Ode 4
For Hieron of Syracuse
Chariot Race at Delphi
470 B. C.
Golden-haired Apollo still loves the state of Syracuse and honors Hieron, the city's lawful ruler. For his praises are sung as a Pythian victor for a third time beside the navel of the high-ridged land,
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through the excellence of his swift-footed horses. Ourania's sweet-voiced cockerel, ruler of the lyre ... but with willing mind ...
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showered with hymns.
And yet a fourth time we would be honoring the son of Deinomenes if some ... held the scales of Justice ...
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he can be crowned with garlands, as the only man on earth who has accomplished this in the vale of
Cirrha by the sea; and he has two Olympian victories to sing of as well. What is better than to be loved by the gods
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and to be granted a share of every kind of noble deed?
