Nemean

Pindar

Pindar. Arnson Svarlien, Diane, translator. Created for the Perseus Project, 1990.

  1. songs and stories preserve their fine deeds for them, and there is no shortage of these in the house of the Bassids. Their race has long been famous, carrying a cargo of their own victory songs; for those who plough the field of the Pierian Muses, they are able to provide a rich supply of songs, because of their proud achievements.
  2. In very holy Pytho the blood of this family was once victorious, his hands bound with leather straps—Callias, who had found favor with
  3. the children of Leto of the golden distaff, and beside Castalia at evening he was made radiant by the loud chorus of the Graces.
  4. And the bridge of the untiring sea [*](i.e. the Isthmus of Corinth.) honored Creontidas in the biennial festival of those who live around, when bulls are slain in the sacred precinct of Poseidon. And the herb of the Nemean lion once
  5. crowned him when he was victorious beneath the shady primeval mountains of Phlius.
  6. There are broad avenues open on every side for storytellers to adorn this glorious island, since the Aeacids provided them by example with an outstanding share of great excellence.
  7. Their name flies far, over the land and across the sea. It even reached the Ethiopians, when Memnon did not return to his home; Achilles descended from his chariot and fell upon [*](Reading with Snell ἔμπεσε for ἔμβαλε. ) them, a grievous antagonist,
  8. when he slew the son of the shining Dawn with the edge
  9. of his raging sword. Poets of former times found this highway, and I myself am following them; this is my concern. But the wave that rolls nearest to the ship is said to stir the spirit most of all. I came as a messenger, willingly bearing on my back a double burden,