THE FIRST PYTHIAN ODE.
TO HIERO, THE ÆTNÆAN, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE CHARIOT RACE, GAINED IN THE TWENTY-NINTH PYTHIAD.
ARGUMENT.
Pindar begins this ode with a beautiful and poetical invocation to the lyre, expatiating on its powerful effects on gods and men.—The impious alone are incapable of enjoying its sweetness: among which number is Typhœus, who is described with great sublimity, as struggling under the superincumbent weight of Ætna.—This digression leads to the mention of the town built by Hiero at the foot of the mountain, and named from it.—Of this city he had caused himself to be proclaimed a citizen by the herald, who declared him victorious in the Pythian chariot race. This the poet regards as a presage of future triumphs, and invokes Apollo to take the town, together with the surrounding country, under his especial protection: since, as his pious disposition leads him frequently to declare, all mortal advantages, as wisdom, strength, eloquence, are derived from the gods.—Then follow the praises of Hiero, and good wishes for his future prosperity, together with the mention of his son Dinomenes.—Calling to mind the ancient history of the family and the calamities which they had suffered, the poet invokes Jupiter to be propitious to them in future, and to avert the perils of war by which they were threatened.—Concludes with offering his advice and good wishes.
Oh golden lyre! to whose harmonious string
Apollo and the fair-hair'd muses sing,
Glad prelude which the choral train obey,
When moving in the mazy dance
To the sweet strains the band advance, 5
Their movements guided by thy sovereign sway—
Thine is the potent art to tame
The lightning's everlasting flame.
