympia's chaplet grace, 
 
 Bestow'd by him, great Battus' race ! 168 170 
 
THE SIXTH PYTHIAN ODE.* 
 
 TO XENOCRATES OF ACRAGAS, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE 
 CHARIOT RACE, GAINED IN THE TWENTY-FOURTH 
 PyTHIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet panegyrizes Xenocrates on account of his country and 
 his victory in the Pythian gannes, promising him the immor- 
 tality of verse : he then addresses Thrasybulus, the son of the 
 victor, whom he celebrates on account of his piety and filial 
 affection, comparing him in these respects to Antilochus the 
 son of Nestor. — Conchides by praismg Xenocrates for his 
 moderation and proper use of wealth his evenness of temper 
 and suavity of manners. 
 
 Give ear — for either through the plain 
 Of Venus with the laughing eyes, 
 
 Or through the Graces' fair domain, 
 The bard's poetic journey lies. 
 
 * This short poem, which the scholiast asserts to be mono- 
 strophic, and which, both in its construction and metrical ar- 
 rangement, has much embarrassed the commentators, opens with 
 a declaration on the part of the poet to proceed to the temple of 
 the Delphian god, placed in the centre of the earth, in order to 
 celebrate the praises of Xenocrates, father of his friend Thrasy- 
 bulus, which had before been sung by Simonides, and are again 
 recited in the second Isthmian ode. The periphrasis for Delphi 
 in the third verse, oiKpaXos cmjipoiiov ')(dovoq, may be illustrated 
 by Euripides : (Orest. 323 :)— 
 
 rpn:o?>og a-iro, <pauiv, av o ^oi(ios 
 i.XaK£, 6c^afi£V0i, ava to SairsSov, 
 iva (x.tGoyi<pa\oi Xcyovrai ixvyoi. 
 
 Again v. 584, 585 :— 
 
 AttoXXwv oj [.iearofi(pa\ovi tSpas 
 Vatwi' PpoTOKTi (TTop.a v£jx£i aacpecrrarov. 
 The allusions to the central situation of Pytho or Delphi are o' 
 
SIXTH PYTHIAN ODE. Ill 
 
 To thundering earth's prophetic dome, 5 
 
 In the just centre placed, we come ; 
 Where, guarded by the holy shade, 
 Apollo's golden grove contains 
 The treasure of the Pythian strains 
 Which there, Xenocrates, is laid ^ 10 
 
 The bless'd Emmenidae to crown, 
 And watery Acragas' renown. 9 
 
 This nor the wintry storm's array, 
 The roaring cloud's terrific host. 
 Nor winds and whirling sands convey, 15 
 
 Beneath the depths of ocean lost. 
 And thou, with countenance serenely bright, 
 To thy great sire shalt tell the pleasing tale. 
 Oh Thrasybulus ! when in Crissa's vale, 
 Thy race ennobling, sped his chariot's flight. 18 20 
 
 Firmly thou hold'st the precept fair 
 
 Which erst they say with guardian care 
 
 Upon his mountain station wild 
 
 The son of Philyra impress'd 
 
 On Peleus' vigorous orphan child, 25 
 
 To reverence Jove, the chief of all the bless'd. 
 Lord of the thundering bolt and lightning's flame, 
 
 And through the term allow'd by heaven. 
 
 Such honour be to parents given 
 As may not rob them of their rightful claim. 27 
 
 very frequent occurrence among the ancient poets. See Pyth, 
 
 viii, 82, where the expression 
 
 oix(pa\ov Trap' aoiSijxov 
 is doubtless of parallel import to 
 
 in this ode. 
 
 13 Thus paraphrased by Casimir, (Lyric, iii. 31, 6 :) — 
 
 " Quam neque turbidus 
 Auster, neque emotus refuse 
 Subruat Oceanus profundo." 
 
142 PINDAR. 
 
 This noble mind in days of yore 
 
 Antilochus the valiant bore, 
 
 Who J^thiop Memnon's deadly strife 
 
 Sustaining, saved his father's life ; 
 
 For struck by Paris' dart, the steed 35 
 
 Slack'd the 5sestorean chariot's speed ; 
 
 "While he the powerful spear urged on, 
 
 And the Messenian sage, his breast 
 
 By agitating fear oppress'd, 
 
 With no vain effort cail'd his son. 36 40 
 
 Thus the firm hero's yielded breath 
 Redeem'd his much-loved sire from death. 
 Of all who HI a former age 
 E'er trod the world's eventful stage, 
 Him first this wondrous act will prove 45 
 
 In virtue and parental love. 
 But his renown has pass'd away. 
 Among the heroes of the day 
 Shines Thras)^bulus, whose fair deeds proclaim 
 His steps have reach'd the height of sire and uncle's 
 fame. 46 50 
 
 His youth, exempt from fraud and pride, 
 
 Collects deep vi^isdom's ample store, 
 Wont in the muses' haunts to hide, 
 
 And cull their scientific lore ; 
 While thy sweet arts his willing mind, 55 
 
 Equestrian lord, earth-shaking Neptune, bind ; 
 And his sweet soul, in social converse free, 
 Transcends the honey'd labour of the bee. 54 
 
 31 See Homer, II., viii., 100; Od., iv., 255 ; Pope's version 
 In the former of these passages the incident mentioned by Pni- 
 dar is related, and in the latter the death of Antilochus, son of 
 Nestor, is alluded to by his brother Pisistratus. 
 
THE SEVENTH PYTHIAN ODE. 
 
 TO MEGACLES THE ATHENIAN, ON HIS VICTORY WITH THE 
 QUADRIGiE, 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 Alcmaeon ; 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, how- 
 ever, 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 Alcmason's potent race. 
 
 What house, what country shall I name 5 
 
 Through Greece of more illustrious fame, 
 
 When all the various cities round 
 
 Erectheus' townsmen's praise resound ? 7 
 
 They who in Pytho the divine, 
 
 Apollo, rear'd thy wondrous shrine. 10 
 
 Five triumphs in the Isthmian field 
 
 Urge me the lyric song to yield— 
 
 Oh Megacles ! one glorious crown, 
 
 In Jove's Olympic strife obtain'd, 
 And two from Cirrha's sacred town, 15 
 
 By thee and thy forefathers gain'd. 16 
 
 I joy that merited success 
 Should all thy recent efforts bless. 
 
144 PINDAR. 
 
 But I lament that envy's cloud 
 
 Must thy victorious actions shroud. 20 
 
 Yet such they say is man — whose fate 
 
 By w^eal or wo is checker'd still ; 
 
 No constant happiness his state 
 
 Attends without approaching ill. S3 
 
THE EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE. 
 
 TO ARISTOMENES OF JKGINA, ON HIS VICTORY WITH THE 
 CiESTUS, GAINED IN THE THIRTY-FIFTH PYTHIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 PiNDAK begins this ode with a beautiful invocation to Tran- 
 quillity ; tiien expatiates on the might of Apollo, by whose 
 favour Aristomenes, the son of Xenarces, gained his Pythian 
 conquest. — Then follow the praises of ^gina, the mother of 
 heroes, especially from the descendants of ^acus. — He then 
 resumes the commendation of Aristomenes, applying to him 
 the saying of Amphiaraus, that innate valour is hereditary, and 
 interweaves that seer's prediction respecting the Epigoni, 
 descendants of Adrastus and the Argive chiefs, who should 
 besiege Thebes. — To these he subjoms the expression of his 
 affection for Alcmaeon, and the esteem with which he re- 
 gards him. — Returning to the victory, he supplicates Apollo to 
 crown him with success in future, remindmg him that he is 
 indebted to the favour of the gods for his past glory, the 
 several instances of which he proceeds to enumerate. — Expa- 
 tiates on the felicity of those who conquer in the games, 
 which is sufficient to counterbalance the miseries of short- 
 lived mortality. — And concludes with an address to ^gina. 
 
 Bland Quiet ! who preserv'st the state 
 In tranquil peace serene and great, 
 Daughter of Justice, whose high sway 
 Council and war alike obey, 
 
 1-5 This metaphor, denoting the well-ordered tranquillity 
 which distinguishes ^Egina, is highly poetical, and is in many 
 other passages applied by Pindar to the same state, the origin of 
 which he traces to ^Eacus. (See particularly 01., vui., 28 ; 
 Nem., iv., 19 ; Isth., v., 24, &c.) 
 
 4 In V. 4, how scriptural is the expression — 
 
 E^otaa KXu'iSas 'YTTepTarui, 
 
 to denote the height of p ower ! (Matt., xvi., 19) Koi Swato aoi rag 
 
 M 
 
140 PINDAR. 
 
 The Pythian hymn that now I weave 5 
 
 For Aristomenes receive ; 
 Since well thou know'st thine active aid to lend, 
 Or mildly to the fit occasion bend. 9 
 
 When ruthless anger fills the breast, 
 
 Severe and hostile to the foe, 10 
 
 Thy power soon lays the storm to rest, 
 
 And plunges in the wave below. 
 Thee, ere he felt the deadly stroke, 
 Reckless Porphyrion dared provoke ; 
 But learn'd at length the dearest gain 15 
 
 From willing owners to obtain. 18 
 
 And she by her superior strength 
 
 The boaster's pride o'ercame at length. 
 
 Her nor Cilician Typho fled, 
 
 That dire and monstrous hundred-head. 20 
 
 Nor he who ruled the giant brood : 
 
 For by the lightning's deadly blow, 
 
 And arrows of Apollo's bow, 
 
 Were the rebellious tribe subdued. 
 
 'Twas he that with propitious mind 25 
 
 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 iEacus' bright race adorn'd 30 
 
 icXug TVi (iacTiXaag rwv ovpavfiiv. Again, in Apocal., ix., 1, Kai dtdrj 
 avTU) h kXus ruv (f>ptaTos r>;j ajSvGaov. See also Cap. i., 18. 
 
 21 The chief of these are briefly enumerated by Horace : ^Od., 
 III., iv., 53 :)— 
 
 " Sed quid Typhoeus, et validus Mimas, 
 Aut quid minaci Porphyrion statu, 
 Quid Rhcecus, evulsisque truncis 
 Enceladus jaculator audax ?" 
 The schoUast informs us that verse 15 alludes to an attempt 
 made by Porphyrion to take away the oxen of Hercules agamst 
 the will of that hero. 
 
EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE. 147 
 
 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 35 
 
 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 Ija^e and dulcet strain 40 
 
 I can commit the lengthen'd tale 
 
 Satiety the mind will pain. 46 
 
 Thy triumphs now, heyoic boy, 
 
 The labours of my muse employ, 
 
 Who shall convey with winged speed 45 
 
 The record of thy latest deed ; 
 
 For in th' Olympic wrestler's game 
 
 Tracking thy noble uncle's fame, 
 Thine efforts Theognotus not disgrace : 
 
 And in the strong-limb'd Isthmian fray 50 
 
 The wreaths thy vigour bore away 
 The glories of Clitomachus efface. 
 Thy deeds, the tribe of Midylus that raise, 
 Deserve Oicleus son's prophetic praise ; 
 Who erst in Thebes beheld with prescient sight 55 
 The martial youth still constant in the fight, 
 When having now twice left their Argive home, 
 To the seven-portall'd town th' Epigoni were come. 
 
 When thus he spoke : " Of those whose heart 
 Nature with generous ardour fires, GO 
 
 I see th' impetuous youth depart, 
 Warm'd with the spirit of their sires. 
 
 54 Amphiaraus, the Theban prophet, whose son Alcma^on, 
 called by Pindar Alctnan, bears on his shield the insigne of a 
 dragon, prefiguring, according to the scholiast, the death of his 
 father, who was to descend ahve into the grave, as that animal 
 goes into the holes and caverns of the eartli. 
 
148 PINDA31, 
 
 Alcmaii on his refulgent shi^eid 
 Whirling the dragon's varied form 
 Clearly I view, while in the field 65 
 
 Foremost at Cadmus' gates he bides the battle storm. 
 
 And he who in the former fray 
 
 Fatigued and vanquish'd urged his way, 
 
 Adrastus of heroic might 
 
 Now views a better omen's flight ; 70 
 
 Howe'er in his domestic state 
 
 Vex'd by the storms of adverse fate. 
 To him alone of all the Grecian band 
 
 "With his uninjured host by equal heaven, 
 His dead son's bones, collected through the land, 75 
 To bring to Abas' spacious streets 'tis given." 
 
 'Twas thus Amphiaraus said : 
 
 And I around Alcmaeon's head 
 
 The verdant chaplet joy to place. 
 
 Sprinkled with hymns' mellifluous grace. 80 
 
 He, guarded by whose neighboring fane, 
 
 All my possessions safe remain, 
 To earth's prophetic centre as I went. 
 
 By his paternal art convey'd 
 
 The answer in night's gloomy shade, 85 
 
 Which to my charmed ear Apollo sent. 87 
 
 Far-darting god, whose glorious dome 
 Within the Pythian hollow stands, 
 Receiving from all distant lands 
 Whatever suppliants thither roam, 90 
 
 76 Argos is thus denominated by Pindar, as having been built 
 by Abas, son of Lynceus, and father of Adrastus, whose son 
 ^gialeuswas the only one of the Epigoni, i. e., the descendants 
 of the seven Argive chiefs who did not return safe to their native 
 land after the Theban war. 
 
 81 The house of Pindar stood near the temple or shrine of 
 Alcmaeon ; and as the poet went to consult the oracle of the 
 Pythian Apollo, the answer was conveyed to him in a dream 
 by that hero, who appears to have been worshipped with great 
 reverence — avyyovoiai re^^vais, i- e., by the art of vaticination* 
 practised by his father. 
 
EIGHTH PYTHIAN ODE. 149 
 
 'Twas there thou deignedst to bestow 
 
 The greatest joy of man below, 
 
 And gav'st him at thy feast, oh king, 
 
 Snatch'd with an eager hand, to bring 
 
 The high pentathUc guerdon home. 95 
 
 With wiUing mind accept my prayer, 
 
 And view the numbers which declare 
 
 In honey'd pomp, but words of truth, 
 
 The deeds of this victorious youth. 
 
 Your fate, Xenarcidac, to bless 100 
 
 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. 105 
 
 The vigour 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 
 
 Beneath their arm defended lies. 
 Thy valiant deeds unknown to fail, 
 
 Delighted Megara proclaims, 
 And Marathon's sequester'd vale ; 
 
 Thee too in Juno's kindred games 115 
 
 Thrice crown'd th' applauding circle sees, 
 Victorious Aristomenes ! 116 
 
 Triumphant in the wrestler's hardy toil 
 
 Thy frame upon four prostrate bodies lay — 
 
 No wish'd return from the dire Pythian fray 120 
 
 The gods decreed to their loved native soil. 
 
 115 Alluding, probably, to the Heraean contests, established in 
 JEg'mPL, by imitation of those at Argos, the favoured city of the 
 queen of gods. The ^ginetse were a colony from the Argives ; 
 hence the epithet kindred. Didymus, as the scholiast informs 
 as, says that the Hecatombsean contests are here alluded to. 
 
 121 I think there can be little doubt that the right reading 
 
150 PINDAR. 
 
 No mother's smile of joyful praise 
 Could their desponding spirits raise ; 
 But as their steps in coward flight 
 Shunn'd the proud adversaries' sight, 125 
 
 Harassed by shame and grief they trod the darkest 
 ways. 
 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 valour gives to rise, 130 
 
 And a superior good supplies 
 
 To all the bliss that wealth bestows. 131 
 
 Full often with increasing light 
 
 Glitters each mortal pleasure bright, 
 
 And shortly dash'd upon the ground 135 
 
 By some unhappy stroke 'tis found. 
 
 Man, the frail being of a day, 
 
 Uncertain shadow of a dream, 
 
 Illumined by the heavenly beam, 
 
 Flutters his easy life away. 140 
 
 Mgina. ! guardian of the land 
 
 Peopled by freedom's generous band, 
 
 Preserve this city with a mother's love. 
 Thee may King -^acus behold, 
 Peleus and Telamon the bold, 145 
 
 With bless'd Achilles and immortal Jove. 145 
 
 here is KptOn, (pro cKpiOr],) -was decreed, although some commen- 
 tators prefer ev UvQia^i Kpidr] : founding the interpretation on a 
 notion, which I believe to be quite gratuitous, of the victors in 
 the Pythian games being sent home, crowned with a barley 
 chaplet. Besides that the first syllable in the Homeric word 
 Kpido, hordeum, is long ; (II., xi., 69; Od., ix., 110; xix., 112, &C. ;) 
 whereas the correspondmg verse in the antistrophe requires a 
 short one : — 
 
 7V0- 
 
 peais, ^X*^^ KpEGGOva irXovrov. 
 
THE NINTH PYTHIAN ODE. 
 
 TO TELESICRATES, TlfE CYREN^AN, 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 history of Gy- 
 rene, the forcible abduction of the nymph from whom that 
 city was named, and the birth of Aristseus, the fruit of her 
 connection with the god Apollo. — Returns to his subject, with 
 which he unites the story of lolaus, 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 of his narrative by the wish 
 that all poets entertain to celebrate the praises of Hercu- 
 les. — Returns to the victor, and enumerates his triumphs. — 
 Recalls the memory of an old contest, in which Antaeus, the 
 Libyan, proposed as a reward to the victor the hand of his 
 daughter, which was gained by Alexidamas, a fellow-towns- 
 man, or ancestor, of Telesicrates. 
 
 The hero of the brazen shield, 
 
 Victorious in the Pythian field, 
 
 Great Telesicrates my lays 
 
 Would with the deep-zoned Graces praise : 
 
 Bless'dman! Gyrene's joy and crown, 6 
 
 Equestrian seat of high renown. 
 
 Her in his golden car of yore 
 
 Ravish'd from Pelion's sylvan dell, 
 
 Where storms with ceaseless fury swell, 
 
 Latona's bright-hair'd offspring bore ; 10 
 
 * 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 
 simpUcity of construction. 
 
152 PINDAR. 
 
 Giving the huntress virgin's hand 
 Empire o'er Libya's reahii to keep, 
 
 Third portion of the peopled land, 
 
 That teems alike with fruits and sheep. 15 
 
 The silver-footed Cyprian dame 16 
 
 Received her Delian guest. 
 And with a touch ethereal press'd 
 The heaven-built chariot's frame ; 
 And o'er his genial bed she threw 
 Sweet modesty of virgin hue ; 20 
 
 Joining the god in nuptial tie 
 With powerful Hypseus' progeny : 
 He who then made his regal sway 
 Th' impetuous Lapithae obey : 
 The second hero whose bright line 25 
 
 From ocean drew its source divine. 
 Him erst in Pindus' valleys fair 
 Peneus' bed well-pleased to share, 
 Daughter of earth, Creiisa bore. 
 While he a father's tender love 30 
 
 His white-arm'd child, Cyrene, gave to prove. 32 
 
 Not fond with dull delay to pore 
 
 The web's repeated progress o'er. 
 
 Nor hallow with domestic rites 
 
 The banquet's festival delights. 35 
 
 13 Alluding to the ancient division of the habitable globe 
 into Asia, Europe, and Libya, or Africa. 
 
 25 Peneus was the son of Oceanus, and Hypseus, the father 
 of Cyrene, was the son of Peneus, and of the nymph of Creusa, 
 daughter of Tellus. The description given by the poet in this 
 passage of the martial disposition of Creusa will remind the 
 classical reader of the character of Camilla as sketched by 
 Virgil : {Mn., vii., 805, sq :)— 
 
 " Bellatrix; non ilia colo calathisve Minervse 
 Foemineas assueta manus ; sed praelia virgo 
 Dura pati, cursuque pedum praevertere ventos." 
 
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE. 153 
 
 But with her dart and brazen spear 
 The beasts of savage brood to chase, 
 
 And render free from every fear 
 Her father's herds of quiet race ; 
 
 Permitting' the dull weight of sleep 40 
 
 But hghtly o'er her lids to creep ; 
 
 When on her sweet and tranquil bed 
 
 The early beams of niorn were shed. 44 
 
 Her, as unarm'd she waged the fight 
 
 'Gainst an impetuous lion's might, 45 
 
 Apollo found, whose matchless art 
 
 From his broad quiver wings the dart. 
 
 Then Chiron from his mansion straight 
 
 He bade the potent call await. 
 
 *' Hasten, Philly rides, to leave 50 
 
 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, 55 
 
 A damsel whose unconquer'd soul 
 
 No labours tire, no fears control! 
 
 What mortal gave her vital air 1 
 
 Sprung from what source, a scion fair 
 
 Holds she th' umbrageous mountain's breast, 60 
 
 With more than human valour bless'd 1 60 
 
 Is it a hallo w'd action, say, 
 
 By fraud to seek the virgin bower, 
 
 And pluck with ruthless arm away 
 The sweetness of her hallow'd flower V C5 
 
 To him the sturdy centaur, while 
 
 From his relaxing brow a smile 
 
 In placid sweetness softly broke, 
 
 Without delay his counsel spoke : GS 
 
 " The key that opes persuasion wise 70 
 
 Conceal'd in mystic darkness lies ; 
 
154 PINDAR. 
 
 Since gods and men alike approve, 
 
 Oh Phoebus ! that ingenuous sh^me 
 
 Should hide the deeds of sacred flame, 
 
 And all be secrecy in love. 74 75 
 
 But thee, whom falsehood ne'er can reach, 
 
 Some motive of a doubtful kind 
 
 Has with feign'd ignorance inclined 
 
 To utter this ambiguous speech. 
 
 For whence, oh king ! thy fond desire 80 
 
 The damsel's lineage to inquire 1 
 
 Whose eye of all events surveys 
 
 The fated end, the various ways ; 
 
 Who to what leaves the teeming earth 
 
 In spring's prolific hour gives birth, 85 
 
 What sands are moved when waves tempestuous 
 swell. 
 
 Canst number with omniscient mind, 
 
 And every future period find 
 Which time's revolving course shall e'er ImpeL 89 
 
 But if with thine I must c6mpare 90 
 
 My wisdom, this I will declare. 
 
 Her husband thou who seek'st this vale 
 
 Shalt o'er the paths of ocean sail ; 
 
 And to the verdant plain of Jove 
 
 Convey the object of thy love. 95 
 
 Thou shalt appoint Cyrene there 
 
 The ruler of a city fair. 
 
 Collecting all the island train 
 
 To the steep hill that crowns the plain. 
 
 86 Thus Apollo with oracular voice declares of himself: 
 (Herod., Clio, xlvii. :) — 
 
 Oi6a ^' eyu) ipafijjtov t' apidjxov, /cat yurpa OaXaaarji. 
 
 94 A figxirative expression, denoting the amenity of the soil 
 and climate of Libya ; or so called on account of the worship 
 paid there to Jupiter Ammon. 
 
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE. 155 
 
 Now sacred Libya's empire wide ICO 
 
 Possesses thine illustrious bride, 
 
 Who her fair residence shall hold 
 
 That glitters with imperial gold. 
 
 Justly to her that fertile field 
 
 Will its unceasing produce yield, 105 
 
 A land with fruits abundant crown'd, 
 
 Where beasts unnumber'd graze around. 103 
 
 She shall produce an offspring there, 
 
 Whom to the high-throned Hours and Earth 
 
 Illustrious Mercury shall bear 110 
 
 From the dear authors of his birth. 
 
 They on their knees the babe shall place, 
 
 Bidding his young and tender lip 
 
 Sweet nectar and ambrosia sip, 
 
 And with immortal honour grace ; 115 
 
 Making the rustic shepherd boy. 
 
 Whom mortals Aristaeus name, 
 
 Skill'd to pursue the savage game, 
 
 His friends' delight and dearest joy ; 
 
 Adored with almost equal love 120 
 
 To sacred Phcebus or to Jove." 116 
 
 Thus having said, he moved his breast 
 
 In wedlock to be fully bless'd. 
 
 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 Libya's golden strand 
 
 Join'd in the hymeneal band ; 
 
 Where she protects that beauteous town 130 
 
 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 
 
156 PINDAR. 
 
 Glory for her his conquests weave 
 Who shall with willino^ 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 lolaus 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 its tranquil breast, 
 
 Whither in ages past had come 150 
 
 His grandsire, th' earth-sown warrior's guest ; 
 
 Who dwelt where milk-white coursers' feet 
 
 Sounded in the Cadmaean street. 147 
 
 Compress'd by his and Jove's embrace, 
 
 With the same pang Alcmena bore 155 
 
 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 ; 
 
 Forgetting the Dircaean spring, 160 
 
 That nurtured him and Iphicles, to sing. 
 
 To them will I the hymn address 
 
 Who crown my efforts with success. 
 
 Ne'er let the vocal Graces' ray 
 
 Cease to illuminate my lay. 165 
 
 Already has the victor's fame 
 
 Oft raised this glorious city's name, 
 
 Once in ^Egina's day of fight. 
 
 And thrice on the Megarean height ; 
 
 Forbidding o'er the victor's tale 170 
 
 Silence to draw her dusky veil. 163 
 
NINTH PYTHIAN ODE. 157 
 
 Then let the friendly townsmen tell, 
 
 Nor e'en the candid foe conceal 
 What his strong arm haih wrought so well, 
 
 Laborious for the common weal. 175 
 
 The words of ocean's hoary sage 
 Submissive reverence should engage. 
 " Crown e'en an enemy's fair deed 
 With approbation's honest meed." 
 Thee too at Pallas' stated feasts 180 
 
 Full often have my eyes survey'd 
 Triumphant o'er th' assembled guests, 
 
 While many a silent gazing maid 
 Her husband or her offspring thee 
 Has wish'd, oh Telesicrates, to be ! 176 185 
 
 To him in bright Olympia's day, 
 
 And in deep-bosom'd Rhea's fray, 
 
 And heroes on his native field 
 
 The palm in every contest yield. 
 
 From me, then, who the debt would pay, 190 
 
 Slaking my thirst of song, they claim 
 Once more to build the lyric lay, 
 And hymn thy great forefathers' fame : 
 As to Irasa's walls the suitors came, 
 To seek the Libyan nymph, Antaeus' fair-hair'd 
 dame. 187 195 
 
 Kinsmen with many a stranger vied. 
 
 Illustrious throng ! to call her bride — 
 
 Eager to crop of form sublime 
 
 The flow'ret in its golden prime : 
 
 But her ambitious sire, whose ear 200 
 
 From Argive Danaus joy'd to hear 
 
 That he had bound in wedlock's tie 
 
 His numerous virgin progeny 
 
 195 Named by the scholiast Barce, or Alceis. Irasa was a 
 city in the Tritonian lake. The Antaeus here mentioned is not 
 to be confounded with the gigantic antagonist of Hercules. 
 
158 PINDAR. 
 
 Ere yet the sun's resplendent light 
 
 Had travell'd its meridian height, 205 
 
 For his own daughter hoped to gain 
 
 A brighter hymeneal chain. 200 
 
 For in the stadium's farthest end 
 To the whole choir he fix'd a place, 
 
 And bade the amorous train contend 210 
 
 By skill in the pedestrian race, 
 
 Where each aspiring hero strove 
 
 To win the object of his love. 
 
 'Twas thus the Libyan sire allied 
 
 The husband to his destined bride. 215 
 
 Adorn'd in all her bright array 
 
 Close to the goal he bade her stay. 208 
 
 Sweet issue of their manly toil — 
 *' Her garments," thus he cried aloud, 
 " Who touches first, of all the crowd, 220 
 
 Shall bear away the lovely spoil." 
 Alexidamus then, who press'd 
 Through the swift course before the rest, 
 Seizing the noble virgin's hand, 
 Led her through Libya's warlike band. 225 
 
 To him in many a strife before 
 The leafy crown they gave, on victory's wing to 
 soar! 220 
 
 227 The metaphor here is the same as at the conclusion of 
 the fourteenth Olympic ode, and at v. 129 of the eighth, and the 
 last of the ninth Pythian, on which passage the schohast con- 
 siders the expression as simply a periphrasis for victory. It ap- 
 pears to be a favourite image with Pindar to denote the exulta- 
 tion produced by victory on the ardent mind. West, however, 
 in his note on the fourteenth Olympic ode, maintains the opin- 
 ion, founded on a passage in Plutarch, that the word tvings is to 
 be taken m its literal sense, to denote some emblematical orna- 
 ments added to the Olympic wreaths, &c. Let the reader 
 decide. 
 
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 Aristornachus, the 
 descendant of Hercules, attributes his conquest to the favour 
 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. 
 
 Bless'd Lacedaemon ! Thessaly the bless'd ! 
 
 Whose sceptred kings their potent race 
 To the same valiant Hercules can trace, 
 
 Why should my ardent spirit raise 
 
 Strains of unseasonable praise I 5 
 
 But me prophetic Pytho's wall, 
 
 Aleva's sons and Pelinaeum call ; 
 
 Wishing Hippocleas to grace 
 With strains of high renown by tuneful bards ex- 
 press'd. 10 
 
 6 Aleva was an ancient king of Thessaly, from whom the in- 
 habitants were named. Pelinsum was the native city of the 
 victor. It is doubted by commentators whether the word 
 'Apiaronaxov be used by Pindar as an epithet to Hercules or to 
 
160 PINDAR. 
 
 For in the contests as he tried his strength, 10 
 
 Amphictyon's host and the Parnassian cave 
 Pronounced him foremost of the youthful brave, 
 Contending in the double stadium's length. 
 
 Apollo ! if thine aid befriend, 
 
 Sweet is man's onset and his end ; 16 
 
 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, 
 
 Th' Olympic chaplet he convey'd, 20 
 
 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. 25 
 
 In times to come may prosperous fate 
 
 Exalt, as now, their blissful state ! 
 
 Nor, having gain'd an ample share 
 
 Of all that Greece esteems as fair. 
 
 May envious blasts from Heaven assail 30 
 
 The victims of a backward gale. 31 
 
 Still may the god with liberal heart 
 Unshaken happiness impart ! 
 Hymn'd is that man in poets' lay 
 
 Who with strong hands or rapid feet 35 
 
 Has borne the noblest palms away ; 
 
 In whom firm strength and valour meet. 
 Still living, by his youthful son 
 Who saw the Pythian garlands vv^on. 
 Not yet to them the lot is given 40 
 
 To scale the brazen soil of heaven : 
 
 denote one of the Heraclidae, from whom Aleva derived his ori- 
 gin. The scholiast asserts the former. 
 
 41 This epithet of Olympus is repeated in the seventh Isth- 
 mian : (v. 72.) It will probably remind the reader of that ter- 
 
TENTH PYTHIAN ODE. 161 
 
 But the remotest point that lies 
 Open to human enterprise 
 Their course has gain'd, well skill'd to sweep 
 The wide expanse of glory's deep ; 45 
 
 But not along the wondrous way 
 To Hyperborean crowds can ships or feet convey 
 
 Of old, as at their sacred feast, 
 Whole hecatombs appeased the god, 
 
 The steps of an illustrious guest, i>Q 
 
 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 55 
 
 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. 
 
 Nor dire disease, nor wasting age, 
 
 Against their sacred lives engage : 65 
 
 But free from trouble and from strife, 
 
 Through the mild tenour of their life 
 
 rible prophetic denunciation of the Jewish lawgiver : (Deut., 
 xxviii., 3 :) " Thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass." 
 
 46 This digression to the Hyperborean regions, which Pin- 
 dar here seems to consider as the western boundary of 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 un- 
 reasonable deviation from the original scope and design of the 
 ode. But these irregularities are so characteristic 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. 
 
 N 
 
162 PINDAR, 
 
 Secure they dwell, nor fear to know 
 
 Avenging 5s^emesis their foe. 
 
 Erst, breathing with a heart of flame, 70 
 
 The valiant son of Danae came ; 
 
 Who by divine Athena's hand. 
 
 Led to the bless'd heroic band. 
 
 Slew Gorgon, and her dire head bore 
 
 With dragon locks all cover'd o'er ; 75 
 
 And thus, with stony ruin fraught, 
 
 Death to the islanders he brought. 75 
 
 But when the gods their power display, 
 
 How strange soe'er the mighty deed. 
 
 Firm rev'rence and belief to pay, 80 
 
 Nor doubt nor wonder shall impede. 
 
 Restrain the oar ; and from the prow 
 
 Fix, to secure against the shock 
 
 Of many a sea-imbosom'd rock, 
 
 Your anchor in the deep below. 85 
 
 For now th' encomiastic lay, 
 
 Like bee that flits on changeful wing, 
 
 To fresher glories hastes away. 84 
 
 But ardent hope inspires my breast, 
 
 That while the Ephyrseans sing 90 
 
 My sweet lays by Peneus' spring, 
 
 Hippocleas above the rest, 
 
 Mindful of each triumphant crown, 
 
 Among the old, the virgin train, 
 
 And fellow-combatants, the strain S5 
 
 Shall dignify with bright renown. 
 In various minds far different objects move 
 The cares and fond solicitudes of love. 94 
 
 But he whose fortune can obtain 
 
 The object of his strong desire, 100 
 
 Calm and contented should remain, 
 
 Nor to uncertain good aspire ; 
 
TENTH PYTHIAN ODE. 163 
 
 Since veil'd in doubtful gloom appear 
 
 The issues of the coming- year. 
 
 I trust in Thorax' friendly care, 105 
 
 Who wishing my kind deeds to share. 
 
 Has yoked for me the muses' car, 
 
 By its four coursers whirl'd afar ; 
 
 Urging, with like affection'd soul, 
 
 The wiUingpoet to the goal. 104 110 
 
 As gold to Lydian stone apphed, 
 
 Thus shines the upright mind when tried. 
 
 Then to his virtuous brother's praise 
 
 Let us the joyful tribute raise ; 
 
 Since their bright deeds Thessalia's state 115 
 
 On wings of fame have borne elate ; 
 
 Enrich'd by whose paternal sway, 
 
 Her children glory to obey. 112 
 
THE ELEVENTH PYTHIAN ODE. 
 
 TO THRASYD.EUS, THE THEBAN, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE 
 STADIC COURSE, GAINED WHEN A BOY, IN THE TWEN- 
 TY-EIGHTH PYTHIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet begins this ode with an invocation to the deities of his 
 country — Semele, Ino, and Alcmena — entreating their pres- 
 ence when the pomp of triumph is to be brought to the tem- 
 ple of Ismenian Apollo, and naming the field of conquest the 
 rich plain of Pylades, he digresses to the story of his friend 
 Orestes, and the murder of Agamemnon by Clytemnestra. — 
 Returns to his subject, commending the victor and his father 
 on account of his numerous triumphs. — Declares his prefer- 
 ence of the moderate but secure fortune which they enjoy to 
 the unstable pomp by which tyrants are surrounded. — Con- 
 cludes by citing the examples of lolaus, son of Iphiclus, Cas- 
 tor, and Pollux. 
 
