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The date of this victory is B.C. 460. Long as the ode is, it would seem however to have been written, like the fourth Olympian, to be sung in the procession to the altar of Zeus on the night of the victory. Of the forty-four odes remaining to us no less than eleven are in honour of winners from Aigina.
It was to be sung, it seems, before the house of Telesarchos the winner's father, at Aigina. For Kleandros in his prime let some of you, ye young men, go stand before the shining portal of his father Telesarchos, and rouse a song of triumph, to be a glorious recompense of his toils, for that he hath achieved reward of victory at Isthmos, and hath showed his strength in the games of Nemea.
Now at this new good fortune I rejoice; yet somewhat also I grieve, even to behold how envy requiteth noble deeds . Yet thus ever, they say, must fair hap abiding with a man engender bad with good. The insolence of the barbarian despot seems to be symbolized by that of the giants Typhon and Porphyrion. The ode was apparently to be sung on the winner's return to Aigina.
No statuary I, that I should fashion images to rest idly on their pedestals, nay but by every trading-ship and plying boat forth from Aigina fare, sweet song of mine, and bear abroad the news, how that Lampon's son, the strong-limbed Pytheas, hath won at Nemea the pankratiast's crown, while on his cheeks he showeth not as yet the vine-bloom's mother, mellowing midsummer.
And they that possessed Argos and Tiryns of the great walls, Hermione and Asine that enfold the deep gulf, Troizen and Eionai and Epidauros full of vines, and the youths of the Achaians that possessed Aigina and Mases, these were led of Diomedes of the loud war-cary and Sthenelos, dear son of famous Kapaneus.
Now the boy was fair to look upon, neither shamed he by his deeds his beauty, but in the wrestling match victorious made proclamation that his country was Aigina of long oars, where saviour Themis who sitteth in judgment by Zeus the stranger's succour is honoured more than any elsewhere among men .
In Athens there were four or five for each citizen, and in places like Korinth and Aigina the slave population is said to have numbered four or five hundred thousand. Besides, the Greek citizen had little need of personal service. He lived out of doors, and, like most Southern people, was comparatively abstemious in his habits.
Three words shall be enough: when he presideth over the games there is no lie found in his testimony thereof. O thou Aigina, of thy children that are of Zeus I have good courage to proclaim that as of inheritance they claim the path to glory, through splendour of their valorous deeds: howbeit in every work a rest is sweet, yea even of honey cometh surfeit and of the lovely flowers of Love.
But thrice and four times to tell over the same tale is emptiness in the end thereof, even as he of the proverb that babbleth among children how that Korinthos was the son of Zeus . The date of this ode is unknown. It was probably sung before the shrine of Aiakos at Aigina.
Nevertheless when a glory from God hath shined on them, a clear light abideth upon men, and serene life. Aigina , mother dear, this city in her march among the free, with Zeus and lordly Aiakos, with Peleus and valiant Telamon and with Achilles, guard thou well. The Hellenic heavy-armed soldier was often called upon to advance at a run, as for instance in the charge at Marathon.
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