But in Oinone the great souls of Aiakos and his sons, who after much fighting twice sacked the Trojans’ town, first when they went with Herakles, and again with the sons of Atreus.

Now drive me upward still; say who slew Kyknos, and who Hektor, and the dauntless chief of Ethiop hosts, bronze-mailed Memnon.  What man was he who with his spear smote noble Telephos by Kaikos’ banks?  Even they whose home my mouth proclaimeth to be Aigina’s glorious isle:  a tower is she, builded from long ago, to tempt the climb of high-adventuring valour.

Many arrows hath my truthful tongue in store wherewith to sound the praises of her sons:  and even but now in war might Aias’ city, Salamis, bear witness thereto in her deliverance by Aigina’s seamen amid the destroying tempest of Zeus, when death came thick as hail on the unnumbered hosts.  Yet let no boast be heard.  Zeus ordereth this or that, Zeus, lord of all.

Now in pleasant song even these honours also of the games welcome the joy for a fair victory.  Let any strive his best in such, who hath learnt what Kleonikos’ house can do.  Undulled is the fame of their long toil, nor ever was their zeal abated by any counting of the cost.

Also have I praise for Pytheas, for that he guided aright[4] the course of Phylakidas’ blows in the struggle of hands that bring limbs low, an adversary he of cunning soul.

Take for him a crown, and bring the fleecy fillet, and speed him on his way with this new winged hymn.

[Footnote 1:  Aigina.]

[Footnote 2:  Poets.]

[Footnote 3:  Meleager and his brothers.]

[Footnote 4:  Pytheas had given his brother example, and very probably precept also, in the pankration.]

V.

For Phylakidas of Aigina,

Winner in the pankration.

* * * * *

This ode seems to be of earlier date than the last, though placed after it in our order.  The occasion is similar.  Probably it was sung at a banquet at Lampon’s house.

* * * * *

As one may do amid merry revel of men, so mingle we a second time the bowls of Muses’ melody in honour of Lampon’s athlete progeny.

Our first, O Zeus, was unto thee, when at Nemea we[1] won thy excellent crown, and now is this second unto the lord[2] of Isthmos and unto the fifty daughters of Nereus, for that Phylakidas the youngest son is winner in the games.  And be it ours to make ready yet a third for the Saviour[3], the Olympian one, and in honour of Aigina make libation of our honey-speaking song.

For if a man rejoice to suffer cost and toil, and achieve god-builded excellence, and therewithal fate plant for him fair renown, already at the farthest bounds of bliss hath such an one cast anchor, for the glory that he hath thereby from God.  With such desires prayeth the son[4] of Kleonikos that he may fulfil them ere he meet death or hoary eld.