There do ye, O Muses, join in the song of triumph: I pledge my word
that to no stranger-banishing folk shall ye come, nor unacquainted
with things noble, but of the highest in arts and valiant with the
spear. For neither tawny fox nor roaring lion may change his native
temper.

[Footnote 1: Perhaps [Greek: sophos] (which means often rather clever
or skilful than wise) has here the special reference to poetic skill,
which it often has in Pindar.]

[Footnote 2: Golden here means supremely excellent, as in the first
line of the eighth Olympian.]



XI.

FOR AGESIDAMOS OF EPIZEPHYRIAN LOKRIS,

WINNER IN THE BOYS' BOXING-MATCH.

* * * * *

It would seem by his own confession that Pindar did not remember till
long afterwards the promise he made to Agesidamos in the last ode.
We do not know how long afterwards this was written, but it must
have been too late to greet the winner on his arrival in Italy; probably
it was to be sung at the anniversary or some memorial celebration
of his victory.