#pythian ode

[father-of-the-void]

Of the fairest glories that mortals may attain, to him is given to sail to the furthest bound. Yet neither by ship nor on foot could you find the marvelous way to the assembly of the Hyperboreans. Yet was it with these that Perseus the warrior chief once feasted, entering their homes, and chanced upon their sacrifices unto the god, those famous offerings of hecatombs of asses; for in their banquets and rich praise Apollon greatly delights, and laughs to see the rampant lewdness of those brutish beasts. Nor is the Muse a stranger in their life, but on all sides the feet of maidens dancing, the full tones of the lyre and pealing flutes are all astir; with leaves of gleaming laurel bound upon their hair, they throng with happy hearts to join the revel. Illness and wasting old age visit not this hallowed race, but far from toil and battle they dwell secure from Nemesis' remorseless vengeance…

— Pindar, Pythian Ode 10, 26-45

[father-of-the-void]

Golden Lyre, rightful possession of Apollo and the violet-haired Muses, to you the footstep listens as it begins the splendid celebration, and the singers heed your signals, whenever with your vibrations you strike up the chorus-leading preludes. You quench even the warring thunderbolt of ever flowing fire; and the eagle sleeps on the scepter of Zeus, having relaxed his swift wings on either side...

Pindar, Pythian Ode I, Str. I

[father-of-the-void]

Neither by ship nor on foot could you find the marvelous way to the assembly of the Hyperboreans. With them Perseus, the leader of people, once feasted, upon entering their halls, when he came upon them sacrificing glorious heactombs of asses to the god. In their banquets and praises Apollo ever finds greatest delight and laughs to see the beasts' braying insolence. And the Muse is no stranger to their ways, for everywhere choruses of maidens, sounds of lyres, and pipes' shrill notes are stirring. With golden laurel they crown their hair and feast joyfully. Neither sickness nor accursed old age mingles with that holy race, but without toils or battles they dwell there, having escaped strictly judging Nemesis...

Pindar, Pythian Ode 10, 26-45

[father-of-the-void]

Inborn of nature's wisdom The poet's truth.

Pindar

[father-of-the-void]

Of the fairest glories that mortals may attain, to him is given to sail to the furthest bound. Yet neither ship nor marching feet may find the wondrous way to the gatherings of the Hyperborean people. Yet was it with these that Perseus the warrior chief once feasted, entering their homes, and chanced upon their sacrifices unto the god, those famous offerings of hecatombs of asses; for in their banquets and rich praise Apollon greatly delights, and laughs to see the rampant lewdness of those brutish beasts. Nor is the Mousa (Muse) a stranger to their life, but on all sides the feet of maidens dancing, the full tones of the lyre and pealing flutes are all astir; with leaves of gleaming laurel bound upon their hair, they throng with happy hearts to join the revel. Illness and wasting old age visit not this hallowed race, but far from toil and battle they dwell secure from fate’s remorseless vengeance…

Pindar, Pythian Ode 10.27