THE FIRST OLYMPICK ODE. This Ode is infcribed to Hiero of Syracufe, who, in the Seventy-third Olympiad, obtained the Victory in the Race of Single Horses. A R G U M E N T. THE fubject of this Ode being a victory obtained by Hiero in the Olympick Games, Pindar fet out with shewing the fuperiority and pre-eminence of those Games over all others; among which, he says, they hold the fame rank, as Water (which, according to the opinion of Thales and other Philofophers, was the original of all things) among the elements, and Gold among the gifts of Fortune. Wherefore, continues he, O my heart, if thou art inclined to fing of Games, it would be as abfurd to think of any other but the Olympick Games, K 3 Games, as to look for ftars in the sky when the fun is fhining in his meridian glory; especially as all the Guests at Hiero's table (among which number it is not improbable that Pindar was one at this time) are finging Odes upon that fubject. From the mention of Hiero, he falls into a fhort panegyrick upon his vir. tues, and then paffes to what gave occafion to this Ode, viz. his Olympick victory; under which head he makes honourable mention of his horfe Phrenicus (for that was his name), who gained the victory, and fpread his mafter's glory as far as Pifa, or Olympia, the ancient refidence of Pelops the fon of Tantalus; into a long account of whom he digreffes; and ridiculing, as abfurd and impious, the story of his having been cut in pieces by his father Tantalus, boiled and ferved up at an entetainment given by him to the gods, relates another ftory, which he thought more to the honour both of Pelops and the Gods. This relation he concludes with the account of Pelops vanquishing Oenomaus, king of Pifa, in the chariot-race, and by that victory gaining his daughter Hippodamia, fettling at Pifa, and being there honoured as a God, From this relation the Poet falls again naturally into an account of the Olympick Games, and, after a short reflection upon the felicity of those who gained the Olympick crown, returns to the praises of Hiero; with which, and fome occafional reflections on the profperity of Hiero, to whom he wishes a continuance of his good fortune and a long reign, he clofes his Ode. STRO STROPHE I. CHIEF of Nature's works divine, Water claims the highest praise : Richeft offspring of the mine, Gold, like fire, whose flashing rays From afar confpicuous gleam Through the night's involving cloud, First in luftre and esteem, Decks the treasures of the proud : So among the lifts of fame Pifa's honour'd games excell; Then to Pifa's glorious name Tune, O Muse, thy founding shell. ANTIS TROPHE I. Who along the desert air Seeks the faded starry train, When the fun's meridian car Round illumes th' æthereal plain? Great Saturnius to record, And by each rejoicing guest E PODE I. In paftoral Sicilia's fruitful foil The righteous fceptre of imperial power Great Hiero wielding, with illuftrious toil Plucks every blooming virtue's fairest flower, His royal fplendour to adorn : Nor doth his fkilful hand refuse Acquaintance with the tuneful Mufe, When round the mirthful board the harp is borne. STROPHE II. Down then from the glittering nail Take, O Mufe, thy Dorian lyre; If the love of Pifa's vale Pleafing transports can infpire; Or the rapid-footed steed Could with joy thy bofom move, On his lord's triumphant brows ANTIS TROPHE II. Hiero's royal brows, whofe care Now Now on that heroic land His far-beaming glories beat, Where with all his Lydian band Pelops fix'd his honour'd feat: Pelops, by the god belov'd, Whose strong arms the globe embrace; Forth from the cauldron to new life reftor'd, Preferr'd, feduces oft the human heart. Smooth inchantrefs of mankind, Clad in whose false majefty Fables eafy credit find. But ere long the rolling year The deceitful tale explodes : Then, O man, with holy fear |