 Daughters of Cadmus ! Semele the fair, 
 Companion of th' Olympic train, 
 
 And Ino, now Leucothea, given to share 
 The couch of Nereids in the main ; 
 
 Go with the mother of Alcides brave 
 
 To Melia's dark and sacred cave, 
 
 Where lies the golden tripod's store. 
 To which unerring Loxias bore 
 
 1 The opening of this ode affords another prooi of the fond- 
 ness with which Pindar alludes to the story of the daughters of 
 Cadmus and Harmonia ; Semele, now an assessor or com- 
 panion of the gods, and Ino, deified as Leucothea, or Matuta, 
 goddess of the morning, whose rites were only approached by 
 freeborn matrons. (See 01., ii. ; Pyth., iii. and xi.) 
 
 6 Melia was an ocean nymph, who became the mother of Is- 
 menus and Tenerus by Apollo. 
 
ELEVENTH PYTHIAN ODE. 165 
 
 Superior love, and bade the hallow'd fane, 
 
 Seat of prophetic truth, Ismenus' name retain. 10 
 
 Harmonia's children ! ye whose heroine band, 
 
 Assembled by the god's command. 
 At close of day he bids in social state 
 
 Pytho and Themis celebrate, 
 With earth's truth-speaking centre — to proclaim 15 
 Seven-portall'd Thebes and Cirrha's game. 
 Where Thrasydaeus by the third won crown 
 
 Hath his paternal hearth's renown 
 Exalted where great Pylades' command 
 (Spartan Orestes' friend) ruled o'er the fertile 
 land. 24. 20 
 
 Him, when his slaughter'd father lay, 
 By Clytemnestra's hand subdued, 
 The nurse Arsinoe stole away 
 From the dire scene of fraud and blood ; 
 What time with Agamemnon's soul 25 
 
 She, whom no pity could control. 
 Urging the sharp and glittering blade, 
 Dardanian Priam's daughter hurl'd 
 Cassandra to th' infernal world, 31 
 
 Where flows sad Acheron through realms of shade. 
 
 Did her to the unhallow'd stroke 
 
 Iphigenia's doom provoke. 
 
 Who died, far from her native land, 
 
 A victim on Euripus' strand 1 
 
 Or lust of an adulterous bed, 35 
 
 That to the nightly dalliance led 1 
 
 17 One by his father, one by his uncle, one by himself. Ores- 
 tes is called Spartan, (v. 20,) since, althcmgh a native of Mycenae, 
 he \A/as made king of Sparta. The following digression, rela- 
 ting his story, with the adultery of Clytemnestra, &c.. is alsorejp- 
 rehended by the scholiast as irrelevant to the subject of the ocfe. 
 
 The same narration is made by the shade of Agamemnon to 
 Ulysses in. the infernal regions : (Od., xi., 404-434.) Compare 
 the tale as related by Sophocles : (Electra, 94, et seq.) 
 
166 PINDAR. 
 
 A crime of most abhorrent die 
 In her whose wedded bhss is young ! 
 
 The violated marriage lie 
 
 Is told by every foreign tongue — 40 
 
 Since naught to hide the guilty tale 
 
 From slanderous townsmen can avail. 44 
 
 Envy is wealth's perpetual foe, 
 
 'Gainst which the humble mutter low. 
 
 Ev'n when the great Alcides came 45 
 
 To Sparta, seat of ancient fame, 
 Bringing destruction on the prophet maid ; 
 
 He fell, who saw the wasting fire 
 
 For Helen's baneful charms aspire, 
 And low in dust Troy's splendid fabrics laid. 50 
 
 Orestes with his youthful head 
 
 To hospitable Strophius fled, 
 
 His aged friend, who dwelt below 
 
 Parnassus' elevated brow. 
 At length with valiant arm he gave 55 
 
 His mother and ^Ggisthus to the grave. 57 
 
 Now, friends, in devious track I stray 
 
 From the direct and beaten way ; 
 
 Slave to some arbitrary gale, 
 
 That guides the pliant vessel's sail. 60 
 
 Muse, if by compact or for gain 
 
 A mercenary voice thou raise, 
 Exaggerate in varied strain 
 
 The subject of thy venal praise. 
 Let Trasydaeus now inspire 65 
 
 Thy lay, or his triumphant sire, 
 The Pythian victor, they whose fame 
 Shines with a bright and glorious flame. 69 
 
 Late conquerors in th' Olympic car, 
 
 And the renown'd equestrian war, 70 
 
 With naked limbs in Pytho's race, 
 
 They rushing through the stadium's space, 
 
ELEVENTH PYTHIAN ODE. 167 
 
 The Grecian host in speed o'ercame. 
 
 Such blessings as the gods impart 
 
 Still may I love with tranquil heart, 75 
 
 Seeking in life an easy state— 
 
 I find the middle ranks endure 
 
 In lasting happiness secure, 
 
 And blame th' exalted tyrant's fate. 81 
 
 The virtues of a common kind 80 
 
 Engage my unambitious mind, 
 
 Since loss o'er envy still impends. 
 
 He who has gain'd the summit fair, 
 
 Living remote from anxious care, 
 
 Nor to injurious wrong descends, 85 
 
 Reaches black death's most wish'd-for bound, 
 
 Shedding, to bless a lovely race. 
 
 The richest of possessions round 
 
 His noble deeds' illustrious grace ; 90 
 
 Such as in hymns transmits to fame 90 
 
 Triumphant Iphiclides' name. 
 Thee, kingly Pollux, and great Castor's might — 
 
 Sons of the gods ! who one day dwell 
 
 Within Therapne's gloomy cell. 
 Another on Olympus' towering height. 95 
 
 93 This part of the history of Castor and Pollux, who under- 
 went for each other the alternate vicissitudes of life and death, 
 is also related by Homer : (Od., xi., 371, seq. :)— 
 
 " By turns they visit this ethereal sky, 
 And live alternate, and alternate die." — Pope. 
 
 So Virgil: (^n., vi., 121:)— 
 
 " Si fratrem Pollux alterna morte redemit, - 
 Itque reditque viam toties." 
 
 Therapne was a town of Laconia, where Castor and Pollux 
 were born. Heyne conjectures, and I think with great prob- 
 abUity, that this fable of the Dioscuri owed its origin to some 
 confused notion of the daily rising and setting of Luciferus and 
 Hesperus. Pindaragain relates the story : (Nem., x., 100, et seq. 
 173, seq.) 
 
THE TWELFTH PYTHIAN ODE. 
 
 TO MIDAS OF ACRAGAS, ON HIS VICTORIES IN THE 
 MUSICAL CONTEST, GAINED IN THE TWENTY-FOURTH 
 AND TWENTV-FIFTH PYTHIAD. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet in this beautiful ode first invokes the city of Agrigen- 
 turn, personifying her under the character of a goddess. — Pro- 
 ceeds to describe the invention of the flute, which he attrib- 
 utes to Minerva, who by its shrill tones imitated the cry of the 
 Gorgon slaughtered by Perseus. — He then expatiates on its 
 various other uses, in exciting the combatants to the field, 
 &c. — Concludes with a highly poetical reflection on the mu- 
 tability of human fortune. 
 
 Thee, shining- on the well-built mountain's head, 
 
 Fairest of mortal cities, I entreat, 
 Proserpina's imperial seat, 
 
 By Acragas' sheep- feeding banks outspread, 
 
 With gods' and men's propitious love, 5 
 
 Accept this crown from Pytho's plain, 
 
 Won by illustrious Midas' strain. 
 
 And him who conquers Greece approve, 
 
 In that high art Athena found of old, 
 
 Which mimick'd in their howl the Gorgon sisters 
 bold. 14 10 
 
 10 The name Athena, rj 6iaTT\eqaiaa, the weaver, in its literal 
 sense, may probably be deduced from 1J3X' fihmi texuit. The 
 origin of the Gorgonian strain is here finely related. The triple 
 monster surrounded by its dragon locks is described by iEschy- 
 lus : (P. V. 796, seq. :)— 
 
 TTcXa? 3' aSeXcpai rtavSs rpeis Kararrtpot, 
 6paKovro^aWoi Topyoves^, ^porotrTvyeii 
 
 The r.ames of the three Gorgon sisters were Stheno, Euryale, 
 Medusa : and each head is afterward described (v. 35, &c.) as 
 
TWELFTH PYTHIAN ODE. 169 
 
 As from the triple virg-in's head, 
 By dragon locks encompass'd round, 
 She heard the voice, ere life had fled, 
 Elaborate a mournful sound ; 
 When Perseus' valiant arm had slain 15 
 
 The third part of the sister train ; 
 And vvhelm'd beneath her people's grave, 
 Seriphus bosom'd in the wave ; 
 Obscuring, by the foul disgrace, 
 Phorcys' imperishable race ; 20 
 
 When he to Polydectes brought 
 The festal gift with ruin fraught : 
 Who long his mother Danae held 
 Captive in wedlock's chain compell'd, 
 Bearing the head that show'd Medusa's beauteous 
 face. 29 25 
 
 He who is callM in legends old 
 
 The offspring of self- fallen gold. 
 
 But when from each laborious deed 
 
 Her much-loved hero she had freed, 
 
 The virgin goddess made to sigh 30 
 
 The flute's sonorous melody ; 
 
 That soon as left the mournful note 
 
 Euryale's rapacious throat. 
 
 Her instrument's shrill sounds might flow 
 
 In tones of imitative wo. 35 
 
 But when she deign'd the heavenly art 
 
 For mortal pleasure to impart, 
 
 She bade the high and glorious strain 
 
 The name of many heads retain. 
 
 Memorial of that stubborn fight 40 
 
 Which roused the adverse people's might. 42 
 
 Such as with dulcet voice proceeds 
 From slender brass and vocal reeds ; 
 
 uttering its separate lamentation, which was imitated in a sepa- 
 rate strain. 
 
 O 
 
170 PINDAR. 
 
 Which near the Graces' temple spring, 
 
 Where festal choirs exult and sing, 45 
 
 To witness in Cephisus' grove 
 
 The bands in measured cadence move. 
 
 What bliss soe'er to man is known, 
 
 Laborious efforts gain alone. 
 
 Such as the god will crown to-day, 50 
 
 Or brighten with to-morrow's ray. 
 
 Though fix'd th' irrevocable doom, 
 
 Yet soon or late the time shall come 
 
 That either cheats th' expecting mind. 
 
 Or leaves its wishes far behind. 55 
 
 47 The river Cephisus empties itself into the lake Copais, 
 here designated by Ka(pi(ns, a nymph sprung from that river. 
 
 53 This moral conclusion arises naturally from the subject, 
 as we are informed by the scholiast that Midas gained the vic- 
 tory against his expectations, since his pipe became broken in 
 the contest. 
 
THE NEMEAN ODES. 
 
OF THE NEMEAN GAMES. 
 
 These games were probably so called from Nemea, a town 
 of Argolis, with a wood in which Hercules when a youth is fa- 
 bled to have killed a lion which infested that region ; and in 
 commemoration of this exploit the games were instituted, about 
 the same time with the Olympic. They were among the most 
 celebrated in Greece, and are said to have been originally held 
 by the Argives, in memory of Opheltes, or Archemorus, son of 
 Lycurgus, and king of Nemea, whose death was occasioned by 
 the bite of a serpent, and to have been renewed by Hercules. 
 
 According to Pausanias, (in Phocaicis,) Adrastus was the 
 author, and his descendants, the Epigoni, were the restorers of 
 these games, which were held every third year, on the twelfth 
 day of the month called by the Macedonians Haveiios, by the 
 Athenians Bor]6poiJiio)v, answering to our August. The Argives, 
 Corinthians, and Cleonseans were alternate presidents of these 
 games, in which were exhibited chariot, horse, and foot races, 
 boxing, wrestling, and all the usual exercises, whether gymnastic 
 or equestrian. The reward at first bestowed on the conqueror 
 was a crown of olive, afterward changed for one of parsley, 
 which being a funereal plant, served to commemorate the death 
 of Archemorus, in whose honour an oration was usually pro- 
 nounced, and the distributors of prizes at these games were clad 
 in mourning garments. A magnificent account of their celebra- 
 tion is contained in the opening of the sixth book of the Thebais 
 of Statius. 
 
THE FIRST NEMEAN ODE. 
 
 TO CHROMIUS, THE ^TN^AN, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE 
 CHARIOT RACE.* 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet begins this ode with an address to Ortygia, an island 
 m the bay of Syracuse, which anciently formed one of the 
 four quarters of that city : with this he connects the praises 
 of the victor, and the celebration of his virtues, particularly 
 his hospitality. — He then digresses to the story of Herciiles, 
 from his birth to his apotheosis and marriage with Hebe, with 
 which he concludes the ode. 
 
 From noble Syracuse, Ortygia, sprung-, 
 "Where breathes again Alpheus' long-lost head, 
 Sister of Delos, Dian's natal bed. 
 
 From thee the sweet-toned hymn is sung. 
 To praise the steeds whose feet like tempests move. 
 
 By favour of ^Etnaean Jove. 6 
 
 Me Chromius' car excites on Nemea's plain 
 With his proud deeds to join th' encomiastic strain. 
 
 * Chromius, whose victory is here celebrated, was the son 
 of Agesidamus, and married a sister of Gelon. Virgil appears 
 to have imitated this passage, where he describes the situation 
 of Ortygia and the reappearance of Alpheus after his subter- 
 ranean wanderings at the mouth of the fountain Arethusa, 
 hence called by Pindar ainrvEvjxa acfivov A\<p£ov, which Cowlev 
 translates inaccurately, the first breathing place. 
 
 " Sicanio praetenta sinu jacet insula contra 
 Plemmyrium undosum ; nomen dixere priores 
 Ortygiam. Alpheum fama est hue Elidis amnem 
 Occultas egisse vias subter mare ; qui nunc 
 Ore, Arethusa, tuo Sicuhs confunditur undis." 
 
 ^n., iii., 692. 
 Ortygia is called the sister of Delos, as having originally been 
 known by the same appellation. 
 
174 PINDAR. 
 
 Prom the great gods to man arise 
 The springs of valorous enterprise. 10* 
 
 Success affords the brightest meed 
 Of every great and glorious deed : 
 Such contests as on lyric string 
 Th« mindful muse delights to sing. 
 NoTv to the isle some tribute raise, 15 
 
 Which Jove, Olympus' sovereign lord, 
 Pledged with a nod his sacred word 
 (When to Persephone's command 
 Was given Sicilia's fertile land) 
 To gild with wealthy cities' towering praise. 20 
 
 To her, besides, Sat.urnius gave 21 
 
 A people arm'd, equestrian, brave; 
 And oft encircled with th' Olympic crown. 
 
 The olive wTcath that victory weaves 
 
 Resplendent with its golden leaves, 25 
 
 Full many a time I've aim'd, nor e'er at random 
 thrown. 
 
 Now at the hospitable gate 
 
 Chanting the hero's deeds I wait, 
 
 Wliere for his poet spread, the feast 
 Adorns the hall that never wants a guest. 34 30 
 
 As water drowns th' opposing flame, 
 
 So shall thy virtues' constant ray 
 
 Chase the calumnious mists away 
 
 That vainly would obscure thy fame. 
 
 Mankind by various arts ascend 35 
 
 The paths to eminence that tend — 
 
 In action, manly strength is shown ; 
 
 In counsel, the reflecting mind; 
 To whose sagacious foresight known, 
 
 Lies the dark future unconfined. 40 
 
 31 This passage is rather obscure, although it appears to me 
 that the general sense of it can be only that which is given in the 
 translation. AtXoyx^i:, placed absolutely, must denote the natural 
 property which water possesses of extinguisliing fire. 
 
FIRST NEMEAN ODE. 175 
 
 Son of Agesidamus ! thee 
 
 To crown both might and skill agree. 
 
 A hidden and superfluous store 
 
 Of wealth I wish not to possess ; 
 But while they sing my praises o'er, 45 
 
 With ready hand my friends to bless ; 47 
 
 Since men to arduous deeds who soar 
 
 Hope the same glory and success. 
 
 When valour's lofty arts are sung, 
 
 Alcides prompts my willing tongue, 50 
 
 Rehearsing ancient fame. 
 
 The hero whom in radiance bright 
 
 Maternal throes sent forth to light, 
 
 With his twin brother came. 
 Him Juno on her golden throne surveyed, 55 
 
 In swaddling clothes of saffron hue array'd. 58 
 
 Then quickly raging at the view. 
 The gods' bright queen her dragons sent ; 
 
 And they, the open portals through. 
 
 Deep in the spacious chamber went ; 60 
 
 Eager the infants to compress 
 
 Within their rapid jaws' caress. 
 
 But he, with head in proud array 
 
 Stretch'd forth, began the deadly fray ; 
 
 Daring the double snake to clasp 05 
 
 In his inevitable grasp ; 
 
 And soon compress'd, the spirit flies 
 
 Their members of gigantic size. 
 
 Struck with intolerable dread, 
 The women trembled round Alcmena's bed : 70 
 
 While she with naked foot arose, 
 Prompt to repel the rage of her tremendous foes. 76 
 
 The chiefs of the Cadmaean band 
 
 In brazen arms tumultuous went. 
 
 And bold Amphitryon in his hand 75 
 
 Quick vibrating the unsheath'd brand, 
 
176 riNDAR. 
 
 Thither his sorrowing footsteps bent. 
 
 Since with an equal weight on all 
 
 Calamities domestic fall, 
 
 How soon soe'er from foreigri grief 80 
 
 The heart uninjured finds relief. 84 
 
 By admiration's power subdued, 
 
 Though mingled with concern, he stood ; 
 
 When his son's fearless pride he saw, 
 
 Exceeding moderation's law. 85 
 
 But as declared the immortal train. 
 
 The messenger's report was vain. 
 
 Then, straight he calFd Tiresias near, 
 
 Jove's truest, most illustrious seer ; 
 
 Who to the chief of all the host 90 
 
 Show'd by what adverse fortunes cross'd, 
 
 How many ravening monsters slain 
 
 By land or on the trackless main ; 
 
 And him that with unhallow'd pride 
 
 Should turn from virtue's path aside, 95 
 
 Alcides by a hateful doom, 
 
 He said, should hurry to the tomb. 99 
 
 And when the gods on Phlegra's plain 
 
 W^age combat with the giant train, 
 
 These monsters of terrestrial birth 100 
 
 Would soil their splendid locks with earth ; 
 
 While he, his mighty labours past, 
 
 Quiet and peace should gain at last ; 
 
 Enjoying in the mansions bless'd 
 
 A long eternity of rest ; 105 
 
 Receiving to his godlike side 
 
 Hebe, his ever-blooming bride ; 
 
 And seated near Saturnian Jove, 
 
 The nuptials o'er, his dome approve. 112 
 
 94 Antaeus or Biisiris, who for their arrogance and violent 
 disposition were both punished with death by Hercules. 
 
THE SECOND NEMEAN ODE. 
 
 TO TIMODEMUS, THE ATHENIAN, ON HIS VICTORY IN THS 
 PANCRATIUM. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet declares this to be the first victory which Timodemus 
 has obtained, considering it as a presage of future success 
 in the Pythian and Isthmian games. This is the more prob- 
 able, as his ancestors have rendered the family illustrious by 
 their numerous victories gained in many preceding contests, 
 several of which he enumerates. — Concludes with an exhor- 
 tation to the citizens to celebrate with hymns the glorious 
 return of Timodemus to his country. 
 
 As bards of the Homeric train 
 
 From Jove preluding, weave the strain, 
 So has this hero the foundation laid 
 
 Of conquests in the sacred games, 
 
 And now his earliest chaplet claims 5 
 
 Where Nemea's grove expands her hallow'd shade. 
 
 1 The scholiast, in commenting on the opening lines of this 
 ode, gives a variety of conjectures on the origin of the phrase 
 'pairT£iv b)5ai, and quotes a fragment of Callimachus, (cxxxviii. 
 Bentl.,) whence some consider paxp(jt)6ov? and paT:6(ja5ovs as synon- 
 ymous. The author of the Et'ymologicum Magnum says that 
 wSr] was anciently used as a generic term for a poem : and in 
 all probability nothing more is meant by a rhapsodist than a com- 
 poser of verses. The scholiast quotes Hippostratus as his 
 authority for asserting that Cinaethus the Syracusan was the 
 firsi who rhapsodised or wove together the scattered portions of 
 Homer's divine poems. The same expression occurs m Isth. ii., 
 66, on which passage the classical reader will do well to consult 
 Heyne's elaborate comment (in vv, lect.) Sudorius's paraphrase 
 is opere expolito. 
 
178 PINDAR. 
 
 Still oft as onward age proceeds, 
 
 And in the track paternal leads, 
 Adorning spacious Athens with renown, 
 
 Triumphant in the Isthmian fray, 10 
 
 Timonous' son shall bear away 
 Her brightest wreath, and oft the Pythian crown. 16 
 
 As where the mountain Pleiads burn, 
 
 Not far they see Orion turn. 
 
 How potent, Salamis, thy might 15 
 
 To nourish heroes for the fight ! 
 
 Hector perceived, in Troy's sad hour. 
 
 Thy son, intrepid Ajax' power ; 
 
 And the sustain'd pancratium's praise 
 
 Shall thee, oh Timodemus, raise ! 24 20 
 
 Acharnae's glorious tribe of old 
 
 Have flourish'd with their heroes bold ; 
 
 And foremost in each solemn game 
 
 The Timodemidae proclaim. 
 
 They near Parnassus' height obtain'd, 25 
 
 Four times the victor's meed have borne, 
 
 And from Corinthian judges gain'd 
 
 In glades where valiant Pelops reign'd, 
 
 Eight several wreaths their brows adorn. 
 
 13 The scholiast has a very long note on this passage, relating 
 the mythological story of the Pleiades, whom Pmdar designates 
 under the epithet opuav, as being the daughters of Atlas, who 
 was metamorphosed into the famous African mountain. It .ap- 
 pears that Orion, being violently enamoured of Pleione, who is 
 sometimes understood as denotmg the whole cluster of the 
 Pleiades, and having pursued her for a considerable time, Jupiter 
 recorded their history by converting them into neighbouring 
 constellations ; the former lying to the northwest, and the latter 
 to the southeast of Taurus. The scholiast further informs us, 
 that Crates read Otptiav instead of opuav-, as the rising of the 
 Pleiades was to Greece the indication of approaching harvest : 
 in like manner the Nemean crov^'n is the precursor of Isthmian 
 and Pythian victories, to be achieved herealter by Aristoclides. 
 
SECOND NEMEAN ODE. 179 
 
 Seven chaplets in the Nemean field — 30 
 
 But to recount each various meed 
 Which Jove's Olympic contests yield, 
 
 The power of numbers would exceed. 
 Him, citizens, in revels sing, 
 As Timodemus home you bring 35 
 
 With glorious pomp, and let your voice 
 In strain, as honey sweet, rejoice ! 40 
 
THE THIRD NEMEAN ODE. 
 
 TO ARISTOCLIDES OF .^GINA. VICTOR IN THE PANCRATIUM. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 This ode opens with a beautiful address to the muse, whom 
 the poet invites to pass at ^gina, which was a Doric colony, 
 the sacred month in which the Nemean festival is held. — 
 This leads to the praises of the island ^gina, which the 
 victor, son of Aristophanes, has exalted by his triumphs, as 
 much as if he had sailed to the Pillars of Hercules, and thus 
 gained the extreme point attainable by human exertion.— The 
 poet then checks himself, and enters on a theme more closely 
 connected with his subject, the panegyric of the native heroes 
 of ^gina, Peleus, Telamon, Achilles. — He then returns to 
 the victor, declaring him to have fulfilled the various duties 
 of boyhood, manhood, and more advanced age. — Concludes 
 with bidding adieu to his friend, whom he pronounces worthy 
 of the meed which the poet sends him, on account of his 
 triumphs at Nemea, Epidayrus, and Megara. 
 
 Oh sacred muse ! — on thee I call, 
 Mother of our poetic band, 
 Come to .^gina's Doric strand, 
 So throng'd at Nemea's festival ; 
 For near Asopus' hallow'd wave 5 
 
 The youths who frame their choral lay, 
 And sweet-toned minstrelsy display. 
 Thy voice with eager fondness crave. 
 Each deed a different object claims — 
 While the proud victor in the games 10 
 
 To the sweet strain his wishes bends, 
 That still his virtues and his wreath attends. 13 
 
 Then grant this vocal boon to me 
 In unrestrain'd satiety. 
 
THIRD NEMEAN ODE. 1 SI 
 
 Th' accepted hymn, oh child of Jove, 15 
 
 Who dwells enthroned in clouds above, 
 
 Begin, for I to chant his praise 
 
 Their voice and social lyre will raise. 
 
 The fruit of my delightful toil 
 
 Shall crown the glory of the soil. 20 
 
 Where dwelt the Myrmidons of yore, 
 
 Whose ancient and illustrious race 
 
 Aristoclides with disgrace 
 
 Of tarnish'd fame ne'er cover'd o'er ; 
 
 Subdued in the pancratium's fight, 25 
 
 Where heroes strive with valiant might. 27 
 
 He who on Nemea's fertile plain 
 
 The palm of conquest wins, has found 
 An antidote to labouring pain, 
 
 A healing balm for every wound. 30 
 
 With his sweet form's unequall'd grace 
 
 The valour of his arm agrees, 
 And onward bears in glory's race 
 
 The son of Aristophanes. 
 No farther o'er the trackless main 85 
 
 An easy passage hope to gain 
 Than where Alcides' pillars stand. 37 
 
 Placed by the hero god, to stay 
 
 The wandering seaman on his way, 
 
 And witness the proud naval band 40 
 
 What time on the Herculean main 
 
 The mighty monsters he had slain. 
 
 Impell'd by his adventurous mind 
 
 The springs of marshy lakes to find, 
 
 Proceeding far as he could roam, 45 
 
 He traced the realm and voyage home. 
 
 But to what distant headland, say, 
 
 Waft'st thou, oh mind, my sail away 1 
 
 To Jiiacus I charge thee bear 
 
 And to his race the chaplet fair ; 50 
 
lSi2 PINDAR. 
 
 For Justice adds her flower to raise 
 A tribute to the good man's praise. 50 
 
 Unjust the love that only views 
 With pleasure names of foreign lore — 
 Wouldst thou a worthy hero choose 55 
 
 To raise and ornament thy muse, 
 Domestic chronicles explore. 
 His royal virtues thus prolong 
 King Peleus' fame in ancient song ; 
 Who his hewn spear exulting shook, 60 
 
 And all alone lolcos took ; 
 Then with aspiring labour strove 
 To win the seaborn Thetis' love ; 
 While Telamon's far-potent might 
 With lolas overthrew Laomedon in fight. 63 65 
 
 Him to the Amazonian band, 
 
 Whose bow of brass twang'd in their hand, 
 
 He foUow'd — nor subduing fear 
 
 Quench'd his impetuous mind's career ; 
 
 For true nobility of soul 70 
 
 Prevails beyond all weak control. 
 
 The man that darkling gropes his way, 
 
 But for his borrow'd wisdom blind. 
 
 With foot uncertain where to stray, 
 
 And hopes that various objects sway, 75 
 
 Grasps all alike with feeble mind. 74 
 
 Meanwhile in Philyra's abode 
 
 Achilles of the golden hair 
 In sports of active childhood show'd 
 
 The ripen'd hero's manly care ; 80 
 
 Shaking his iron-headed dart 
 In hands that play'd the warrior's part. 
 He combated with lions wild. 
 And swift as storms destruction wrought. 
 The boars he slew when scarce were fled 85 
 Six winters o'er his youthful head, 
 
THIRD NEMEAN ODE. 183 
 
 And to Centaurus, Saturn's child, 
 
 Their palpitating bodies brought. 
 
 Him ever wonder'd to behold 
 
 Diana and Minerva bold, 90 
 
 Without or dogs or nets' deceit, 
 
 O'erconie the stags with rapid feet. 89 
 
 I find it thus in legends old : 
 
 Wise Chiron in his stony cave 
 
 Long since to Jason nurture gave ; 95 
 
 And taught Asclepias there to gain 
 
 The manual art that softens pain ; 
 
 Then bound in matrimonial tie 
 
 Nereus' fair-handed progeny ; 
 
 Storing her noble offspring's mind 100 
 
 With every excellence combined. 100 
 
 That soon as to the Trojan coast 
 
 Him winds and urging waters bore, 
 
 He might sustain the battle roar 
 
 Of Lycia's and of Phrygia's host. 105 
 
 Mingled with Ethiopia's band, 
 
 On high the martial spear who wield, 
 Combining mind with active hand ; 
 
 That ne'er returning from the field 
 Should Helenus' brave kinsman roam, 110 
 
 Memnon their liege, and trace his journey home. Ill 
 
 Jove, from this source the glories shine 
 Of Eacus' illustrious line. 
 Since from thy sacred blood they spring ; 
 While thy great influence rules the game, 115 
 Which native youths with loud acclaim, 
 And hymns of joy tumultuous sing. 
 Shouts which the victor's triumphs tell 
 Become Aristoclides well ; 
 
 110 Tithonus, father of Memnon, and Priam, father of Hel- 
 enus were brothers. 
 
184 PINDAR. 
 
 Whose noble deeds this island raise 120 
 
 To heights of glory and of praise ; 
 
 Gracing with Phosbus' Pythian strain 
 
 Thearion's venerable fane. 
 
 The issue of the contest tells 
 
 In what high efforts each excels. 125 
 
 When with the stripling band a boy, 
 
 A man with men of riper age, 
 He made triumphant aims employ 
 
 Each period of life's mortal stage ; 
 And lengthened time with wisdom fraught 130 
 Prudence, the fourth best virtue, taught ; 130 
 
 That can success on each design bestow. 
 
 Then hail, my enterprising friend ; 
 
 To thee this beverage sweet I .send, 
 Where the white milk and mingled honey flow. 135 
 
 Thus with the dew of song aspire 
 
 Soft breathings of th' iEolian lyre, 
 
 Though tardy be the lay. 138 
 
 Swiftest of birds» the eagle wends 
 
 Her flight, and with sharp talon rends 140 
 
 On high th' ensanguined prey; 
 
 While daws, below, a chattering brood, 
 
 Inglorious crop their earthly food. 
 
 For thee, if high-throned Clio raise 
 
 In thy victorious spirit's praise 115 
 
 The hymn, from Nemea shines the light, 
 From Megara and Epidaurus bright. 148 
 
THE FOURTH NEMEAN ODE. 
 
 TO TIMASARCHUS OF ^GINA, VICTOR IN THE PALESTRA. 
 
 ARGUMEPifT. 
 
 In this ode the sweetness and soothing effects of encomiastic 
 poetry are beautifully described. — It is dedicated by the poet 
 to the praise of the victor, his native island, and to the mem- 
 ory of his father, Timocritus. — Then follows a digression to 
 the heroes of ^gina — Telamon, Alcyoneiis, and especially 
 Hercules.^-Here he recalls his wandering muse, from fear of 
 being reprehended by envious tongues, and indulges himself 
 in anticipations ot future excellence which shall be matured 
 by time. — Nevertheless he returns to his digression, and de- 
 scribes the extent of dominion possessed by other heroes of 
 ^gina — Teucer, Ajax, Achilles, Neoptolemus, and Peleus. — 
 Recalls a second time his digressing strain, which he ex- 
 presses metaphorically by bringing back his vessel from the 
 darkness of Gades to the continent of Europe ; since to relate 
 the whole story of the iEacidae were a fruitless endeavour. — 
 He therefore enters on the praises of the tribe of Theandridae, 
 to which the victor belonged ; of his maternal uncle Callicles ; 
 his grandfather Euphanes ; and his alipta, or preceptor, Me- 
 lesias, with whom he concludes the ode. 
 
 Hilarity, thou sovereign balm 
 
 And remedy of labours o'er, 
 
 Whose pain by arts untried before 
 
 The muses' vocal daughters calm — 
 
 What time they wake the lyric string, 5 
 
 Not such delight the tepid wave 
 Can to the soften'd members bring. 
 
 As praise, the meed of efforts have, 
 Which poets to the harp symphonious sing- 
 Beyond events of transient worth 10 
 
 Long their recorded acts shall live — 
 Drawn from the mind's deep treasures forth, 
 
 Such as the favouring Graces give. 13 
 P 
 
186 PINDAR. 
 
 Oh ! may it be my happy fate 
 
 To Nemea and Saturniaii Jove 15 
 
 Where wrestling Timasarchus strove, 
 
 The prelude hymn to consecrate. 
 
 May j^acus' well-guarded seat 
 
 With candid mind this tribute greet, 
 
 Where Justice rears her sheltering arm 20 
 
 Of power to save each guest from harm. 
 
 Were still Timocritus thy sire 
 
 Warm'd b}- the genial solar ray, 
 Intent upon the varied lyre 
 
 He oft had framed the victor's lay, 25 
 
 That should his numerous wreaths proclaim 
 Won in the Cleonrean game, 
 In Athens, rich with fair renown, 
 And the seven-porlall'd Theban town. 31 
 
 When near Amphitryo's splendid tomb 30 
 
 For him with no unwilling hand 
 
 Their chaplets the Cadmeean band 
 
 Gave for ^Egina's sake to bloom ; 
 
 As to his kindred city's walls 
 
 With hasty steps the hero went, 35 
 
 Seeking the bless'd Herculean halls, 
 
 On amicable purpose bent. 39 
 
 AVith him to aid, in days of yore 
 
 Troy the bold Telamon o'erthrew. 
 
 Invaded Merops' Coan shore, 40 
 
 And the stupendous warrior slew 
 
 Alcyoneus — but first he broke 
 
 With a huge stone's vindictive stroke 
 
 Twelve chariots by four coursers whirl'd, 
 
 And heroes to destruction hurl'd 45 
 
 Who tamed the steed and urged the car 
 
 Of twice that number to the war. 
 
 Unskill'd in fight must he appear 
 
 To whom the moral is not clear ; 
 
FOURTH NEMEAN ODE. 187 
 
 Since he that can in aught prevail 50 
 
 Must in his turn expect to fail. 52 
 
 But the strict law that rules my song 
 
 And hours which urge their course along, 
 
 This thought prohibit, and restrain 
 
 "Within just bounds the wandering strain. 55 
 
 Though fond desire my heart impel 
 
 Such tales at the new moon to tell ; 
 
 Thee though the deep sea wave convey 
 
 Adventurous on thy middle way ; 
 
 Yet, mind, resist the snare ; 60 
 
 Then far superior shall we rise 
 To all our slandering enemies, 
 
 And walk in splendour fair ; 
 While they of envious eye and soul 
 On earth their empty purpose roll. 66 65 
 
 To me what energetic power 
 
 Fate gave me in my natal hour, 
 
 Full well I know advancing time 
 
 Shall ripen to its destined prime. 
 
