Complete Works of Pindar Read online

  Dionysus, the god of trees

  The poet’s prayer

  Silenus to the Phrygian hero, Olympus

  Time, the champion of the Just

  The battle between the Centaurs and the Lapithae.

  The gluttony of Heracles

  Law, the lord of all

  The exploits of Peleus

  The birth of Pindar

  The praise of Thebes

  The patron goddess of Thebes

  The praise of Sparta

  A prayer to Truth

  The depth of Tartarus

  The madding dance divine

  “The madding crowd’s ignoble strife.”

  Does right fare better than wrong?

  Hope, the nurse of eld

  “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.”

  “Sunt quos curriculo pulverem Olympico collegisse iuvat.”

  Man’s mind devoured by gold, which neither moth nor rust corrupteth

  Labor omnia vincit

  “Quam scit... exerceat artem.”

  Rivers “crowned with vocal reeds.”

  FROM AN ISTHMIAN ODE

  FOR AN ISTHMIAN VICTORY OF AN AEGINETAN

  Famous is the story of Aeacus; famous too is Aegina, renowned for her navy. It was under heaven’s blessing that she was founded by the coming of the Dorian host of Hyllus and Aegimius, beneath whose rule they dwell. They never transgress right, nor yet the justice due to strangers; on the sea they are a match for dolphins in prowess, and they are wise ministrants of the Muses and’ of athletic contests.

  HYMNS

  FOR THE THEBANS

  Shall we sing of Ismênus, or of Melia with her golden distaff, or of Cadmus, or of the holy race of the Sparti, or Thêbê with her purple snood, or the all-daring might of Heracles, or the gladsome honour

  First did the Fates in their golden chariot bring heavenly Themis, wise in counsel, by a gleaming pathway from the springs of Ocean to the sacred stair of Olympus, there to be the primal bride of the Saviour Zeus. And she bare him the Hours with golden fillet and with gleaming fruit, — the Hours that are ever true.

  The above passage was one of the poet’s earliest compositions. It was so full of mythological allusions that the poetess Corinna, who had suggested his turning his attention to mythology, told him “to sow with the hand, not with the whole sack” (Plutarch, (de glor. Athen c. 4).

  COUNSELS GIVEN BY AMPHIARAÜS TO HIS SON AMPHILOCHUS

  Disclose not to strangers our burden of care; this at least shall I advise thee. Therefore is it fitting to show openly to all the folk the fair and pleasant things allotted us; but, if any baneful misfortune sent of heaven befalleth man, it is seemly to shroud this in darkness.

  Blurt not out unto all the word that is needless. There are times when the path of silence is the safest, while the word that is overbearing is a spur unto strife.

  My son, in all the cities wherewith thou consortest, make thy mind like unto the (changing) skin of the polypus, that clingeth to the rocks of the sea. Aye, and, by readily praising him that is present, change thy thought with the changing time.

  TO APOLLO

  On the foundation of his temple at the foot of mount Ptôon on the lake Copals in Boeotia.

  But the poets use adornment, when they call all temples “groves,” although they are bare of trees. Such is the language of Pindar concerning Apollo: —

  “Whirling around, he passed over the land and over all the sea, and stood on the lofty watch-towers of the mountains, and explored the caverns, while he laid for himself the foundations of his groves...”

  “And erst the maiden dwelt in the cavern of the triple peak of Ptôon.”

  And the poet calls Tênerus, “the temple-haunting prophet, who giveth his name to the plain.”

  PAEANS

  the worship of Apollo’s sister, Artemis. At Delphi a paean was chanted early in the spring of every year. The choruses, which were usually composed of men, were accompanied by the lyre or the flute, or by both. (For further details, see H. W. Smyth’s Greek Melic Poets, xxxvi-xlii.)

  1. FOR THE THEBANS

  OH! Paean, to whom we cry!

  Ere the pains of eld draw near, let a man clothe his ungrudging mind with gladness, and be content in measure due, when he hath seen the wealth that is stored in his home.

  Oh joy! Oh joy! Now hath the year in its full circle, and the Hours, the daughters of Themis, come unto Thêbê’s city that driveth the steed, bringing to Apollo the banquet that loveth the garland. Long may he crown the progeny of her peoples with the flowers of sober love of law.

