Moreover the heralds of the seasons[3], the Elean truce-bringers of Zeus the son of Kronos, recognized him, having met belike with hospitality from him, and in a voice of dulcet breath they gave him greeting for that he had fallen at the knees of golden Victory in their land which men call the holy place of Olympic Zeus, where the sons[4] of Ainesidamos attained unto honour everlasting.

For no stranger is your house, O Thrasyboulos, to pleasant shouts of triumph, neither to sweet-voiced songs.  For not uphill neither steep-sloped is the path whereby one bringeth the glories of the Helikonian maidens to dwell with famous men.

By a far throw of the quoit may I hurl even so far as did Xenokrates surpass all men in the sweetness of his spirit.  In converse with citizens was he august, and upheld horse-racing after the Hellenes’ wont:  also worshipped he at all festivals of the gods, nor ever did the breeze that breathed around his hospitable board give him cause to draw in his sail, but with the summer-gales he would fare unto Phasis, and in his winter voyage unto the shores of Nile[5].

Let not Thrasyboulos now, because that jealous hopes beset the mind of mortals, be silent concerning his father’s prowess, nor from these hymns:  for not to lie idle have I devised them.  That message give him, Nikesippos, when thou comest unto my honoured friend.

[Footnote 1:  Aristodemos.]

[Footnote 2:  I. e. either tightened the near or slackened the off reins to the utmost in turning the goal, or perhaps, gave full rein to his horses between each turn or after the final one.]

[Footnote 3:  The heralds who proclaimed throughout Hellas the approach of the Olympic games, and an universal solemn truce during their celebration.]

[Footnote 4:  Theron, the tyrant of Akragas, and Xenokrates.]

[Footnote 5:  Metaphorically, in the extent of his hospitality.]

III.

For Melissos of Thebes,

Winner in the pankration.

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The date of this ode is uncertain, though some on the hypothesis that the battle alluded to is the battle of Plataiai, have dated it 478 or 474.  In this battle, whatever it was, the Kleonymid clan to which Melissos belonged had lost four men.  The celebrity of the clan in the games seems to have been eclipsed for some time, but Melissos revived it by a chariot-victory at Nemea and this pankration-victory at the Isthmus, won in spite of his small stature which might have seemed to place him at a disadvantage.  The ode compares his match against his antagonists with that of Herakles against the African giant Antaios.

Very probably this ode was sung at a night meeting of the clan, while the altars of Herakles were blazing.

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