 Then haste, sweet lyre, the lay to weave 70 
 
 With Lydian melody combined, 
 
 Such as CEnone shall receive, 
 
 And Cyprus with enraptured mind ; 
 
 Where, banish'd from his own domains, 
 
 The Telamonian Teucer reigns. 75 
 
 But Ajax his paternal soil 
 
 Yet holds — the Salaminian isle. 78 
 
 Achilles rules the shining land 
 Whose splendour gems the Euxine deep. 
 Phthia owns Thetis' high command : 80 
 
 While each sublime and beaked steep 
 
 78 I. e., the island Leuce, or white, so named from the abun- 
 dance of herons with which it appears to ghtter from afar. 
 Tlie poets describe it as an Elysium where the souls of deceased 
 
188 PINDAR. 
 
 That rises eminently o'er 
 
 Epirus' wide-extended shore, 
 
 And from Dodona lifts the brow 
 
 To where the Ionian waters flow, 85 
 
 Giving in numerous herds to graze, 
 
 Young Neoptolenuis obeys. 
 
 lolcos, fair Thessalian town, 
 
 Which Pelion's woody summits crown, 
 
 Attack'd by hostile hand, a slave 90 
 
 Peleus to his Haemonians gave. 91 
 
 He whom Acastus' crafty dame, 
 
 Hippolyta, by guile o'ercame ; 
 
 While Pelias' son's Daedalian blade 
 
 For him the fatal ambush laid. 95 
 
 But Chiron far the peril drove, 
 
 Fulfilling the decrees of Jove, 100 
 
 He the dread fire's all-potent might, 
 
 The terrors of the sharpened claws 
 
 And teeth that arm the direful jaws 100 
 
 Of lions raging for the fight, 
 
 heroes enjoy perpetual repose. In the celebrated scholion of 
 Callistratus, (ev iivprwKXaSi, &c.,) Harmodius is addressed as 
 dwelling in the islands of happy spirits with Diomed and the 
 swift-footed Achilles. 
 
 94 The obscurity of this passage has greatly embarrassed the 
 commentators. By the sicord of Dcsdalus the scholiast simply 
 miderstands a fraudulent design, sharpened for the destruction 
 of its victim. The poet must be understood to institute a com- 
 parison between the craft of Acastus and that of Daedalus, who 
 slew Minos by pouring on him a stream of boiling water with 
 the co-operation of the daughters of Cocalus, king of Sicily. In 
 like manner Peleus was subdued by stratagem, and his country 
 Magnesia made subject to the Thessalians, through the treach- 
 erous instrumentality of Cretheis, daughter of Hippolytus, and 
 wife to Acastus. The following lines allude to the various 
 shapes of fire, lion, &c., into which Thetis is said to have trans- 
 formed herself, with the vain hope of avoiding the matrimonial 
 affinity of Peleus. Pindar relates the story again in Nem., v., 
 53, et seq., more at large and with greater clearness. 
 
FOURTH NEMEAN ODE. 189 
 
 Subdued, and to his humbler bed 
 
 A lofty-throned Nereid led. 
 
 His eye beheld th' assembled train 
 
 Who rule in heaven and in the main, 105 
 
 Seated on high, and bless his race 
 
 With the rich gifts of power and grace. Ill 
 
 To Gades none can urge his sail, 
 
 Which clouds and western darkness veil. 
 
 Approaching that most distant strand, 110 
 
 Return the bark to Europe's land ; 
 
 For never can my tongue avail 
 To sing, ^Eacidae, your lengthen'd tale. 
 
 But faithful to my compact, I 
 
 Hither a ready herald came, 115 
 
 To celebrate those triumphs high 
 In sports that knit the hardy frame ; 
 
 Which Isthmus and Olympia's field 
 To the Theandridse with Nemea's yield. 117 
 
 There having made a first essay, 120 
 
 Homeward again they bend their way, 
 But not without the frequent crown 
 That bears the fruit of high renown. 
 Thy tribe on thee we hear in solemn state 
 With songs of triumph, Timasarchus, wait. 129 125 
 
 If whiter than the Parian stone 
 A monument thou bid me raise 
 To Callicles thine uncle's praise- 
 As fires that sparkhng gold refine 
 Give all its purest beams to shine — 130 
 
 i08 Sudorius thus paraphrases the original expression, which 
 is very peculiar : — 
 
 " Sufficit nautas penitus remotas 
 
 Visere Gades, 
 Cseca nox ultra est, tenebrseque dens» — 
 Quas licet nuilis penetrare renais." 
 
190 PINDAR. 
 
 So shall the hymn's triumphant tone 
 The hero's glorious deeds that sings 
 Exalt him to the rank of kings. 
 Though now by Acheron he dwell, 
 Yet shall my tongue his conquests tell ; 135 
 When Corinth round the victor's brow 
 In thund'ring Neptune's game her parsley bade to 
 glow. 142 
 
 He by thy willing grandsire's tongue, 
 
 Old Euphanes, has erst been sung, 
 
 Coevals, youth, in other days ; 140 
 
 For best, as in heroic deeds, 
 
 By Fortune aided, each succeeds. 
 
 Each his bright eloquence displays ; 
 
 As he Melesias who commends 
 
 At once the doubtful strife suspends : 146 
 
 Weaving the melodies of song, 
 
 Unconquer'd in the wrestler's toil, 
 Mild to the good and friendly throng. 
 
 But rough his enemies to foil. 156 
 
THE FIFTH NEMEAN ODE.* 
 
 TO PYTHEAS OF ^GINA, VICTOR WITH THE C^STUS. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet charges his song yvith the celebration of the victory 
 which Pytheas, son of Lampo, has achieved in the Nemean 
 games. — Hence he digresses to the heroes of .-Egina, descend- 
 ants of ^acus, especially Peleus, Euthymenes, Pytheas, the 
 Athenian Menander his alipta, and Themistius. — Concludes 
 with an address to his muse, exhorting her boldly to sing the 
 triumphs of Pytheas at Nemea and in the festivals which 
 were held at Epidaurus in honour of ^sculapius. 
 
 Mine is no statuary's fame, 
 
 Whose art constructs the mimic frame, 
 
 Forever standing on the selfsame base. 
 But leave, sweet song-, ^Egina's port, 
 On long-deck'd ships and cutters short, 5 
 
 To tell that Lampo's mighty son 
 Pytheas the Nemean crown hath won, 
 
 Whose honours the pancratium's victor grace. 
 Incipient manhood's tender flower 
 Not yet his downy cheek array'd 10 
 
 When his triumphant deeds display'd 
 Th' iEacidae's victorious power — 
 
 * The opening of this ode contains an indirect reproach of the 
 kindred of Pytheas, who wished to procure from Pindar an ode 
 10 commemorate his victory for a less sum than three drachmse, 
 (about ten pounds,) asserting that it would be preferable to pur- 
 chase a statue for that sum : but afterward, sensible of their 
 error, they request the bard to furnish them with an ode. He 
 therefore begins very appropriately by institutmg a comparison 
 between the immobility of a statue and the universal celebrity 
 which verses would obtain for the victor, by penetrating the 
 most distant regions of the habitable world. 
 
192 PINDAR. 
 
 Heroes whose warlike glories spring 
 
 From Saturn and the heavenly king, 
 
 And Thetis' golden Nereid train ; 15 
 
 Illustrating with high renown 
 
 The parent city's walls that crown 
 
 iEgina's hospitable plain. IG 
 
 Her they implored, as near the shrine 
 
 Of their Hellenian sire they stood, 20 
 
 That bless'd with sons in battle good 
 
 And naval strife her fame might shine ; 
 
 Then raised their suppliant hands on high 
 
 Endeis' noble progeny, 
 
 Together with King Phocus' might, 25 
 
 Whom erst bright Psamathea bore, 
 
 A goddess, on her sandy shore. 
 
 1 dread to speak with lofty tongue, 
 
 And show what direful ills have sprung 
 
 From slighted sense of right. 30 
 
 By what avenging god expeird, 
 Their glorious isle the valiant band 
 Deserted — but ray song withheld 
 From the sad theme, will make a stand. 
 'Tis not for every truth to show 35 
 
 Its undisguised and open brow — 
 Oft the best prudence of the wise 
 In silent meditation lies. 33 
 
 But would my song a tribute raise 
 
 Their wealth or manual strength to praise, 40 
 
 And iron firmness in the war, 
 
 I'd leap beyond the rest afar, 
 
 Proving with lightly bended knee 
 
 My supple frame's agility; 
 
 While rushes my adventurous strain 45 
 
 On eagle wing beyond the main. 
 
 24 I. e., Telamon and Peleus, sons ot-.^acus, and Endeis, 
 
 the daughter of Cliiron. 
 
FIFTH NEMEAN ODE. 193 
 
 The ready muses' lovely choir 
 
 To them on Pelion's mountain sang, 
 
 And in the midst Apollo's lyre, 
 
 Struck by his golden plectrum, rang, 50 
 
 As the great leader sounded high 
 
 Its varied seven-toned harmony. 45 
 
 They hymn'd, beginning first from Jove, 
 
 Peleus and Thetis' sacred name, 
 
 And how the fair Cretheis strove, 55 
 
 Hippolyta, to soil his fame. 
 
 Magnesia's lord, her spouse, she led 
 
 By many a lure and artful wile, 
 
 Feigning a tale of treacherous guile. 
 
 That he Acastus' nuptial bed 60 
 
 Attempted basely to defile. 56 
 
 *Twas false — for him with raging mind 
 
 And suppliant prayer she oft address'd : 
 Yet her warm speech no love could find 
 
 Responsive in his tortured breast. 65 
 
 But he refused the nymph's desire, 
 Dreading His wrath the stranger's sire. 
 Heaven's mighty king, immortal Jove, 
 Who guides the clouds that roll above, 
 Observed the deed, and gave a sign 70 
 
 That from the golden-sceptred line 
 Of Nereids sporting in the main 
 The hero should a consort gain ; 
 Persuading Neptune to approve 
 The social bond of kindred love ; 67 75 
 
 The god who oft from ^Egae's height 
 To Dorian Isthmus speeds his flight. 
 
 67 I. e., Jupiter the protector of strangers. 
 74 Neptune and Peleus married Amphitrite and Thetis, two 
 of the Nereids ; they were therefore brothers-in-law. 
 
194 PINDAR. 
 
 Him there receive the festal choir 
 
 With sound of the melodious reed, 
 
 And in firm strength of limb aspire, 80 
 
 The native test of every deed ; 
 
 While thou, Euthymenes, at rest 
 
 On the fair goddess Victory's breast, 
 
 Raisest the varied hymn to cro^vn 
 
 Thine own ^gina with renown. 85 
 
 Now Pytheas' rapid footsteps trace 
 
 His uncle's fame in glory's race ; 80 
 
 Illustrating his kindred line. 
 
 Such fame the strife of Nemea's field 
 
 And the month's circling periods yield, 90 
 
 W'hich Phoebus views with love divine. 
 
 At home and on green Nisus' height, 
 
 His equals, rushing to the fight, 
 
 He conquer'd — I exult to view 
 
 The city these fair deeds pursue. 86 95 
 
 To brave Menander's presence, know, 
 
 Thy toils their sweet requital owe. 
 
 Who fits the athletes for the ring 
 
 Should like himself from Athens spring. 
 
 No longer let chill fear control 100 
 
 The generous purpose of thy soul, 
 
 Themistius if thou come to sing. 
 
 But raise thy voice — and to the end 
 
 Of the tall mast thy sails extend — ' 
 
 90 I. c, the month Delphinius, in which a contest was cele 
 brated by the ^ginetans, sacred to Apollo, called the Hydro- 
 phoria. 
 
 99 This and the following line are thus paraphrased by Su- 
 dorius : — 
 
 " Cecropidam decet 
 Fortem exercitiis preeesse viriUbus." 
 
 It appears from this passage that the Athenians were as pre 
 eminent for their skill in athletic exercises as in arts and arms. 
 
FIFTH NEMEAN ODE. 195 
 
 Loudly his double palm proclaim, 105 
 
 Which in the Epidaurian field 
 The hardy wrestler's glorious game, 
 And the pancratium's contests yield. 
 Assisted by the nymphs of auburn hair, 109 
 
 To iEacus' high fane 'twas his the wreaths to bear. 
 
THE SIXTH NEMEAN ODE. 
 
 TO ALCIMIDAS OF JEGINA, VICTOR IN THE PALJESTRA, IN 
 THE CLASS OF BOYS. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 This ode begins with a moral reflection on the emanation of 
 divinity by which the mind of man is enhghtened, being of the 
 same origin with the divine race. — This is illustrated by the 
 example of Alcimidas, who, though a mere youth, treads m 
 the footsteps of his grandfather Praxidamas. — His victories in 
 the different games are enumerated, by which he has restored 
 the glory of his house, that had been tarnished by the inactiv- 
 ity of his father Theo. — The victories of the tribe of Bassidae 
 are celebrated. — Pindar then proceeds to expatiate on the 
 glories of the ^ginetan heroes. — Returns to the victor, whose 
 five-and-twentieth triumph is celebrated in this ode. — His 
 kinsman Timidas, and his ahpta, or charioteer, Melesias, 
 whose rapid skill in guiding the car is compared to that of a 
 dolphin cleaving the waves. 
 
 Of mortal or immortal race, 
 
 From the same mother earth we trace 
 
 Our lives — but not the same degree 
 
 Of power and vital energy 
 
 To man of transient space is given, 5 
 
 As in the brazen soil of heav'n. 
 
 Yet some resemblance can we find 
 
 Of nature or the mighty mind 
 
 That links us to the powers divine, 
 
 Howe'er 'tis not in us to know 10 
 
 When shall stern fate's recorded blow, 
 
 By day or night, our course define. 13 
 
 Now by Alcimidas is found 
 
 The kindred excellence display'd, 
 
 As fields with rich luxuriance crown'd, 15 
 
 To mortal life subservient made. 
 
SIXTH NEMEAN ODE. 197 
 
 Renew their annual vigour, blessed 
 With due vicissitudes of rest. 
 Warm from the pleasing Neniean game, 
 'Twas thus the hardy stripling came, 20 
 
 This contest, which began from Jove, 
 Pursuing with unwearied pace, 
 He for the wrestler's chaplet strove, 
 Eager as huntsman in the chase ; 
 Tracking his grandsire's bright career, 25 
 
 Praxidamas, his steps appear. 
 He, where Alpheus' waters flow, 
 Olympia's wreath around his brow 
 To grace th' ^acidae entwined, 
 Five times on him the Isthmian crown 30 
 
 And Nemea's thrice conferr'd renown ; 
 No longer in oblivion pined 
 Soclides, plant of elder shoot 
 From Agesimachus, the parent root. 37 
 
 Since they, the triple chaplet gain'd, 35 
 
 To valour's summit have attain'd — 
 
 With labour and triumphant might 
 
 Contending in the glorious fight. 
 
 More numerous palms by favouring Heav'ri. 
 
 Have to no other house been given, 40 
 
 Won in the pugilistic fray. 
 
 Than such as on the Isthmian strand, 
 
 Recess of all the Grecian land, 
 
 This noble tribe has borne away. 45 
 
 W'ith lofty eloquence of speech 45 
 
 The destined mark I hope to reach. 
 
 Thither, oh muse, from out thy bow 
 
 The shaft of epic sweetness throw. 
 
 To them the bards of other days 
 
 Have given the meed of honest praise ; 50 
 
 Since frequent acts transmit to fame 
 
 The Bassidae's illustrious name. 
 
198 PINDAR. 
 
 A race renownM in ancient lore, 
 
 Who their own high encomium bore, 
 
 And by their vigorous deeds could yield 55 
 
 To such as till Pieria's field 
 
 Full many a hymn — his hands around 
 
 The caestus' leathern safeguard bound. 
 
 From the same tribe in Pytho's fray 
 
 Brave Callias erst the prize obtain'd, 60 
 
 And Phoebus' high approval gain'd, 
 
 From golden-sceptred Lato sprung ; 
 
 Whose triumphs at the close of day 
 
 The Graces' choir in bright array 
 
 Have by Castalia's waters sung. GG 65 
 
 And where the Isthmian bridge divides 
 
 Th' unwearied and opposing tides, 
 
 To him the Amphictyons' high decree 
 
 Assign'd their palm of victory, 
 
 Who by triennial bullocks slain 70 
 
 Appeased the monarch of the main. 
 
 Him too the lion's parsley crown'd 
 
 Triumphant on that sacred ground 
 
 Which lies beneath the shade outspread 
 
 Of Phlius' ancient mountain's head. 74 75 
 
 Open to bards on every side 
 Is the fair theme, the entrance wide, 
 Who to this glorious island raise 
 The tribute of poetic praise. 
 To them the ^acidae have shown 80 
 
 Their mighty virtues' ample fame ; 
 While far o'er earth and sea has flown 
 The sound of their illustrious name. 
 Even to the distant iEthiops' seat, S4 
 
 Ere Meianon homeward urged his wandering feet. 
 
 62 The epithet here given to Latmia is the same by which 
 Thetis is distinguished — (Nem., v., 65 ;) and Amphitrite, wife 
 of Neptune— (01., ii., 168.) 
 
SIXTH NEMEAN ODE. 199 
 
 On them fell strife and heavy war, 86 
 
 What time Achilles from his car, 
 
 Leaping- with hasty step on earth, 
 
 By wrathful spear's ensanguined head 
 
 The monarch number'd with the dead, 90 
 
 Who to bright morning owed his birth. 
 
 Poets of other ages here 
 
 Have urged their chariots' swift career : 
 
 And I in this pursuit am join'd — 
 
 The waves that near the rudder flow, 95 
 
 While the ship cleaves the depths below. 
 
 First occupy the steersman's mind. 07 
 
 But I on willing shoulders bear 
 
 A double load of anxious care. 
 
 And come a herald to proclaim 100 
 
 The glories of the sacred game, 
 
 Whose five-and-twenty garlands grace 
 
 Alcimidas' illustrious race. 
 
 Thee, boy, and Timidas, who strove 
 
 By the Saturnian monarch's grove, 105 
 
 The guerdon of Olympia's fray 
 
 Thy lot forbade to bear away. 
 
 E'en like the dolphin race that sweep 
 
 On rapid fin the watery deep, 
 
 Melesias would I name, whose force 110 
 
 And hands direct the chariot's course. Ill 
 
THE SEVENTH NEiMEAN ODE. 
 
 TO SOGENES OF 7EGINA, VICTOR WHEN A BOY IN THE 
 PENTATHLIC GAMES. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 This ode opens with an address to Eilithyia, the goddess who 
 presided at parturition, declaring that Sogenes, the son of 
 Thearion, was at his birth gifted with so robust a frame as 
 should enable him while yet a boy to conquer in the pentath- 
 lum. — The muses, by celebrating in song the glorious actions 
 of heroes, confer on them a celebrity more than commensurate 
 ■with their importance ; nor would Ulysses have acquired 
 such fame but for the praises of Homer. — To them is owing 
 the renown of Neoptolemus, son of Achilles, one of the heroes 
 of .^gina, to whose history the poet digresses. — Then check- 
 ing himself, frorn the fear of exciting satiety in his hearers, he 
 returns to ^gina, Thearion, and the victor Sogenes ; invo- 
 king the continued favour of Jupiter, to whom the Nemean 
 games were sacred, of ^acus, and especially of Hercules, 
 whom he entreats to become an intercessor with Jupiter, 
 Juno, and Minerva, that they may grant their protection to 
 the conqueror and to his latest posterity. — Concludes with 
 declaring his intention not to insult the memory of Neoptole- 
 mus by renewing the story of his death ; but deprecates re- 
 peated apologies to his adversaries. 
 
 Oh thou, to whom a seat is given 
 The deep-revolving Parcae near, 
 Child of the potent queen of heav'n, 
 Prolific Eilithyia, hear ! 
 
 Without thine aid we ne'er should claim 5 
 
 In the clear day or sable night 
 To gaze upon the genial light, 
 And view thy sister Hebe's hardy frame. 
 
 4 The precise object of Pindar in this opening address to the 
 goddess of parturition has been variously explained by different 
 
SEVENTH NEMEAN ODE. 201 
 
 Not subject ail to equal law, 
 The vital energy we draw. 10 
 
 But thou, as difterent fates prevail, 
 Urgest our ever-varying scale. 
 With thee his valiant arm to bless, 
 Young Sogenes, Theario's son, 
 Shines in renown and high success 15 
 
 Mid those who the pentatlilic wreath have won. 12 
 
 He in th' ^Eacidce's fair city dwells, 
 Who shake the spear, and rouse with kindred fiame 
 The sons to emulate their fathers' fame, 
 Where the song oft the pomp of triumph swells. 20 
 On him, whom fortune's smiles befriend. 
 The muses' honey'd streams descend ; 
 While o'er the deeds that want their tale 
 Darkness extends her dusky veil. 
 We in what polish'd mirror know 25 
 
 Illustrious deeds reflected glow. 
 If with resplendent fillet bound 
 Mnemosyne permit to share 
 That sweet reward of toil and care, 
 The epic lay's illustrious sound. 30 
 
 Three days ere yet the tempest rise 
 The skilful mariner descries. 
 
 ancient commentators. It has been suggested' by some, with a 
 great appearance of probability, that Thearion, the father of 
 Sogenes, was in the habit of sacrificing to F-ihthyia, to whom a 
 temple was erected near his residence. Callimachus (hymn, 
 ad Del. 257) speaks of a lay peculiar to this divinity : — 
 
 citrav KXeiBvirji upov fj.eXos. 
 
 The reciting of which is noticed by Madame Dacier as a very 
 unusual circumstance, but is not commented on by Spanheim. 
 In the Iliad, (xi., 348,) the Eilithyia are mentioned in the plural, 
 as daughters of JunoLucino, in which passage Pope takes no 
 inconsiderable liberty both with the quality and orthography of 
 this venerable sisterhood, by calling them the fierce llythi<s. 
 
 31 Pliny in his Natural History (lib. iii.) relates that the in- 
 habitants of the island of Lipara can foretel from the course of 
 the smoke which ascends from it what v/iil be the direction of 
 
 Q 
 
202 PINDAR. 
 
 Both rich and poor one common doom 
 
 Calls undistinguish'd to the tomb. 
 
 If right I deem, one ampler fame 35 
 
 Exalts the great Ulysses' name, 
 
 From Homer's sweet poetic song, 
 
 Than to his deeds could e'er belong. 31 
 
 Since genius' bright and airy vein 
 
 Hallows the fictions of his strain ; 40 
 
 And wisdom in sweet fable dressM 
 
 With potent charm allures the breast. 
 
 Meanwhile the crowd in error stray, 
 
 Darkness still brooding o'er their way ; 
 
 For had their mind the truth perceived, 45 
 
 Brave Ajax, mad with anger's smart, 
 
 When of the arms by them bereaved, 
 
 Ne'er with smooth sword had pierced his heart. 
 
 Him, rivalling Achilles' might, 
 
 Chief of the Grecian host, in fight, 60 
 
 For bright-hair'd Menelaus' bride, 
 
 Propitious-breathing zephyrs bore 
 
 To Ilus' walls on Phrygia's shore, 
 
 In ships that swiftly plough'd the tide. 44 
 
 Gulf 'd by the same infernal wave, 55 
 
 The bright and lowly seek the grave. 
 
 Yet heroes live beyond the tomb — 
 
 Whene'er the muse augments their fame. 
 
 To earth's deep-bosom'd centre came, 
 
 Soon as he wrought Troy's final doom, 60 
 
 Young Pyrrhus, with the Greeks to aid, 
 
 And in the Pythian plain was laid. 
 
 Destined to see his purpose fail. 
 
 From Scyros when he urged his sail ; 
 
 Till wandering o'er the watery way, 65 
 
 To Ephyre the warriors stray. 55 
 
 the wind three days afterward. It is probable that Pindar here 
 alludes to some such tradition. 
 
SEVENTH NEMEAN ODE. 203 
 
 Short time he in Molossia reigii'd 
 Whose sceptre still his race retain'd ; 
 And bearing- from the conquer'd soil 
 The first fruits of the Trojan spoil, 70 
 
 Approaeh'd the god — but fell in deadly strife, 
 Himself a victim to the hostile knife. 63 
 
 The Delphians mourn'd with heavy wo ; 
 But fate in vengeance urged the blow, 
 By whose decree a king should come 75 
 
 Of iEacus' high line, to rest 
 Within the grove's time-hallow'd breast, 
 Near Pho3bus' wall-encircled dome ; 
 Wliere his presiding eye might still survey 
 Chiefs with heroic pomp the sacrifice display. 80 
 
 Three potent reasons will avail 
 
 To justify the murderous tale. 
 
 No fraudful witness he who claims 
 
 Dominion o'er the sacred games. 
 
 The race that springs from thee and Jove 85 
 
 Will by their virtues' shining beam, 
 Mgina, my bold speech approve. 
 
 And hallow the domestic theme. 76 
 
 But sweet the moment of repose 
 
 That brings each labour to its close ; 90 
 
 Since e'en excess of honey cloys, 
 
 And flow'r of Aphrodisian joys. 
 
 By nature various lots are thrown. 
 
 But perfect happiness to none. 
 
 71 According to the scholiast, it is related of Neoptolemus 
 that while sacrificing at Delphi, ajid endeavouring to prevent 
 the people from snatching aw^ay the offerings, according to their 
 custom, he was slain by them in a tumult of indignation. Virgil 
 (^n., iii., 330) relates that Neoptolemus was slain by Orestes, 
 in revenge for the loss of his kingdom and affianced bride Her- 
 mione. 
 
204 PINDAR. 
 
 Nor can I tell whose prosperous state 95 
 
 On constant height is raised by fate : 
 That, bless'd Thearion, gives to thee 
 Due portion of felicity. 87 
 
 Since prudence ne'er deserts thy mind, 
 
 With glorious hardihood combined. 10^ 
 
 May 1, a stranger, still be pure 
 
 From reprehension's tale obscure ! 
 
 As rills convey'd into the field 
 
 Their fructifying moisture yield, 
 
 So I with just and liberal praise 10/ 
 
 The friendly hero's name will raise. 
 
 Such is the guerdon of the brave. 93 
 
 Nor let a Greek attack my name. 
 
 Approaching near, with voice of blame. 
 
 Who dwells beyond th' Ionian wave. 95 110 
 
 Trusting their hospitable love, 
 
 Among the townsmen's social throng 
 With look serene and bright I move, 
 
 And foot estranged from force or wrong. 
 Advancing time new bliss convey! 115 
 
 And let the man who knows me say 
 If to the strain my tongue impart 
 The slanders of a rancorous heart. 102 
 
 Oh Sogenes ! who from the tribe art sprung 
 
 Of brave Euxenidae, (I swear 120 
 
 That like the brass-tipp'd javelin, ne'er 
 
 I sent beyond the mark my rapid tongue,) 
 Who carriedst from the wrestler's toil 
 
 A sinewy neck and corporal might 
 Which labour's dew could never soil, 125 
 
 Nor sun oppress with noonday light. 
 And though full arduous were the deed. 
 More sweet succeeding triumph's meed, 
 
SEVENTH NEMEAN ODE. 205 
 
 Permit me for the victor's sake 
 
 A strain of louder note to wake. 130 
 
 No churlish bard sings thy renown. 
 
 'Twere easy for the victor's brow 
 
 To twine a leafy wreath — but thou 
 
 Expect the muse's golden crown ; 
 
 Who plucks the flower of ivory hue, 135 
 
 And coral steep'd in ocean dew. 117 
 
 But, tranquil mind, a bolder lay 
 
 Must hymn great Jove and Nemea's fray ; 
 
 Since on this soil the heavenly king 
 
 'Tis fit with voice divine to sing ; 140 
 
 For, Hercules, thy brother guest, 
 
 Whose mild sway rules my country bless'(|, 
 
 From him and the maternal seed 
 
 By fame is stated to proceed, 137 
 
 If man to man assistance lend, 145 
 
 What joy so grateful shall we find 
 
 As that of neighbour and of friend 
 Who loves us with a constant mind 1 
 
 And if the gods are prone to feel 
 
 The same desire for others' weal, 150 
 
 Near thee, who couldst the giants quell, 
 
 Securely Sogenes might dwell, 
 
 Tending his sire with pious care 
 
 In his forefathers' city fair. 136 
 
 For as the doubly yoked steed 155 
 
 Urges the rapid chariot's speed. 
 On either hand thy neighb'ring dome, 
 Alcides, guards his humbler home. 
 
 136 For as the brightness and warmth of the sun bring the 
 vegetable coral to its matured state of hardness, so does the 
 muse bestow on the victor his best reward in her perfect strain 
 of encomiastic melody. 
 
 141 ^acus was the son of Jove and the nymph ^gina, and 
 brother to Hercules. 
 
20G PINDAR. 
 
 1'is thine, bless'd hero, to persuade 
 Jove, Juno, and the blue-eyed maid. 160 
 
 Thou oft in troubles canst impart 
 Strength to the fainting mortal heart. 
 Oh ! may their lives thy care engage 
 In shining youth and hoary age, 
 That present honour and more bright success 165 
 Henceforth his children's children may possess ! 
 
 Never my tongue with bitter sound 
 Brave Neoptolemus shall wound. 
 But to repeat this thrice-told truth 
 
 Can want of language only prove ; 170 
 
 • As babbling sires instruct their youth, 
 
 " Corinthus was the son of Jove." 155 
 
 168 Pindar's reverence for Neoptolemus was strengthened by 
 the constant sight of the altar raised at Delphi to that hero, 
 near to which was placed the seat whence the poet chanted his 
 hymns in honour of Apollo. 
 
THE EIGHTH NEMEAN ODE. 
 
 TO DEINIS, SON OF MEGAS, VICTOR IN THE STADIC 
 COURSE. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 This ode opens with an address to the flower of youth, the 
 harbinger of successful as well as calamitous love. — This 
 leads to the happy amour of Jupiter with the nymph ^Egina, 
 the fruit of which was the valiant iEacus, from whom he 
 supplicates as great a degree of prosperity for the ^ginetans 
 as was enjoyed by Cinyras, king of Cyprus.^^Keturns from 
 his digression, lest he should excite envy and blame. — This 
 was the cause of the death of Ajax, who by an unjust decree 
 was deprived of the arms of Achilles, and of many other mis- 
 chiefs. — The poet addresses a, prayer to Jupiter that he may 
 never indulge this malevolent disposition.— On the other 
 hand, he delights in celebrating by his verses the valour of 
 Deinis, his father Megas, and the tribe of the Chariada ; since 
 the framing of poetical encomia has always afforded a pleasing 
 alleviation of the heaviest calamities. 
 
 Bless'd prime of youth ! the herald sweet 
 
 Of Aphrodite's golden joys, 
 
 Who on the eyelids hast thy seat 
 
 Of tender nymphs and amorous boys; 
 
 While one in gentle arms is borne, 5 
 
 And from th' embrace another torn. 
 
 How pleased who in each deed of love 
 
 Occasion's fair advantage prove, 
 
 Seizing with a successful aim 
 
 The objects of their happy flame. 9 10 
 
 Such were the guards of Venus' gifts, who shed 
 Their genial influence round ^Bgina's bed ; 
 
208 PINDAR. 
 
 From whom and mighty Jove was given to spring 
 In arm and counsel strong, CEnone's king. 
 
 Him many oft begg'd to survey, 15 
 
 Since of the nations dwelling round, 
 
 The flower of that heroic train 
 
 Who led their armies on the plain 
 
 By rock-protected Athens crown'd, 
 
 A;id they of Pelops' valiant band 20 
 
 Scatter'd throughout the Spartan land, 
 
 Would fain his lordly will obey. 21 
 
 While I in suppliant action seize 
 
 Great .^acus' time-honour'd knees, 
 
 Imploring the loved city '^. weal, 25 
 
 And citizens' with anxious zeal. 
 
 To Deinis now the wreath I bring, 
 
 With Lydian melodies entwined, 
 And Nemea's double stadium sing. 
 
 His father Megas' praise combined. 30 
 
 From bounties which the god bestows 
 More lasting bliss to mortals flows ; 
 Who royal Cinyras ere while 
 Loaded with wealth in Cyprus' isle. 31 
 
 Now on suspended foot I rest, 35 
 
 Pausing ere I my tale unfold — 
 Since they who carry to the test 
 
 W^hate'er by ancient bards* is told, 
 Seeking to feign a story new, 
 All that is perilous pursue. 40 
 
 Such fictions give the envious food, 
 Who spare the feeble, but assault the good. 38 
 
 Pierced by the sword, through these undone. 
 
 Died Telamon's heroic son. 
 
 Unskill'd in speech, though brave in soul, 45 
 
 Oblivion's waves his deeds control ; 
 
 While varied falsehood in the fray 
 
 The mighty guerdon bears away. 
 
EIGHTH NEMEAN ODE. 209 
 
 For by the fraudulent decree, 
 
 When sought the Greeks Ulysses' love, 50 
 
 Reft of tlie golden panoply, 
 
 With fate in vain brave Ajax strove. 47 
 
 Yet dealt their arms far different blows 
 
 On the warm bodies of their foes, 
 
 Under the man-defending spear — 55 
 
 Some for Achilles newly slain, 
 
 Some they for other toils sustain, 
 
 That mark those slaughterous days' career. 
 
 But among men of old had sprung, 
 
 Companions of the glowing tongue, 60 
 
 Deceit and hatred's foul disgrace ; 
 
 Which often with insidious blow 
 
 Lays fortune's towering minion low, 
 
 And gives th' obscure his glorious place. 58 
 
 Never, oh Father Jove ! be mine 65 
 
 Manners so stamp'd by false design ; 
 But let my steps, life's journey through. 
 Simplicity's straight paths pursue; 
 That my surviving sons may claim 
 Inheritance of spotless fame. 70 
 
 While some for golden treasures pray, 
 Others for land's unbounded sway. 
 May 1 acquire the tow^nsmen's love, 
 
 Ere in the earth my limbs are laid — 
 Boldly their virtuous deeds approve, 75 
 
 But be their^sins with blame repaid! 68 
 
 Virtue her growing strength renews, 
 Nurtured by poets' fostering care. 
 
 As the tree fed by tender dews 
 
 Shoots proudly through the liquid air. 80 
 
 The aid of friends man ever needs, 
 
 But chiefly in laborious deeds. 
 
 A faithful mirror true delight 
 
 Requires to place before the sight. 75 
 R 
 
210 PINDAR. 
 
 'Tis not in my imperfect art 85 
 
 Thy soul, oh Megas ! to restore ; 
 
 And empty hopes can but impart 
 The issue vain they ever bore. 
 
 But a musaean stone to raise 
 
 To thee, and in thy tribe's high praise, 90 
 
 The brave Chariadae, 'tis mine — 
 
 With joy I hail thy double speed, 
 
 And to revvaM the glorious deed 
 
 Send forth the tributary line. 
 