  2. FOR THE ABDERITANS

  Abderus, with breast-plate of bronze, thou son of the Naiad Thronia and of Poseidon! beginning with thee shall I pursue this paean for the Ionian folk, now that I have come to the shrine of Aphrodîtê and of Dêrênian Apollo...

  [But, having left that island of Teôs,] I [now] dwell in this [brave] Thracian land, a land rich in vines and fertile in fruits. May mighty Time, as it draweth on, never weary of a settled course for me. Young is my city, yet I lived to see my mother’s mother stricken by the foeman’s fire; but, if any man, in aiding his friends, fiercely resisteth his foes, such toil bringeth peace, when it entereth the lists in due time.

  Oh Paean! to whom we cry, we cry! May Paean never leave us!

  [Insolence is the ruin of cities, but brave men stand as their loftiest bulwark; this may we keep in mind. I am fighting against mounted foemen, but I myself have a goodly supply of Poseidon’s coursers, for contending against the enemy with forces a match for his own bringeth the light of victory;... if anything terrible befall us. But heaven is wroth with a coward, and may I flee afar from that reproach. Never may shameless Insolence bring faction in her train and seize this company of citizens, when they have forgotten their courage.]

  By courage of men is a tower raised up most high... but I fight against the foe ...

  Whatsoever is planted in wise counsel and in reverent regard, bloometh for aye in a gentle calm. May this boon be granted us of God. But malicious envy of those who died long ago hath now passed away; and a man must offer his fathers their lawful meed of ample praise.

  They won by war a land with dower of wealth, and planted prosperity firm, when they had pursued the tribes of the Paeonian warriors beyond mount Athos, their nurse divine; but an adverse fate befell them. Yet they endured, and the gods joined at last in fulfilling their desire. For he that hath done a noble deed is illumined with praises; but upon those (our fathers) fell the light supreme, when they faced the foe, in front of Melamphyllon.

  Oh joy! Paean, Oh joy! May Paean never leave us!

  Yet, when he hath drawn near unto the river, a small armed force shall confound the foe, though it faceth a mighty host.

  It was the first of the month when this befell, and the gracious Hecatê, the maid of the ruddy feet, was thereby sending us a message that was longing for fulfilment...

  [But, O thou far-darting son of Lêto,] songs are invoking thee in thy fragrant temple; and, on both of the lofty rocks of Parnassus, the brighteyed maidens of Delphi full often set the fleetfooted dance, and ring out a sweet strain with resonant voice. But, as for me, mayest thou, Abdêrus, readily fulfil the famous favour of good things, and, by thy might, even lead forward our host of fighting horsemen for a final war.

  Oh joy! Paean, Oh joy! May Paean never leave us!

  “Hail, holy Graces! companions of the Muses, enthroned in splendour”...

  4. FOR THE CEANS TO DELOS

  first celebrate the Isthmian victory won by his countryman, Herodotus.

  Cp. J. Sitzler, in Woch f. Klass. Pkiloi. 1911, 698-702.

  furnished forth by women, and evermore by men. Could our meditation, in any way of wisdom, win a more potent grace of language for them, who with bounteous mind have provided for Ceôs peace and gladsome prosperity, in which the people greatly rejoiceth?]

  [But the Muse prompteth me, on coming to famous Delos for a holy time, to prais
e my fatherland with the Graces’ aid.]

  Carthaia indeed is but a narrow ridge of land, but yet I shall not exchange it for Babylon.

  Verily, even I, who dwell on a famous rock, am known for prowess in Hellenic contests, known also for providing poesy in plenty; verily too my land produceth Dionysus’ life-giving medicine for all trouble.

  No horses have I, and I know but little of the tending of oxen. But Melampus was unwilling to leave his native country, and lay aside his gift of divination to be king in Argos.

  Oh joy! Oh joy! O Paean!

