Olympian

Pindar

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

  1. While I praise a house that has been three times victorious at Olympia, gentle to her own citizens, and hospitable to strangers, I shall recognize prosperous Corinth,
  2. the portal of Isthmian Poseidon, glorious in her young men. There dwell Eunomia [*](Good Government) and her sisters, the secure foundation of cities: Dike, [*](Justice) and Eirene, [*](Peace) who was raised together with her, the guardians of wealth for men, the golden daughters of wise Themis. [*](Law)
  3. They are resolute in repelling
  4. Hybris, [*](Arrogance) the bold-tongued mother of Koros, [*](Surfeit) I have fine things to tell, and straightforward boldness urges my tongue to speak. It is impossible to conceal one’s inborn nature. As for you, sons of Aletes, often the Seasons have sent you victorious splendor
  5. for your consummate excellence when you won in sacred contests, and often into the hearts of men
  6. the Seasons rich in flowers have cast ancient inventiveness. But the fame for every work is due to its inventor. Whence did the graces of Dionysus first come to light, with the ox-driving dithyramb?