 Full oft before the child of grief 95 
 
 Has found in song a sure relief. 
 
 Th' encomiastic hymn was rife 
 Before Adrastus' and the Thebans' strife. 87 
 
THE NINTH NEMEAN ODE. 
 
 TO CHROMIUS THE JETN^AN, ON HIS VICTORY IN THK 
 CHARIOT RACE. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Pindar invokes the muses to bring the Pythian pomp from 
 Sicyon to the new-built city of ^tna in honour of Chromius, 
 who has obtained a victory in these games when celebrated 
 at the former city. — Digresses to the history of Adrastus the 
 Argive chief, by wliom they were instituted, and the fate of 
 Amphiaraus, together with reflections arising therefrom. — 
 Returns to his subject, and offers up prayers to Jupiter for the 
 welfare of the ^tnaeans.— Concludes the ode with the praises 
 of Chromius, and supplications to Jupiter that he will crown 
 the victor with future triumphs. 
 
 From Sicyon, ruled by Pytho's king, 
 The pomp, oh muses ! we will bring 
 To new-built ^Elna, Chromius' mansion bless'd, 
 Whose doors are open to the frequent guest. 
 
 But weave a dulcet epic strain — 5 
 
 For when he mounts the victor car. 
 
 The mother and her offspring twain 
 
 Hail the triumphant voice from far ; 
 
 Whose joint-inspecting eyes survey 
 
 From Pytho's height the glorious fray. 12 10 
 
 By man's consenting voice 'tis said 
 No act to prosperous issue brought 
 
 Should on the earth in scorn be laid. 
 The song with boastful praises fraught 
 
 7 I. 6., Latona with Apollo and Diana. 
 
212 PINDAR. 
 
 Offers the due, the noblest meed 15 
 
 To recompense the victor'sdeed. 
 
 The sounding harp then let us raise — 
 
 And in th' equestrian contests' praise 
 
 Give the sonorous flute to blow — 
 
 Those contests which in Phcebus' name 20 
 
 Adrastus consecrates to fame, 
 
 Where pure Asopus' waters flow\ 
 
 These my recording muse shall trace, 
 
 And with illustrious wreaths the hero grace. 24 
 
 Who ruling then with sceptred sway 25 
 
 In contests of corporeal might, 
 
 And in his polish'd chariots' flight, 
 
 Raised his loved city's name on h\gh 
 
 With new and festal revelry. 
 
 From bold Amphiaraus far 30 
 
 Fell discord and intestine war, 
 
 And Argive home he urged his way. 
 
 No more by this dire fiend oppress'd, 
 
 Their empire Talaus' sons possessed : 
 
 But a good man composes hate, 35 
 
 And enmities of ancient date. 36 
 
 As when the firmest pledge of truth, 
 
 Adrastus to OEclides' bed 
 
 His sister Eriphyle led, 
 
 Her who subdued the hapless youth — 40 
 
 Over the bright-hair'd Grecian train 
 
 'Twas theirs dominion to obtain. 
 
 When they to Thebes' seven portals bring 
 
 (Cheer'd by no bird's auspicious wing) 
 
 Their numerous host — Saturnian Jove, 45 
 
 Who hurls his lightning shafts above, 
 
 Exhorted their mad haste to stay, 
 
 Nor urge from home their lengthen'd vi'ay. 48 
 
 34 The children of Talaus were Adrastus, Parthenopaeus, 
 Pronax, Mecistheus, and their sister Eriphyle, who was married 
 to the prophet Amphiaraus. 
 
NINTH NEMEAN ODE* 213 
 
 With brazen arms and steeds elate 
 
 The crowd rush'd on to open fate ; 50 
 
 And vanquish'd on Ismenus' banks, 
 
 Cut off from hope of sweet return, 
 
 The bodies of their slaughtered ranks, 
 
 Fattening the lurid volumes, burn ; 
 
 For, placed on seven funereal pyres, 55 
 
 The youthful heroes feed the fires. 
 
 Jove the earth's solid bosom broke 
 
 By his all-potent thunder stroke, 
 
 And low Amphiaraus laid 
 
 In chariot with the steeds arrayM, 60 
 
 Ere, Periclymenus, thy spear 
 
 ControU'd his warlike mind's career, 
 
 And on his wounded back a trace 
 
 Fix'd of indelible disgrace. 63 
 
 For when the gods with fears excite, 65 
 
 Their very sons are moved to flight. 
 
 Oh ! that my prayers, Saturnian Jove, 
 
 The dire essay and warlike boast 
 
 That rouses the Phcenicsan host 
 
 Could far from Etna's walls remove, 70 
 
 Of thee a long and prosperous fate 
 
 I for her children supplicate ; 75 
 
 Whose favour can the people crown 
 
 With civic honour and renown. 
 
 A race of men inhabit there, 75 
 
 Well pleased the generous steed to train. 
 Who an exalted spirit bear, 
 
 That soars above the, thirst of gain. 
 Incredible my words must prove 
 For shame and glory's noble fire, 80 
 
 Quench'd in unequal strife, expire 
 With lucre's mercenary love. 
 Oh ! hadst thou stood by Chromius' side 
 In the pedestrian battle's tide, 
 
214 PINDAR. 
 
 And when his coursers whirl'd the car, 85 
 
 And vessels waged the naval war, 
 
 Then had thine eye discern'd aright 
 
 The peril of that deadly fight ; 
 
 And how that goddess' power endued 
 
 His warlike mind with fortitude, nO 
 
 The terrors of the dire affray 
 
 And Mars' assaults to drive away. 88 
 
 But few by strength or prudent mind 
 From their own threaten'd ranks can find 
 Of present death to turn the cloud 
 Backward upon the hostile crowd. 
 Hector's bright fame is said to glow 
 Near where Scamander's waters flow. 95 
 
 By steep Helorus' banks of stone, 
 
 Where men Area's traject name, 100 
 
 In his first youth with glory's flame 
 
 Agesidamus' offspring shone. 
 
 His labours wrought in other days, 
 
 Whether upon the dusty plain, 
 
 Or islands of the neighb'ring main, 105 
 
 With due encomium will I praise. 
 
 Such as in fervid youth are wrought. 
 
 If justice sanctify the deed. 
 Through life with sweet enjoyment fraught, 
 
 To age's latest hour proceed. 110 
 
 99 The Helorus was a very rapid river in the southeast of 
 Sicily, mentioned by Virgil, (^n., iii., 698,) on the banks of which 
 the scholiast informs lis that Gelon, with the assistance of Chro- 
 mius, obtained a victory over the Carthaginians. Area's traject 
 is not so clearly defined by geographers. The scholiast is of 
 opinion that it was a name given to that part of the Fretum Si- 
 culum contiguous to Rhegium, in commemoration of the war- 
 like events which took place on that coast, and tells us that it 
 is a doubtfiil point whether the true readhig be Apciag, or Teas. 
 One edition gives apsiug, from apaig, as denoting the traject oj 
 threats — (viz., of the Carthaginians.) 
 
NINTH NEMEAN ODE. 215 
 
 From heaven's immortal rulers know 
 Such wondrous happiness must flow. 108 
 
 If ever wealth's abundant store 
 
 Illustrious glory should convey, 
 No higher eminence explore, 115 
 
 No farther mortal feet can stray. 
 As the convivial board is crown'd 
 By jocund youth's enlivening sound, 
 Thus the soft luxuries of song 
 To recent conquest's praise belong. 120 
 
 Where'er the festal cup is shown 
 The voice assumes a bolder tone. 
 Let this by any mingled be, 
 Sweet harbinger of revelry ! 120 
 
 Let him in silver goblets pour ^ 125 
 
 The potent offspring of the vine ; 
 With which the steeds in days of yore 
 Enrich'd triumphant Chromius' store ; 
 While Phoebus gloried to entwine 
 For him the justly woven crown 130 
 
 From Sicyon's venerable town. 
 To thee, oh Father Jove ! I pray 
 Grant me this conquest to display, 
 Assisted by the Graces' choir — 
 Oh! may 1 honour in my strain 135 
 
 The various wreaths his efforts gain. 
 And to the muses let my shafts aspire. 132 
 
THE TENTH NEMEAN ODE. 
 
 TO THIiEUS, SON OF ULIAS, VICTOR IN THE PALJESTRA. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Addressing this ode to Thiaeus, who had conquered at Argos 
 in the Hecatombaea, or Herea, games sacred to Juno, the poet 
 begins by recounting the ancient histories, and celebrating 
 the heroes and other noted cliaraclers connected with that 
 ancient city of Danaus, Perseus, Medusa, Epaphus, Hyperm- 
 nestra, Diomedes, Amphiaraus, Amphitryo, and Hercules. — 
 Recalls himself to his subject, and enumerates the various 
 triumphs of the victor, as well as those which have at differ- 
 ent times graced his family. — From the mention of Pam- 
 phaes, one of his maternal ancestors, who hospitably enter- 
 tained Castor and Pollux, he is led to relate the history of the 
 Dioscuri, with which he concludes the ode. 
 
 Argos, old Danaus' towering seat, 
 
 And fifty high-throned daughters' home, 
 
 Where rises Juno's stately dome, 
 
 Graces, with hymns of triumph greet; 
 
 Whose deeds her shining glories raise 5 
 
 With endless arguments of praise. 
 
 Long is the tale how Perseus sped 
 
 With dire Medusa's gorgon head ; 
 
 And how o'er Egypt's land appear'd 
 
 The towns by Epaphus uprear'd; 10 
 
 Or HypermAestra pure remain'd, 
 
 W^hose sheath alone the sword retain'd. 11 
 
 The goddess of the azure eye 
 
 Immortal Diomedes made ; 
 And pierced by Jove's artillery, 15 
 
 The Thebaa earth's funereal shade 
 
TENTH NEMEAN CDE. 217 
 
 Received (Eclides, hapless seer, 
 Who urged the stormy war's career. 
 Nor less in nymphs with lovely hair 
 Refulgent shines the city's fame. 20 
 
 This Jupiter's descents proclaim 
 To Danae and Alcmena fair : 
 He who to harmony inclined 
 Adrastus' sire and Lynceus' mind ; 23 
 
 And rear'd Amphitryo to the fight ; 25 
 
 But he who rules supreme in might 
 
 Grafted upon the parent tree 
 
 His own immortal progeny : 
 
 For when in brazen armour dight 
 
 He the repulsed Teleboans slew, SO 
 
 His hall th' immortal ruling god, 
 
 Robed in the hero's likeness, trod, 
 
 Bearing the intrepid seed to view 
 
 Herculean — him whose youthful bride, 
 
 Fairest among the goddess train, 35 
 
 Walks by the genial mother's side, 
 
 Throughout Olympus' high domain* 34 
 
 Brief my song's limits to declare 
 
 What Argos holds of good and fair ; 
 
 And hard the labour to control 40 
 
 In man satiety of soul. 
 
 But the well-chorded- lyre awake, 
 
 And as a theme the wrestling take. 
 
 Oft as adjudged the brazen prize 
 
 Draws crowds to Juno's sacrifice. 45 
 
 Whence Ulias' son twice victor bore 
 
 Oblivion of his labours o'er. 45 
 
 17 The death of Amphiaraus, which story might perhaps be 
 founded on some vague tradition of the similar fate of Korah, 
 Dathan, and Abiram, was related in the last ode, (1. 57, et seq.) 
 
 23 The cause of strife between Lynceus, who had succeeded 
 his father-in-law Adrastus, and Talaus, the father of Adrastus, 
 was related in Neni., ix., 35, et seq. 
 
 FIND. ^T 
 
218 PINDAR. 
 
 At Pytho, from the Grecian train 
 
 Of old he bore the meed away. 
 With like success on Nemea's plain 50 
 
 He strove, and in the Isthmian fray, 
 And to the muses ^ave to sow 
 The wreaths that should adorn his brow. 
 Three the sea's narrow portals yield, 
 And three the venerable field 55 
 
 That owns Adrastus' sway. 
 Oh Jove ! his tongue Avill not declare 
 The object of his mental prayer. 
 Yet never with a slothful heart 
 Thy grace he begs thee to impart, 60 
 
 Since his own boldness will the glory share. 56 
 
 Known to the god the truths I sing : 
 And he who soars on venturous wing, 
 In the high contest to prevail, 
 Can verify o'er all my tale. 65 
 
 Pisa the highest honour claims, 
 Alcides rules her sacred games. 
 Him the sweet intervals of song 
 Have twice proclaimed in Athens' festal throng. 
 
 In earth concocted by the flame, 70 
 
 To Juno's manly people came, 
 The sacred olive's produce, brought 
 In vessels with devices wrought. 68 
 
 Glories thy steps, Thiaeus, trace 
 From thy maternal uncles' race, 75 
 
 Whose honours make the Graces fair 
 And high Tyndarida? their care. 
 Were I in kindred's social chain 
 To Thrasyclus and Antias bound, 
 
 57. I. e., He is not so presumptuous as openly to express a 
 wish to conquer in the Olympic games. 
 
 71 Pindar here alludes to the custom of carrying before the 
 victor at the Panathenaic games a sculptured earthenware vase, 
 filled with oil from the sacred olive tree. 
 
TENTH NEMEAN ODE. 219 
 
 In Argos never would I deign 80 
 
 To hide my free looks on the ground. 
 How many triumphs shed renown 
 On Proetus' steed-producing town ! 
 As well in Corinth's narrow strand, 
 As four times o'er the Cleonoean band. 79 85 
 
 From Sicyon came in bright array 
 
 They who the silver bowls convey ; 
 
 And from Pellene'.s walls in vest 
 
 Of the sheep's downy softness di'ess'd : 
 
 But never could my hasty verse 90 
 
 The brazen ornaments rehearse, 
 
 Since to complete this arduous task 
 
 Would more extended leisure ask ; 
 
 Which near the altars of Lycaean Jove 
 Achaia's lofty cities place, 95 
 
 While Tegea and Clitorium strove, 
 The first in speed of foot and strength of hand to 
 grace. 90 ^ 
 
 To Pamphaes when Castor came, 
 
 His hospitable board to share. 
 And first in pugilistic fame 100 
 
 His brother Pollux tarried there, 
 No wondering doubts the mind should move 
 That athletes they by nature prove. 
 Guardians of Sparta's wide domain. 
 
 With Hercules' and Hermes' aid, 105 
 
 Since they the contest's laws maintain, 
 
 Whose bright success themselves have made ; 
 And ever faithful to their trust, 
 The race divine protect the just. 
 Now with alternate change they move, 110 
 
 One day to spend with Father Jove, 
 And one below earth's secret breast. 
 Within Therapne's cave to rest. 
 
 ] 10 See the conclusion of the eleventh Pythian ode. 
 
220 PINDAR. 
 
 Fulfilling thus an equal fate ; 
 
 Since Pollux, scorning' to remain, 115 
 
 For ever witii the heavenly train, 
 
 Sharing his much-loved Castor's state, 
 
 Redeem'd his life in battle slain. Ill 
 
 Him for his lost herds furious made, 
 
 Idas transiix'd with deadly stroke, 120 
 
 Aim'd by his spear of brazen head. 
 Whom, seated on a trunk of oak. 
 He from Taigetus survey'd, whose ken 
 In lynx-eyed sharpness conquer'd mortal men. 
 
 Then straight, devising deeds of might, 125 
 
 Approach'd with rapid step and light 
 The sons of Aphareus, whom heaven's high sire 
 Chastised with hands that sent afflictions dire ; 
 For Leda's offspring swift in flight pursued, 
 While near their father's tomb the brothers stood; 
 
 And, snatching thence a polish'd stone 131 
 
 With Pluto's effigy impress'd, 
 They aim'd the massy fragment, thrown 
 
 With force that stirr'd not Pollux' breast, 
 
 131 This stone, which the sons of Aphareus hurl with such 
 impotent force against the breast of Pollux, was perhaps part of 
 the decoration of a stony sepulchre, not a statue^ for this was 
 prior to the age of statuary. Sudorius, in his metrical para- 
 phrase, calls It a funereal or deadly stone : — 
 
 " Immane saxum funereum manu 
 Audace vibravere duri 
 In stomachum medium Laconis." 
 
 Theocritus, who relates the same story in his twenty-second 
 idy Ilium, calls the stone a-aXav. 
 
 The passage describing the vain and impious attack of Idas 
 is ihus iranslatisd by Polwhele : — 
 
 " Vindictive of his brother's doom, 
 He tore a column from Aphareus' tomb, 
 Aiming its massy vengeance at the foe, 
 With wild uplifted arm, in act to throw ; 
 Heaven's sovereign lord elanced a flaming brand 
 That dash'd the shatter'd marble from his hand !" 
 
TENTH NEMEi^N ODW. 221 
 
 Nor to a backward step could move 135 
 
 The hero who with deadly blow 
 
 Agaiust the sides his javelin drove, 
 Impetuous of the wary foe ; 
 
 While Jove who dwells on Ida's head 
 
 Brandish'd his bolt of smoky red, 140 
 
 And fired the hapless pair. 
 
 Mortals in arduous strife engage. 
 
 Who with superior force to wage 
 
 Unequal contest dare. 136 
 
 To aid his fainting brother's might 145 
 
 Tyndarides resumed his flighl ; 
 
 And found him not subdued by death. 
 
 But gasping out his fitful breath. 
 
 Then pouring forth a fervid tide 
 
 Of tears, with mingled sighs he cried, 150 
 
 " Saturnian father! what relief 
 
 Shall terminate my bitter grief? 
 
 The stroke, oh king, that slays my friend 
 
 At thy behest on me descend ! 
 
 He whom the social train have left, 155 
 
 Of honour is at once bereft ; 
 
 And few of mortals will sustain 
 
 A faithful share in others' pain." 147 
 
 He said — when Jove his form display'd, 
 And this consoling answer made : 160 
 
 *' Thou art my son ; while of terrestrial race 
 He to a hero must his lineage trace : 
 Then take the profler'd boon, for I 
 Give thee detested age and death to fly : 
 To dwell w^th Pallas on Olympus' height, 165 
 
 And Mars, who shakes his sable spear in fight. 158 
 
 This choice is thine : but if the strife 
 Still arm thee for thy brother's life, 
 
 161 Pollux and Helen were the reputed children of Jupiter ; 
 Castor and Clytemnestra the offspring of Tyndarus. 
 
222 PINDAR. 
 
 And strong affection move thy heart 
 To grant of all an equal part, 170 
 
 Beneath the earth thy half breath draw, 
 And by the same impartial law, 
 Half in the golden domes of heaven." 
 'Twas thus the immortal father spToke ; 
 Nor could weak doubts his mind provoke 175 
 To slight the generous offer given. 
 The god anew the eye and voice unbound 
 Of Castor, with his brazen helmet crown'd. 170 
 
THE ELEVENTH NEMEAN ODE. 
 
 TO ARISTAGORAS THE PRYTANIS OF TENEDOS, SON OF 
 ARCESILAUS. 
 
 ARGIJMENT. 
 
 In this ode the poet supplicates Vesta to receive propitiously 
 Aristagoras and his colleagues, who were eiatering on their 
 annual dignity at Tenedos. — Commends him on account of 
 his father Arcesilaus, his own beautiful form and numerous 
 triumphs, blaming his parents, whose cautious fears would 
 not allow him to engage in the more illustrious Pythian and 
 Olympic contests.— Details the origin of the victor's ancient 
 family from Pisander and Melanippus ; but his race having 
 been for a time obscured and inglorious, he concludes the ode 
 with reflections on human vicissitudes, exhorting his hero to 
 aim at attainable objects. 
 
 Hail, Vesta, Rhea's offspring ! thou whose care 
 
 The hearths of Prytanaean mansions share, 
 
 Sister of Juno, throned on high 
 
 With Jove in kindred majesty — 
 
 Let Aristagoras and social train 5 
 
 A friendly welcome entertain, 
 Where thine illustrious sceptred sign is found, 
 W^ho guard fair Tenedos and thee adore, 
 Slay the fat victims, the libations pour, 
 While lyre and song, thee, first of gods, resound ; 10 
 
 And at the constant board they prove 
 
 The rites of hospitable Jove. 
 
 2 The Prytanaeum was the place at Athens where the coun- 
 cil of five hundred held their deliberations, and where the sacred 
 fire of Vesta was kept — (Tnipora^stov.) In this part of the city 
 they who had deserved well of their country were maintained 
 at the public charge. 
 
224 PINDAR. 
 
 May they with heart unwounded still 
 Their annual dignity fulfil. 12 
 
 But I the joyful song will raise 15 
 
 In his great sire Arcesilaus : 
 
 That beauteous form 1 hail with glee, 
 
 And kindred intrepidity. 
 
 Let him with rich possessions bless'd, 
 
 Whose form excels above the rest, 20 
 
 Seen in the varied contests bright 
 
 With glory and surpassing might. 
 Survey his frame of mortal limbs composed, 
 Doom'd at the last to be ni common earth enclosed. 
 
 'Tis just his fellow-townsmen should proclaim 25 
 In words and varied songs' mellifluous tone. 
 
 Great Aristagoras' victorious fame, 
 
 For sixteen palms from neighb'ring rivals won. 
 
 His noble country these with high renown 
 
 In the pancratium gain'd and wrestler's contest 
 crown. 27 30 
 
 But their son's might the parents' sluggish fear 
 From Pythian and Olympic fields restrain'd — 
 
 Fix'd in my sentiment, I firml}^ swear, 
 
 That when the hero's footsteps have attained 
 The waters of Castalia's fount, 35 
 
 And Saturn's wood-encircled mount, 
 Again he seeks his native land. 
 More honour'd than the rival band, 
 Observes the laws, a frequent guest 
 Of Hercules' quinquennial feast ; 40 
 
 And gayly revelling has bound 
 The purple boughs his hair around. 37 
 
 But oft through empty-minded boast 
 Mortals th' expected good have lost ; 
 While he by difiidence oppress'd, 45 
 
 Failing of bliss he once possess'd, 
 
ELEVENTH NEMEAN ODE. 225 
 
 Sudden withdraws his backward grasp, 
 Nor dares in mind the blessing clasp, 
 'Twere easy his high birth to trace 
 From old Pisander's Spartan race ; 50 
 
 For hither as he bent his course, 
 He from Arayclas's walls convey'd, 
 With bold Orestes' friendly aid, 
 His brazen-arm'd ^Eolian force ; 
 And by his mother near Ismenus' flood 55 
 
 From Melanippus drew his mingled blood. 47 
 
 Oft since their pristine strength renew'd 
 
 Shines forth in after times vicissitude. 
 
 Not loaded with perpetual grain, 
 
 The fields their yellow hue retain : 60 
 
 Nor trees an ample harvest bear 
 
 Of flowers and fruit through all the year ; 
 
 But with just change — thus equal fate 
 
 Man's faded strength can renovate. 
 
 No sigQ proceeding from above 65 
 
 Makes clear the fix'd intent of Jove. 57 
 
 But sweird by many a vain desire, 
 
 Too high our mortal thoughts aspire ; 
 
 For bound in hope's adhesive chain, 
 
 The vital energies remain. 70 
 
 The foresight of the human mind 
 
 By narrow limits is confined. 
 
 Seek not unbounded wealth — nor prove 
 
 The raging pangs of hopeless love ! 63 
 
THE ISTHMIAN ODES, 
 
OF THE ISTHMIAN GAMES. 
 
 These games received iheir name from the isthmus of Cor- 
 inth, the scene of their celebration. The traditional account 
 of their origm is, that they were instituted by Sisyphus, king 
 of Corinth, and brother of Athamas, B. C. 1326, to commemo- 
 rate the metamorphosis of Mehcerta, son of Athamas and Ino, 
 into a sea deity, named afterward Palaemon by the Greel\S, and 
 Portumnus by the Latins, whom his mother had in her phrensy 
 thrown with herself into the sea ; after which the name of Ino 
 was changed to Leucothea. (See the opening of the eleventh 
 Pythian ode.) Melicerta was saved from death by the Nereids, 
 one of whom appeared to Sisyphus, and enjoined him to insti- 
 tute games in order to commemorate this event. They were 
 sacred to Neptune, as the Olympic were to Jupiter, the Pythian 
 to Apollo, and the Nemean to Hercules. Some time after their 
 first celebration they were interrupted by the incursion into 
 Greece of a band of robbers, headed by the fierce and cruel 
 Sciris and Scyron ; but at length Theseus,* son of ^geus, 
 cleared the country of these marauders, who terrified strangers 
 from being present at these games, and reinstituted them about 
 B. C. 1220. He changed the time of their celebration from 
 night to day, and they were held after an interval of three years. 
 (See Nem., vi., 69.) Every kind of combat was exhibited at 
 these games, and the reward of the victor at first consisted of a 
 \vreath of pine leaves, which was afterward changed to parsley, 
 as being a funereal plant, and therefore more appropriate to 
 games instituted in honour of the drowned Melicerta. The Co- 
 rinthians originally presided at them ; but on the capture of 
 Corinth by Mummius, A. C. 146, this honourable office was 
 transferred to the Sicyonians. Afterward, however, it was re- 
 stored to the Corinthians, and enjoyed by them as long as the 
 celebration of these games continued. It is to them that St. 
 Paul so finely alludes : (1 Cor., ix., 21-27.) 
 
 * This and other exploits of a similar nature performed by 
 Theseus are mentioned by Ovid : (Met., vii,, 433, &c.) 
 
 " Great Theseus ! thee the Marathonian plain 
 
 Admires, and wears with pride the noble stain 
 
 , Of the dire monster's blood, by valiant Theseus slain." 
 
 •j ' Tate's version. 
 
 4 
 
THE FIRST ISTHMIAN ODE. 
 
 TO HERODOTUS OF THEBES, VICTOR IN THE CHARIOT 
 RACE. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet, having laid aside the task which he had on hand, de- 
 clares his wish to compose an ode to the conqueror Herod- 
 otus, after the example of Castor and lolaus, in praise of 
 whom he digresses. — Justice of celebrating the victor's tri- 
 umphs, which are recorded in the remaining part of the ode. 
 
 Oh mother, Thebes with golden shield, 
 
 My theme shall to thy glory yield. 
 
 Let rocky Delos not disdain, 
 
 For whom I late have pour'd the strain. 
 
 Aught happier can the virtuous prove 5 
 
 Than venerated parents' love 1 
 
 Bless'd by Apollo's fostering care, 
 
 Resign, oh isle, thine envied place. 
 
 With the gods' aid, a double grace 
 
 To happy issue will I bear. 10 
 
 Hymning the unshorn Phoebus' might, 
 
 Round Ceos where the waters flow, 
 And Isthmus, that with giant height 
 
 Uprears her ocean-girded brow. 11 
 
 Since on the brave Cadmaean band 15 
 
 Six chaplets his victorious arm 
 Bestow'd, to grace his native land 
 
 With conquering valour's brightest charm. 
 Alcmena there in days of yore 
 Her own intrepid offspring bore ; 20 
 
 Him whom Geryon's monsters bold 
 With terror shudder'd to behold. 
 
230 PINDAR. 
 
 But 1 who the bright meed prepare, 
 
 Herodotus, to grace thy car. 
 
 Who with no foreign hands' control 25 
 
 Thy four steeds urgest to the gaol, 
 
 The Castorean hymn would raise, 
 
 Or song in lolaus' praise ; 
 For they who the triumphant chariot drove, 
 In Thebes and Sparta born, all heroes rank'd above. 
 
 First in the numerous contests, they 31 
 
 Adorn'd their halls with tripods rare. 
 With golden caldrons, goblets fair, 
 And bore the victor's wreaths away. 
 In naked stadia shines their valour clear, 35 
 
 As in the armed course, whence sounds the martial 
 spear. 32 
 
 And when they whirl'd the dart on high, 
 
 Or gave the stony disk to fly — 
 
 For yet no crown pentathlic gain'd. 
 
 Each deed its due success oblain'd. 40 
 
 Their locks with frequent chaplets bound, 
 
 Erst in these contests won, 
 Where Dirce's streams refresh the ground, 
 And near Eurotas' wave was found 
 
 Iphicles' noble son ; 45 
 
 Who to the earth-sown Theban race 
 Could his illustrious lineage trace, 
 And Tyndarus', whose loved retreat 
 Was in Therapne's high Achaean seat. 43 
 
 All hail ! while I compose the song, 50 
 
 Whose strains to Neptune's power belong, 
 That rules the sacred Isthmian band. 
 Protector of the Onchestian strand. 
 
 bi Onchestus was a maritime region of Boeotia, consecrated 
 to Neptune. It is here put for the Copiac lake, or any part of 
 the neighbouring country. Heyne remarks that it is customary 
 with Pindar to celebrate at the same time the victor, the game 
 
FIRST ISTHMIAN ODE. 231 
 
 Connected with this hero's name, 
 Will I his sire Asopodorus' fame, 55 
 
 And thy paternal soil, Orchomenos, proclaim. 51 
 
 Propp'd on a wreck that 'scaped the boundless wave, 
 A refuge from his dire mischance she gave ; 
 And now once more congenial fate 
 Has raised him to his ancient state ; 60 
 
 While prudence arms his mind to bear 
 The heavy load of adverse care. 
 But if to purchase valour's meed, 
 Expense and toil must crown the deed, 
 Ne'er should the victor's praise be sung 65 
 
 By an unjust and envious tongue. 61 
 
 The poet's recompense is light 
 
 His various labours to requite ; 
 
 Who by the honest meed of praise 
 
 A common monument will raise. 70 
 
 To mortal toils of various kind 
 
 Are sweet but different gifts assign'd. 
 
 The fowler, he that tends his sheep, 
 
 Who tills the soil, or ploughs the deep, 
 
 All by laborious efforts strive 75 
 
 Hunger's dire pest away to drive. 
 
 But he whose valour in the fight. 
 
 Or contests of superior might, 
 
 Hath borne the splendid prize away, 
 
 Shall hear his panegyric sung 80 
 
 By citizens' and strangers' tongue. 
 
 And gain of highest worth convey. 75 
 
 Be mine the task with loud acclaim 
 Saturn's earth-shaking son to name, 
 
 in which he conquered, and the god who particularly presided 
 over it. It appears that the father of Herodotus had been ex- 
 pelled from Thebes in a civil commotion, and banished to Or- 
 chomenos. 
 
232 PINDAR. 
 
 Whose near protecting godhead leads 85 
 
 The chariot with its rapid steeds. 
 And thine, Amphitryo, to address 
 Euboea, Minya's green recess, 
 Ceres' famed Eleusinian grove, 
 Along whose winding course the chariots move. 82 
 
 With these, Protesilaus, I combine, 91 
 
 Rear'd by the Greeks in Phylace thy shrine : 
 But to recount what numerous meeds 
 Herodotus' triumphant steeds 
 From Hermes, patron of the games, 95 
 
 Have won, more ample limit claims 
 Than bounds my narrow hynm — the mind 
 In silence greater bliss can find. 89 
 
 Let him on lofty pinions soar 
 Of the Pierian vocal band, 100 
 
 With choice boughs pluck'd from Pytho's store, 
 And where flows on Olympia's shore 
 Alpheus, let him fill his hand. 
 So shall his triumphs with renown 
 Thebes of the seven high portals crown. 105 
 But he who nourishes a soul 
 That hopes of secret wealth control, 
 Thinks not, while others are his scorn, 
 How his inglorious life to Pluto speeds forlorn. lOP 
 
 92 Phylace was a town in The?saly, where Prote-^ilaus 
 reigned, and where funeral games were celebrated -^t his tomb. 
 
THE SECOND ISTHMIAN ODE. 
 
 TO XENOCRATES OF AGRIGENTUM, SON OF ARCESILAUS, VIC- 
 TOR IN THE HORSE RACE. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Pindar addresses this ode to Thrasybulus, son of the conqueror 
 Xenocrates. — This he professes to do after the example of the 
 old poets, who did not write, as was now done, urged by the 
 sordid incitement of gain. — The triumphs of Xenocrates, his 
 ancestor ^nesidamus, and his charioteer Nicomachus are 
 sung, and Nicasippus is charged with the safe conveyance of 
 this ode, sent in the form of an epistle. 
 
 Oft have the men of other days 
 
 From the gold-netted muses' car, 
 
 Oh Thrasybukis I hurl'd afar 
 
 The lyre's soft-sounding notes, to praise 
 
 Youth's ardent prime, that harbinger most sweet 5 
 
 Of Venus throned upon her lofty seat. 
 For then, not amorous of gain. 
 The muse sent forth no venal strain — 
 The honey'd lays not then, as now, 
 From sweet Terpsichore that flow, 10 
 
 Upon the shining front display'd 
 The silver emblem of their trade. 14 
 
 Now she suggests with heedful care 
 The Argive's words in mind to bear ; 
 
 14 These words are attributed by the scholiast to Aristode- 
 mus the Lacedaemonian, whose constant doctrine it was tnat 
 wealth was always to be sought, and that poverty could never 
 be honourable. This saying afterward passed into a proverb, 
 like Horace's 
 
 " O cives, cives, quaerenda pecunia primum, 
 
 Virtus post nummos." 
 v2 
 
234 PINDAR. 
 
 Who with loud speech to truth allied, 15 
 
 Importunate for money cried, 
 
 Bereft of all his wealth and friends, 
 
 I sing to one who comprehends. 
 
 To him when on the Isthmian field 
 
 Neptune the triumph deign'd to yield, 20 
 
 And bound his coursers' flowing mane 
 
 With Doric parsley's verdant chain, 
 
 In his victorious chariot bright 
 
 He honour'd Agrigentum's light. 25 
 
 Him too, engaged in Crisa's fray, 25 
 
 Beheld the potent god of day, 
 
 And gave him glory there> 
 While old Erectheus' noble race 
 Adorn'd his brow with verdant grace 
 
 In Athens' city fair. 30 
 
 Nor would he blame the proud career 
 Of his steed-urging charioteer, 
 Nicomachus, whose hands control 
 The reins that guide him to the goal. 33 
 
 Him too supreme in conquering pow'r, 35 
 
 The heralds of th' Olympic hour. 
 
 Priests who to Jove libations bring, 
 
 (Elean and Saturnian king,) 
 
 Sharing the hospitable feast, 
 
 With gratulating voice address'd ; 40 
 
 As he fell prostrate at the knee 
 
 Of golden-imaged Victory. 
 
 Around their land, which they the grove 
 
 Designate of Olympian Jove ; 41 
 
 There, with immortal honours crown'd, 45 
 
 ^nesidamus' offspring shone ; 
 
 41 We may imagine an image of Victory in a sitting posture 
 to be placed at the extremity of the goal, into whose bosom, as 
 it were, the victor would rush after having completed his course. 
 (See r^em., v., 81, &;c.) 
 