  Dear to a man is his own home-city and comrades and kinsmen, so that he is well content. But to foolish men belongeth a love for things afar. I commend the story told of King Euxantius, who, although the men of Crete so desired, would not consent to rule, or to take a seventh share of her hundred cities along with the sons of Pasiphaë; but he declared to them the marvel that had once befallen him: —

  “Know ye that I fear war with Zeus, I fear the loudly thundering Shaker of the earth. They, on a day, with thunderbolt and trident, sent the land and a countless host into the depths of Tartarus, while they left alone my mother, and her well-walled home. And, after this, am I to covet wealth? Am I to thrust aside that which the blessed gods have decreed for my own country, and receive a vast allotment on another shore? Let alone, my heart, the cypress- tree; let alone the pasture of Ida. To myself hath been given but little land, the home of the oak- tree; but I have had no lot in sorrow’ or in strife.”

  5. FOR THE ATHENIANS TO DELOS

  Oh joy! O Delian Apollo!

  (The Ionians from Athens) took Euboea, and dwelt there.

  Oh joy! O Delian Apollo!

  And they made homes in the scattered islands rich in flocks, and held far-famed Dêlos since Apollo of the golden locks gave them the body of Asteria to inhabit.

  Oh joy! O Delian Apollo!

  There may ye, O children of Lêtô, graciously welcome me as your ministrant, to the clear-voiced honied strain of a glorious paean.

  6. FOR THE DELPHIANS ΤΟ ΡΥΤΗΟ

  The sketch of the fall of Troy and the subsequent fortunes of Neoptolemus (74-120) includes the account of the hero’s death, which, as we learn from the seventh Nemean (461 b c.), gave offence to the Aeginetans. Cp. Sitzler, Wock f. Kl. Phil. 1911, 1015-8.

  O golden Pytho, that art famed for thine oracles! I beseech thee, by the Olympian Zeus, with the Graces and Aphrodite, to welcome me at this sacred season as a prophet of the tuneful Pierides. For, beside the water of Castalia, with its outlet of brass, I have no sooner heard a sound of dancing reft of men, than I have come to relieve the need of the townsmen, and of mine own honour. I have obeyed my dear heart, even as a son obeyeth his kind mother, and have come down to Apollo’s grove, the home of garlands and of banquets, where, beside the shadowy centre of the earth, the maidens of Delphi full often beat the ground with nimble step, while they sing the son of Lêtô.

  And, whence the strife of the immortals arose, of this the gods are able to prompt sage poets; while, for mortal men, it is impossible to find it.

  But, since ye Muses know all things, (ye have had this ordinance allotted to yourselves along with the cloud-wrapt Father, and with Mnemosyne,) listen now! for my tongue loveth to pour forth the choicest and sweetest meed of song, when, at the festival of the gods, I have entered the broad lists of Loxias.

  The sacrifice is being offered on behalf of the splendid panhellenic (feast), which the people of Delphi vowed, [even a sacrifice to avert] the famine. [And right well did Apollo prompt them by uttering friendly oracles from his shrine, Apollo to whom the son of Cronus assigned the right to be known as the lord of oracular decrees for all mortal men, who full often come to the centre of the earth to consult the oracle and thus to find from Pytho a safeguard from their cares.]

  [And, on a day, Priam besought the god, and he, having sent his priest, Panthoüs, warded off misfortune from Troy, so far as was lawful, and he brought a remedy, what time the savage son of Pêleus wrought his dread deeds of woe.]

  The son of Zeus (Apollo) was sorely vexed with the valiant son of Aeacus, whom, by shooting an arrow, the far-darting god, in the mortal form of Paris, stayed from the battle, and thus at once delayed the fall of Ilium, by quelling with a bold deed of blood the doughty son of the dark-haired Nereid Thetis, the trusty bulwark of the Achaeans.

  What a strife Apollo waged with white-armed Hera, in matching against her his unflinching spirit! And what a strife with Athênê, guardian of the city! Even before the (final) toils of war they would have razed the Dardan city, had it not been protected by Apollo. But Zeus, the warder of the gods, seated above the golden clouds and crests of Olympus, dared not relax the decrees of destiny.

  Yet, for high-coifed Helen’s sake, it was fated, in the end, that the flame of blazing fire should destroy the spacious city of Troy; but, when they had laid in the sore-lamented tomb the brave body of the son of Pêleus, messengers went over the sea-wave and returned again, bringing with them from Scyros the mighty Neoptolemus, who sacked the city of Ilium.

