Şiir 8
in the city-destroying battles, that wall would breathe forth ravening smoke.
35
And three gray-green serpents, when the wall was newly built, tried to leap into it; two of them fell down, stunned, and gave up their lives,
and the third leapt up with a cry. Pondering this adverse omen, Apollo said right away: “ Pergamos is taken, hero, through the works of your hands—so says a vision sent to me from the son of Cronus, loud-thundering Zeus—
40
not without your sons: the city will be destroyed Reading with Gildersleeve ῥάζεται for ἄρζεται, with the first generation, and with the third.” Reading with the MSS τερτάτοις, See GRBS 1987, The god spoke clearly, and then hurried on his way, driving to Xanthus, and to the Amazons with their fine horses, and to the Danube, And the wielder of the trident drove his swift chariot to the sea-washed Isthmus,
45
bringing Aeacus here on his golden horses,
50
and going to see the ridge of Corinth, famous for its feasts. But nothing can be equally delightful to all men. If I have, in my song, exalted the glory of Melesias for his training of beardless youths,
let envy not strike me with a rough stone. For I will tell how he himself won the same grace at Nemea, and later, among men, in the battle
55
of the pancratium. To teach
is easier for one who has knowledge himself. And it is foolish not to learn in advance; for the minds of those with no experience are insubstantial. Melesias, beyond all others, could speak of those deeds: what manner of training will advance a man who is going to win the most longed-for glory from the sacred games.
60
Now it is his honor that his thirtieth victory has been won for him by Alcimedon,
65