SECOND ISTHMIAN ODE. 235 
 
 For in thy halls the revel's sound, 
 
 Oh Thrasybulus ! oft is found, 
 
 And all the pomp's enlivening- tone; 
 
 Since no steep hill, no rugged way 50 
 
 Rears its opposing front on high, 
 
 Where bards to noble mansions stray, 
 
 The honour'd guerdons to convey 
 
 Of Heliconian poesy. 
 
 Far must my venturous javelin move 55 
 
 Ere I could reach the height of fame, 
 "Where soars Xenocrates above 
 
 The rest in nature as in name. 54 
 
 View'd by the citizens with awe. 
 He train'd his coursers by the Grecian law ; 60 
 
 Frequenting at each solemn feast 
 
 The liberal tables of the bless 'd. 
 
 Nor ever has the flagging gale 
 
 Straiten'd his hospitable sail, 
 That pass'd in summer hour to Phasis o'er, 65 
 
 In winter veer'd to Nilus' southern shore. 62 
 
 Not now, when thoughts with envy blind, 
 
 Hang darkling o'er the mortal mind, 
 
 His father's valour let him hide, 
 
 Nor pass these hymns in silent pride ; 70 
 
 Since, unrecited to remain, 
 
 I framed not the triumphant strain. 
 Such, Nicasippus, be thine errand home, 
 When thou to my familiar host art come. 69 
 
 65 These lines are explained by the scholiast as a figurative 
 description of the unbounded hospitality of Xenocrates, which 
 afforded a shelter to guests of the most remote regions. 
 
THE THIRD ISTHMIAN ODE. 
 
 TO MELISSUS OF THEBES, VICTOR IN THE QUADRIGiE. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet in this short ode declares that illustrious deeds ought 
 to be celebrated by poetical praises, such as are due to the 
 
 S resent Isthmian, and the former Nemean victory achieved by 
 ielissus, by which he emulates the deeds of his ancestors. 
 
 Whoe'er of men with bliss is crown'd, 
 
 Or in the glorious strife renown'd, 
 
 Or can in potent wealth rejoice, 
 
 And mental insolence restrain, 
 
 This man is worthy to obtain 5 
 
 The citizens' applauding voice. 
 
 From thee, oh Jove ! to man below 
 
 Success and valiant efforts flow. 
 
 They who revere thy sacred name 
 
 A greater happiness may claim. 10 
 
 But not to wayward minds secure 
 
 Through life that fortune will endure. 10 
 
 Fair actions due rewards await ; 
 The good 'tis just to celebrate; 
 Just too the victor's name to raise 15 
 
 With solemn pomp and liberal praise : 
 While twofold victories impart 
 Sweet transport to Melissus' heart. 
 First in the wooded Isthmian dell. 
 The wreaths of triumph he obtain'd, 20 
 
 In the deep-breasted lion's cell, 
 Proclaiming Thebes, th' equestrian crown he gain'd. 
 
 His glorious deeds will not disgrace 
 The kindred valour of his race. 
 
THIRD ISTHMIAN ODE. 237 
 
 Full well ye know what ancient fame 25 
 
 Cleonymus' triumphant chariots claim 
 
 Through Labdacus' illustrious line 
 
 Their source his sires maternal trace, 
 
 And with ancestral riches shine, 
 
 Devoting their heroic life 30 
 
 To the four steeds' laborious strife : 
 
 While fleeting scenes by turns engage 
 
 This ever-varying mortal stage, 
 
 Uninjured by the shocks of time, 
 
 The gods' bless'd children dwell sublime. 31 35 
 
THE FOURTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 
 
 TO THE SAME MELISSUS. 
 
 ARGUMENT, 
 
 This ode begins with the praises of Mehssus' ancestors, and 
 relates the melancholy consequences of a defeat sustained by 
 his family ; whose good fortune, however, again shone forth in 
 this triumph gained by Melissus. — The panegyric of his ances- 
 tors and of himself is resumed, and continued with digiession 
 to the story of Ajaxand Ulysses, Hercules and Antaeus, &c. — 
 Apotheosis of Hercules, and divine honours paid him by the 
 yearly sacrifices of the Thebans. — The ode concludes with 
 the praise of Melissus and his charioteer Orseas. 
 
 Bless'd by the gods, to me belong 
 
 A thousand avenues of song ; 
 
 Thy triumphs in the Isthmian field, 
 
 Melissus, fair occasion yield 
 
 The hymn of victory to frame 5 
 
 That all thy virtues shall proclaim ; 
 
 With which the god dehghts to grace 
 
 Through life Cleonymus' high race ; 
 
 While by the ever-varying blast 
 
 Mankind are still at random cast. 10 10 
 
 For they at Thebes with honour crown'd, 
 From times of ancient date were said 
 To be the hosts of all around, 
 And free from strife's discordant sound, 
 By every deed to make their own 15 
 
 What tests of glory wide had flown 
 Among the living or the dead. 
 Brave in the valour of their race, 
 They touch'd at the remotest land, 
 Where the Herculean pillars stand : 20 
 
 Nor let ambition ask an ampler space. 22 
 
FOURTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 239 
 
 They loved to train the generous steeds, 
 While brazen Mars approved their deeds. 
 But in the course of one short day 
 
 The rough and sanguine cloud of war 25 
 
 Four heroes had impell'd away 
 
 From their deserted hearth afar : 
 And now, the wintry darkness o'er, 
 Soon as the vernal months succeed, 
 Serene they flourish as before ; 30 
 
 Thus crimson roses cover o'er, 
 At Heaven's behest, the altered mead. 32 
 
 While he, the earth-disturbing god, 
 Who makes Onchestus his abode. 
 And the sea bridge that bids the tide 35 
 
 From Corinth's walls at distance glide — 
 Granting this hymn their noble race 
 With wondrous potency to grace, 
 Sings their high deeds, whose loud acclaim 
 Wakes from her couch primeval fame. 40 
 
 Aroused, her fair form glows with splendour bright, 
 As mid the other stars shines Phosphor's nobler 
 light. 41 
 
 She who in Athens' verdant field 
 Proclaim'd the triumphs of his car, 
 
 And bade the bards of Sicyon wield 45 
 
 Their vocal lyres, to tell afar 
 What wreaths the Adrastean contests yield. 
 
 34 See note on ode i., 53. By the sea bridge in the next verse 
 u to be understood the isthmus of Corinth, which Claudian de- 
 scribes in similar terms : (de Bel. Get. 188 :) — 
 
 " Vallata mari Scironia rupes, 
 Et duo continuo connectens aequora muro 
 Isthmus." 
 
 So Ovid : (Med. Jasoni, 104 :)— 
 
 " Quique maris geiiiini distinct isthmos aquas ?" 
 (SeeNem., vi., 65) 
 
240 PINDAR. 
 
 They when the whole assembly strove, 
 Like them their crooked chariot drove ; 
 Contending with the Grecian train 50 
 
 Whose costly steeds the palm should gain. 50 
 
 While they in contest never shown, 
 
 Are pass'd with silence and unknown. 
 
 Obscure their fate, too, who contend 
 
 Ere they attain the wish'd-for end, 5^ 
 
 And this their glorious toils bestow. 
 
 Oft the superior in the fray 
 
 Has seen his guerdon snatched away 
 
 By fraud of some inferior foe. 
 
 Ye know that Ajax' deadly might 60 
 
 By his own sword at dead of night 
 
 Cut off untimely, reprehension bore 
 
 To Hellas' sons, who sought the Trojan shore. 62 
 
 But Homer's songs with honour grace 
 Him among men of warlike race ; 65 
 
 Those strains divine his valour raise, 
 Heralds of after ages' praise : 
 For this immortal sound proceeds 
 When bards proclaim triumphant deeds ; 
 While through the fruitful earth and main 70 
 This beam its deathless splendour shall maintain. 
 
 Propitious be the muses' care ! 
 As we the torch of song illume, 
 And to Telesia's offspring bear, 
 Melissus brave, the chaplet fair, 75 
 
 Worthy upon the victor's brow to bloom. 
 
 56 I have adopted Heyne's conjectural emendation of tovto 
 and k\cos instead of the common reading rm'h and rcAoj, from 
 which I think none but a weak sense can be eUcited. 
 
 65 The remarkable expression of the original, Kara pafi^ov 
 cfpaacv, probably means nothing more than that fiomer deliv- 
 ered his rhapsodies in a consecutive series of lines. See the 
 opening of the second Nemean ode. Sudorius' paraphrase is 
 opere ejcpolitor. 
 
FOURTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 241 
 
 His mind, by labour unsubdued, 
 Rivals the roaring lion's might. 
 Or like the fox in crafty mood, 
 That stays the whirling eagle's flight. 80 
 
 'Tis just the foe's imperious will 
 B}"" force to conquer or to foil by skill. 81 
 
 For not to him Orion's fame 
 Had been assign'd by partial fate. 84 
 
 Though mean to view, with ponderous weight 
 Fell from his arm the massive spear. 
 ICrst to Antaeus' mansion came 
 From Thebes to fertile Libya's land, 
 Of stature short, but dauntless soul, 
 He that should struggle to control 90 
 
 The bloody monster's fierce career. 
 Who could delight with savage hand 
 The fane of Neptune to adorn 
 With scalps from hapless strangers torn, 
 Alcmena's son — who took his flight 95 
 
 Up to Olympus' sacred height, 
 Exploring earth, and through the hoary wave 
 To mariners a tranquil passage gave. 98 
 
 Now by the aegis-bearing god 
 
 In bliss he holds his fair abode 100 
 
 With Hebe his celestial bride, 
 
 Honour'd and graced by love divine. 
 
 King of the domes with gold that shine, 
 And to heaven's queen in filial bonds allied. 
 
 To him above th' Electran gates 105 
 
 The new-constructed altars rise ; 
 
 On him the genial banquet waits, 
 
 With all the pomp of sacrifice. 
 
 His shrine we citizens surround 
 
 With the eight lifeless bodies crown'd, 110 
 
 Who by the sword there slaughter'd lie, 
 
 Alcides hapless progeny, 
 Whom Megara, great Creon's daughter, bore. 109 
 
242 PINDAR. 
 
 To them, when sets the solar beam, 
 
 The rising- fire's continual gleam 1 15 
 
 Is given night's darkness to explore ; 
 
 While lambent smoke's thick volumes rear 
 
 Its fumes of incense through the air. 113 
 
 The deed of strength, the second day 
 Still terminates the annual fray : 120 - 
 
 Where round this victor's honour'd brow 
 Chaplets of pallid myrtle glow ; , 
 
 Rewarding past and present fame, 
 Which boyhood's threefold triumphs claim. 
 In his skill'd driver he confides, 125 
 
 Who, steersman-like, the chariot guides. 
 Him, then, with Orseas will I praise. 
 Distilling grace from my mellifluous lays. 124 
 
THE FIFTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 
 
 TO PHYLACIDES OF iEGINA, VICTOR IN THE PANCRATIUM. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 This ode opens with an invocation to Thia ; who, according 
 to the ancient theogony, was the mother of the Sun, Moon, 
 and Aurora. — Under this name the poet designates glory and 
 renown ; for the sake of which men achieve the most illus- 
 trious deeds. — He then makes a transition to the victor, with 
 a digression commemorating the heroes of ^gina.— Then to 
 the battle of Salamis.— Returns to Phylacides, and concludes 
 by the praise of Pytheas, his alipta : (the person whose of- 
 fice it was to train and anoint the combatants for the 
 games.) 
 
 Illustrious mother of the solar beam, 
 Mankmd, bright Thia, for thy sake esteem 
 The first of metals, all-subduing gold ; 
 And ships, oh queen ! that struggle in the deep, 
 With car-yoked coursers o'er the plain that sweep. 
 To honour thee, the wondrous contests hold. 6 
 
 Through thee in every warlike game 
 Heroes the frequent meed of fame 
 Achieve, whose hair the wreath around. 
 By strength or swiftness won, is bound. 10 
 
 When two events propitious meet. 
 They make the span of life most sweet, 
 
 1 Pindar, in this magnificent exordium, addresses Thia, 
 the goddess of splendour, and, according to Hesiod, cited by 
 the scholiast, the mother, by Hyperion, of Sol, Luna, and Au- 
 rora. By this invocation he intimates the glory of the -^gi- 
 netans, to whose exertions in the battle of Salnmis the victory 
 over the Persian fleet was mainly attributable. (See i, 56, 
 et. seq.) 
 
244 PINDAR. 
 
 If any combatant success 
 
 And fair report united bless. 17 
 
 Then seek not Jove's immortal state, 15 
 
 Since thine is all this prosperous fate. 
 
 Mortals in mortal thoughts should rest. 
 
 The Isthmian plain and Nemea's fray 
 
 To thee, Phylacides, convey 
 
 Their double wreaths, and Pytho's day, 20 
 
 Whose heroes the pancratium's meed contest. 
 
 But hymns shall never touch my heart 
 
 If ^Eacus receive no part. 
 
 To this fair city have I come, 
 
 Which law and justice make their home, 25 
 To Lampo's offspring, by the muses' aid. 
 
 Envy not him whose foot proceeds 
 
 In the pure path of heavenly deeds, 
 If by a mingled song his labours are repaid. 31 
 
 Brave warriors of heroic race 30 
 
 Ere now have won the meed of fame. 
 Whom harps and sounding flutes proclaim 
 Victors through lengthen'd ages' space ; 
 Affording to the vocal train. 
 From Jove, high matter for their strain. 3b 
 
 Th' equestrian chaplet lolaus gain'd 
 
 At Thebes, in Argos Perseus' skill obtain'd; 
 
 And where the waters of Eurotas flow 
 
 Castor and Pollux' spear dealt the triumphant 
 blow. 43 
 
 But in ^none's island bright 40 
 
 Th' jEacidae's high natures shone, 
 They by whose conquering arms in fight 
 Twice were the Trojan walls o'erthrown. 
 
 31 The metaphor in this line is repeated with greater am- 
 plification in the opening of the ^ext ode, addressed to the 
 same hero. 
 
FIFTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 245 
 
 First tracking Hercules' career, 
 
 Then ranged beneath th' Atridae's spear. 45 
 
 Now urge thy chariot o'er the plain, 
 
 And say by whom was Cycnus slain ; 
 
 By whom great Hector? tell whose blade 
 
 In death the fearless Memnon laid, 
 
 Chief of the Ethiopian ranks, 50 
 
 Who by his spear's impetuous force 
 
 Arrested Telephus' bold course, 
 
 And smote him near Caicus' banks ? 
 
 To them Ji]gina's beauteous isle 
 
 Report assigns the native soil. 56 55 
 
 That tower was built in ancient time, 
 To which their virtues soar sublime : 
 Sounding their praise, my fluent tongue 
 Can hurl full many a dart of song. 
 And now shall Ajax' city prove 60 
 
 A witness in the dire aftray ; 
 Fair Salamis, whose seamen strove 
 In the destructive shower of Jove 
 The deadly hail of countless hosts to stay. 64 
 
 But let forgetful Silence veil 65 
 
 In her cold dews the boasting tale ; 
 
 For Jove, the lord of all, at will 
 
 Directs alike the good and ill. 
 These honours, gain'd by each triumphant deed, 
 Delight to win the poet's honey'd meed. 70 
 
 Let him who labours to this end 
 
 Like Cleonicus' race contend : 
 
 Never in dark oblivion's shade 
 
 The heroes' lengthen'd toils shall fade ; 
 
 Nor care distract the mind that views 75 
 
 What cost the wish'd-for palm pursues. 74 
 
 Now Pytheas' praise demands the strain, 
 Who foremost in th' athletic train 
 
246 PINDAR. 
 
 With dexterous arm and mind as free 
 
 Directs the blows to victory. 80 
 
 Then for his temples weave the crown, 
 
 To him the woolly chaplet bear, 
 The winged strain of high renown, 
 
 As to Phylacides, prepare. 74 
 
THE SIXTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 
 
 TO THE SAME PHYLACIDES, AND TO HIS MATERNAL 
 UNCLE EUTHYMENES. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Pindar begins this ode with the praises of the Tictor, with 
 whicli he combines the expression of his good wishes. — Di- 
 gresses to the fabulous story of Telamon and his son Ajax ; for 
 whom Hercules had offered up his prayers and consulted the 
 auguries —Concludes with celebrating the triumphs of his 
 relations and townsmen of the same tribe. 
 
 As at the hospitable board 
 
 "With flourishing profusion stored, 
 
 We mix the second cup of lays 
 
 To Lampo's valiant offspring's praise ; 
 
 In Nemea's field the first best crown 6 
 
 Received, oh Jove ! we make thine own. 
 
 And now upon the Isthmian plain 
 
 To Neptune with his Nereid train 
 
 Phylacides' bright palms entwine, 
 
 Youngest of that heroic line. 10 
 
 And may the third libation flow 
 
 To him who guards Olympus' heights, 
 
 While on Mgins. we bestow 
 
 Mellifluous poesy's delights. 13 
 
 For he that by expense and toil 15 
 
 Erects his virtues' heavenly pile 
 Beholds the much-loved glory shine. 
 Fair progeny of root divine : 
 And honour'd by th' immortal train, 
 E'en now his anchor casts, th' extreme of bliss to 
 gain. 20 
 
248 PINDAR. 
 
 Versed in these arts, the hour of fate 
 
 Will Cleonicus' offspring wait, 
 
 Patient till hoary age shall come, 
 
 The guide to Pluto's dreary home ; 
 
 While Clotho on her lofty seat, 25 
 
 And her dread sisters, I entreat 
 
 The friendly hero's life to bless, 
 
 And crown his wishes with success. 26 
 
 ^acidae, who shine afar. 
 
 Refulgent in your golden car, 30 
 
 The plain injunction I declare 
 When to this isle my steps repair, 
 To sprinkle her illustrious name 
 With dews of honourable fame: 
 vSince in long line a thousand ways 35 
 
 Extends his fair deeds' ample praise ; 
 Beyond where Nilus' waters flow, 
 Or realms of Hyperborean snow. 
 Nor can a city e'er be found 
 So rude and barbarous of tongue 40 
 
 Where Peleus' glory is not sung. 
 Whom in bless'd filial ties th' immortals bound ; 37 
 
 Where Telamonian Ajax' name 
 
 And his great sire excites no fame. 
 
 Whom led, in brazen armour dight, 4b 
 
 With his Tirynthians to the fight, 
 
 Of Troy the bold and prompt ally, 
 
 (That heroes' scourge, whose valiant host 
 
 Laomedon by treach'ry lost,) 
 
 In ships Alcmena's progeny. 50 
 
 With him the citadel o'erthrew, 
 
 And the vast Coan nations slew, 
 
 And him who fed his fleecy train 
 
 Like some huge mount on Phlegra's plain, 
 
 Alcyoneus — nor spared the foe 55 
 
 The string of his deep-twanging bow, 
 
SIXTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 249 
 
 But when the social board was spread, 
 ^acides to join their fleet he led. 52 
 
 Him standing on the lion's hide, 
 The nectar'd draught he bade to pour, 60 
 
 Amphitryo's warlike son adore, 
 And at the sacred rites preside. 
 To him then Telamon the brave, 
 With gold enchased, a goblet gave ; 
 His hands extending to the skies, 65 
 
 Invincible Alcides cries — 
 " From thee, oh father Jove ! if e'er 
 With willing mind thou heardst my pray'r, 
 E'en now this hero's offspring bold, 
 Our guest, by fate's decree foretold, 70 
 
 Of Eriboea sprung, my supplications crave. 67 
 
 That frame's insuperable might, 
 (As the huge monster's skin is bound 
 In ample folds my Hmbs around. 
 Whom erst I slew in Nemea's soil, 75 
 
 Achieving there my earliest toil) 
 With an intrepid mind unite." 
 Thus, while he spoke, Jove bade from high 
 The king of birds, his eagle, fly. 
 Sweet pleasure o'er his soul was shed, 80 
 
 When thus with prophet voice he said — 
 " Thine shall hereafter be the sou 
 Whom thou entreat'st, oh Telamon ! 
 And name him Ajax, since in might 
 The bird that hither wing'd his flight 85 
 
 To him will just resemblance yield, 
 Tremendous in the martial field." 
 This said, he paused, and rested straight; 
 But all their virtues to relate, 
 From me a lengthen'd tale would claim. 90 
 Dispenser of the sacred feast. 
 Muse, to Phylacides a guest. 
 To Pytheas and Euthymenes I came. 
 
250 PINDAR. 
 
 Th' encomiastic strain shall be 
 
 Pronounced with Argive brevity. 87 95 
 
 Three crowns in the pancratium's fray, 
 
 Victorious on the Isthmian shore, 
 
 And some from Nemea's plain away 
 
 Th' illustrious sons and uncles bore. 
 
 What theme for lyric glory bright 100 
 
 Their valiant deeds have brought to light ! 
 
 And with the Graces' fairest dew 
 
 Your tribe, Psaleuchidae, imbue : 
 
 Themistius' house their love shall crown, 
 
 Dwelling in this Heaven-favour'd town ; 105 
 
 While Lampo strives by deeds to prove, 
 
 And efforts of laborious care, 
 How much the words of Hesiod move 
 
 His warm approval to declare ; 
 Exhorting his remotest race 1 10 
 
 Their common city's fame by valiant acts to grace. 
 
 Bless'd in the cherish'd strangers' love, 
 Retain'd within the mild control 
 Of mediocrity of soul : 
 His tongue ne'er wont beyond the mind to move. 
 His name among the athletes known, 116 
 
 Who oft were taught his might to feel. 
 Sounds like the hardy Naxian stone, 
 
 Which best subdues the temper'd steel. 
 To slake their thirst, them will I lave 120 
 
 In Dirce's pure and hallow'd wave, 
 Which the fair nymphs to light have brought, 
 Mnemosyne's assiduous train, 
 Whose costly robes with gold are wrought, 
 Where Cadmus' gates the well-built walls main- 
 tain. Ill 125 
 

 THE SEVENTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 
 
 TO STREPSIADES THE THEBAN, VICTOR IN THE PANCEA- 
 
 TIUM. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Pindar begins this highly poetical ode with an address to 
 Thebes ; concisely enumerating her ancient glories, and the 
 most remarkable events in her history. — Praises the maternal 
 uncle of Strepsiades, who had fallen in battle. — Then returns 
 to the victor, and mingles good wishes with his commenda- 
 tions. — Concludes with beseeching Apollo to add a victory 
 in the Isthmian games to the other triumphs of Strepsiades. 
 
 Oh happy Thebes ! of all thy former joys, 
 Which now the most thy mind employs 1 
 
 Is it the hour when first to light of day 
 The fair-hair'd Bacchus sprang, 
 
 By Ceres throned, whose priests their homage pay 
 With cymbals' brazen clang ? 6 
 
 Or think'st thou of the midnight hour 
 When veil'd within a golden shower 
 The chief of the celestial band 
 Deign'd at Amphitryo's doors to stand? 10 10 
 
 1 Dodwell, in his classical Travels in Greece, (vol. i., p, 271,) 
 has a passage in which the glories and heroic characters of 
 Thebes are enumerated, apparently in illustration of the highly 
 poetical exordium of this ode. 
 
 "The early or heroic history of Thebes is particularly splen- 
 did ; and neither Athens, Lacedaemon, Argos, nor Mycene, 
 were so much celebrated as the capital of Boeotia for great 
 events, for heroes, and for demigods. The names of Kadmos, 
 Semele, Bacchus, Antiope, Zethes, Amphion, Amphitryon, Alc- 
 mena, Hercules, Laius, and his unfortunate race, furnish strong^ 
 evidence of the early power and original lustre of this coun- 
 try. No part of Greece produced characters of more exalted 
 
252 PINDAR. 
 
 To aid, while sojourning on earth, 
 His spouse at the Herculean birth, 
 Or of Tiresias' counsels wise, 
 Or lolaus, skilful charioteer, 
 Or earth-sown heroes, wielding as they rise 15 
 
 The indefatigable spear: 
 Or when thou sent'st Adrastus far 
 From the rude shout and din of war, 
 Reft of his numerous friends, to roam 
 Back to equestrian Argos home : 20 
 
 Or when from distant Doris' land 
 Thou gavest on foot erect to stand 
 The colony of Spartan line — 
 Thy sons besieged Amyclae's wall, 
 ^gidcG, faithful to the call 25 
 
 Of the prophetic Pythian shrine. 22 
 
 But mighty deeds of old renown 
 
 Sleep unremember'd and unknown, 
 
 Save when enrich'd the record lie 
 
 In the sweet dews of poetry. 30 
 
 Then lead the pomp, the hymn's soft lays 
 
 Awake, Strepsiades to praise, 
 
 fame than Hesiod, Pindar, Pelopidas, Epaminondas, Plutarch, 
 and Sextus Chaeronensis. The dulness, therefore, which the 
 rest of the Grecians ascribed to the Boeotians, on account of the 
 density of their atmosphere, was not always agreeable to truth 
 or consonant with experience. The conscious sublimity of 
 Pindar repelled the imputation." 
 
 15 This origin of the Thebans, who were fabled to spring 
 from the sown teeth of the dragon, is frequently alluded to by 
 the ancient poets. So Ovid : (Amor., iii., 12. 35:)— 
 
 " Protea quid referam, Thebanaque semina, denies?" 
 and Euripides : (Here. F. 4, 5:} — 
 
 " £v0' ynytvTjg 
 UnapTWV ora;^Dj ej3\a<TT£v.^' 
 See also Eur., (Phcsn., 953 ;) and Ovid, (Met., iii., 110:)— 
 
 " Crescitque seges clypeata virorum." 
 Virg., (Georg., ii., 140,) &c. 
 
SEVENTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 253 
 
 Who, victor in the Isthmian fray, 
 Bears the pancratium's palm away; 
 Conspicuous in triumphant might, 35 
 
 And form pre-eminently bright ; 32 
 
 While valour with an equal pace 
 
 Accompanies corporeal grace. 
 
 The dark-hair'd muses crown his fame 
 
 Whose triumphs a new grace have shed 40 
 
 On his maternal uncle's name, 
 
 Him lately in th' embattled field 
 
 The deity with brazen shield 
 
 Hath number'd with the dead. 
 But honour still the brave attends. 36 45 
 
 This let the patriot warrior know . 
 
 Who drives the cloud of slaughter that impends 
 
 O'er his loved native soil, upon the foe. 
 
 His fame among the citizens shall bloom, 
 
 Growing through life, and living in the tomb. 50 
 
 But thou, Diodotus' brave son, 
 
 Rival of Meleager's fame, 
 
 Who emulatest Hector's name. 
 
 And glories by Amphiaraus won ; 54 
 
 Breath'dst forth in war's first ranks thy flower of life, 
 Where the most brave sustain'd war's hopeless strife. 
 
 Then grief ineffable I bore ; 
 
 But now the god, whose potent might 
 
 Girds the firm earth, day's splendour bright 
 
 Gives me for winter's gloom that lower'd before. 60 
 The victor's praise will I declare, 
 And fit the chaplet to his hair ; 
 Nor let th' immortal train molest 
 With vengeful ire my tranquil breast. 
 Since to the destined term of age 65 
 
 Calm I approach life's closing stage, 
 
 And seize the fleeting pleasures of the day; 
 Though subject to unequal fate, 
 
254 PINDAR. 
 
 Death's common stroke we all await • 
 But he that would the scene beyond survey, 70 
 
 To him will never find it given 
 To tread the brazen soil of heaven. 63 
 
 The winged Pegasus overthrew 
 Bellerophon his lord, who flew ' 
 
 In thougiit Lhe heavenly seats above 75 
 
 To the bright council hall of Jove ; 
 For still a bitter end alloys 
 The transport of unlicensed joys. 
 But, Phcebus, thou whose locks are spread 
 In golden lustre round thy head, 80 
 
 Grant us to gain the Isthmian crown, 
 And that which Pytho yields in contests all thine 
 own ! 72 
 
THE EIGHTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 
 
 TO OLEANDER OF .EGINA, VICTOR IN THE PANCRATIUM. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The poet in this ode exhorts the youths liberated from the 
 calamities of the Persian war to apply their mmds to the 
 framing of hymns in honour of the victor. — It becomes a 'I'he- 
 ban to sing the praises of an iEginetan, on account of their 
 common origin. — Tlience he digresses to fables of the .^acidce 
 and the nuptials of Peleus and Thetis ; which leads him to 
 panegyrize Achilles. — Returns to the praise of the victor, and 
 his uncle Nicocles, with which he concludes the ode. 
 
 To celebrate Oleander's praise, 
 
 Oh youths ! the hymn of triumph raise, 
 
 That ever forms the glorious meed 
 
 To crown the blooming hero's deed. 
 
 To Ttilesarchus' splendid halls 5 
 
 Some friend his victor offspring calls 
 
 The pomp and revel to convey : 
 
 Potent upon the Isthmian plain, 
 
 The wreath of conquest to obtain, 
 
 And Nemea's guerdon bear away. 10 
 
 For him, though bitter grief control 
 
 The wonted ardour of my soul, 
 
 To me is given th' unequal task 
 
 The golden muses' aid to ask. 12 
 
 Now from our mighty sorrows free, 15 
 
 No want of chaplets may w-e find, 
 Around the victor's head to bind, 
 Nor feed again our misery. 
 
256 PINDAR. 
 
 Pausing a while, from fruitless wo 
 Let us direct the patriot mind 20 
 
 Some public blessing to bestow ; 
 Since a kind god liatli turn'd aside 
 Of threat'ning ills the direful shock 
 That hung like the Tantalean rock 
 O'er Graecia's land, unskill'd the storm to bide, 23 
 
 But now my fear has pass'd away, 26 
 
 And anxious Care relax'd her sway. 
 To seize each object as it lies 
 Before his foot becomes the wise. 
 O'er man impends deceitful age, 30 
 
 Revolving still life's onward stage. 
 Yet mortals e'en these ills may cure,^ 
 While liberty continues sure. 
 In calm contentment let them rest, 
 Of favourable hope possess'd. 35 
 
 Me too the happy task awaits, 
 (Nurtured where Thebes expands her sevenfold 
 gates,) 
 With the bright muses' wreath to grace 
 ^gina, nymph of kindred race. 
 Twin daughters of a common sire, 40 
 
 And youngest of Asopus' line, 
 Whose beauties could the soul incline 
 Of Jove himself to fond desire. 41 
 
 To her the heavenly lover gave 
 
 By Dirce's sweetly flowing wave 45 
 
 O'er that fair city to preside, 
 
 Who joys the rapid car to guide. 
 
 Thee to Qilnopia's isle convey 'd, 
 
 The thundering sire a parent made 
 
 Of Macus, whose honour'd birth 50 
 
 Raised him above the sons of earth. 
 
 24 See the note on 01., i., 90. 
 
EIGHTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 257 
 
 His godlike offspring's latest line 
 With might from him reflected shine, 
 "Who erst, their skill and prudence to display, 
 Appeased the brazen din of the celestial fray. 55 
 
 This on the memory dwells impress'd 56 
 
 Of the assemblies of the bless'd. 
 
 What time for lovely Thetis Jove 
 
 And the illustrious Neptune strove ; 
 
 Each wishing the fair nymph to gain, 60 
 
 Bound in the hymeneal chain ; 
 
 For mighty love their souls possess'd. 
 
 But to complete their nuptial state 
 
 The counsels of th' immortal kind, 
 Soon as they heard the will of fate, 65 
 
 And prudent Themis' voice, declined ; 67 
 
 Who to the circle of the skies 
 
 Pronounced the destinies' decree. 
 
 That soon a sovereign progeny 
 
 From the sea goddess would arise, 70 
 
 Superior to his potent sire, 
 
 Whose hand should wield a dart of fire, 
 
 Fiercer than lightning's rapid flame, 
 
 Or trident which no force can tame. 
 
 Such is the fruit of Jove's embrace, 75 
 
 Or brother's, of immortal race. 
 
 Then cease your strife — in battle slain 
 She who could but a mortal couch obtain 
 
 Is doom'd her offspring to behold. 
 
 With hands that rivall'd Mars in deed, 80 
 
 And feet which mock'd the lightning's speed. 
 
 Should I my mind's intent unfold, 
 
 Let the fair prize decreed by heaven 
 To Peleus, sprung from ^acus, be given ; 
 That pious hero, bred upon lolcos' plain. 87 85 
 
 76 I. e., Neptune's, 
 
258 PINDAR. 
 
 To Chiron's venerable cave 
 Quick let the messengers repair : 
 
 Nor Nereus' dauechter give, as once she gave, 
 
 To us the records of contention there. 
 
 But when at evening's highest noon 90 
 
 Rides in her state the full-orb'd moon, 
 The hero may untie the zone, 
 And make the virgin prize his own. 
 
 'Twas thus the goddess spoke to the Saturnian train ; 
 
 When from immortal lids reveal'd 95 
 
 Th' approving nod their purpose seal'd. 
 Nor fell her words with empty sound, 
 Like fruitless blossoms on the ground : 
 For, as 'tis said, high-ruling Jove 
 
 Thetis with him to join in wedlock strove. 100 
 
 Hence to th' unskill'd the poet's tongue 
 
 Achilles' youthful valour oft has sung ; 
 
 Who on the Mysian soil, with vines o'erspread, 
 
 By Telephus possess'd, black streams of slaughter 
 shed. 110 
 
 Who gave th' Atridae back to roam 105 
 
 With liberated Helen home, 
 And sever'd with his spear Troy's nervous strength ; 
 Hector, who in the murderous fray 
 With Memnon dared a while to stay 
 His fury o'er the plain's extended length: 110 
 
 And other chiefs to whom Achilles show'd 
 The path that led to Proserpine's abode. 
 Guard of th' iEacidae, whose virtues grace 
 J3gina and his own illustrious race. 
 
 Him the sweet song's melodious breath 115 
 
 Deserted not when cold in death, 
 
 But round his tomb and funeral pyre 
 
 Stood the fair Heliconian choir. 
 
 And gave the sounding notes of wo 
 
 In honour of his name to flow ; 120 
 
EIGHTH ISTHMIAN ODE. 259 
 
 Since to their hymns it pleased th' immortal train 
 To render back the valiant hero slain. 132 
 
 And now to haste with loud acclaim 
 
 The muses' rapid car, agrees 
 With him who would exalt the fame 125 
 
 Of pugilistic Nicocles, 
 "Whose valour on the Isthmian plain 
 The Doric parsley could obtain: 
 Since he as well in days of yore 
 The palm from neighb'ring rivals bore ; 130 
 And their presumptuous spirit broke 
 With his inevitable stroke. 141 
 
 Actions like these will ne'er disgrace 
 His valiant uncle's noble race. 
 May one of the coeval band 135 
 
 The laurel crown with friendly hand, 
 For the pancratium's victor twine, 
 Around Oleander's brow to shine ; 
 Since him before with prosperous fate 
 Alcathous' game in festal state 140 
 
 Throng'd by the Epidaurian youth, received. 
 Well may the good resound his praise 
 Who ne'er the morning of his da5'^s 
 Consumed in idle sloth, by no fair deeds retrieved. 
 
