Olympian Ode 14 / Pindar

Olympian Ode 14

for Asopichus of Orchomenus, winner of the boys' short sprint race 

O you who haunt the land of steeds that drink Kephisos' waters,
You lusty queens of Orchomenos famed in song, hear me,
O Graces, guardians of the Minyai, unto you I pray

For by your gift come unto men all pleasant things and sweet,
The wisdom of a man, his looks, the splendour of his fame.
Even the gods without your aid rule not at feast or dance;
But you have charge of all things done in heaven as on earth,
Your thrones beside Apollo, lord of the golden bow,
To worship the eternal power of the Olympian Father.

O noble queen Aglaia, and Euphrosyne, lover of song,
And Thalia mistress of the dance, listen now and hear,
You children of the mightiest gods, look down upon this triumph,
See the festive revellers stepping lightly with good fortune.

In Lydian mood of melody, of young Asopichos
Have I come now to sing, because through you, Aglaia,
In the Olympic contests the Minyai are triumphant.

Fly, Echo, to the black-walled dwelling of Persephone.
Seek out and find Cleodamus, to tell him of his son,
How for his father's honour he, in Pisa's famous valley,
Has crowned his youthful head with garlands from the glorious games.

~~
Pindar, 476 B.C.
translated by Ernest Myers
versified by George J. Dance

[Poem is in the public domain worldwide]

Pindar biography
George J. Dance biography