Goddess of birth, that art enthroned beside the brooding Destinies! Listen, thou daughter of mighty Héra, thou that createst offspring. Without thine aid we see not the light, no nor the dark gloom, ere we attain unto thy sister, Hébé with the glowing limbs. Yet it is not for equal aims that all of us draw our breath, for various indeed are the © fates that severally fetter mortals in the chain of destiny. But it is by thy favour alone that Ségenés, the son of Thearion, is sung to-day as one who, for his prowess, is deemed glorious among pentathletes. For he dwelleth in a city that loveth music, a city of the race of Aeacus with their clashing spears; and verily eager are they to cherish a spirit familiar with contests. But, if a man prospereth in his doings, he supplieth a sweet source for the Muses’ rills; for mighty deeds of prowess are wrapt in darkness deep, if destitute of song; but for noble deeds, we can hold up a mirror, in one way only—if, by grace of Memory with the gleaming crown, one findeth a meed in sounding streams of song. But mariners a
wise knew well of a blast that is bound to blow on the third day after, nor do they suffer loss through greed of gain. The rich man and the poor alike wend their way together to the bourn of death. But I deem that Odysseus hath won fame far beyond all his sufferings, thanks to the sweet lays of Homer. For on Homer’s fictions and on his winged skill, there resteth a solemn spell; and the poet’s lore beguileth us, leading us astray with legends; but the mass of mortal men have a heart that is blind indeed. For, had they only been able to see the truth, never would stalwart Aias, in wrath for the armour, have planted the smooth sword-blade in his breast ;—Aias, the bravest, save Achilles, in the battle; Aias, whom the breath of the unswerving Zephyr wafted in swift ships to the city of Ilus, to bring back his wife for the golden-haired Menelaus. But the billow of Hades rolleth over all alike; that billow breaketh on the dimly known and on the famous; but honour groweth for those, whose fame a god causeth to wax fairer, even the departed champions, who came to the mighty centre of Earth’s broad bosom.
So in the Pythian soil low lieth the hero Neoptolemus, who erstwhile sacked the city of Priam, where the Danai themselves were sore distressed. But while he was returning over the sea, he failed of Scyros, and, after wandering from their course, they came to Ephyra. And, for a brief while, he ruled in Molossia, and, in his honour, this dignity was borne by his race for ever. Now the hero himself had gone to consult the God, bearing with him precious things from the choicest of the spoil of Troy; and there, while entangled in strife concerning the flesh of his victim, a man smote him with the sword; and grieved, beyond measure, were the hospitable men of Delphi. But he only fulfilled his fate, for it was doomed that one of the royal race of Aeacus should, for all time to come, dwell in the heart of that primeval grove, beside the fair walls of the God’s own temple, and, dwelling there, should preside over the processions of heroes, which are honoured by many sacrifices, for enforcement of auspicious guest-right. Three words will suffice ; no false loon is the witness that presideth over doughty deeds. Aegina, I have this bold speech to utter concerning the race that sprang from thyself and Zeus, that, by their brilliant deeds of prowess, they have won from their home a path of glory that is all their own. But enough, for in every manner of work, sweet is repose; even honey may cloy, and the gladsome flowers of Aphrodité’s garden. By
our several natures do we differ, for we have received for our allotted life boons that vary from each other ; but for any one man to win the prize of happiness complete is impossible. I cannot say to whom Fate hath proffered this crowning boon as a sure possession. But to thee, Thearion, she giveth a fitting season of success, and, whereas thou didst aforetime show a daring spirit for noble deeds, she now suffereth not the wisdom of thy mind to be impaired. Guest-friend am; averting the dark shadow of blame, and bringing true glory, like streams of water, to the hero that I love, I shall sing his praise ; and meet for the good is this reward. But if, of the Achaeans, any one be near, who dwelleth above the Ionian sea, he will not blame me. I rely on my being their representative; and, among my fellow-townsmen too, bright is the glance of mine eye, for I have not overshot the mark, but have thrust all violence away from my steps; and may the rest of my life draw nigh with kindly But whoso truly knoweth me will proclaim, whether I go on my way breathing the whisper of blame, that jars on the music of life. Ségenés, of Euxenid clan, I swear that I overstepped not the line, when I shot forth my swift tongue, like that bronze-tipped spear, which releaseth the neck and thews from the sweat of the wrestling-
match, ere the limb falleth under the burning sun. If toil there was, greater is the delight that followeth. Forgive me ; even if, in undue elation, I uttered a loud scream, yet, to please the victor, I am not too rude to retract it. The weaving of wreaths is an easy task. Strike up the prelude! Lo! the Muse is welding gold and ivory white in one, with the lily she hath stolen from beneath the ocean’s dew. But, in remembrance of Zeus, swell, softly swell, for Nemea a far-famed strain of song. For, on this spot, it is meet indeed to chant with gentle voice the king of the gods, for they tell that here by a mortal mother he begat Aeacus to be a ruler of cities for his own illustrious land, and to be a kindly friend and brother to thee, O Heracles. But, if a man hath any fruition of his fellow, we should say that a neighbour is to: his neighbour a priceless joy, if he Here, as often, Pindar uses metaphors suggested by the particular athletic contest which he is commemorating. The general sense is: ‘‘I have not overstepped the line, in darting out my remark about Neoptolemus. I have not broken the rules of the game, and thus forfeited admission to further competition. Like yourself, Ségenés, I have borne all the burden and pain of the final contest. You and I have had to fight and to endure ; but now, after success, the pleasure that follows is greater than the pain. If I used language that was too strong, then, to please the victor, I would gladly withdraw it.”
loved him with steadfast heart!; but if a god also should uphold this truth, ’tis by thy favour, O thou who didst quell the Giants that, Sdgenés, fostering a spirit of devotion to his sire, would fain dwell happily beside the rich and hallowed road, where once his fathers dwelt ; for he hath his house in the precincts of thy temples, which face him, like the yoke-arms of a four-horsed chariot, on either hand as he goeth forth. And thee, O blessed Heracles, it beseemeth to persuade the consort of Héra and the grey-eyed maiden; for full often canst thou grant to mortals relief from distress inexplicable. Oh that, having harnessed their youth and happy eld to a life of steadfast strength, thou mightest weave it to its close in happiness, and that children’s children may have for ever the boon that is now present, and a nobler boon hereafter. But my heart will not confess that I have, with words offensive, dragged in the dirt the name of Neoptolemus. Howsoever, to traverse the same ground thrice and four times is poverty of thought, like that of one who vainly babbles to babes of “Corinth, the city of Zeus.”
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