 END OF PINDAR. 
 
ANACREON. 
 
 TRANSLATED BY 
 
 THOMAS BOURNE 
 
 NEW-YORK: 
 Harper &c brothers. 82 cliff-street 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 
 faqb 
 
 Biographical Sketch of Anacreon . . . v 
 
 Ode I. — On his Lyre 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 — II. — On Women 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 — III. — Cupid Benighted 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 — IV.— On Himself 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 16 
 
 — v.— On the Rose 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 18 
 
 — VI.— The Banquet 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 19 
 
 — VII.— On Cupid 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 20 
 
 — VIII.— On his Dream 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 21 
 
 — IX.— On a Dove 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 23 
 
 — X. — On a VS^axen Cupid 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 — XI.— On Himself 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 — XII.— On a Swallow . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 25 
 
 — XIII.— On Himself . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 26 
 
 — XIV.— On Cupid 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 27 
 
 — XV.— Happy Life 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 28 
 
 — XVI.— The Captive . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 29 
 
 — XVII.— On a Silver Bowl . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 29 
 
 — XVIII. — On the same subject 
 
 
 
 
 
 31 
 
 — XIX. — Reasons for Drinking 
 
 
 
 
 
 31 
 
 — XX.— To his Mistress 
 
 
 
 
 
 32 
 
 — XXI. — Summer. 
 
 
 
 
 
 33 
 
 — XXII.— The Bower . 
 
 
 
 
 
 34 
 
 — XXIII.— The Vanity of Wealth 
 
 
 
 
 
 35 
 
 — XXIV.— Life to be Enjoyed 
 
 
 
 
 
 35 
 
 — XXV.— The Cure for Care 
 
 
 
 
 
 36 
 
 — XXVI.— In Praise of Wine 
 
 
 
 
 
 36 
 
 — XXVIL— The same subjecl 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 37 
 
IV CONTENTS. 
 
 Ode XXVIII.— On his Mistress 37 
 
 — XXX.— Cupid taken Prisoner 40 
 
 — XXXI.— Pleasing Phrensy . . . : . 40 
 
 — XXXII.— On the Number of his Mistresses . . 41 
 
 — XXXIII.— On a Swallow 42 
 
 — XXXIV.— To his Mistress . . . . .43 
 
 — XXXV. — On a Picture representing Europa . . 44 
 
 — XXXVI.— Life to be Enjoyed 44 
 
 — XXXVII.— On the Spring 45 
 
 — XXXVIII.— On Himself . . . . . .46 
 
 — XXXIX.— On Himself 47 
 
 — XL.— Cupid Wounded 48 
 
 — XLI.— The Banquet of W^ine 49 
 
 — XLII.— On Himself 50 
 
 — XLIII. — On the Grasshopper 50 
 
 — XLIV.— The Dream 52 
 
 — XLV.— Cupid's Darts 52 
 
 — XLVI.— The Power of Gold 54 
 
 — XLVII.— Young Old Age 55 
 
 — XLVIII.— Happy Life 55 
 
 — XLIX.— To a Painter . . . . . .'56 
 
 — L. — On Bacchus 56 
 
 — LI. — On a Medal representing Venus ... 57 
 
 — LII.— On the Vintage 59 
 
 — LIII.— On the Rose 60 
 
 — LIV.— On Himself 62 
 
 — LV.— The Lover's Mark 63 
 
 — LVI.— On his Old Age 64 
 
 — LVII. — That Moderation enhances Enjoyment . 64 
 
 — LVIIL— Love in the Heart C5 
 
 — LIX.— On Himself 65 
 
 — LX.— On the Spring 66 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKEt^CH 
 
 OF 
 
 ANACREON. 
 
 Of this delightful author, nothing, beyond what 
 we are already acquainted with, can now be known. 
 Antiquity has long since interposed its impenetra- 
 ble veil ; and however brief and unsatisfactory 
 the accounts which have been handed down to us, 
 with them we must still remain satisfied. Suc- 
 ceeding writers, it is true, may seek to impart an 
 air of novelty to their relations, by a new and in- 
 genious arrangement of the scanty materials they 
 possess ; still, however, must they relate facts, sub- 
 stantially the same as others, and present to their 
 readers, if not a tedious, yet certainly a " thrice- 
 told tale." For the only authentic incidents rela- 
 tive to this elegant poet we are indebted to con- 
 temporary writers, or to those who flourished 
 shortly after him, and from them we glean the few 
 following particulars. 
 
 X 
 
6 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 Anacreon was born at Teos, a seaport town of 
 Ionia. Who his parents were is uncertain, though 
 it is conjectured from good authority that his family 
 was noble. The time of his birth, according to 
 Barnes, was in the second year of the fifty-fifth 
 Olympiad, about the beginning of the reign of 
 Cyrus, in the year of Rome 194, and A.C. 554. 
 According to this calculation he was about eighteen 
 years of age when Harpagus, the general of Cyrus, 
 came with an army against the confederate cuies 
 of the lonians and ^Eolians. 
 
 The Teians, finding themselves too weak to 
 make a stand against the enemy, chose rather to 
 abandon their country than to give up their liberty ; 
 and accordingly withdrew with their families and 
 effects to the city of Abdera in Thrace ; where, 
 however, they had not long been settled before the 
 Thracians, jealous of the new-comers, began to 
 give them disturbance. 
 
 From Abdera our poet sailed to Samos, hnd 
 took refuge at the court of Polycrates ; at that 
 time considered the politest and most flourishing of 
 any in Asia ; a distinction which it owed in no 
 small degree to the liberality and personal accom- 
 plishments of that prince himself. 
 
 We may readily suppose that a person of Anac- 
 reon's character would meet with a welcome re- 
 ception wherever wit and gayety were esteemed ; 
 
OF ANACREON. 7 
 
 and accordingly we find that Poly crates not only 
 honoured him with his friendship, but even made 
 him the confidant of his most secret counsels. 
 How long he continued at Samos is uncertain; 
 but it seems probable that he resided there the 
 greater part of that prince's reign. This opinion 
 seems also to be confirmed by Herodotus, who 
 assures us that Anacreon of Teos was with that 
 prince in his chamber when he received a message 
 from Oroetes, governor of Sardis, by whose treach- 
 ery Polycrates was soon after betrayed and inhu- 
 manly crucified. Anacreon, it w^ould seem, had 
 left Samos a short time previous to this remarkable 
 event, and had removed to Athens ; having been 
 invited thither by Hipparchus, the eldest son of 
 Pisistratus, one of the most learned and virtuous 
 princes of his time ; and who, as Plato assures us, 
 sent a vessel with fifty oars to convey him across 
 the ^gean. 
 
 Hipparchus being assassinated in the conspiracy 
 of Harmodius and Aristogiton, he returned to his 
 native country Teos ; for after the death of Cyrus 
 the Teians had been suffered to reinhabit their 
 country unmolested. Here he remained, as Suidas 
 informs us, till a fresh commotion in the state 
 obliged him once more to fly to Abdera, where he 
 ended his days. There is something so remarka- 
 ble in the manner of his death, that it seejns more 
 
8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 in accordance with what miglit be termed poetical 
 justice than with the sober strain of history, were 
 it not a fact asserted by writers of credit and repu- 
 tation. He was choked with a grape-stone as he 
 Avas regaling on some new wine, and expired in 
 the eighty-fifth year of his age. 
 
 As to the personal character of this author, he 
 appears to have been a professed despiser of busi- 
 ness and the cares of the world, and indeed a lover 
 of pleasure in every shape ; though it seems neither 
 just nor generous to form our judgment of him 
 solely from the nature of his writings. The severe 
 and moral Plato condescends to call him the " wise 
 Anacreon ;" a title which it is not likely he would 
 have bestowed on him had he possessed no other 
 claim to it than the harmony of his verse or the 
 gayety of his disposition. Independent likewise of 
 this expression of Plato, M'hich must certainly be 
 regarded as no mean evidence in his favour, the 
 grammarian Athenaeus distinctly mentions him, as 
 vr/p6)v Ksj/ etyciSoi, sober and honourable. 
 
 It now remains to speak of his writings, which 
 were long the delight of other days, and are still 
 read and admired by every scholar of taste and 
 learning in our own. His Odes, the only part of 
 his works which have reached us entire, are written 
 in the Ionic dialect, remarkable for its softness and 
 sweetiiess. The subjects, though often simple and 
 
OF ANACUEOiV. 9 
 
 trifling in themselves, are by the master-hand of 
 the poet rendered susceptible of so many beauties, 
 that they deserved to be sung by the Graces to the 
 harp of Apollo. 
 
 His language, free and unrestrained, flows on in 
 an uninterrupted strain of melody, like the stream- 
 let so beautifully described in the twenty-second 
 ode as hov^u. Tru&ovq, rolling persuasion; and the 
 reader is at once charmed with the sweet music of 
 his song, and the beauty and simplicity of his 
 descriptions. 
 
 As to their moral tendency, a reflection whicli 
 now necessarily presents itself, it certainly is my 
 decided opinion, that in this poet far less will be 
 found to offend the reader of taste and delicacy than 
 in almost any other ancient author who has written 
 on the same subjects. His language is every- 
 where pure and elegant ; and his sentiments, how- 
 ever much at variance with our own altered ideas 
 and circumstances, are such as might naturally be 
 expected from one who, ignorant of higher and 
 better hopes, mistook the road to happiness through 
 the flowery paths of pleasure. 
 
 In short, while we condemn, and with justice, 
 those licentious thoughts and expressions which 
 occur but too frequently in almost every author of 
 antiquity, and which, in a greater or less degree, 
 debase and disfigure their brightest pages, we 
 
10 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 should Still remember that they are but the erro- 
 neous maxims of men who had only the dim light 
 of nature to direct them ; and still more thankful 
 ought we to be for those purer precepts of morality 
 which it is our exclusive privilege to enjoy. 
 
 From what has been observed respecting the 
 peculiar style of this author's writings, it will 
 easily be supposed that a translation of them into 
 any other language must be attended with many 
 difficulties. To preserve the Ionic elegance of the 
 original, without divero^ino- too far from the text — 
 to imitate its conciseness, without sacrificing its 
 bt^auties — this indeed is a task much more difficult 
 than might at first be imagined. In fact, I much 
 doubt whether a foreign idiom, confined to the 
 jingling monotony of modern verse, can ever hope 
 to do justice to the sweet warblings of the playful 
 and polished Anacreon. Still more hopeless, I con- 
 ceive, would be the attempt to render them by a 
 strictly literal version ; and in this persuasion, I 
 have endeavoured on every occasion to give what I 
 imagined to be the meaning of my author, without 
 a servile adherence to the letter on the one hand, 
 or a too great license of interpretation on the other. 
 With what success these endeavours have been 
 accomplished, it is the province of others to de- 
 termine. Perhaps, however, I may here be per- 
 
OF ANACREON. 11 
 
 mitted to observe, that I have never hesitated to 
 sacrifice poetic beauty to purity of language and 
 expression ; happy if, by this means, I have ren- 
 dered accessible to the cabinets of my fair coun- 
 trywomen a poet whose beauties are many, and 
 whose faults, which were those of his age and coun- 
 try, I have studiously endeavoured to conceal. 
 
 T. B. 
 
In the notes will be found no laboured comments on the p© 
 culiar force or meaning of a Greek particle, nor any long disser 
 tations on disputed passages. 
 
 To the scholar and the critic they would impart no new in- 
 formation, and to those unacquainted with the original must be 
 altogether useless. I have preferred selecting from various 
 writers such extracts as I thought likely to prove interesting to 
 the general reader, and to facilitate his comprehension of the 
 English version, by illustrating those manners and customs, 
 which are still peculiar to the people of the East. 
 
 To preceding editors I am indebted for many useful observa 
 tions, which I have distinguished by the names of their respec- 
 tive authors. In the arrangement of these notes I am happy 
 likewise to acknowledge the judicious advice and assistance of 
 my friend, Mr. T. Gandy, member of the Philomathic Society, 
 and of several other literary institutions. 
 
 T. B. 
 
ODES OF ANACREON. 
 
 ODE I.— ON HIS LYRE. * 
 
 While I sweep the sounding" string, 
 "While th' Atridae's praise I sing,f 
 Victors on the Trojan plain, 
 Or to Cadmus raise the strain, 
 Hark ! in soft and whisper'd sighs, 
 Love's sweet notes the shell replies. 
 Late I strung my harp anew,J 
 Changed the strings — the subject too : 
 Loud I sung Alcides' toils, 
 Still the lyre my labour foils ; 
 Still with Love's sweet silver sounds 
 Every martial theme confounds.^ 
 
 * As love is the prevailing subject of the poet's muse, this 
 beautiful little ode is with great propriety placed at the com- 
 mencement of most editions. 
 
 t Agamei:mon and Menelaus, the sons of Atreus, who were 
 the chief commanders at the siege of Troy. By the Atridae is 
 meant the Trojan, and by Cadmus, the Theban war. 
 
 X It was common among the ancient poets to say that " they 
 had new strung their lyre," when about to celebrate any impor- 
 tant subject, or extraordinary event. 
 
 () In order to understand this passage clearly, we must im- 
 agine Anacreon singing and playing on his lyre, which, instead 
 of returning sounds suitable to the lofty sul)ject of his song, 
 perversely warbles " Love's sweet silver sounds." The origi- 
 nal is here beautifully expressive, signifying not merely to send 
 forth av*rongnot.e, but one directly contrary to that intended to 
 
14 ANACREO.N. 
 
 Farewell ! heroes, chiefs, and kings, 
 Naught but love will suit my strings. 
 
 ODE II.— ON WOMEN.* 
 
 Pointed horns, the dread of foes, 
 Nature on the bull bestows ; 
 Horny hoofs the horse defend, 
 Swift-wing'd feet the hare befriend; 
 Lions' gaping jaws disclose 
 Dreadful teeth in grinning rows ; 
 Wings to birds her care supplied, 
 Finny fishes swim the tide ; 
 Nobler gifts to man assign'd, 
 Courage firm and strength of mind.f 
 From her then exhausted store 
 Naught for woman has she more : 
 How does Nature prove her care 1 
 Beauty's charms is woman's share, 
 
 be produced. The lyre is said to have been made of the shell of 
 the tortoise, and its invention is by some ascribed to Anacreon. 
 * The sentiment of this little ode is natural and beautiful, 
 and it has been imitated by many succeeding writers. The 
 first of modern poets, Lord Byron, has in the following beauti- 
 ful passage a similar idea to that contained in the latter part 
 ofit :— 
 
 " Oh, too convincing, dangerously dear ! 
 In woman's eye the unanswerable tear! 
 That weapon of her weakness she can wield 
 To save — subdue — at once her spear and shield." 
 
 Corsair, Canto li., 15. 
 
 t The single word in the original thus translated, usually sig- 
 nifies wisdom or prudence ; but surely so pohte a poet as Anac- 
 reon would not have denied these important qualities to tht> 
 ladies. It may likewise be rendered, as in the text, " Courage, 
 or strength of mind ;" but in neither sense may we arrogate to 
 ourselves the title of " the exclusives," so long as the deeds and 
 daring of the softer sex live in the Records of Woman, and are 
 related by such a champion as Mrs. Hemans. 
 
ANACREON. 15 
 
 Stronger far than warrior's dress 
 Is her helpless loveliness. 
 Safety smiles in beauty's eyes, 
 She the hostile flame defies : 
 Fiercest swords submissive fall — 
 Lovely woman conquers all ! 
 
 ODE III.— CUPID BENIGHTED.* 
 
 'TwAS at the solemn midnight hour, 
 
 When silence reigns with awful pow'r, 
 
 Just when the bright and glittering Bearf 
 
 Is yielding to her keeper's care ; 
 
 When, spent with toil, with cares oppress'd, 
 
 Man's busy race has sunk to rest. 
 
 Sly Cupid, sent by cruel fate, 
 
 Stood loudly knocking at my gate. 
 
 " Who's there," I cried, " at this late hour ? 
 
 Who is it batters thus my door 1 
 
 Begone ! you break my blissful dreams." 
 
 But he, on mischief bent, it seems. 
 
 With feeble voice and piteous cries 
 
 In childish accents thus replies : 
 
 *' Be not alarm'd, kind sir, 'tis I, 
 
 A little, wretched, wandering boy. 
 
 Pray ope the door — I've lost my way 
 
 This moonless night — alone I stray : 
 
 I'm stiff with cold, I'm drench'd all o'er ; 
 
 For pity's sake pray ope the door." 
 
 Touch'd with this simple tale of wo, 
 
 And little dreaming of a foe, ' 
 
 * Longuepierre has observed that this is one of the most beau- 
 tiful odes in the collection ; and it is, I think, a good proof of the 
 truth of this remark, that after a lapse of more than two thou- 
 sand years its spirit and meaning are still preserved, and are to 
 be found imbodied in a pretty little song, which was a few 
 years ago a popular favourite. 
 
 t The Bear and Bootes, or the Bearkeeper, are two constel- 
 jations near the North Pole. 
 
16 ANACREON. 
 
 I rose, lit up my lamp, and straight 
 
 Undid the fastenings of the gate ; 
 
 And there indeed a boy I spied, 
 
 With bow and quiver by his side. 
 
 Wings too he wore — a strange attire I 
 
 My guest 1 seated near the fire, 
 
 And while the blazing fagots shine, 
 
 I chafed his little hands in mine. 
 
 His dank and dripping locks I wrung, 
 
 That down his shoulders loosely hung. 
 
 Soon ns his cheeks began to glow, 
 
 " Come now," he cries, '' let's try this bow 
 
 For much I fear, this rainy night, 
 
 The wet and damp have spoil'd it quite." 
 
 That instant twang'd the sounding string, 
 
 Loud as the whizzing gadfly's wing : 
 
 Too truly aim'd, the fatal dart 
 
 My bosom pierced with painful smart.* 
 
 Up sprung the boy with laughing eyes. 
 
 And, " Wish me joy, mine host," he cries. 
 
 " My bow is sound in ev'ry part ; 
 
 Thou'lt find the arrow in thy heart." 
 
 ODE IV.— ON HIMSELF. 
 
 On this flowery couch reclining, 
 
 Thick with leaves of myrtle strew'd,t 
 
 Every graver care resigning, 
 I will drink in joyous mood. 
 
 * In the original it is "pierced through the middle of my 
 liver." The ancients, as may be proved by numerous passages, 
 considered the liver to be the seat of the affections ; and it is 
 reasonable to suppose that tiie sympathy existing between this 
 organ and the brain was as well known to them as it is to phy- 
 sicians in the present day. 
 
 t Madame Dacier observes that the ancients were fond of 
 reposing on leaves of fragrant herbs and flowers, wiiich af- 
 forded them a soft and pleasant couch, and ai the same time re- 
 
ANACREON. 17 
 
 Mis tunic shorten'd — standing near me, 
 His waist with rushy girdle bound, 
 
 With rosy wine let Cupid cheer me, 
 And serve the goldeu goblet round. 
 
 For, ah ! with what unwearied pace* 
 The ceaseless wheel of life runs on ! 
 
 Just like the chariot's rapid race, 
 
 How swift the course, how quickly run ! 
 
 Yet thus, alas ! our moments fly ; 
 
 Thus pass our fleeting years away ; 
 And soon shall we neglected lie, 
 
 A little dust — a lump of clay ! 
 
 Then why, when life's short scene is o'er, 
 Anoint a cold unconscious stone If 
 
 Why vainly rich libations pour, 
 Or call ray ghost with useless moan ? 
 
 galed their senses with their agreeable odours. A passion fcr 
 perfumes and flowers seems to be common to all oriental na- 
 tions. 
 
 * If, according to the ancient proverb, it is commendable to 
 receive instruction even from an enemy, surely we should not 
 disdain to be made wiser by a heathen. These lines contain a 
 fine moral sentiment ; and the Christian reader, excited by higher 
 motives, will seek to improve that time which, ceaseless in its 
 progress, and irrevocable in its flight, is given to him for nobler 
 purposes than to be wasted in trifling pursuits or sensual in^- 
 dulgences. 
 
 t The custom among the ancients of pouring sweet unguents 
 on the tombs of their deceased friends, and crowning them with 
 chaplets of flowers, is well known. The eastern nations a>.3 
 still remarkable for -the careful and affectionate attention they 
 bestow on their departed relatives. 
 
 '• The Turkish burying ground stands on the slope of the hfll, 
 at a small distance from the town, near that of the Jews and 
 is encircled by a deep grove of cypress trees. No guard or 
 shade around a cemetery can be so suitable as that of this noble 
 tree ; with its waveless and mournful foliage, it looks the very 
 emblem of mortality. The Orientals love that everything should 
 be sad and impressive round the abodes of their dead, which 
 
18 ANACREON. 
 
 Nay, rather, friends, anoint me no"^, 
 While Hfe remains, and fate is kind; 
 
 With rosy garlands crown my brow, 
 And go, my lovely fair one find. 
 
 My cares I'll drown in pleasure's tide, 
 Before my wand'ring spirit go 
 
 Where unsubstantial spectres glide, 
 And dance in dismal shades below.* 
 
 ODE v.— ON THE ROSE.f 
 
 With sparkling wine sweet roses join, 
 'Twill make the nectar'd draught divine ; 
 Let mirth and laughter rule the hour, 
 W^hile roses, pluck'd from Love's ow^n bower, 
 Around our moisten'd temples twine. 
 And add fresh fragrance to the wine. 
 
 they never approach but with the deepest reverence ; and they 
 often sit for hours in their kiosks on the Bosphorus, gazing 
 with mournful pleasure on the shores of Asia, where the ashes 
 of their fathers are laid." — Camels Letters frorn the East, p. 65. 
 
 * It seems not a little remarkable that the ancients, amid ah 
 their wild and extravagant fancies, never " affected the skies ;" 
 or, in other words, that they contented themselves wnth an ely- 
 sium in the infernal regions, assigning the heavens above them 
 to their gods and demigods alone. In this, as in many other 
 respects, Christianity has enlarged our ideas, and exalted our 
 hopes bej'ond the most daring conceptions of the heathen world, 
 t Among the ancients, especially the Grecians, the rose was 
 particularly esteemed. It was always introduced at entertain- 
 ments ; and it was customary on such occasions to employ 
 flowers and perfumes, not merely for pleasure, but because they 
 imagined their odours prevented the intoxicating effects of wine. 
 With the Romans they were held in equal estimation, as ap- 
 pears from the following passage : — 
 
 " Here pour your wines, your odours shed ; 
 Bring forth the rose's shortlived liower, 
 While fate yet spins thy mortal thread. 
 While youth and fortune give th' indulgent hour." 
 Francis's Horace, b. ii., ode 3. 
 
ANACREON. 
 
 Oh, lovely rose ! to thee I sing, 
 
 Thou sweetest, fairest child of spring! 
 
 Oh thou art dear to all the gods, 
 
 The darling of their blessM abodes. 
 
 Thy breathing buds and blossoms fair 
 
 Entwine young Cupid's golden hair, 
 
 When gayly dancing, hand in hand, 
 
 He joins the Graces' lovely band. 
 
 Then bring fresh garlands, crown my brows, 
 
 And w^hile thus joyous, I carouse, 
 
 Admitted, Bacchus, to thy shrine. 
 
 Thy praise I'll sing in hymns divine ; 
 
 Or, thick with rosy chaplets crown'd, 
 
 With Chloe dance a sprightly round, 
 
 Whose ^owy bosom softly swells, 
 
 And tales of tender transport tells. 
 
 ODE VI.— THE BANQUET. 
 
 With glowing wreaths of roses crown'd. 
 We'll pass the cheerful goblet round; 
 But with no squeamish, modest sips, 
 The cup shall kiss our thirstyTTpsT 
 And see, to grace the festive hour, 
 The maiden seeks our shelter'd bower,* 
 Whose pretty, slender foot well suits 
 The music of the soft-toned lutes ; 
 While ivy wrealh'd, her thyrsus fairf 
 She rustles through the yielding air. 
 And hark i a fair-hair'd youth begins,| 
 And as he wakes the warbling strings 
 
 A custom seems to be here alluded to which is siill common 
 in. Turkey ; at the entertainments of persons of consequence 
 dancmg girls, called almas, are hired to amuse the company by 
 their performances. 
 
 t The thyrsus was a spear encircled with ivy, and sometimes 
 with vine leaves, and was carried by those who attended the 
 feasts in honour of Bacchus. 
 
 t The following extract may perhaps elucidate this pas- 
 
20 ANACREON. 
 
 His liquid voice breathes odours round, 
 And mingles with the melting' sound. 
 With goldimJiijCks, young- Cupid see, 
 And Bacchus, young and fair as he ; 
 With these is lovely Venus too, 
 Who hastes to join the sportive crew; 
 While we old men can scarce refrain 
 To live the life we loved again. 
 
 ODE VII.— ON CUPID.* 
 
 Cupid once, with staff in hand, 
 (A slender hyacinthine wand,) 
 Slow walking with a tottering pace, 
 Defied me to the rapid race. 
 Away we flew o'er flood and fell, 
 O'er craggy rock and bushy dell. 
 Till hastening on with swiftest speed, 
 A serpent stung me ; then indeedf 
 My heart forgot its wonted play ; 
 I fainted — sunk — and died away. 
 
 sage : " The summer Ls already far advanced in this part of the 
 world ; and, for some miles round Adrianople, the whole ground 
 is laid out in gardens, and the banks of the rivers are set with 
 rows of fruit trees, under which all the most considerable Turks 
 divert themselves every evening ; not with walking, that is not 
 one of their pleasures; but a set party of them choose out a 
 green spot, where the shade is very thick, and there they 
 spread a carpet, on which they sit drinking their coffee, and are 
 generally attended by some slave with a fine voice, or that plays 
 on some instrument." — Lady Montague s Letters. Letter to Mr. 
 Pope from Adrianople, April 1st, 1717. 
 
 * As commentators are by no means agreed either as to the 
 text or meaning of this ode, I have given it the turn which I 
 conceived most agreeable to the genius and style of the author. 
 By a pleasing allegory, he seems to intimate, that under what- 
 ever disguise love may appear, his power is equally certain and 
 resistless. 
 
 t It is observed by Madame Dacier that his being stung by a 
 serpent was a punishment for his insensibility and presumption. 
 
ANACREON. 21 
 
 The urchin laughed at my disgrace^ 
 And while his pinions fann'd my face, 
 " My friend," he cried, " you clearly prove 
 That you are not a match fur Love !" 
 
 ODE VIII.— ON HIS DREAM.* 
 
 Peaceful slumbering through the night, 
 
 On a purple couch reclined, 
 Dreams of joy and visions bright 
 
 Bacchus sent to charm my mind. 
 
 Methought I join'd in rapid race 
 
 With flying nymphs a sportive crew, 
 
 And urging on with swiftest pace. 
 Still kept the lovely game in view. 
 
 While youths, as young Lyaeus fair,t 
 With jealous hate, and envy stung, 
 
 Who saw my joy, but could not share 
 Reviled me as I pass'd along. 
 
 A kiss I claim'd — my promised prize ; 
 
 But as on pleasure's brink I seem, 
 The vision fled my cheated eyes : 
 
 I woke, and lo ! 'twas all a dream ! 
 
 Then lonely, sad, and angry too,| 
 To find my high-raised hopes were vain, 
 
 * For the different metre of this ode, and of some others in 
 the collection, I have only to remark that I have deviated from 
 the usual Anacreontic measure for the sake of variety. 
 
 t Lyaeus is a name given to Bacchus. It is derived from a 
 Greek verb, signifying to loosen or free, and is, from the cir- 
 cumstance of wine freeing the mind from anxiety, appropriately 
 assigned to him. 
 
 X There is a similar passage in one of Ovjd's epistles ; in that 
 from Sappho to Phaon, so beautifully translated by Pope. 1 
 
 Y 
 
22 ANACREON. - 
 
 The dear delusion to renew, 
 I sigh'd, and sunk to sleep again. 
 
 ODE IX.— ON A DOVE.* 
 
 Pretty pigeon, tell me, pray, 
 Whither speeding, whence away ? 
 Breathing balmy odours round, 
 Where thy fluttering pinions sound ? 
 Who despatch'd thee through the air ? 
 What commission dost thou bear? 
 " Anacreon, the blithe and gay, 
 The master dear whom I obey. 
 Sent me swift from yonder grove 
 To seek the lady of his love. 
 I dare not tell the name she bears, 
 But beauty's sweetest smile she wears : 
 Possess'd of every pleasing art, 
 She reigns supreme o'er every heart. 
 Fair Venus sold me to the bard, 
 A little hymn the fix'd reward. | 
 
 have transcribed it, in order that the reader may have the pleas 
 ure of comparing them : — 
 
 " Oh, night, more pleasing than the brightest day, 
 When fancy gives what al^sence takes away, 
 And dress'd in all its visionary charms, 
 Restored my fair deserted to my arms ! 
 3ut when with day the sweet delusions fly, 
 And all things wake to life and joy, but I, 
 As if once more forsaken, I complain, 
 And close my eyes, to dream of you again." 
 * To understand this ode properly, we must remember that 
 it was a custom among the ancients, when they undertook long 
 journeys, and were desirous of sending back any news with un- 
 common expedition, to take tame pigeons along with them. 
 When they thought proper to write to their friends, they let one 
 of these birds loose, with letters fastened to its neck : the bird, 
 once released, would never cease its flight till it arri^'ed at its 
 nest and young ones. The same custom is still common among 
 the Turks and other Eastern nations. 
 
 t It is impossible not to admire the address and delicacy of 
 
ANACREON. 23 
 
 So now the poet's page am I, 
 His courier through the pathless sky ; 
 And sometimes, as you see me now, _, 
 The bearer of some tender vow. 
 He thinks, perhaps, he pleases me, 
 By saying I shall soon be free ; 
 But though I should the boon obtain. 
 His willing slave I'll still remain. 
 For, ah ! I do not wish to roam, 
 Or quit my sweet, my happy home. 
 Far flying over hill and plain 
 My wretched, rustic food to gain ; 
 Or shivering on some tree to stay, 
 And coo the cheerless hours away : 
 For now I feast on dainty bread. 
 And by the hands I love am fed ; 
 And when the cup has pressed his lip, j 
 His sweet delicious wine I-sip ; ' 
 
 And when my heart is light and gay, 
 I sometimes little frolics play ; 
 Upon his shoulder take my place, 
 And with my wings o'erspread his face. 
 Or if to sleep my humour suit, 
 I perch upon his warbling lute. 
 And by his careful hand caress'd, 
 By softest sounds am lull'd to rest. 
 Fve told you all — begone ! adieu ! 
 And let me now my flight pursue. 
 Nay, friend, no longer urge my stay, 
 For I have prated like a jay." 
 
 this indirect compliment to his own writings. Venus, the god- 
 dess of beauty, and mother of the Graces, is represented as 
 being willing to purchase a little hymn of his composmg at tlae 
 price of one of her favourite doves. This passage is cited by 
 Fawkes as a proof that Anacreon wrote hymns in lionour of the 
 gods : but be this as it may, it is certain that few fragments 
 have reached us, and those of doubtful authority. 
 
24 ■ ANACREON. 
 
 ODE X.— ON A WAXEN CUPID. 
 
 A WAXEN Cupid, nicely wroug-ht, 
 
 A rustic youth for sale had brought. 
 
 *' Say, what's your price, my friend ?" I cried, 
 
 When thus the silly clown replied, 
 
 In Doric phrase,* devoid of skill : 
 
 " E'en take him, sir, for what you will : 
 
 'Tis cheap, you'll say ; but, truth to tell. 
 
 No images 1 make or sell. 
 
 But as for this young rogue you see, 
 
 He must not — shall not dwell with me." 
 
 " If so, my pretty youth," I said, 
 
 " Our bargain shall be quickly made : 
 
 To you this little coin I'll give,t 
 
 And, Cupid, thou with me shalt live. 
 
 And do thou now my breast inspire, 
 
 There kindle all thy former fire ; 
 
 Oh let me boast a lover's name, 
 
 Or thou thyself shalt melt in flame. "J 
 
 ODE XI.— ON HIMSELF.^ 
 
 •■' Anacreon," the lasses say, 
 
 " Old fellow, you have had your day : 
 
 * The Doric dialect was remarkable for its broadness and 
 harshness. It was the most ancient of the four, and was used 
 only by the common people of Greece. It is not therefore with- 
 out reason, as the commentators have remarked, that Anacreon 
 makes this young rustic speak it, since he was so insensible to 
 the charms of love as to wish to get rid even of his image. 
 
 t In the Greek it is a drachm, an Attic coin worth about 
 nine pence English, or, according to some, only seven pence, 
 three farthings, or, eight pence farthing. 
 
 t Barnes observes that the ancient heathens used to treat the 
 images of their gods in the same manner as they fancied they 
 had been treated by them. The modern Indians, when any ca- 
 lamity befalls them, are accustomed to chastise their idols with 
 scourges. 
 
 ^ However successfully the spirit and meaning of this author 
 
ANACREON. 25 
 
 Consult your mirror, mark with care,* 
 How scanty now your silver hair ;t 
 Old wintry Time has shed his snows, 
 And bald and bare your forehead shows." 
 But faith ! I know not w^here they're gone, 
 Or if I've any left — or none ; 
 But this I know, that every day 
 Shall see me sportive, blithe, and gay ; 
 For 'tis our wisdom so to do 
 The nearer death appears in view. 
 
 ODE XII.— ON A SWALLOW. 
 
 What punishment shall I decree, 
 Vexatious, chattering bird, to thee ? 
 Say, shall I clip thy restless wing! 
 Or, like the cruel Thracian king,| 
 Tear out that tongue whose noisy scream 
 Has loused me from so sweet a dream 1 
 
 may sometimes be preserved, it is impossible to convey an ade- 
 quate idea of that facility of thought and easiness of expression 
 which are so pecuUarly his own. What would in others justly 
 be considered the perfection of art, in him appears perfectly nat- 
 ural ; and one might almost imagine that his numbers flowed 
 spontaneously to the warblings of his lyre. These remarks 
 are particularly applicable to this ode, which, for simplicity and 
 playfulness of expression, is inferior to no one in the collection. 
 
 * Before the invention of glass, mirrors were used made of 
 brass or some other metal, and sometimes of stones highly 
 pohshed. 
 
 t It was remarked by an ancient author that Venus herself, 
 if destitute of hair, would not, though surrounded by the Loves 
 and Graces, have had charms sufficient to please her husband 
 Vulcan. 
 
 X Tereus, king of Thrace, for whose story the reader is re- 
 ferred to the sixth book of Ovid's Metamorphoses. Though 
 Anacreon seems to adopt the less usual acceptation of the fable, 
 that it was Philomela, and not Progne, who was transformed 
 into a swallow, 
 
 AN AC. 
 
