Odes of Pindar With several other Pieces in Prose and Verse, Translated from the Greek. To which is added a dissertation on the Olympick games. By Gilbert West |
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| 11. | THE ELEVENTH OLYMPICK ODE.
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 | Odes of Pindar |  |
THE ELEVENTH OLYMPICK ODE.
[_]
This Ode is inscribed to Agesidamus of Locris, who,
in the Seventy fourth Olympiad, obtained the
Victory in the Exercise of the Cæstus, and in the Class of Boys.
The preceding Ode in the Original is inscribed to the
same Person; and in that we learn, that Pindar
had for a long time promised Agesidamus an Ode
upon his Victory; which he at length paid him,
acknowledging himself to blame for having been
so long in his Debt. To make him some amends
for having delayed Payment so long, he sent him
by way of Interest together with the preceding Ode,
which is of some length, the short one that is here
translated, and which in the Greek Title is for
that reason styled τοκος or Interest.
This Ode is inscribed to Agesidamus of Locris, who, in the Seventy fourth Olympiad, obtained the Victory in the Exercise of the Cæstus, and in the Class of Boys.
The preceding Ode in the Original is inscribed to the same Person; and in that we learn, that Pindar had for a long time promised Agesidamus an Ode upon his Victory; which he at length paid him, acknowledging himself to blame for having been so long in his Debt. To make him some amends for having delayed Payment so long, he sent him by way of Interest together with the preceding Ode, which is of some length, the short one that is here translated, and which in the Greek Title is for that reason styled τοκος or Interest.
ARGUMENT.
The Poet, by two Comparisons, with which he begins his Ode,
insinuates how acceptable to successful Merit those Songs of
Triumph are, which give Stability and Duration to their
Fame: then declaring that these Songs are due to the Olympick
Conquerors, he proceeds to celebrate the Victory of Agesidamus,
and the Praises of the Locrians, his Countrymen,
whom he commends for their having been always reputed a
STROPHE.
To wind-bound Mariners most welcome blowThe breezy Zephyrs thro' the whistling Shrouds:
Most welcome to the thirsty Mountains flow
Soft Show'rs, the pearly Daughters of the Clouds;
And when on virtuous Toils the Gods bestow
Success, most welcome sound mellifluous Odes,
Whose Numbers ratify the Voice of Fame,
And to illustrious Worth insure a lasting Name.
ANTISTROPHE.
Such Fame, superior to the hostile DartOf canker'd Envy, Pisa's Chiefs attends.
Fain would my Muse th'immortal Boon impart,
Th'immortal Boon which from high Heav'n descends.
And now inspir'd by Heav'n thy valiant Heart,
Agesidamus, she to Fame commends:
Now adds the Ornament of tuneful Praise,
And decks thy Olive-Crown with sweetly-sounding Lays.
EPODE.
But while thy bold Atchievements I rehearse,Thy youthful Victory in Pisa's Sand,
With thee partaking in the friendly Verse
Not unregarded shall thy Locris stand.
Of festive Youths upon the Locrian Plain;
To an unciviliz'd and savage Land
Think not I now invite your Virgin Train,
Where barb'rous Ignorance and foul Disdain
Of social Virtue's hospitable Lore
Prompts the unmanner'd and inhuman Swain
To drive the Stranger from his churlish Door.
A Nation shall ye find, renown'd of yore
For martial Valour and for worthy Deeds;
Rich in a vast and unexhausted Store
Of innate Wisdom, whose prolifick Seeds
Spring in each Age. So Nature's Laws require:
And the great Laws of Nature ne'er expire.
Unchang'd the Lion's valiant Race remains,
And all his Father's Wiles the youthful Fox retains.
| Odes of Pindar | |