[Footnote 3:  Of the celebrity of alternate generations.]

[Footnote 4:  The order of descent was:  Agesimachos, Sokleides, Praxidamas, Theon, Alkimidas.  Of these the first, third, and fifth, were distinguished athletes, the others not.]

[Footnote 5:  The Isthmos.]

[Footnote 6:  The parsley which grew near the lair of the Nemean lion.]

[Footnote 7:  This can hardly mean, as some commentators take it, the drawing of any particular tie; for if better men than any given competitor were entered for the match, his defeat would be inevitable whether they were encountered sooner or later.]

[Footnote 8:  Alkimidas’ trainer.]

VII.

For Sogenes of Aigina,

Winner in the boys’ pentathlon.

* * * * *

This victory was probably won B.C. 462.  The ode would seem to be full of allusions, which however we cannot with any certainty explain.  It is partly occupied with the celebration of Achilles’ son Neoptolemos, and Pindar seems anxious to repel the charge of having on some occasion depreciated that hero.

* * * * *

O Eileithuia that sittest beside the deep-counselling Moirai, child of the mighty Hera, thou who bringest babes to the birth, hearken unto us!  Without thee looked we never on the light or on the darkness of the night, nor came ever unto her who is thy sister, even Hebe of the comely limbs.

But we receive our breath not all for a like life; each to his several lot is kept apart by the yoke of fate.

Now by thy grace hath Sogenes the son of Thearion been foremost in prowess, and his glory is sung aloud among the winners of the five-game prize.

For he is a dweller in a city that loveth song, even this city of the spear-clashing sons of Aiakos, and exceeding fain are they to cherish a spirit apt for the strife of the games.

If a man have good hap in his attempt, he throweth into the Muses’ stream sweet cause of song:  for even deeds of might for lack of song fall into deep darkness, and in but one way have we knowledge of a mirror for fair deeds, if by the grace of Mnemosyne of the shining fillet they attain unto a recompense of toils by the sound of voice and verse.

Wise shipmates know that the wind which tarrieth shall come on the third day, nor throw away their goods through greed of more[1]:  the rich and the poor alike fare on their way to death.

Now I have suspicion that the fame of Odysseus is become greater than his toils, through the sweet lays that Homer sang; for over the feigning of his winged craft something of majesty abideth, and the excellence of his skill persuadeth us to his fables unaware.

Blind hearts have the general folk of men; for could they have discovered the truth, never would stalwart Aias in anger for the arms have struck through his midriff the sharp sword—­even he who after Achilles was best in battle of all men whom, to win back his bride for fair-haired Menelaos, the fair breeze of straight-blowing Zephyros wafted in swift ships toward Ilos’ town.