26 ANACREON. 
 
 For oh ! methouo:ht my love was nigh, 
 Till, startled by thy twittering cry. 
 She fled upon the wings of morn,* 
 And left me joyless and forlorn. 
 
 ODE XIII.— ON HIMSELF. 
 
 Poor Atys,t as old poets sing, 
 O'er the wild mountains wandering, 
 Degraded from his former state, 
 Cybele's love now turned to hate, 
 VVith plaintive cries invoked relief. 
 Till madness brought an end to grief. 
 And some who to the waters throng, 
 Of laurell'd Phcebus, god of song, 
 At Claros drink the vocal wave,J 
 And with prophetic fury rave ; 
 Then shall not I when wine inspires, 
 And Chloe's eyes dart love's bright fires. 
 When bathed in sweets, without alloy, 
 And rapt in wild, delirious joy, 
 Refuse a while stern reason's sway, 
 And be as madly wild as they 1 
 
 * Horace has a similar idea in the first ode of the fourth book, 
 which has been thus admirably imitated by Pope : — 
 
 " Thee, dress'd in fancy's airy beam, 
 Absent I follow through th' extended dream ; 
 Now, now I seize, I clasp thy charms, 
 And now you burst (ah, cruel !) from my arms ; 
 And swiftly shoot along the mall, 
 Or softly glide by the canal ; 
 Now shorn by Cynthia's silver ray. 
 And now on rolling waters snatch'd away." 
 
 t Atys was a young Phrygian of great beauty, beloved by Cy 
 bele, the mother of the gods, who afflicted him with madness for 
 violating his vow of chastity. According to Ovid, he was after 
 ward turned into a pine-tree. 
 
 t Claros was a city of Ionia, near Colophon, and was famous 
 for a fountain sacred to Apollo. The term vocal alludes to the 
 
ANACREON. 27 
 
 ODE XIV.— ON CUPID.* 
 
 Crase, cease the combat, I'll obey, 
 
 Oh, mighty Love ! I own thy sway. 
 
 Cupid plann'd a new campaign, 
 
 And bade me join his caiiip again ; 
 
 But I, grown weary of the trade. 
 
 Like a rebel disobey'd. 
 
 Straight the monarch, much displeased, 
 
 His dreadful bow and quiver seized, 
 
 And, wafted on his pinions light. 
 
 Defied me to the field of fight. 
 
 Then clad for war, like Peleus' son, 
 
 A corslet bright I buckled on ; 
 
 With ample sljield and quivering spear, 
 
 I waited till the foe drew near. 
 
 His bow-string twang'd — then seized with dread, 
 
 My courage fail'd — 1 trembUng fled. 
 
 He plied his darts till all were spent ; 
 
 Nor did his anger then relent : 
 
 Himself he changed into a dart, 
 
 And shot like lightning through my heart. f 
 
 property which the waters of this spring were said to have of 
 imparting to those who drank of them the gift of prophecy. 
 
 * In this ode Anacreon intends to show the irresistible power 
 of " mighty love ;" and he here represents himself as contend- 
 ing with Cupid armed with a spear and shield. The combat is 
 described with much spirit ; but in the end the arrows of his 
 antagonist achieve the victory. The poet concludes with an 
 admirable reflection on the uselessness of defending the out- 
 posts, when the enemy has already entered. 
 
 t " This thought is very beautiful and ingenious. It is taken 
 from an ancient piece of gallantry, which ought not to he passed 
 over in silence. The heroes of antiquity, when in any despe- 
 rate engagement they found their darts spent, their strength ex- 
 hausted, and saw no prospect of surviving long, would collect 
 all their spirits and strength, and rush headlong with amazing 
 impetuosity on their enemies, that even in death the weight of 
 their bodies, thus violently agitated, might bear down tlieir ad- 
 versaries." — Fawkfs. 
 
28 ANACREON. 
 
 All me I I felt my life-blood flow ; 
 1 sunk beneath my conquering foe 
 How vainly then a shield I wear ! 
 In vain defensive arms I bear ; 
 For victory who can hope to win 
 While fiercely burns the war within? 
 
 ODE XV.— HAPPY LIFE. 
 
 Famed Gyges' treasures I could see,* 
 
 From envious thoughts and wishes free. 
 
 On golden heaps with scorn I frown ; 
 
 I would not wear a monarch's crown. 
 
 Far other joys and cares are mine, 
 
 For which such bawbles I resign. 
 
 To bathe my beard with sweet perfumes,! 
 
 To crown my brows with spring's fresh blooms ; 
 
 These — these are things that claim my care. 
 
 This day is mine — I'll freely share 
 
 'J'he joys it brings ; for who can know 
 
 If he shall see the next or no 1 
 
 Then, while thy summer sky is clear. 
 
 Nor death nor danger hover near, 
 
 The happy hours of life employ 
 
 In song, and dance, and festive joy ; 
 
 * According to Herodotus, Gyges was the favourite of Can- 
 daules, king of Lydia, wiiose queen was renaarkably and pas- 
 sionately admired by her tiusband. In his vanity he extolled 
 her charms above measure to Gyges, and, to convince him of 
 her beauty, determined to give him an opportunity of seeing her 
 undressing. This he effected, but not wUhout the queen's dis- 
 covering the affront ; who next morning sent for Gyges, and 
 resolutely told him he must either suffer immediate death tor 
 what he had done, or despatch Candaules, and take her and the 
 kingdom of Lydia for his recompense. The choice was 'iirii- 
 cult, as he greatly valued his master : however, the love of life 
 prevailed : he stabbed Candaules, married the queen, and took 
 possession of the kingdom. 
 
 t The Turks and Persians take a particular pride in this ven- 
 erable appendage, and consume much time in dressing and per 
 fuming it. 
 
ANACREON. 29 
 
 And let the rattling dice assign* 
 The royal honours of the wine, 
 Ere surly Death thy garland tear. 
 Or fell disease with frown severe, 
 Forbid the nectar'd juice to sip, 
 And dash the goblet from thy lip. 
 
 ODE XVI. -THE CAPTIVE. 
 
 Some sing of Thebes, and some prolong! 
 
 The battle-shouts of Phrygian wars ; 
 But I must trill a captive's song,J 
 
 Sigh o'er my wounds, and count my scars. 
 
 Of conq'ring fleets no slave am J, 
 No armies claim me for their prize ; 
 
 But all my foes in ambush lie. 
 And dart their fires from Pyrrha's eyes ! 
 
 ODE XVII.— ON A SILVER BOWL. 
 
 MuLciBER, thou skilful wright. 
 Carve for me this silver bright ; 
 But I do not wish to see 
 Poiish'd arms or panoply. 
 What are arms or wars to me 1 
 
 * It was usual among the ancients to appoint a master of th? 
 feast by the cast of dice, whose office it was to determine the 
 size and number of the cups, and to decide on the proper cere- 
 monies. 
 
 t Anacreon here alludes to the fainous war waged by tlir 
 seven captains against Eteocles, king of Thebes, in ordor to n 
 store to his brother Polynices his share in the government, ac- 
 cording to their agreement on their father's death to reign annu- 
 ally in turn. On this subject ^schylus has written a tragedy, 
 and Statins a noble poem called the Thebaid. 
 
 X The poet here alindes to the numerous instances in which 
 he had been brought under the dominion of love. 
 
 z 
 
so ANACREON. 
 
 Carve me out a mighiy bowl, 
 That my ever- thirsty soul 
 In the generous juice may steep. 
 Make it very — very deep. 
 On the margin do not trace 
 Uncouth shape or horrid face : 
 Grave not there the northern wain * 
 Stern Orion, god of rain,t 
 Bootes, or the Pleiades ; 
 What concern have 1 with these 1 
 Trail thereon the tender vine, 
 There let purple clusters sHTne ; 
 Picture too the god of wine. 
 There let fair-hair'd Cupid be, 
 And Bathyllus, fair as he : 
 Make them beautiful and bold, 
 Burnish'd high like polish'd gold : 
 Let them in one labour join. 
 Treading out the gushing w^ine. 
 
 * The author here alludes to the emblazoning of the shield 
 of Achilles as described in the eighteenth book of the Iliad : — 
 
 *' There shone the image of the master mind ; 
 There earth — there heaven — there ocean he design'd ; 
 Th' unwearied sun, the moon completely round ; 
 The starry lights that heaven's high convex crovi'n'd ; 
 The Pleiads, Hyads, with the northern team ; 
 And great Orion's more refulgent beam, 
 To which around the axle of the sky 
 The Bear revolving points his golden eye, 
 StUl shines exalted on th' ethereal plain, 
 Nor bathes his blazing forehead in the main." 
 
 Papers Homer^s Iliad. 
 
 t The Greek term signifies " hateful," and is used by the 
 poet, because the constellation Orion was considered the fore- 
 runner of tempests, and therefore dreaded by mariners. 
 
ANACREON. 31 
 
 ODE XVIII.— ON THE SAME SUBJECT.* 
 
 Dear artist, take this silver store, 
 And try thy skilful hand once more ; 
 Produce a large and handsome bowl 
 To charm my eyes, and cheer my soul. 
 Around its polish'd surface bring- 
 The flowery pride of purple spring ; 
 There let the soft and vernal hours 
 Shed rosy sweets in plenteous showers. 
 Engrave no foreign mystic rite. 
 No marv'lous tale that shocks the sight; 
 But draw the gen'rous god of wine, 
 Blithe Bacchus, son of Jove divine. 
 Let Venus, love's sweet smiling queen, 
 With youthful Hymen deck the scene : 
 His dread artillery laid aside. 
 Let Cupid mid the Graces glide,f 
 As in the sprightly dance they join 
 Beneath the high-imbowering vine. 
 Whose glowing clusters peep between 
 The foliage bright of glossy green. 
 With these a youthful group display. 
 As fair as Phcebus, god of day, 
 Though Phoebus join not in their play. J 
 
 ODE XIX.— REASONS FOR DRINKING. 
 
 The earth drinks up the genial rains 
 Which deluge all her thirsty plains ; 
 
 * The subject of this ode is the same as that of the prece 
 ding. 
 
 t " It is not without reason that Anacreon, after having men- 
 tioned Venus, introduces Love among the Graces, being sen- 
 sible that though beauty alone might please, yet, without the 
 aid of other charms, it could not long captivate the heart." 
 Fawkes. 
 
 t This apparently alludes to the fable of Hyacinthus, a 
 youth slain by Apollo while playing with him at quoits. 
 
32 ANACREON. 
 
 The lofty trees that pierce the sky* 
 Drain up the earth and leave her dry ; 
 Th' insatiate sea imbibes, each hour,t 
 The welcome breeze tliat brings the show'r; 
 The sun, whose fires so fiercely burn, 
 Absorbs the wave ; and, in her turn. 
 The modest moon enjoys, each night,;}: 
 Large draughts of his celestial light. 
 Then, sapient sirs, pray tell me why, 
 If all things drink, why may not I ? 
 
 ODE XX.— TO HIS MISTRESS. 
 
 On desert Phrygians silent sands 
 Poor Niobe an image stands ;^ 
 And Pandion's injured child, we know,|| 
 Still, twittering, tells her tale of wo. 
 But would the gods the change allow, 
 And hear and grant my tender vow. 
 Dear girl ! thy mirror I would be, 
 That thou might'st always smile on me. 
 
 * The poet here refers to the supply of moisture which trees 
 receive by means of their roots and fibres. 
 
 + This passage, which seems to have given the commentators 
 some trouble, is by many supposed to be an error in the text. I 
 have followed the usual readmg, though I think Fawkes's amend- 
 ment very judicious. He has it, " the sea drinks up the rivers," 
 certamly a much more natural idea. 
 
 X The moon is said to drink from the sun, because she bor- 
 rows her light from that luminary. 
 
 ^ Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus, king of Phrygia, and 
 wife of Amphion, king of Thebes ; by whom, according to 
 Homer, having six sons and six daughters, she became so proud 
 of her offspring and high birth, that she had the vanity to prefer 
 herself to Latona, the mother of Apollo and Diana ; who, to 
 revenge the affront offered to their parent, in one day slew all 
 her children : on which Niobe was struck dumb with grief, and 
 remained stupid. For that reason the poets have feigned her to 
 be turned into a stone. — See Ovid's Met.^ book vi. 
 
 II The poet here alludes to the fabled transformation of Phi- 
 lomela. See note, p. 25. 
 
ANACREON. 33 
 
 Thy vest I'd be, to guard with care 
 Those heaving breasts, and nestle there. 
 Oh ! would I were a limpid wave, 
 Thy soft and beauteous limbs to lave ; . 
 T hy perfumed o il, that I might share / 
 Trie glory ot thy golden hair ! / 
 
 Or, dearer still, that slender zone, 
 Which makes thy beauties all its own : 
 Thy pearly chain, that shines so fair, 
 But cannot with thy neck compare: 
 Thy very sandal I would be,* 
 To kiss the foot that trod on me ! 
 
 ODE XXL— SUMMER. 
 
 Bring, mai dens, bring a well-mix'd bowl, 
 
 And lef"m^ slake my thirsty soul ; 
 
 For, scorch'd beneath this sultry sky, 
 
 My spirits sink — I faint — I die. 
 
 This garland, late so fresh and fair,t 
 
 T twined amid my curling hair ; 
 
 But all its faded flow'rcts now 
 
 Have wuther'd on my burning brow. 
 
 Bring fresher wreaths my head to shade ; 
 
 Bring others still when those shall fade. 
 
 But, oh ! what ease can wine impart \ 
 
 When love's fierce flame consumes the heart"? / 
 
 * This ode has been imitated by many succeeding writers ; 
 and in our immortal bard, who needed no copy but nature, the 
 following passage can only be said to present a remarkable coin- 
 cidence : — 
 
 " See how she leans her cheek upon her hand ! 
 Oh ! that I were a glove upon that hand, 
 That I might touch that cheek !" 
 
 Romeo and Juliet, act 2, scene 2. 
 
 f The custom of wearing garlands of flowers at entertain 
 ments has already been mentioned. 
 
34 ANACREON. 
 
 In vain to groves or shades I fly,* 
 This inward flame will never die ! 
 
 ODE XXII.— THE BOWER.f _^ 
 
 Haste, my love, this shade to seek, 
 The spreading tree is passing fair, 
 
 Like clust'ring curls on Beauty's cheek, 
 See it waves its wanton hair. 
 
 i 
 
 The streamlet murm'ring at our feet 
 Rolls its music through the grove ;| 
 
 'Tis a scene for lovers meet. 
 W here each object whispers -lm^e. 
 
 The tree, the stream, the silent hour, 
 All persuasive, seem to say, 
 
 * The reflection here made by the poet is just and natural, 
 and is similar to that at the conclusion of the fourteenth ode. 
 When love has once taken possession of the heart, external 
 defences cease to be useful. 
 
 t 'I'his elegant little ode seems to be a great favourite with 
 the translators and commentators. It has not been thought un- 
 worthy of his genius even by the philosophical Beattie, among 
 whose poems it is to be found translated with singular accuracy 
 and beauty. 
 
 t In the original it is literally a " fountain rolling or flowing 
 with persuasion ;" a beauty of expression which we must be 
 contented, to admire with very little hope of imitating, since 
 our language seems to afford few facilities for accommodating 
 sound to sense. Pope, no mean master of melody, has attempt- 
 ed it in that passage in his Art of Poetry intended to represent 
 the whispering breeze and the flowing stream. 
 
 " Soft is the strain when Zephyr gently blows, 
 And the smooth stream in smoother numbers flows." 
 On this passage Dr. Johnson, in ail the pride of acute, but rather 
 ill-natured criticism, remarks, that " the verse intended to rep- 
 resent the whisper of the vernal breeze must be confessed not 
 much to excel m softness or volubility ; and the smooth stream 
 runs with a perpetual clash of jarring consonants."— /2am6Zer, 
 vol. i., No. 92. 
 
ANACREON. 35 
 
 " Viewing such a lovely bower, 
 Can you pass another way ?" 
 
 ODE XXIII.— THE VANITY OP WEALTH. 
 
 Could glittering heaps, or golden store, 
 
 Life preserve, or health restore. 
 
 Then with ceaseless, anxious pain, 
 
 Riches I would strive to gain,* 
 
 That should death, unwish'd for, come, 
 
 Pointing to the dreary tomb, 
 
 I might cry, in sprightly tone, 
 
 " Here's my ransom, Death ! begone !" 
 
 But, alas ! since well I know 
 
 Life cannot be purchased so, 
 
 Why indulge the useless sigh ? 
 
 Fate decrees that all shall die. 
 
 Vainly to our wealth we trust, 
 
 Poor or wealthy — die we must. 
 
 Present joys then let me share, 
 
 Rosy wine to banish care ; 
 
 Cheerful friends that faithful prove, 
 
 Beauty's smiles and blissful love. 
 
 ODE XXIV.— LIFE TO BE ENJOYED.f 
 
 Born a mortal ; doom'd to tread 
 Life's rough path of pain and wo, 
 
 * There is an anecdote in the history of Anacreon, recorded 
 by Stobaeus, to which this ode may possibly bear some allusion. 
 He relates that Anacreon, having received a present of live 
 talents of gold from Polycrates, tyrant of Samos, was so em- 
 barrassed with cares and solicitudes '.out his treasure, that he 
 could not sleep for two nights succ ,isive'y : whereon he seal 
 back the present with this apology to his patron, " That how- 
 ever valuable the sum might be, it was not a sufficient price for 
 the trouble and anxiety of keeping it." 
 
 t These odes are all nearly similar in subject, and present 
 nothing particularly worthy of remark or illustration. 
 
36 ANACREON. 
 
 All the past "with ease is read, 
 But the future who can know* 
 
 Hence ! away, distracting cares, 
 Make no fellowship with me ; 
 
 Point not to my silvering hairs, 
 You and I shall ne'er agree. 
 
 Ere fate forbid all further joy, 
 First amid the festive throng, 
 
 Bacchus shall my hours employ 
 With mirth, and dance, and joyous song. 
 
 ODE XXV.— THE CURE FOR CARE. 
 
 When with gloomy griefs oppressed, 
 Wine can charm those griefs to rest ; 
 Toil and trouble, care and wo, 
 I'm determined ne'er to know. 
 Though in care my life were pass'd. 
 Cruel death would come at last. 
 Shall I ever anxious grieve ? 
 Shall I thus myself deceive 1 
 No ! we'll drain the rosy bowl, 
 'Tis a cordial for the soul ; 
 'Tis a charm that lulls to rest 
 Every anxious, aching breast. 
 
 ODE XXVI.— IN PRAISE OF WINE. 
 
 When the nectar'd bowl I drain 
 Gloomy cares forego their reign ; 
 Richer than the Lydian king. 
 Hymns of love and joy I sing ; 
 Ivy wreaths my temples twine, 
 And, W'hile careless 1 recline, 
 W'hile bright scenes my vision greet, 
 Tread the world beneath my feet. 
 
ANACREON. gT 
 
 Fill the cup, my trusty page, 
 Anacreon, the blithe and sage, 
 As his maxim, ever said, 
 Those slain by wine are noble dead. 
 
 ODE XXVII.— THE SAME SUBJECT 
 
 When the generous god of wine, 
 Bacchus, son of Jove divine. 
 Frees my soul from anxious care, 
 Fills my breast and revels there, 
 Then I lead the mazy dance, 
 Rapt in pleasure's giddy trance. 
 Oh ! what transports then I prove — 
 Sweet the joys of wine and love ! 
 ' Music breathes its softest strains, 
 Venus too with Bacchus reigns. 
 Thus, with wine and beauty bless'd, 
 Thus I charm my cares to rest. 
 Ever joyous, blithe, and gay, 
 Dance the happy hours away. 
 
 ODE XXVIIL— ON HIS MISTRESS.* 
 
 Best of painters, lend thy aid, 
 Draw the lines of light and shade ; 
 Master of the Rhodian art,t 
 Paint the charmer of my heart ; 
 
 * The version of this ode, first pwbhshed in the Guardian, is 
 adopted both by Addison and Fawkes ; but however beautiful 
 and spirited it may be thought, another translator, Mr. Girdle- 
 stone, shrewdly remarks, that no painter could make a beautiful 
 picture from a description which leaves out the nose. In tlie 
 original not a single feature is omitted ; and therefore the version 
 above mentioned must be defective. 
 
 t The Rhodians were, according to Pindar, the first people 
 acquainted with the arts of paintmg and sculpture. 
 
38 ANACREON. 
 
 Absent though the maiden be, 
 Beauties FU describe to thee,* 
 Thou, undazzled, ne'er couldst see. 
 Paint her dark and glossy hair, 
 Flowing down her neck so fair : 
 Further yet I must presume. 
 Let it seem to breathe perfume. 
 Her iv'ry forehead next thy care, 
 Shining mid her jet-black hair; 
 Let thy utmost skill be seen 
 In the dainty space between, 
 Where by sable archers cross'd, 
 Where the less'ning shade is lost. 
 Let her liquid eye of fire, 
 Like Minerva's, awe inspire ; 
 With Cytherea's softness too 
 Temper the celestial blue ; 
 
 * To give the reader an opportunity of judging whether or not 
 this picture be too highly drawn, I have transcribed the follow- 
 ing passage from a work deservedly held in the highest estima- 
 tion : — 
 
 " The women, as I have intimated, are handsome ; indeed, 
 you rarely meet with an ugly face among them. The form of the 
 head, the general cast of countenance, ^re classical ; and in 
 their profile I have frequently found that exquisite, gently curv- 
 ing line, we see in ancient Greek statues and medals, (and 
 which we have been accustomed to consider the line of ideal 
 beauty,) identified in ' real flesh and blood.' Their large, black 
 eyes, with long lashes, and their delicately arched eyebrows ; 
 the latter, when not denaturalized and spoiled by the too com- 
 mon practice of dying them, are the finest I have ever seen." — ■ 
 M'Farlane's Constantinople, vol. i., p. 99. And again, "The 
 Greek village of Panagea, situated on the seashore, to the 
 south of Chesme, is celebrated for the beautyof its women ; but 
 throughout these regions the sex is universally handsome and 
 graceful. Poverty, that cruel enemy to the charms of the per- 
 son as well as of the mind, cannot destroy their attractions : 
 the bright, intelligent, large black eye beams, the clear com- 
 plexion, the exquisUe Grecian nose, mouth, and chin, the clas- 
 sical contour, are there, in spite of its wrongs ; and an innate 
 grace of manner and motion develops itself through the cover- 
 ing of rags. 1 do not seek the recondite causes of this peculi- 
 
ANACREON. 0» 
 
 Paint her lovely cheek and nose, 
 
 Blending milk with blush of rose ; 
 
 Paint her pretty, pouting lips. 
 
 Where the bee its honey sips, 
 
 Where Persuasion sits and smiles, 
 
 With a thousand winning wiles. 
 
 Every pleasing grace must deck 
 
 Her pretty dimpled chin and neck ; 
 
 And let nameless beauties dwell 
 
 In her bosom's gentle swell. 
 
 In a thin and purple dress 
 
 Veil this form of loveliness: 
 
 Her body hide, her shape express. 
 
 Enough ! no further proof I seek, 
 
 She lives — she breathes — soft ! did she speak ? 
 
 arity ; but, be it descent from a superior race, be it the soil and 
 clime, such are the women of Ionia." — Ibid., p. 201. 
 
 Perhaps the reader would be pleased to see a portrait of the 
 "fair Ionian'' in another light, by a master whose unrivalled 
 pencil has left all competitors at an immeasurable distance : — 
 *' Vou see, this night 
 Made warriors of more than me. I paused 
 To look upon her, and her kindled cheek ; 
 Her large black eyes, that flash'd through her long hair 
 As it stream'd o'er her ; her blue veins, that rose 
 Along her most transparent brow ; her nostril 
 Dilated from its symmetry ; her lips 
 Apart ; her voice that clove through all the din, 
 As a lute's pierceth through the cymbal's clash, 
 Jarr'd but not drown'd by the loud brattlmg ; her 
 Waved arms, more daz«ling with their own born whiteness 
 Than the steel her hand held, which she caught up 
 From a dead soldier's grasp ; all these things made 
 Her seem unto the troops a prophetess 
 Of victory, or Victory herself. 
 Come down to hail us hers." 
 
 Lord Byron. — Sardanapalus, act 1, scene 1. 
 
40 ANACREON. 
 
 ODE XXX.— CUPID TAKEN PRISONER * 
 
 Cupid, once, was rambling found 
 On the Muses' hallow'd ground ; 
 Straight they weave a rosy chain, 
 And the httle god detain. 
 Him to Beauty soon they gave, 
 Mighty Love is Beauty's slave. 
 Cytherea ransoms brought, 
 To release her son she sought ; 
 But no fee, no ransom now, 
 The happy captive will allow. 
 Love hath learn'd his art too well, 
 And with Beauty still will dwell. 
 
 ODE XXXL— PLEASING PHRENSY. 
 
 Yes ! let me — let me drain the bowl, 
 And pour its pleasures on my soul ; 
 Let Bacchus now his reign employ, 
 Till reason reels, oppress'd with joy. 
 Orestes, by the furies led,t 
 Barefooted to the mountains fled. 
 Alcmaeon too, in frantic mood, 
 Like him was stain'd with mother's blood ; 
 But I disclaim such dreadful deeds, 
 My madness from my joy proceeds. 
 Then brina: the bowl, I cry again. 
 Who shall that maddening joy restrain? 
 
 * " This ode is ver>' fine, and the fiction extremely ingenious 
 I believe Anacreon would inculcate that beauty alone cannot 
 long secare a conquest, but that when wit and beauty meet, it 
 is impossible for a lover to disengage himself." — Madame Dncier. 
 
 t Alcmaeon's father had been put to death by his mother's 
 contrivance, whom on chat account he slew. Orestes slew 
 his mother Clytemnestra, to revenge the death of his father 
 Agamemnon, who at his return from the Trojan war had been 
 murdered by her and her lover ^Egisth "- 
 
ANACREON. 4). 
 
 When Hercules went mad of yore, 
 The Iphitean bow he bore;* 
 His ratthng quiver's dreadful sound 
 Spread awe and consternation round. 
 Great Ajax, too, when madness raged,t 
 Whole hosts of fancied Greeks engaged; 
 When, grasping fierce his seven-fold shield, 
 With Hector's sword he sought the field. |. 
 But though with wine I mad should be, 
 May no such fury seize on me ! 
 No dreadful bow or sword I bear, 
 y A flowery garland decks my hair. 
 
 This brimming bowl shall crowai my bliss, 
 Then welcome madness such as this ! 
 
 ODE XXXH.— ON THE NUMBER OF HIS MIS- 
 TRESSES. 
 
 If thou canst number o'er to me 
 Every leaf on every tree. 
 Or count the ceaseless waves that roar 
 Against the billow-beaten shore, 
 Thou sufficient skill hast proved ; 
 Thou shalt count the names I've loved. 
 At Athens first, Minerva's town. 
 Full five-and-thirty write me down ; 
 But oh ! at Corinth, rich and fair.^ 
 What hosts of loved ones had I there ! 
 
 * Iphitus was slain by Hercules, who carried oif his bow. 
 
 t When the armour of Achilles was adjudged to Ulysses, 
 Ajax was so enraged at the affront that he went mad ; and 
 falling on a flock of sheep, which he took for Grecians, he 
 first slew them and then himself. 
 
 X Hector and Ajax made an exchange of presents, which 
 gave birth to a proverb, " that the presents of enemies are 
 generally fatal ;" for with this sword Ajax killed himself. 
 
 (} Corinth, the metropolis of Achaia, was famous for beautiful 
 women. 
 
42 ANACREON. 
 
 For beauteous nymphs it bears the sway, 
 
 For none so beauteous sure as they. 
 
 Next, my lovely Lesbians tell, 
 
 lonians, Carians, those that dwell 
 
 At far-famed Rhodes — you may in all 
 
 The trifling sum two thousand call. 
 
 What ! think'si thou that I yet have done ? 
 
 Resume thy tablets — one by one,* 
 
 I'll count thee o'er my Syrian fair, 
 
 And Kgypt too must claim a share ; 
 
 And fertile Creta yet remains,! 
 
 Where Love his empire still maintains. 
 
 The dark-eyed nymphs that shared my fianie, 
 
 At Spain and Afric, shall I name 1 
 
 To sultry India's farthest pole. 
 
 Whose dusky charms have fired my soul! 
 
 ODE XXXIIL— ON A SWALLOW. 
 
 Pretty, twittering, fickle guest, 
 Here you build your summer nest ; 
 But, ere storms deface the sky. 
 Back to warmer worlds you fly ;t 
 
 * The page to whom Anacreon is here making this extrava 
 gant enumeration, may well be supposed to drop his tablets in 
 astonishment, as the original expression is, "add still to the 
 wax." The ancients wrote on tablets made of this material 
 with a pointed instrument called a stylus or style, the upper end 
 of which was flat and blunt, for the purpose of making era- 
 sures. Hence arose the term " an author's style,"' as applied to 
 his peculiar mode of expression. 
 
 t Anacreon, to denote its fertility, calls it Crete abounding in 
 all things. It is mentioned by the ancient poets as having a 
 hundred cities. 
 
 X " Since the days of Anacreon to our own, this is a problem 
 in natural history which has never been solved. Among the 
 ancients it was a generally received opinion that swallows and 
 other birds, on the approach of winter, crossed the sea in search 
 of warmer climates ; but more accurate observers have taught 
 us to doubt the truth of this opinion. Pecklinius, in his book 
 
ANACREON. 43 
 
 To Memphis, or the banks of Nile, 
 
 Where bright suns for ever smile. 
 
 But, alas ! nor peace nor rest 
 
 Dwells within my hapless breast: 
 
 Love still builds and hatches there, 
 
 Full-fledged loves for flight prepare ; 
 
 Some, unhatch'd, yet quiet dwell, 
 
 Some just struggling through the shell, 
 
 While their ceaseless chirping noise 
 
 Every hope of peace destroys. 
 
 Some usurp the parent's care, 
 
 And the younger nestlings rear; 
 
 These, when grown, will young ones breed ; 
 
 Others still to them succeed. 
 
 Thus, alas ! what hope remains — 
 
 What can ease my bosom's pains, 
 
 Since within its secret cell 
 
 Loves innumerable dwell 1 
 
 ODE XXXIV— TO HIS MISTRESS. 
 
 Fly me not, thou scornful fair, 
 
 Why reject me so 1 
 Is it that my scanty hair 
 
 Is whiter than the snow 1 
 
 ' De Aeris et Element! defectu, et Vita sub Aquis,' assures us 
 that swallows retire to the bottom of the water during the wm- 
 ter ; and that it is common for the fishermen on the coasts of 
 the Baltic to take them in their nets in large knots, clinging 
 together by their bills and claws ; and that on their being brought 
 into a warm room, they will separate, and begin to flutter about 
 as in spring. Kircher, in his book ' De Mundus Subterraneus,' 
 affirms the same, and that in the northern countries they hide 
 themselves under ground in the winter, whence they are often 
 dug out." — Longuepierre. 
 
 If the reader be desirous of further information on this point, 
 he may consult Buftbn's Natural History, or Goldsmith's Ani- 
 mated Nature. 
 
44 ANACREON. 
 
 Beauty's blooming flower is thine, 
 And on thy cheek it glows ; 
 
 But do not lilies brighter shine 
 When blended with the rose 1 
 
 ODE XXXV.— ON A PICTURE REPRESENT 
 ING EUROPA.* 
 
 This bull, ttiy boy, is surely meant 
 The mighty Jove to represent, 
 Since on his back he seems to bear 
 Through pathless seas a Tyrian fair. 
 "With steady strength he stems the tide, 
 His hoofs the billows dash aside ; 
 For sure no other bullt)ut he 
 Would from his lovely heifers flee, 
 And tempt the dangers of the sea. 
 
 ODE XXXVL— LIFE TO BE ENJOYED. 
 
 Why prate to me of critic rules, 
 And jargon of the jangling schools ? 
 Your learned dogmas, prithee, spare, 
 They're useless all — not worth my care. 
 I'll hear thee gladly, canst thou tell 
 The happy art of living w-11 ; 
 How best to mix the sparkling wine, 
 To make the mellow draught divine ; 
 
 * We must here imagine that \ye have before us a oicture or 
 medal representing the table of Eiiropa. According^ to the Boets, 
 it was from this princess that our quarter of the globe derives 
 its name. 
 
 " Yet sigh no more, but think of love, 
 For know thou art the wife of Jove ; 
 Then learn to bear thy future fame 
 When earth's wide continent shall boast thy name." 
 
 Francis's Horace, booii iii., ode 27. 
 
ANACREON. 45 
 
 How best to please the lovely fair, 
 For ihis indeed is worth my care. 
 Alas ! each day, each hour 1 know, 
 My hoary locks still whiter grow : 
 Then bring the goblet — let me drink, 
 'Twill only make me sad to think 
 How near, how very near the day* 
 When, mix'd Vv^ith earth and kindred clay, 
 My soul no more shall taste of joy, 
 Nor schemes of bliss my mind employ. 
 
 ODE XXXVn.~ON THE SPRING. 
 
 The newborn Spring awakes the flowers, 
 And bathes their buds in dewy showers: 
 The roses bloom, the Graces wear 
 Fresh flowery garlands in their hair. 
 How sleeps the sea in placid rest ! 
 No storms disturb its peaceful breast ; 
 But oft upon its surface green 
 The diving duck is sporthig seen. 
 From distant skies now comes the cranef 
 To seek her well-known haunts again ; 
 
 * What can present a stronger picture of the deplorable state 
 of those who only in this life have hope, than this desponding 
 reflection ? The prospect of death, considered merely as a ter- 
 mination of the pleasures of lii'e, was too dreadful to be enter- 
 tained, and therefore he resolves to banish all thoughts of su(H 
 an event in scenes of mirth and festivity. Is it not to be feared 
 ihat he has too many imitators, even among those who, enlight- 
 ened by Revelation, know that this life is but a probationary 
 .state, and yet not only neglect its duties, but, judging from their 
 conduct, seldom bestow a single thought on them? 
 
 t The migratory habits of the crane are thus described by 
 Goldsmith in his History of Animated Nature : " The crane 
 changes place like a wanderer ; he spends the autumn in Eu- 
 rope ; he then flies off, probably to some more southern climate, 
 to enjoy a part of the winter ; returns to p]urope in the spring ; 
 crosses up to the north in summer ; visits those lakes that are 
 never dry ; and then comes dow^n again to make depredations on 
 our cultivated grounds in autumn." 
 
