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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| 1. | THE FIRST NEMEAN ODE.
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 | Odes of Pindar |  |
THE FIRST NEMEAN ODE.
ARGUMENT.
From the Praises of Ortygia (an Island near Sicily, and Part
of the City of Syracuse, to which it was joined by a
Bridge) Pindar passes to the Subject or Occasion of this
Ode, viz. the Victory obtained by Chromius in the Nemean
Games; which, as it was the first of that Kind gained by
him, the Poet styles the Basis of his future Fame, laid by
the Co-operation of the Gods, who assisted and seconded his
divine Virtues; and, adds he, if Fortune continues to be
favourable, he may arrive at the highest Summit of Glory:
by which is meant chiefly, though not solely, the gaining
more Prizes in the Great or Sacred Games (particularly the
Olympick) where the Muses constantly attend to celebrate
and record the Conquerors. From thence, after a short Digression
to the general Praise of Sicily, he comes to an Enumeration
of the particular Virtues of Chromius, viz. his
Hospitality, Liberality, Prudence in Council, and Courage in
War. Then returning to the Nemean Victory, be takes
Occasion from so auspicious a Beginning, to promise Chromius
a large Increase of Glory, in like manner as Tiresias,
the famous Poet and Prophet of Thebes (the Country of
Pindar) upon viewing the first Exploit of Hercules, which
was killing in his Cradle the two Serpents sent by Juno to
devour him, foretold the subsequent Atchievements of that
Hero; and the great Reward he should receive for all his
Labours, by being admitted into the Number of the Gods,
and married to Hebe; with which Story he concludes the Ode.
103
STROPHE I.
Sister of Delos! pure AbodeOf Virgin Cynthia, Goddess of the Chace!
In whose Recesses rests th'emerging Flood
Of Alpheus, breathing from his am'rous Race!
104
The Muse preluding tunes her Strings,
Pleas'd with the sweet Preamble of thy Fame,
To usher in the Verse, that sings
Thy Triumphs, Chromius; while Sicilian Jove
Hears with Delight thro' Ætna's sounding Grove
The Gratulations of the hymning Choir,
Whom thy victorious Carr, and Nemea's Palms inspire.
105
ANTISTROPHE I.
The Basis of his future PraiseAssisted by the Gods hath Chromius laid;
And to its Height the tow'ring Pile may raise,
If Fortune lends her favourable Aid:
106
Their wonted Friendship will afford,
Who with Delight frequent the listed Plain,
The Toils of Virtue to record.
Mean time around this Isle, harmonious Muse!
The brightest Beams of shining Verse diffuse:
This fruitful Island, with whose flow'ry Pride
Heav'n's awful King endow'd great Pluto's beauteous Bride.
EPODE I.
Sicilia with transcendent Plenty crown'dJove to Proserpina consign'd;
Then with a Nod his solemn Promise bound,
Still farther to enrich her fertile Shores
With peopled Cities, stately Tow'rs,
And Sons in Arts and Arms refin'd;
Skill'd to the dreadful Works of War
The thund'ring Steed to train;
Or mounted on the whirling Carr
Olympia's all-priz'd Olive to obtain.—
Abundant is my Theme; nor need I wrong
The fair Occasion with a flatt'ring Song.
107
STROPHE II.
To Chromius no unwelcome GuestI come, high sounding my Dircæan Chord;
Who for his Poet hath prepar'd the Feast,
And spread with Luxury his friendly Board,
108
Unentertain'd the Stranger flies.
While Envy's scorching Flame, that blasts the Great,
Quench'd with his flowing Bounty, dies.
But Envy ill becomes the human Mind;
Since various Parts to various Men assign'd
All to Perfection and to Praise will lead,
Would each those Paths pursue, which Nature bids him tread.
109
ANTISTROPHE II.
In Action thus Heroick Might,In Council shines the Mind sagacious, wise,
Which to the future casts her piercing Sight,
And sees the Train of Consequences rise.
With either Talent Chromius blest
Suppresses not his active Pow'rs.
