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Pindar
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Pindar
(the beginning)Water is best, while gold gleams like blazing fire in the night, brightest amid a rich man’s wealth; but, my heart, if it is of games that you wish to sing, look no further than the sun; as there is no star that shines with more warmth by day from a clear sky, so we can speak of no greater contest than Olympia. […] Sometimes men need the winds most, at other times waters from the sky, rain descendants of the cloud. And when a man has triumphed and put his toil behind, it is time for melodious song to arise, laying the foundation of future glory, a sworn pledge securing proud success. For Olympian victors, such acclaim is laid in store without limit, and I am eager to tend it with my song. Translated by Frank Nisetich […] from Pythian 8, line 95-8; Creatures for a day! What is a man? What is he not? Is our mortal being. But when there comes to men, A gleam of splendor given of heaven, Then rest on them a light of glory And blessed are their days |