Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PRAISE OF PINDAR, by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PRAISE OF PINDAR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Pindar is imitable by none
Last Line: And there with humble sweets contents her industry.
Alternate Author Name(s): Horace
Subject(s): Pindar (522-440 B.c.)


1.

PIndar is imitable by none:
The Phoenix Pindar is a vast Species alone.
Whoe'er but Doedalus with waxen Wings could fly,
And neither sink too low, nor soar too high?
What could he who follow'd claim,
But of vain Boldness the unhappy Fame,
And by his Fall a Sea to name?
Pindar's unnavigable Song
Like a swoln Flood from some steep Mountain pours along;
The Ocean meets with such a Voice
From his enlarged Mouth, as drowns the Ocean's Noise.

2.

So Pindar does new Words and Figures roll
Down his impetuous Dithyrambique Tide,
Which in no Channel deign's t' abide,
Which neither Banks nor Dikes control.
Whether th' Immortal Gods he sings,
In a no less Immortal Strain,
Or the great Acts of God-descended Kings,
Who in his Numbers still survive and reign.
Each rich embroidered Line,
Which their triumphant Brows around,
By his sacred Hand is bound,
Does all their starry Diadems out-shine.

3.

Whether at Pisa's Race he please
To carve in polish'd Verse the Conqu'ror's Images;
Whether the swift, the skilful, or the strong,
Be crowned in his nimble, artful, vigorous Song;
Whether some brave young Man's untimely Fate
In Words worth dying for he celebrate;
Such mournful, and such pleasing Words,
As Joy to 'his Mother's and his Mistress Grief affords:
He bids him Live and Grow in Fame,
Among the Stars he sticks his Name:
The Grave can but the Dross of him devour,
So small is Death's, so great the Poet's Power.

4.

Lo, how th' obsequious Wind, and swelling Air
The Theban Swan does upwards bear
Into the Walks of Clouds; where he does play,
And with extended Wings opens his liquid way.
Whilst, alas, my tim'rous Muse
Unambitious Tracks pursues;
Does with weak unballast Wings,
About the mossie Brooks and Springs;
About the Trees new-blossom'd Heads;
About the Gardens painted Beds;
About the Fields and flowry Meads;
And all inferior beauteous things;
Like the laborious Bee,
For little Drops of Honey fly,
And there with humble Sweets contents her Industry.





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