Pindar and Anacreon/Pindar/Olympic Odes/4
THE FOURTH OLYMPIC ODE.
TO PSAUMIS OF CAMARINA, ON HIS VICTORY WITH THE QUADRIGA, OR CHARIOT WITH FOUR HORSES, GAINED IN THE EIGHTY-SECOND OLYMPIAD.
ARGUMENT.
This ode opens with a sublime invocation to Jupiter, and a prayer for Psaumis.—The poet then proceeds to the praise of the victor, on account of his hospitality, love of peace, patriotism, and the care he bestows on the training of his horses.—Subjoins the story of Erginus, the son of Clymenus, as an excuse for the premature whiteness of his hair.
Thy circling hours, immortal Jove,
Who mak'st th' unwearied lightnings move,
With song and lyre's accordant string
Rouse me the victor's praise to sing.
When friends succeed, the good rejoice, 5
And hail the sweet-toned herald's voice.
Oh son of Saturn!—thou who rul'st above
Where Ætna with his burning load impress'd
Weighs down the hundred-handed Typhon's breast,
Deign with thy favour to approve 10
This hymn which to the victor's praise address'd,
Aspires to crown th' Olympic strife,
That gilds with glory's beam the latest hour of life. 15
High on his car triumphant placed,
His brows with Pisa's olive graced, 15
Lo! Psaumis brings the meed of fame
To raise his Camarina's name.
The god who joys to bless thee now,
Propitious hear each future vow! 22
Him shall my constant praise await, 20
Who skill'd to train the generous steed,
To every guest unfolds his gate,
And tranquil aids his native state
Nurtured to each pacific deed.
No falsehood e'er shall stain my lay, 25
Experience proves the mail, and will his worth display. 30
From taunts by Lemnian women made,
This Clymenus' brave offspring freed. [1]
The course, in brazen arms array'd,
He left to take the victor's meed, 30
And thus Hypsipyle address'd:—
"'Tis I who gain the palm of speed,
Mine the firm hand, th' undaunted breast—
Howe'er upon my youthful brow
Are shed untimely hues of snow." 42 35
- ↑ Erginus, one of the Argonauts, who, on their departure for the golden fleece, contended at Lemnos in the funeral games instituted by Hypsipyle in memory of her father Thaos, king of the island. He is mentioned by Statius (Theb. ix. 305.) among the heroes killed by Hippomedon, who, in imitation of Achilles, rushes into the Ismenus, and dies its waves with slaughter. Erginus's complaint of his premature gray hairs may be parodied by Boethius (de Consol. Philos. i. 11.) Intempestivi funduntur vertice cani. Hesiod (Op. et Dies, 181.) mentions as a mark of the iron race that they are gray headed from their birth.