Isthmean

Pindar

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

  1. For him, above the Electran gates, we Thebans, busily preparing the feast and the circle of newly-built altars, pile up burnt offerings in honor of the eight bronze-clad men, now dead, the sons whom Megara, Creon’s daughter, bore him.
  2. For them the flame rises in the rays of the setting sun and blazes all night long, prodding the air with fragrant smoke.
  3. And on the second day is that struggle of strength, the final event of the annual games. And there, his head wreathed with white
  4. myrtle, this man showed forth a double victory, having won before in the boy’s contest by heeding the wise advice of his helmsman and trainer, Orseas. I will honor him together with Orseas in my victory-song, pouring delightful grace on both.
  1. Mother of the Sun, Theia of many names, for your sake men honor gold as more powerful than anything else;
  2. and through the value you bestow on them, o queen, ships contending on the sea and yoked teams of horses in swift-whirling contests become marvels.
  3. And in athletic contests, someone who has wreathed his hair with many garlands has achieved longed-for fame, when he has been victorious with his hands
  4. or with the swiftness of his feet. But the valor of men is judged by gods, and there are only two things that cultivate the sweetest flower of life in blossoming prosperity:
  5. to have good fortune and a noble reputation. Do not seek to become Zeus; you have everything,
  6. if a share of these fine things comes to you. Mortal aims befit mortal men. But for you, Phylacidas, flourishing twofold excellence is recorded at the Isthmus, and at Nemea for both you and Pytheas in the pancratium. But my heart
  7. cannot taste songs without telling of the race of Aeacus. I have come with the Graces for the sons of Lampon
  8. to this well-governed city. If Aegina turns her steps to the clear road of god-given deeds, then do not grudge
  9. to mix for her in song a boast that is fitting recompense for toils. In heroic times, too, fine warriors gained fame, and they are celebrated with lyres and flutes in full-voiced harmonies
  10. for time beyond reckoning. Heroes who are honored by the grace of Zeus provide a theme for skilled poets:
  11. among the Aetolians the brave sons of Oeneus are worshipped with shining sacrifices; in Thebes the horseman Iolaus has his honor, and Perseus in Argos, and the spearman Castor together with Polydeuces by the streams of Eurotas.
  12. But in Oenone the honors belong to the great-hearted spirits
  13. of Aeacus and his sons. Twice in battles they sacked the city of the Trojans: the first time following Heracles, the second time the sons of Atreus. Now, drive me into the air! Tell me, who killed Cycnus, and who Hector,
  14. and the fearless commander of the Ethiopians, bronze-armed Memnon? Who wounded noble Telephus with his spear by the banks of Caïcus?
  15. Men whose voices name the outstanding island of Aegina as their fatherland, built long ago
  16. as a tower for lofty excellence to ascend. My swift tongue has many arrows, to shout the praises of these heroes. And now the city of Aias, Salamis, could testify that she was saved by her sailors in Ares’ confrontation