Now will I give him to drink of the holy water of Dirke, which golden-robed Mnemosyne’s deep-girdled daughters made once to spring out of the earth, beside the well-walled gates of Kadmos.

[Footnote 1:  I. e.  Pytheas.  See Nem. v.]

[Footnote 2:  Poseidon.]

[Footnote 3:  [Greek:  Zeus Sotaer], to whom the third cup at a feast was drunk.  He is here invoked also to give a third victory to the family at the Olympic games.]

[Footnote 4:  Lampon.]

[Footnote 5:  Figuratively said, as elsewhere.]

[Footnote 6:  A hundred feet wide, seemingly.]

[Footnote 7:  Not ‘invulnerable.’  A magic invulnerability was only attributed to heroes by later legend.]

[Footnote 8:  From [Greek:  aietos] an eagle.]

[Footnote 9:  Maternal uncle of Pytheas and Phylakidas.]

[Footnote 10:  [Greek:  melete de ergon ophellei].  Opp. 411.]

[Footnote 11:  I. e. he stimulates their zeal and skill.  The Naxian whetstone seems to be emery.]

VI.

For Strepsiades of Thebes,

Winner in the pankration.

* * * * *

The date of this ode is not fixed, but it has been supposed that the battle referred to—­apparently a defeat—­in which the winner’s uncle was killed was the battle of Oinophyta, fought B.C. 457.  But this, and the notion that the democratic revolution at Thebes is referred to, are only conjectures.

* * * * *

Wherewithal of the fair deeds done in thy land, O divine Thebe, hath thy soul had most delight?  Whether when thou broughtest forth to the light Dionysos of the flowing hair, who sitteth beside Demeter to whom the cymbals clang? or when at midnight in a snow of gold thou didst receive the mightiest of the gods, what time he stood at Amphitryon’s doors and beguiled his wife, to the begetting of Herakles?  Or when thou hadst honour in the wise counsels of Teiresias, or in Iolaos the cunning charioteer, or the unwearied spears of the Spartoi? or when out of the noise of the strong battle-cry thou sentest Adrastos home to horse-breeding Argos, of his countless company forlorn? or when thou madest the Dorian colony of the men of Lakedaimon stand upright upon its feet[1], and the sons of Aigeus thy progeny took Amyklai, according to the oracles of Pytho?

Nay, but the glory of the old time sleepeth, and mortals are unmindful thereof, save such as married to the sounding stream of song attaineth unto the perfect meed that wisdom[2] giveth.  New triumph now lead for Strepsiades with melodious hymn:  for at Isthmos hath he borne away the pankratiast’s prize.  Wondrous in strength is he, and to look upon of goodly shape, and his valour is such as shameth not his stature.