Yet diverse verily were the strokes wherewith those twain had cloven the warm flesh of the foe, what time they bare up the war against the hedge of spears, whether about Achilles newly slain, or in whatsoever labours else of those wide-ruining days.

Thus was there even of old the treacherous speech of hate, that walketh with the subtleties of tales, intent on guile, slander that breedeth ill:  so doth it violence on the thing that shineth, and uplifteth the rottenness of dim men’s fame.

Never in me be this mind, O our father Zeus, but to the paths of simplicity let me cleave throughout my life, that being dead I may set upon my children a name that shall be of no ill report.

For gold some pray, and some for limitless lands:  mine be it amid my townsfolk’s love to shroud my limbs in earth, still honouring where honour is due, and sowing rebuke on the evildoers.

Thus groweth virtue greater, uplifted of the wise and just, as when a tree watered by fresh dew shooteth toward the moist air on high.

Manifold are the uses of friends, chiefest truly amid the press of toil, yet doth joy also desire to behold his own assurance.[4]

Ah Meges, to bring back thy spirit to earth is to me impossible, and of empty hopes the end is naught.  Yet for thy house and the clan of Chariadai I can upraise a lofty column of song in honour of these two pairs of fortunate feet[5].

I have joy to utter praise meet for the act, for by such charms of song doth a man make even labour a painless thing.  Yet surely was there a Komos-song even of old time, yea before strife began between Adrastos and the sons of Kadmos[6].

[Footnote 1:  Aphrodite.]

[Footnote 2:  Aiakos.]

[Footnote 3:  Aigina.]

[Footnote 4:  Through celebration in song, which a friendly poet can give.]

[Footnote 5:  Of Meges and Deinis.]

[Footnote 6:  The invention of encomiastic hymns was attributed by legend to the time of the expedition of Adrastos and the other six against Thebes.]

IX.

For Chromios of Aitna,

Winner in the chariot-race.

* * * * *

This ode is placed by usage among the Nemeans, but the victory was not won at Nemea, but at Sikyon, in the local games called Pythian.  Its date is unknown:  it must have been after the founding of Aitna, B.C. 476.  Probably the ode was sung in a procession at Aitna, some length of time after the victory.  The Chromios is the Chromios of the first Nemean, Hieron’s brother-in-law.

* * * * *

From Apollo at Sikyon will we lead our triumph forth, ye Muses, unto the new-made city of Aitna, where doors are opened wide to greet the invading guests, even to the fortunate house of Chromios.  Come claim for him a song of sweetness:  for he goeth up into the chariot of his victory, and biddeth us sing aloud to the mother[1] and her twin children who keep watch over high Pytho in fellowship.