I hate the Miser, whose unsocial Breast
Locks from the World his useless Stores.
Wealth by the Bounteous only is enjoy'd,
Whose Treasures in diffusive Good employ'd
The rich Returns of Fame and Friends procure;
And 'gainst a sad Reverse, a safe Retreat insure.
EPODE II.
Thy early Virtues, Chromius, deck'd with Praise,And these First-fruits of Fame inspire
The Muse to promise for thy future Days
110
So when of old Jove's mighty Son,
Worthy his great immortal Sire,
Forth from Alcmena's teeming Bed
With his Twin-Brother came,
Safe thro' Life's painful Entrance led
To view the dazzling Sun's reviving Flame,
Th'Imperial Cradle Juno quick survey'd,
Where slept the Twins in Saffron Bands array'd.
STROPHE III.
Then glowing with immortal Rage,The Gold-enthroned Empress of the Gods
Her eager Thirst of Vengeance of assuage,
Strait to her hated Rival's curs'd Abodes
Bade her vindictive Serpents haste.
They thro' the op'ning Valves with Speed
On to the Chamber's deep Recesses past,
To perpetrate their murd'rous Deed:
And now in knotty Mazes to infold
Their destin'd Prey, on curling Spires they roll'd,
His dauntless Brow when young Alcides rear'd,
And for their first Attempt his infant Arms prepar'd.
ANTISTROPHE III.
Fast by the azure Necks he heldAnd grip'd in either Hand his scaly Foes;
Till from their horrid Carcasses expell'd,
At length the pois'nous Soul unwilling flows.
111
Congeal'd each Female's curdling Blood,
All who attendant on the genial Bed,
Around the languid Mother stood.
She with distracting Fear and Anguish stung,
Forth from her sickly Couch impatient sprung;
Her cumb'rous Robe regardless off she threw,
And to protect her Child with fondest Ardour flew.
EPODE III.
But with her shrill, distressful Cries alarm'dIn rush'd each bold Cadmean Lord,
In Brass refulgent, as to Battle arm'd;
With them Amphitryon, whose tumultuous Breast
A Croud of various Cares infest:
High brandishing his gleaming Sword
With eager, anxious Step he came;
A Wound so near his Heart
Shook with Dismay his inmost Frame,
And rouz'd the active Sp'rits in ev'ry Part.
To our own Sorrows serious Heed we give;
But for another's Woe soon cease to grieve.
STROPHE IV.
Amaz'd the trembling Father stood,While doubtful Pleasure, mix'd with wild Surprize,
Drove from his troubled Heart the vital Flood:
His Son's stupendous Deed with wondring Eyes
112
Of Heav'n to Joy had chang'd his Fear
And falsify'd the Messengers of Ill.
Then strait he calls th'unerring Seer,
Divine Tiresias, whose Prophetick Tongue
Jove's sacred Mandates from the Tripod sung;
Who then to all th'attentive Throng explain'd
What Fate th'immortal Gods for Hercules ordain'd.
ANTISTROPHE IV.
What fell Despoilers of the LandThe Prophet told, what Monsters of the Main
Should feel the Vengeance of his righteous Hand:
What savage, proud, pernicious Tyrant slain
To Hercules should bow his Head,
Hurl'd from his arbitrary Throne,
Whose glitt'ring Pomp his curs'd Ambition fed,
And made indignant Nations groan.
Last, when the Giant Sons of Earth shall dare
To wage against the Gods rebellious War,
Pierc'd by his rapid Shafts on Phlegra's Plain
With Dust their radiant Locks the haughty Foe shall stain.
EPODE IV.
Then shall his gen'rous Toils for ever cease,With Fame, with endless Life repaid;
With pure Tranquillity and heav'nly Peace:
113
To grace his spousal Bed shall come,
In Beauty's glowing Bloom array'd,
Immortal Hebe, ever young.
In Jove's august Abodes
Then shall he hear the bridal Song,
Then in the blest Society of Gods
The nuptial Banquet share, and rapt in Praise
And Wonder round the glitt'ring Mansion gaze.
| Odes of Pindar | |