This sentiment serves to introduce the beautiful myth which
occupies the largest part of the poem (56—175). Heracles,
going down to Hades for Cerberus, meets the shade of Meleager.
sive occasions (viz., in Ol. 62=532 B.C.,
Ol. 63 = 528, and Ol. 64 = 524, as appears
from the context). He adds that the
same feat had been accomplished by a
team belonging to a Spartan named
Evagoras, but that (as we can easily
believe) it had never been surpassed.
Pelagonius (circ. 410 A.D.) velerin. p. 32
(quoted by W. Christ and Blass) makes
the following statement:—‘It is main-
tained (adseverant) that horses are gene-
rally fit for the circus and the contests at
festivals from their fifth to their twentieth
year.’


200 INTRODUCTIONS TO THE ODES.
Both those heroes, so victorious, and so great, illustrate the truth
that ‘no mortal is blest in all things.’ Just when the name of
Deianeira has been uttered by the spirit of her brother, and the
fatal resolve of Heracles to wed her is being taken, the poet
leaves his myth with a Pindaric abruptness, and returns to his
theme.
The concluding portion of the ode (176—200) touches once
more on the victory, and claims praise for Hieron as a debt
of candour (ἀλάθεια), which only envy could withhold. When
a man’s fortunes have once struck root, just praise is as the dew
which brings leaf and flower. May Zeus grant that Hieron’s
fortunes shall be stedfast and untroubled.
