Isthmean

Pindar

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

  1. the high-spirited strength of Memnon, and Hector, and other excellent heroes. Achilles, champion of the sons of Aeacus, showed them the way to the house of Persephone, and thus brought fame to Aegina and to his race. Even when he was dead songs did not forsake him; beside his pyre and tomb the Muses of Helicon stood, and poured over him the many-voiced dirge. It proved to be the will of the immortals
  2. to make a noble man, even when dead, a theme for the hymns of goddesses;
  3. and even now this brings up a subject for words, and the Muses’ chariot rushes forward to shout praises in memory of Nicocles the boxer. Honor him, who won the garland of wild Dorian celery in the Isthmian valley; since
  4. he too was once victorious over all that lived around him, battering them with his inescapable hands. He is not dishonored by the offspring of his father’s distinguished brother. Therefore let another young man weave for Cleandros a garland of tender myrtle in honor of the pancratium, since the contest of Alcathous and the young men of Epidaurus welcomed him before in his success. A good man may praise him,
  5. for he did not restrain his youth, keeping it hidden in his pocket [*](Reading ko/lpw| (Theiler, Slater) or ko/lpou (Young) rather than keia=|. ) and ignorant of fine deeds.