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Ode 13
For Pytheas of Aegina Pancratium at Nemea ?483 B. C.

... Clio ... [10] ... 1 “ ... [45] He shall stop them from arrogant violence, bringing about judgments of law for mortals: look how the descendant of Perseus brings his hand down heavily on the neck of the bloodthirsty lion with every type of skill! [50] For the gleaming, man-subduing bronze refuses to pierce the lion's fearsome body; the sword was bent back. Someday, I prophesy, [55] [in this place] there will be a strenuous toil for the Greeks, competing for garlands in the pancratium.” ... beside the altar of Zeus, the greatest ruler, the blossoms of glory-bringing Victory [60] nurture for men golden, conspicuous fame throughout their lives—for a select few—and when the dark cloud of death covers them, [65] the undying glory of their fine deed is left behind, secure in its destiny. You too have attained this at Nemea, son of Lampon; [70] your hair crowned with garlands of flourishing blossoms, [you walk] the lofty streets of the city [of Aeacus, so that] your ancestral island [teems] with gentle-voiced victory processions, in which mortals delight, [75] revealing your overweening strength in the pancratium. Kindly Aegina, daughter of the whirling river, [the son of Cronus] [80] gave you great honor, shining [your new victory?] like a torch among all Greeks. And a proud maiden [sings the praises of your strength?] [85] ... often lightly springing with her feet like a carefree fawn on the flowery [hills] [90] with her far-famed [companions] who live nearby. The maidens wear garlands of crimson blossoms and rushes, the native decoration, and sing of your [child], [95] mistress of the all-hospitable [land], and of rosy-armed Endaïs, who bore [godlike Peleus] and the helmeted warrior Telamon, having gone to bed with Aeacus. [100] Of their battle-rousing sons I shall sing, and of swift Achilles, and the high-spirited son of beautiful Eriboea, Aias, the shield-bearing hero, [105] who stood on the stern of his ship and stopped bold-hearted, bronze [helmeted] Hector in his rush to burn the ships with dread fire, [110] at the time when the son of Peleus stirred fierce wrath [in his breast] and released the [Dardanians from ruin]. Before they had not left the [many-towered] [115] marvellous town of Ilium, but had cowered, dazed by fear, before the fierce battle, when Achilles raged destructively across the plain, [120] shaking his murderous spear. But when the fearless son of the violet-garlanded Nereid withdrew from battle, —as when the North wind, on the dark-blossoming sea, [125] afflicts the spirits of men beneath the waves, when it comes upon them as night begins, but it withdraws with the break of Dawn, who shines on mortals, and a gentle breeze smooths the sea; [130] they billow their sail with the breath of the South wind, and eagerly reach unhoped-for dry land— in such a way, when the Trojans heard that the spearman Achilles [135] was remaining in his tent because of the golden-haired woman Briseis with lovely limbs, they raised their arms to the gods, seeing a bright [140] gleam from out of the storm. With all speed they left the walls of Laomedon and rushed onto the plain, bringing violent battle, [145] and roused terror in the Danaans. Ares, god of the spear, urged them on, and Loxias Apollo, lord of the Lycians. And they came to the shore of the sea, [150] and fought beside the ships with their fine sterns, and the dark earth ran red with the blood of men slain by the hand of Hector, [155] ... heroes ... through the onslaught of godlike ... ... with great hopes, and arrogant shouts, [160] the Trojan horsemen ... the dark-eyed ships ... the god-built city would have ... and feasts, in ... But before that could be they were doomed after all [165] to redden with blood the whirling Scamander, dying at the hands of the tower-destroying [Aeacidae.] Of these, if ... or on a [pyre] piled high with wood ... 2 [175] for all-shining Excellence is not hidden and effaced in the lightless [veil?] of night, but always abounding in unfailing glory [180] she roams the earth and the shifting seas. And truly she honors the fame-bringing [island] of Aeacus; she guides the state with garland-loving Eucleia [185] and sound-minded Eunomia, to whom festivities belong, and who guards the cities of pious men in peace. [190] Sing, young men, of the very glorious victory of Pytheas, and the helpful care of Menander, which often by the streams of the Alpheus has been honored by [195] holy, great-spirited Athena of the golden chariot; before now she has garlanded the hair of countless men with crowns in the panhellenic contests. Let every man [200] who is not bullied by bold-tongued envy praise the man who is skillful, as is just. All works of mortals are open to fault-finding. But truth tends [205] to win the victory, and all-subduing time always [preserves] a fine deed. The [vain speech] of enemies diminishes, unseen ... 3 ... [220] warms the spirit with hope. With such hope I too, trusting in the [Muses] with their crimson headdresses, present a [crown] of songs, [of newly-combed wool], [225] and honor the splendor-loving hospitality which [you], Lampon, [have provided] for me; may you not regard [my gift for your son] as slight. And if it truly is flourishing Clio who has distilled this gift in my [mind], [230] songs filled with words of delight will proclaim him to all the people.

1 Lines 13-43 are lost.

2 Lines 170-74 are missing.

3 Lines 210-219 are lost.

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