And other deeds on other days will I declare, many done amid the dust on the dry land, and yet others on the neighbouring sea.  Now out of toils which in youth have been done with righteousness there ripeneth toward old age a day of calm.

Let Chromios know that he hath from the gods a lot of wondrous bliss.  For if one together with much wealth have won him glorious renown, it is impossible that a mortal’s feet touch any further mountain-top.

The banquet loveth peace, and by a gentle song a victory flourisheth afresh, and beside the bowl the singer’s voice waxeth brave.  Let one mix it now, that sweet proclaimer of the triumphal song, and in silver goblets hand the grapes’ potent child, even the goblets which for Chromios his mares erst won, and sent to him from sacred Sikyon, entwined with well-earned crowns of Leto’s son.

Now claim I, father Zeus, to have well sung this excellent deed by aid of the Charites, and beyond many to do honour to this victory by my words, for the javelin that I throw falleth nearest to the Muses’ mark.

[Footnote 1:  Leto.]

[Footnote 2:  Adrastos.]

[Footnote 3:  Lightning and thunder were often an encouraging sign (there is an instance in the fourth Pythian), but this would depend on the manner of them.]

[Footnote 4:  War with the Carthaginians, who were still threatening the Hellenic colonists in Sicily, in spite of their recent defeat.]

[Footnote 5:  About B.C. 492 a battle was fought on the Heloros between the Syracusans and the army of Hippokrates, tyrant of Gela.]

X.

For Theaios of Argos,

Winner in the wrestling-match.

* * * * *

This ode, like the last, is improperly called Nemean.  It commemorates a victory won at the feast of the Hekatombaia at Argos.  The date is unknown.

* * * * *

The city of Danaos and of his fifty bright-throned daughters, Argos the home of Hera, meet abode of gods, sing Graces! for by excellencies innumerable it is made glorious in the deeds of valiant men.

Long is the tale of Perseus[1], that telleth of the Gorgon Medusa:  many are the cities in Egypt founded by the hands of Epaphos[2]:  neither went Hypermnestra’s choice astray when she kept sheathed her solitary sword[3].

Also their Diomedes did the grey-eyed goddess make incorruptible and a god:  and at Thebes, the earth blasted by the bolts of Zeus received within her the prophet[4], the son of Oikleus, the storm-cloud of war.

Moreover in women of beautiful hair doth the land excel.  Thereto in days of old Zeus testified, when he followed after Alkmene and after Danae.

And in the father of Adrastos and in Lynkeus did Argos mingle ripe wisdom with upright justice:  and she reared the warrior Amphitryon.  Now he came to the height of honour in his descendants, for in bronze armour he slew the Teleboai, and in his likeness the king of the immortals entered his hall, bearing the seed of fearless Herakles, whose bride in Olympos is Hebe, who by the side of her mother, the queen of marriage, walketh of all divinities most fair.