The virtues of an old descent repeat their vigour uncertainly in the generations of men.  Neither doth the black-soiled tilth bring forth fruit continually, neither will the trees be persuaded to bear with every year’s return a fragrant flower of equal wealth, but in their turns only.  Thus also doth destiny lead on the race of mortals.  From Zeus there cometh no clear sign to men:  yet nevertheless we enter on high counsels, and meditate many acts:  for by untameable hope our bodies are enthralled:  but the tides of our affairs are hidden from our fore-knowledge.  Meet is it to pursue advantage moderately:  fiercest is the madness that springeth from unappeasable desires.

[Footnote 1:  The sacred fire of the state, over which Hestia watched, was kept in the Prytaneion.]

[Footnote 2:  The other Senators.]

[Footnote 3:  The Olympic.]

[Footnote 4:  Ancestor of Aristagoras and head of his clan.]

[Footnote 5:  ‘In the loins of his father.’]

[Footnote 6:  I. e. a Theban alliance.]

THE ISTHMIAN ODES.

I.

For Herodotos of Thebes.

Winner in the chariot-race.

* * * * *

The date of this ode is unknown.  We gather from the first strophe that Pindar was engaged at the time to write an ode in honour of the Delian Apollo to be sung at Keos, but that he put this off in order first to write the present ode in honour of a victory won for his own native state of Thebes.

* * * * *

O mother, Thebe of the golden shield, thy service will I set even above the matter that was in my hand.  May rocky Delos, whereto I am vowed, be not therefore wroth with me.  Is there aught dearer to the good than noble parents?

Give place O Apollonian isle:  these twain fair offices, by the grace of God, will I join together in their end, and to Phoibos of the unshorn hair in island Keos with men of her sea-race will I make my choral song, and therewithal this other for the sea-prisoning cliffs of Isthmos.

For six crowns hath Isthmos given from her games to the people of Kadmos, a fair glory of triumph for my country, for the land wherein Alkmene bare her dauntless son, before whom trembled aforetime the fierce hounds of Geryon.

But I for Herodotos’ praise am fain to do honour unto his four-horsed car, and to marry to the strain of Kastoreian or Iolaic song the fame that he hath earned, handling his reins in his own and no helping hand.