So shineth he forth by grace of the Muses iris-haired, and to his uncle of like name hath he given to share his crown, for albeit bronze-shielded Ares gave him over unto death, yet remaineth there for the valiant a recompense of renown.  For let whoso amid the cloud of war from his beloved country wardeth the bloody shower, and maketh havoc in the enemy’s host, know assuredly that for the race of his fellow-citizens he maketh their renown wax mightily, yea when he is dead even as while he was yet alive.

So didst thou, son[3] of Diodotos, following the praise of the warrior Meleagros, and of Hektor, and of Amphiaraos, breathe forth the spirit of thy fair-flowering youth amid the company of fighters in the front, where the bravest on slenderest hopes bare up the struggle of war.

Then suffered I a pang unspeakable, but now hath the earth-grasper[4] granted unto me a calm after the storm:  I will set chaplets on my hair and sing.  Now let no jealousy of immortals mar whatever sweet thing through a day’s pursuit I follow, as it leadeth on up to old age, and unto the term of life appointed.

For all we in like manner die, albeit our lots be diverse.  If any lift up his eye to look upon things afar off, yet is he too weak to attain unto the bronze-paved dwelling of the gods.  Thus did winged Pegasos throw his lord Bellerophon, when he would fain enter into the heavenly habitations and mix among the company of Zeus.  Unrighteous joyance a bitter end awaiteth.

But to us, O Loxias of the golden-flowing hair, give also at thy Pythian games a new fair-flowering crown.

[Footnote 1:  The Theban Aigidai helped the mythical ’return of the Herakleidai.’]

[Footnote 2:  Wisdom of bards.]

[Footnote 3:  Strepsiades the uncle.]

[Footnote 4:  Poseidon.]

VII.

For Kleandros of Aigina,

Winner in the pankration.

* * * * *

All that we can be certain of as to the date of this ode is that it was written soon after the final expulsion of the Persians.  From the first strophe we learn that Kleandros had won a Nemean as well as an Isthmian victory, and perhaps this ode really belongs to the former.  It was to be sung, it seems, before the house of Telesarchos the winner’s father, at Aigina.

* * * * *

For Kleandros in his prime let some of you, ye young men, go stand before the shining portal of his father Telesarchos, and rouse a song of triumph, to be a glorious recompense of his toils, for that he hath achieved reward of victory at Isthmos, and hath showed his strength in the games of Nemea.

For him I also, albeit heavy at heart[1], am bidden to call upon the golden Muse.  Yea since we are come forth from our sore troubles let us not fall into the desolation of crownlessness, neither nurse our griefs; but having ease from our ills that are past mending, we will set some pleasant thing before the people, though it follow hard on pain:  inasmuch as some god hath put away from us the Tantalos-stone that hung above our heads, a curse intolerable to Hellas.