Nemean

Pindar

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

  1. having celebrated the four years’ festival ordained by Heracles, and having crowned his hair with purple wreaths. But, among mortals, empty-headed pride
  2. casts one man out of his goods; and a timid spirit foils another man of the fine achievements that should be his, dragging him back by the hand as he disparages his own strength too much.
  3. Truly, it was easy to recognize in him the ancient blood of Peisander of Sparta, who came from Amyclae with Orestes,
  4. leading here a bronze-armored host of Aetolians, and also the blending of his blood with that of his mother’s ancestor Melanippus, beside the stream of the Ismenus. But ancient excellence
  5. yields strength in alternate generations of men; the dark fields do not give fruit continuously,
  6. nor are trees accustomed to bear an equal wealth of fragrant flowers in every circling year, but in alternation. And thus the race of mortal men is led
  7. by Fate. But no clear sign comes to mortals from Zeus. Nevertheless we embark on bold endeavors,
  8. longing for many deeds, for our limbs are bound by shameless hope, while the streams of foresight lie far away. But we must hunt for due measure in our love of gain. The madness of unattainable desires is too sharp.