 Aa 
 
40 ANACREON. 
 
 The smiling sun resumes his sway, 
 And drives the dismal clouds away; 
 The teeming' earth is big with fruits> 
 Forth into day the olive shoots ; 
 Rich, juicy clusters deck the vitie. 
 Which soon shall ripen into wine : 
 The charming sight with joy 1 see, 
 To Bacchus welcome — and to me. 
 
 ODE XXXVIIL— ON HIMSELF. 
 
 True, ah ! true, Fm growing old ; 
 
 Why should not the truth be told 1 
 
 Still, from youths I never shrink 
 
 When the business is to drink. 
 
 When the joyous troop advance. 
 
 Still I join the merry dance : 
 
 I no useless sceptre bear ;* 
 
 But on high my bottle rear. 
 
 Should the grape some hero fire, 
 
 Should he wars and fights desire, 
 
 Let him fight then, if he please, 
 
 I prefer my peaceful ease. 
 
 Bring me, then, my gentle page. 
 
 Wine that glows with strength and age.f 
 
 ♦ Among the ancients, the leader in the Bacchanalian dances 
 bore a rod or sceptre. 
 
 t However degenerated in other respects, the modem Greek^j 
 still know " where the best Chian, and what it may cost them ;" 
 at least if we may judge from the following extract : — 
 
 " The red wine is the mo&t esteemed in the island : a small 
 part only is exported, the Greeks making too good a use of it them- 
 selves. It cannot greatly sooth or propitiate a Turk's feelings 
 towards the despised and infidel Greeks to see them quaffing 
 with keen delight the rich juice of the grape, and giving loose 
 in the moment to unbounded ga\-ety ; while he, poor forbidden 
 follower of Islam ! must solace himself gravely with the pure 
 fountain, his meager sherbet, or at rnost a cup of the colfee of 
 Mocha." — Carne's Letters from the East, vol. i., p. 63. 
 
ANACREoSf. 47 
 
 True, I'm old ; but you shall see 
 Old SUenus, full of glee,* 
 Acted to the life by me. 
 
 ODE XXXIX.— ON HIMSELF. 
 
 When the rosy wine inspires, 
 Every muse my bosom fires. 
 All the joys of love and song 
 Cheer my heart and tune my tongue. 
 
 When the joys of wine I share, 
 Farewell every anxious care ; 
 Sportive winds my sorrows sweep 
 To the restless, roaring deep. 
 
 When I drain the spacious bowl, 
 Bacchus charms my ravishM soul ; 
 Perfumed gales from beds of flowers 
 Bathe in bliss the happy hours. 
 
 When with rosy garlands crown'd, 
 The social cup I pass around ; 
 Rapt in fancy's airy dream, 
 Peaceful pleasures are my theme. 
 
 When I quaff the grape's rich juice, 
 Bathed in liquid sweets profuse, 
 Venus claims my votive strain, 
 Chloe fills my arms again. 
 
 * Silenus was the foster-father and tutor of Bacchus, repre-, 
 sented as a little, flat-nosed, bald, fat, tun-bellied, old, drunken 
 fellow, riding on an ass. His picture is thus drawn by Ovid : — 
 
 " Around the Bacchaj and the Satyrs' throng, 
 Behind, Silenus drunk lags slow along ; 
 On his dull ass he nods from side to side, 
 Forbears to fall, yet half forgets to ride." — Eusdeiu 
 
48 ANACREON. 
 
 When the joy-inspiring draught 
 Frees my soul from anxious thought, 
 Graver thoughts I fling away, 
 Sporting with the young and gay. 
 
 "When I glow with generous wine, 
 Life's real blessings all are mine, 
 Joys beyond the reach of fate — 
 Death is sure in every state. 
 
 ODE XL.— CUPID WOUNDED.* 
 
 Young Cupid, once, in luckless hour. 
 Saw and pluck'd his favourite flower, 
 A blooming rose — whose leaves among 
 A bee that slept his finger stung. 
 Loud he scream'd with sudden pain, 
 Stamp'd and sobb'd — then scream'd again. 
 He runs — he flies through mead and grove. 
 To seek the beauteous Queen of Love. 
 *' Ah me ! mamma, Urn kill'd," he cries, 
 "Thy child, thy own dear Cupid dies '. 
 For, as I play'd on yonder plain, 
 A winged serpentf — ah ! what pain ! 
 A thing the ploughmen call a bee, 
 With dart of poison wounded me." 
 Fair Venus, smihng, thus replies : 
 " Oh dry those pretty pearly eyes ; 
 
 * The ideas contained in this ode have been made the subject 
 of a song, which was a great favourite, and is still frequently 
 heard. It is however A^ery doubtful whether many who sing it 
 know that they are warbling the strains of a poet who flourished 
 more than two thousand years ago ; or, in other words, that 
 they are singing a new version of one of the odes of Anacreon. 
 
 t In order to make Cupid express his pain and alarm more 
 etrongly, Anacreon has made him persist in calling the bee a 
 serpent. Theocritus has imitated this beautiful ode in his nine- 
 teenth idyllium. 
 
ANACREON. 49 
 
 Think if a little insect's sting 
 Such painful smart to Cupid bring, 
 Oh, what must their keen anguish be 
 Who're wounded to the heart by thee !" 
 
 ODE XLL— THE BANQUET OF WINE. 
 
 Come, let the mantling cups be crownM, 
 
 And let the jovial song go round. 
 
 To Bacchus still the strain prolong, 
 
 Who taught the dance, and loves the song. 
 
 Companion blithe with Cupid seen, 
 
 Beloved alike by beauty's queen; 
 
 The father, he, of joy and mirth, 
 
 To him the Graces owe their birth.* 
 
 He heals the wounds of pain and grief, 
 
 In him the wretched find relief. 
 
 When blooming youths present the bowl 
 
 Sweet joys alone possess the soul; 
 
 And, borne aloft, our sorrows fly 
 
 On swift-wing'd storms that sweep the sky. 
 
 Then let us anxious thoughts dismiss. 
 
 And pledge the cup to scenes of bliss ; 
 
 For what avails heart-rending care, 
 
 Since mortal man is sorrow's heir. 
 
 How short his life's uncertain date If 
 
 Unknown and dark his future state. 
 
 But when the brimming bowl I drain 
 
 i love to dance along the plain, 
 
 * Madame Dacier supposes this to be the passage on which, 
 was founded the opinion that the Graces were the daughters of 
 Venus and Bacchus. 
 
 i The ancient poets all agree in enforcing the necessity of 
 enjoying life, on account of its brevity and uncertainty. Martial 
 says, 
 
 " I'll live to-morrow, none but fools will say : 
 To-morrow is too late — live then today." 
 1/ this be true in the sense in which they meant it, how m<ich 
 
50 ANACREON. 
 
 With sweet perfumes to bathe my hair 
 And frolic with the young and fair. 
 Let anxious idiots still despise 
 The joys which wiser men will prize. 
 Then, while the jovial cup goes round, 
 To Bacchus let the song resound. 
 
 ODE XLIL— ON HIMSELF. 
 
 ,' A FRIEND to mirth and harmless sport, 
 I love the dance which Bacchus taught. 
 I dearly love to wake the lyre 
 >. When wnie or love my lays inspire ; 
 But dearer, sweeter joys 1 prove, 
 "When with gay smiling maids I rove ; 
 While hyacinths sweet odours breathe, 
 And round my brows their blossoms wreath, 
 My heart from envious thoughts is free,* 
 And even Envy still spares me : 
 From Slander's venom'd tongue 1 fly, 
 And shun the shafts of calumny. 
 Fierce quarrels o'er the festive board 
 My honest heart has e'er abhorr'd : 
 But, dancing to the lute's soft strain, 
 I love to join the blooming train. 
 Oh ! let us banisii barb'roiis strife, 
 And lead a happy, peaceful life.f 
 
 ODE XLIIL— ON THE GRASSHOPPER.I 
 
 Happy insect ! all agree 
 
 None can be more bless'd than thee ; 
 
 more forcibly will it apply to our own altered views and circum> 
 stances ! 
 
 * Such sentiments as these do honour to the poet, and estab- 
 lish his claim to the title of" the wise Anacreon." 
 
 t Anacreon seems to have esteemed tranquillity the greatest 
 blessing of life : thus, ode 39, " Peaceful pleasures are my theme." 
 
 t This insect, though called a grasshopper, is certainly oC a 
 
ANACREON. SI 
 
 Thou, for joy and pleasure born, 
 Sipp'st tlie honey'd dew of morn. 
 Happier than the sceptred king, 
 Mid the boughs we hear thee sing. 
 All the season's varied store, 
 All thy little eyes explore, 
 Fruits that tempt, and flowers that shine, 
 Happy insect ! all are thine. 
 Injuring nothing, blamed by none, 
 Farmers love thee — pretty one ! 
 All rejoice thy voice to hear 
 Singing blithe when summer's near. 
 Thee the tuneful Muses love, 
 Sweetly chirping in the grove ; 
 Thee the great Apollo bless'd 
 With a voice above the rest. 
 Thou from wasting age art free. 
 Time has naught to do with thee. 
 Skilful creature, child of song. 
 Though to earth thou dost belong,* 
 Free from Nature's woes and pains. 
 Free from flesh, or blood-fill'd veins,t 
 Happy thing ! thou seem'st to me 
 Almost a little god to be ! 
 
 very different species of locust from that so common in our 
 fields and meadows. Indeed, its habit of settling on trees is of 
 itself a siifiicient distinction. I am not aware that it has any 
 proper English name, though by some writers it is called the 
 cicada, or cicala. 
 
 * The ancient Athenians compared themselves to these in- 
 sects, either on account of then- skill in music, or because, like 
 them, they were descended from the earth. They likewise wore 
 golden ornaments in their hair, resembling grasshoppers. The 
 Chinese ladies still wear fastened to their heads by springs small 
 golden tigiires of a bird, the wings of which flutter with the 
 slightest motion. 
 
 t Homer represents the gods as being free from blood; and, 
 speaking of Venus being wounded, he snys, 
 
 " From the clear vein a stream immortal flow'd, 
 Such stream as issues from a wounded god ; 
 
52 ANACREON. 
 
 ODE XLIV.— THE DREAM.* 
 
 I dream'd, that over earth and sky, 
 Possess'd with wings, I seem'd to fly ; 
 While Love pursued with swiftest pace, 
 And soon o'ertook me in the chase ; 
 Though at his httle feet were hung 
 Large leaden weights, that loosely swung. 
 *' What can this vision mean ]"' 1 cried ; 
 *' It surely may be thus applied, — 
 That I, who once could freely rove 
 Through all the flowery paths of love. 
 Who laugh'd at lovers and their pains, 
 Am fettered now with stronger chains." 
 
 ODE XLV.— CUPID'S DARTS. 
 
 The rugged mate of love's soft queen 
 Was at the Lemnian forges seen ;t 
 
 Pure emanation ! uncorrupted flood ! 
 
 Unlike our gross, diseased, terrestrial blood. 
 
 (For not the bread of man their lile sustains, 
 
 Nor wine's inflaming juice supplies their veins.)" 
 
 Pope's Homer, book v. 
 * Madame Dacier saj^s that this is one of the finest and most 
 gallant odes of antiquity, and if she fur whom it was composed 
 was as beautiful, all Greece could produce nothing more charm- 
 ing. Its meaning seems to be simply this : that passion suddenly 
 conceived is generally transient and fleeting ; but love founded 
 on esteem and regulated by reason, though slow in its ap- 
 proaches, and imperceptible in its growth, makes an impression 
 on the heart at once permanent and indelible. 
 
 t Lemnos was an island in the ^^gean Sea, sacred to Vul- 
 can, who, in the first book of the Iliad, gives an account of Ju- 
 piter's throwing him from heaven, and his fall on that island : — 
 
 " Once in your cause I felt his matchless might, 
 Hurl'd headlong downward from th' ethereal height ; 
 Toss'd all the day in rapid circles round ; 
 Nor till the sun descended touch'd the ground ; 
 
ANACREON. 53 
 
 And while their fires intensely glow. 
 Was forging darts for Cupid's bow ; 
 Sharp-pointed shafts of poiish'd steel, 
 Which human hearts so keecjy feel. 
 The gentle Venus, for her part, \ 
 
 In honey dipp'd each finish'd dart ; J 
 But cruel Cupid took them all, ^ ' 
 
 And steep'd their barbed points in gall. J • 
 Returning from the battle rude, 
 The mighty Mars their business view'd; 
 And, leaning on his massy spear.* 
 " What use," he cried, with scornful sneer, 
 " These puny darts — these trifling toys — 
 Mere playthings — only fit for boys V 
 "Hold!" Cupid cries, "here's one — try this. 
 You'll find it not so much amiss ; 
 'Tis strongly made ; and, for its size, 
 Its weight will cause you much surprise." 
 The god received it. Venus tried 
 To check her laugh, and turn'd aside ; 
 But Mars, with sudden grief possess'd,f 
 Cried, groaning from his inmost breast, 
 " This little shaft gives wondrouspain ; 
 Here — take it — take it back again." 
 " Nay, Mars, I give it with good will ; 
 Pray keep the pretty plaything still." 
 
 Breathless I fell, in g'iddy motion lost ; 
 
 The Sinthians raised me on the Lemnian coast.' 
 
 Pope's Homer. 
 * The proportions of the spear and aiTOw are finely con- 
 trasted. The tiny weapon makes the deeper wound. 
 
 t This sentiment is extremely beautiful ; intmiating that 
 one cannot even touch the darts of Cupid with safety. Moschus 
 concludes his first idyllium with a similar thought : — 
 " Perhaps he'll say, ' Alas ! no harm I know, 
 Here, take my darts, my arrows, and my bow.' 
 Ah ! touch them not, fallacious is his aim. 
 His darts, his arrows, all are tipp'd with flame." 
 
 Fawh.es. 
 
64 ANACREON. 
 
 ODE XLVL— THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 A THOUSAND pains we lovers prove,* 
 
 (Still what were life devoid of love 1 
 but ah ! what wo, when dooni'd to mourn 
 The love tiiat never meets return I 
 fin vain we boast of noble birth, 
 And vain is wisdom, wit, or worth, 
 Since sordid wealth alone is sought, 
 And even love with-g oM^t^bou ght . 
 Oh may he sleep in endless night, 
 Who brought the shining plague to light ; 
 Who first gave worth to useless ore, 
 And taught mankind to sigh for more ! 
 Gold breaks through every sacred tie. 
 And bids a friend or brother die ; 
 The fruitful source of kindred strife,! 
 Gold would not spare a parent's life. 
 1 Long wars and murders, crimes untold, 
 I All spring from cursed thirst of gold ; 
 
 * " Oh, love ! what is it in this world of ours 
 
 Which makes it fatal to be loved ? Ah ! why 
 
 With cypress branches hast thou wreath 'd thy bowers, 
 And made thy best interpreter a sigh ? 
 
 As those wlio dote on odours pluck, the flowers, 
 And place them on their breast — but place to die. 
 
 Thus the frail beings we would fondly clierish 
 
 Are laid within our bosoms but to perish." 
 
 Thus sings the bard; the magic of whose verse, in spite of 
 reason, leads the fancy captive ; the efforts of whose mighty 
 genius will be regarded by future ages with sentiments of ad- 
 miration, pleasure, and regret. For him the muses wove tneir 
 brightest wreaths : why did he perversely mingle weeds, ranli, 
 poisonous weeds, with their sweet perennial flowt iS ? . 
 
 t The ancient poets are h)ud in their invectives against the 
 " auri sacra fames." Ovid says, 
 
 "This is the golden age ; all worship gold : 
 Honours are purchased, love and beauty sold. 
 Our iron age is grown an age of gold, 
 'Tis who bids most, for all men would be sold." 
 
ANACREON. 66 
 
 And I by sad experience know 
 'Tis gold that works the lover's wo ! 
 
 ODE XLVIL— YOUNG OLD AGE. 
 
 1 LOVE the cheerful, blithesome sage, 
 Whose temper ne'er betrays his age. 
 I love the youth that dances well, 
 To music of the sounding shell. 
 But when an aged youth like me 
 Can join the dance with sportive glee, 
 Though age in hoary locks appears, 
 His heart is young, despite his years. 
 
 ODE XLVIIL— HAPPY LIFE. 
 
 Oh ! for the harp, the harp of fire, 
 
 That godlike Homer strung : 
 But ah ! on such a blood-stain'd lyre 
 
 Could love's soft notes be sung 1 
 
 No ! let the measured cups be brought,* 
 
 And from t"HTs~scroll divine 
 I'll read the laws which Bacchus taught 
 
 To votaries of the wine. 
 
 Then warm^n heart, but wisely gay,f / 
 I'll join the sportive throng ; / 
 
 * The custom of appointing a master of the revels by the 
 cast of a die has already been alluded to. — See ode xiv. 
 
 t I find but few commentators who have noticed the very 
 singular expression of the original in this passage. It means 
 literally, "preserving the mind;" and is intended to express 
 that degree of pleasurable excitement which exhilarates the 
 spirits without overpowering the senses ; or, as Cowper sajs 
 
 " C ups which cheer but not inebria|t e :" 
 
 though the remark is certainly applied to a beverage of a very 
 different nature. 
 
 ess . 
 
56 ANACREON. 
 
 With joy the merry harp Til play, 
 And thrill the jovial song. 
 
 ODE XLIX.— TO A PAINTER. 
 
 Dear artist, while I wake the string. 
 Paint thou the lovely scenes I sing : 
 First, let my fix'd, delighted eyes, 
 Behold a well-built city rise ; 
 And with inventive skill portray 
 Its people happy, blithe, and gay. 
 Describe the Bacchanalian throng. 
 Engaged in festive dance and song; 
 Where, while the shrill-voiced pipe is mute 
 Is heard the softly-breathing flute. 
 And if the crowded space permit,* 
 To make the blissful scene complete, 
 Let happy pairs be seen to rove, 
 Intent on life's best bus'riess — love. 
 
 ODE L.— ON BACCHUS. 
 
 See ! the youthful god descends ; 
 Bacchus, who the youth befriends, 
 
 * Allusion is here again made to the famous shield of Achilles, 
 thus described by Homer : — 
 
 " Two cities radiant on the shield appear, 
 The image one of peace, and one of war ; 
 Here sacred pomp and genial feast delight, 
 And solenBtt dance and hymeneal rite ; 
 Along the streets the new-made brides are led, 
 With torches flaming, to the nuptial bed : 
 The youthful dancers in a circle bound 
 To the soft flate and cittern's silver sound ; 
 Through the fair streets the matrons in a row- 
 Stand in the porches, and enjoy the show." 
 
 Papers Homer^s Iliad. 
 
ANACREON. 57 
 
 Strings his nerves, strong toil to bear,. 
 Courage gives to win the fair; 
 Graceful ease and skill bestows, 
 When the vigorous dancer glows. 
 In his hand behold he bears 
 An antidote for human cares ; 
 Bless'd with which poor mortals gam 
 Pleasure's draught unmix'd with pain. 
 He preserves the future wine, 
 While the crimson clusters shine, 
 Ere the juice is taught to flow, 
 Sweet assuager of our wo. 
 Wine, the cure of every ill,* 
 Proves the best physician still ; 
 All its happy patients find 
 Health of body, ease of mind. 
 Sound in mind — in body sound, 
 While the rolling year goes round, 
 Till the grapes again appear, 
 Med'cine for another year. 
 
 ODE LI.— OiN A MEDAL REPRESENTING 
 VENUS. 
 
 What matchless skill ! what art divine 
 On this bright silver medal shine ! 
 On every side ; above, below, 
 The floods of ocean seeni to flow ; 
 
 ♦ A similar passage occurs in the Odyssey, hook iv., in which 
 the princess Helen is introduced mixing this sovereign cordial ; 
 " Meantime with genial joy to warm the soul. 
 
 Bright Helen mix'd a mirth-inspiring bowl ; 
 
 Temper'd with drugs of sovereign use, t' assuage 
 
 The boiUng bosom of tumultuous rage ; 
 
 To clear the cloudy front of wrinkled care, 
 
 And dry the tearful sluices of despair. 
 
 Charm'd with that virtuous draught, th' exalted mind 
 
 All sense of wo delivers to the wind." 
 
 FenUm. 
 
58 ANACREON. 
 
 While softly gliding, calm and clear, 
 
 The undulating waves appear. 
 Some heav'n-taught genius, in its flight. 
 Has dared attempt the wondrous sight* 
 Of Venus, love's soft deity, 
 Emerging from the silver sea. 
 What bright and dazzling beauties rise 
 To charm the gazer's ravish'd eyes ! 
 And those the jealous waves conceal, 
 Sure none but impious hands reveal. 
 She, like some sea-flower, fresh and gay. 
 Shines glittering on her watery way. 
 Where'er the lovely goddess swims. 
 Obsequious billovt's kiss her limbs ; 
 Now rise above, now sink below 
 Her rose-bud breasts and neck of snow. 
 As virgin lilies brighter show 
 Amid the dark-leaved violet's glow. 
 So through the dark-blue wave is seen 
 The beauteous form of love's dear queen. 
 See, gayly sporting at her side, 
 Young laughing Loves on dolphins ride. 
 And o'er the silvery surface glide. 
 The crooked natives of the deep. 
 With wanton curve and bounding leap. 
 Attend the goddess in her tram. 
 Where'er she smiling skims the main. 
 
 * Manj' a poet has dared attempt the description. Tickel, m 
 his " Prospect of Peace," has the following lines : — 
 
 " As when sweet Venus, so the fable sings, 
 Awaked by Nereids, from the ocean springs ; 
 With smiles she sees the threat'ning billows rise, 
 Spreads smooth the surge, and clears the low'ring skies ; 
 Light o'er the deep, with fluttering Cupids crown'd, 
 The pearly conch and silver turtles bound ; 
 Her tresses shed ambrosial odours round." 
 
ANACREON. 59 
 
 ODE LIL— ON THE VINTAGE. 
 
 Now ripen'd by the genial sun, 
 The grapes are glean'd; the sports begun. 
 See youths and smiling virgins bear* 
 The purple produce of the year ; 
 In vats the luscious burden lies, 
 And home the modest maiden hies : 
 For joyous youths alone remain, 
 Vvith blood-red juice their limbs to stain,i 
 To crush the cluster's bloomy pride, 
 And revel in the crimson tide. 
 Then loud they raise the vintage hymn, 
 When foaming o'er the vessel's brim 
 They view the joy-inspiring juice, 
 Which Bacchus sends them for their use. 
 Should hoary age inliale the draught, 
 His youth renew'd, at least in thought, 
 His tott'ring, trembling limbs advance. 
 And try the long-forgotten dance. 
 But when the youth its influence feels, 
 When wine prevails, and reason reels; 
 When wandering through the lonely grove 
 His heart beats high with hopes of love ; 
 If there, beneath the secret shade, 
 He chance to spy some lovely maid, 
 Who, press'd by sleep's invading pow'r, 
 
 * " Fair maids and blooming youths, that smiUng bear 
 The purple product of th' autumnal year." 
 
 Pope. 
 
 ■f We are informed by travellers that the ancient custom of 
 treading the grapes is still practised in many of the wine coun- 
 tries. Matthews, in his " Diar>' of an Invalid," has given us a 
 full description of this disgusting process, which he witnessed in 
 Portugal. After the juice is crushed out it is put into vats to 
 ferment itself fine, durmg which process all impurities are care- 
 fully removed. It may however be proper to mention, that of 
 late years wine-presses have come into more general use. 
 
60 AN A CUE ON. 
 
 Lies slunib'ring mid the leafy bower, 
 
 Herself the fairest, frailest flower, — 
 
 Before the startled maid can rouse 
 
 He breathes his hasty, burning- vows, 
 
 And while his breast with Bacchus glows. 
 
 His lawless love he dares propose. 
 
 In vain the angry fair denies, 
 
 He better reads her telltale eyes ; 
 
 And sure of victory ere 'tis won, 
 
 His eager suit he urges on ; 
 
 And when his soft persuasion fails. 
 
 Rude, boisterous Bacchus oft prevails : 
 
 And thus the wanton god decoys 
 
 The youth to wild intemperate joys. 
 
 ODE LHI.— ON THE ROSE:* 
 
 Thou, my friend, shalt sweep the string, 
 
 I, in softest strains will sing. 
 
 While its fragrance round us flows, 
 
 The queen of flowers — the lovely rose. 
 
 Its perfumed breath ascends the skies 
 
 On every gentle gale that sighs : 
 
 Its sweets descend to earth again, 
 
 Alike beloved by gods and men. 
 
 When Spring awakes the slumbering flowers. 
 
 And music breathes amid the bowers, 
 
 Thee, darling gem, the Graces wear 
 
 Intwined amid their flowing hair ; 
 
 And rosy wreaths alone may dress 
 
 The queen of love and loveliness. 
 
 In every song and fable knownf 
 
 The Muses claim thee as their own. 
 
 * This ode will be understood by supposing that Anacreon, 
 while celebrating a rose, requests a lyrist to accompany hia 
 voice. 
 
 t The editor of an ingenious little edition of this author 
 observes : *' Did Anacreon anticipate the beautiful fable of the 
 
ANACREON. 61 
 
 Thou bidd'st thy blooming sweetness blow 
 In thorny paths of pain and wo. 
 But, oh ! what joy, when bless'd we rove 
 Through rosy bowers, and dream of love ; 
 While bliss on every breeze is borne, 
 To pluck the rose without the thorn ; 
 With gentlest touch its leaves to press, 
 And raise it to our soft caress ! 
 Oh ! thou art still the poet's theme, 
 And thee a welcome guest we deem. 
 To grace our feasts and deck our hair, 
 When Bacchus bids us banish care. 
 E'en Nature does thy beauties prize, 
 She steals thy teints to paint the skies ; 
 For rosy-finger'd is the morn 
 With which the crimson veil is drawn. 
 The lovely nymphs we always deck 
 With rosy arms and rosy neck, 
 
 rose ' Sultana of the Nightingale,' so justly a favourite with 
 later eastern poets ? 
 
 " All the country is now full of nightingales, whose amours 
 with roses is an Arabian fable, as well known here as any part 
 of Ovid among us." — Lady Montague's Letters. 
 
 " For well may maids of Helle deem 
 
 That this can be no earthly flower, 
 
 Which mocks the tempest's withering hour, 
 
 And buds unshelter'd by a bower ; 
 
 Nor droops, though Spring refuse her shower 
 
 Nor woos the summer beam : 
 To it the livelong night there sings 
 
 A. bird unseen, but not remote : 
 Invisible his airy wings, 
 But soft as harp that Houri strings 
 
 His long, entrancing note ! 
 It were the bulbul ; but his throat, 
 
 Though mournful, pours not such a strain : 
 For they who listen cannot leave 
 The spot, but linger there and grieve 
 
 As if they loved in vain!"— BnVie of Abydos 
 
 The reader will, I trust, pardon the length of this extract, Gi 
 account of its enchanting beauty. 
 ANAC. — F 
 
62 ANACREON. 
 
 And roseate teints are ever seen 
 
 To bloom the cheeks of beauty's queen. 
 
 Its power to sooth the pangs of pain* 
 
 Physicians try, nor try in vain ; 
 
 And e'en when hfe and hope are fled 
 
 Its deathless scent embalms the dead : 
 
 For, though its withering charms decay, 
 
 And, one by one, all fade away. 
 
 Its grateful smell the rose retains, 
 
 And redolent of youth remains. f 
 
 But, lyrist, let it next be sung 
 
 From whence this precious treasure sprung- 
 
 When first from ocean's dewy spray 
 
 Fair Venus rose to upper day ; 
 
 When, fearful to the powers above, 
 
 The armed Pallas sprung from Jove ; 
 
 'Twas then they say the jealous earth 
 
 First gave the lovely stranger birth. 
 
 A drop of pure nectareous dew 
 
 From heaven the bless'd immortals threw ; 
 
 A while it trembled on the thorn, 
 
 And then the lovely rose was born. 
 
 To Bacchus they the flow^er assign, 
 
 And roses still his brows intwine. 
 
 ODE LIV.— ON HIMSELF. 
 
 While I view the youthful throng, 
 Fancy whispers I am young ! 
 To the merry dance I fly. 
 Who so gay, so brisk as I ! 
 Haste, Cybele, bring me flowers, 
 Bring sweet roses from the bowers ; 
 
 * In Anacreon's time roses were frequently used medici- 
 nally. 
 
 t " And redolent of joy and youth 
 To breathe a second spring." 
 
 Gray's Ode to Eton Collegg. 
 
ANACREON. 63 
 
 Quick a graceful garland twine, 
 Youthful vigour still is mine. 
 Hateful, hoary age, away ! 
 Let me sport with striplings gay ; 
 Bring the bright autumnal bowl — 
 Age can ne'er subdue the soul. 
 Still I raise the cheerful strain, 
 Still the brimming bowl 1 drain ; 
 Still with native humour gay, 
 Sport the happy hours away ! 
 
 ODE LV.— THE LOVER'S MARK. 
 
 The courser bears a brand of fire, 
 To mark his owner, or his sire ; 
 The turban, twisted round his brows,* 
 The fiery foreign Parthian shows ; 
 And I by instinct sure can tell 
 The lover's mark — I know it well : 
 For love in vain concealment tries, 
 The soul peeps through the telltale eyes.f 
 
 * The tiara worn by the ancient Parthians resembled the 
 modern turban. Addison has translated from Dionysiuo the 
 following description of the situation and manners of this ancient 
 people : — 
 
 *' Beyond the Caspian straits those realms extend, 
 Where circling bows the martial Parthians bend. 
 Versed only in the rougher arts of war, 
 No fields they wound, nor urge the shming share ; 
 No ships they boast to stem the rolling tide, 
 Nor lowing herds o'er flow'ry meadows guide : 
 But infants wing the feather'd shaft for flight, 
 And rein the fiery steed with fond dehght. 
 On every plain the whistling spear alarms, 
 The neighing courser, and the clang of arms ; - 
 For there no food the little heroes taste 
 Till warlike sweat has earn'd the short repast." 
 
 t The eyes, the wmdows of the soul, are notorious telltales 
 of what is passing within. 
 
64 ANACREON. 
 
 ODE LVI.— ON HIS OLD AGE.* 
 
 Alas ! my yonth, my joys have fled, 
 
 The snows of age have bleach'd my head. 
 
 Tedious, toothless, trembhng age. 
 
 Must now alone my thoughts engage ! 
 
 Adieu, ye joys which once I knew — 
 
 To life, to love, to all, adieu ! 
 
 Henceforth, unhappy ! doom'd to know 
 
 Tormenting fears of future wo ! 
 
 Oh ! how my soul with horror shrinksf 
 
 Whene'er my startled fancy thinks 
 
 Of Pluto's dark and dreary cave, 
 
 The chill, the cheerless, gaping grave ! 
 
 When death's cold hand has closed these eyes 
 
 And stifled life's last struggling sighs, 
 
 In darkness and in dust must I, 
 
 Alas ! for ever — ever lie ! 
 
 ODE LVIL— THAT MODERATION ENHANCES 
 ENJOYMENT. 
 
 Haste ! haste thee, boy, and bring the bowl, 
 To quench this fever of the soul ; 
 The copious stream with skill combine, 
 Add ten parts water, five of wine ;J 
 
 * It is supposed by many that the five following odes were 
 not written by Anacreon ; but, as Barnes admits them into his edi- 
 tion, and they are given in most other translations, it was thought 
 proper to insert them here. 
 
 t Let the reader contrast this exclamation of the despairing 
 heathen philosopher, with the exulting language of" Paul the 
 aged" — when ready to be offered, and the time of his departure 
 at hand. 
 
 t Hesiod, with all the minuteness of " narrative old age," 
 gives many directions to be observed in the summer season. 
 Among the rest, in book ii., he thus advises us :-- 
 
 " With Byblian wine the rural feast be crown'd, 
 Three parts of water, let the bowl go round." — Cooke. 
 
ANACREON. 65 
 
 The cooling draught will thirst assuage, 
 Nor in the breast too fiercely rage. 
 Oh cease, my friends, for shame, give o'er 
 These clamorous shouts, this deaf'ning roar : 
 This Scythian scene all peace destroys ;* 
 Turns joy to madness, mirth to noise. 
 Let cheerful temperance rule the soul, 
 The best ingredient in the bowl. 
 
 ODE LVIII.— LOVE IN THE HEART.f 
 
 As once, amid the rosy bowers, 
 1 wove a crown of fairest flowers, 
 Love, little urchin, lurking sly 
 Beneath the leaves I chanced to spy ; 
 Around his wings the wreath I twine, 
 And plunge him in a cup of wine : 
 Then love, in each delicious draught, 
 I from the foaming goblet quafF'd. 
 Oh ! still he moves his fluttering wings, 
 Still to my heart strange transport brmgs. 
 
 ODE LIX.— ON HIMSELF.t 
 
 Methought, in sleep's delightful trance, 
 I saw Anacreon advance ; 
 
 * The Scythians were particularly remarkable for their m 
 temperance in drinking, and for quarrelling in their cups. 
 
 t This ode is by some ascribed to Julian, a king of Egypt. 
 who wrote several other elegant little pieces. Being supposed 
 to possess much beauty, it is given in most translations of Anac- 
 reon, and is consequently inserted here. 
 
 X In the Vatican copy this is placed as the first of Anacreon's 
 odes. By many it is thought that he was not the author, because 
 he hinuelf is the subject of it. Barnes endeavours to prove that 
 he was, by a reference to the ninth ode, in which Anacreon 
 makes mention of himself, and to similar mstances of poets in- 
 troducing their names in tlieir works. 
 
66 ANACREON. 
 
 The tuneful Teian, skill'd to sing 
 The .lays of love on warbling string. 
 I hasten'd to his kind embrace, 
 And kiss'd his sweetly smiling face. 
 Though somewhat old, he seemed to wage 
 Successful war with spiteful age : 
 For love still beam'd in each bright eye, 
 And from his lips there seem'd to fly 
 Sweet gales of rich and rosy wine. 
 Which shed a fragrance quite divine. 
 His slow and staggering steps were stay'd 
 By laughing Cupid's kindly aid. 
 The garland that int wined his hair 
 The bard unbound and bade me wear. 
 Anacreon's burning soul it breathed. 
 And I with it my brows enwreathed. 
 E'er since my heart is doom'd to prove 
 The pleasing pains of lasting love. 
 
 ODE LX.— ON THE SPRING. 
 
 How sweet through sunny meads to stray, 
 With Flora's rich profusion gay, 
 While Zephyr breathes its softest sighs, 
 And mingled perfumes round us rise ! 
 How sweet beneath the secret shade, 
 By the vine's broad foliage made,* 
 With some loved fair to pass the day, 
 And talk th' unheeded hours away ! 
 
 * " The country from hence to Adrianople is the finest ir. the 
 world. Vines grow wild on all the hills, and the perpetua' 
 spring they enjoy makes everything gay and flourishing." — Lady 
 Montague's Letters. 
 
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