Nemean

Pindar

Pindar. Arnson Svarlien, Diane, translator. Created for the Perseus Project, 1990.

  1. Looking out from Taÿgetus, Lynceus saw them seated in the hollow of an oak [*](Reading ἡμένους (Boeckh), although Didymus defends ἡμένος as a Doric acc. ) ; for that man had the sharpest eye of all who live on earth. He and Idas at once reached the spot with swift feet, and quickly contrived a mighty deed;
  2. and these sons of Aphareus themselves suffered terribly by the devising of Zeus. For right away Polydeuces the son of Leda came in pursuit. They were stationed opposite, near the tomb of their father;
  3. from there they seized the grave-column, monument to Hades, a polished stone, and hurled it at the chest of Polydeuces. But they did not crush him, or drive him back; rushing forward with his swift javelin,
  4. he drove its bronze point into the ribs of Lynceus, and Zeus hurled against Idas a fiery smoking thunderbolt. They burned together, deserted. Strife with those who are stronger is a harsh companion for men.
  5. Swiftly Polydeuces the son of Tyndareus went back to his mighty brother, and found him not yet dead, but shuddering with gasps of breath.
  6. Shedding warm tears amid groans, he spoke aloud: “Father, son of Cronus, what release will there be from sorrows? Order me to die too, along with him, lord. A man’s honor is gone when he is deprived of friends; but few mortals are trustworthy in times of toil
  7. to share the hardship.” So he spoke. And Zeus came face to face with him,
  8. and said these words: “You are my son. But Castor was begotten after your conception by the hero, your mother’s husband, who came to her and sowed his mortal seed. But nevertheless I grant you your choice in this. If you wish to escape death and hated old age, and to dwell in Olympus yourself with me and with Athena and Ares of the dark spear,
  9. you can have this lot. But if you strive to save your brother, and intend to share everything equally with him, then you may breathe for half the time below the earth, and for half the time in the golden homes of heaven.” When Zeus had spoken thus, Polydeuces did not have a second thought.
  10. He opened the eye, and then released the voice of the bronze-clad warrior, Castor.
  1. Daughter of Rhea, you who have received the town hall under your protection, Hestia, sister of Zeus the highest and of Hera who shares his throne, welcome Aristagoras to your dwelling, and welcome to a place near your splendid scepter his companions,
  2. who, in honoring you, guard Tenedos and keep her on a straight course;
  3. often they worship you, first of the gods, with libations, and often with the savor of burnt sacrifice. Lyres and songs peal among them, and Themis, who belongs to Zeus the god of hospitality, is honored with everlasting feasts. With glory to the end
  4. may he fulfill his twelve-month office, with his heart unwounded.
  5. I call that man blessed in his father Hagesilas, in his marvellous body, and in his inborn steadiness. But if any man who has prosperity surpasses others in beauty, and displays his strength by being best in the games,
  6. let him remember that his robes are thrown around mortal limbs, and that he will clothe himself with earth, the end of all.
  7. Yet it is right for him to be praised in the good words of his fellow-citizens, and for us to adorn him with the honeyed sound of songs. For in contests of those who live around him, sixteen
  8. splendid victories crowned Aristagoras and his illustrious fatherland, in wrestling and in the proud pancratium.
  9. But the too hesitant hopes of his parents restrained the boy’s strength from attempting the contests at Pytho and Olympia. For I swear by the power of Oath: in my judgment, whether he went to Castalia
  10. or to the well-wooded hill of Cronus, he would have returned home in finer fashion than the opponents who strove against him,