  But, thereafter, he lived not to see his kind mother, nor his horses in the fields of his father, while he marshalled the bronze-armed host of the Myrmidons. Nigh indeed to mount Tomarus, he reached the Molossian land, but he escaped not the ken of the winds, nor of the Far-darter with his spacious quiver; for the god had sworn that he who slew the aged Priam, when he sprang upon the altar of the court, should never be welcomed by his home, nor attain to life’s old age. But while he was contending with the attendants over the customary dues, the god slew him in his own precinct beside the broad centre of the earth.

  Cry now! Oh cry! Now for the full measure of your paeans! Cry, O ye youths!

  An isle of glorious name, thou reignest in the Dorian sea, O brightly beaming star of Hellenic Zeus! For we shall lay thee to rest, Aegina, not without banquet of paeans; but thou shalt receive our surging songs, and shalt tell whence thou didst receive the god that ruleth thy ships, and thy care for the right of the stranger.

  Verily he that bringeth all things to pass, whether this or that, even the far-seeing son of Cronus, placed thy happiness in thy hand, and, beside the waters of the Asôpus, he once carried off from the portal the deep-breasted maiden, Aegina. Then did the golden tresses of the mist hide the overshadowed ridge of your land, that so, on the couch immortal...

  ... boundless merits...

  7. PRAYER TO MNEMOSYNE

  But I pray to Mnemosyne, the fair-robed child of Uranus, and to her daughters, to grant me a ready resource; for the minds of men are blind, whosoever, without the maids of Helicon, seeketh the steep path of them that walked it by their wisdom.

  To me have they handed on this immortal task.

  8. FOR THE THEBANS

  (Seeing Paris) hasting forth, at once Cassandra’s most holy inspired heart cried aloud with grievous moanings and made utterance on this wise: —

  “O infinite, O far-seeing son of Cronus, surely now shalt thou fulfil the doom that was destined long ago, when Hecuba told the Trojans the vision which she saw, when she carried this man in her womb. She deemed that she bare a fiery hundred-handed Fury, who with his stem strength hurled all Ilium to the ground; and she told the marvel of her slumber. But her forethought was unavailing.

  9. FOR THE THEBANS

  the mythological history of Thebes, and it may be suspected that this ordinary mythological matter was written first, and the passage on the eclipse prefixed by the poet at the last moment, in his desire to take note of the extraordinary event which had just happened. It is difficult to imagine Pindar beginning by writing the impressive passage on the eclipse, and then going on with the commonplace mythology of Melia.

  Beam of the sun! O thou that seest afar, what wilt thou be devising? O mother of mine eyes! O star supreme, reft from us in the daytime! Why hast thou perplexed the power of man and the way of wisdom, by rushing forth on a darksome track?

  Art thou bringing on us some new and str
ange disaster? Yet, by Zeus, I implore thee, thou swift driver divine of steeds! do thou, O queen! change this world wide portent into some painless blessing for Thebes...

  [Is it because, in thine anger at the presumptuous sons of mortals, thou art unwilling utterly to blot out the pure light of life?]

  But art thou bringing a sign of some war, or wasting of produce, or an unspeakably violent snow-storm, or fatal faction, or again, some overflowing of the sea on the plain, or frost to bind the earth, or heat of the south-wind streaming with raging rain? Or wilt thou, by deluging the land, cause the race of men to begin anew? I in no wise lament whate’er I shall suffer with all the rest.

  By some might divine have I been prompted, hard by the immortal couch of Melia, to compose, for your sake, a noble strain with my flute, and with my fancy. I pray to thee, O Far-darter, while I devote to the Muses’ arts thine oracular shrine, Apollo; there it was that Melia, the daughter of Ocean, wedded to thy couch, O Pythian god, bare mighty Tênerus, the chosen interpreter of thy decrees. Thou, O father with the unshorn locks, didst entrust to him the host of Cadmus and the city of Zêthus, by reason of his prudent courage. For the Sea-god, who wieldeth the trident, honoured him above all mortals; and he hasted to the region of Eurîpus...

  DITHYRAMBS

  by Lasus of Hermione, by Simonides and Pratinas, by Apollodorus and Agathocles, and their pupil, Pindar; the middle dithyramb (475-400 b c.), by Melanippides, Bacchylides, and others. Among its early homes were Naxos, Corinth, and Thebes.