A Wandering Ship of Songs

Pindar, Nemean 3.28-33

“Oh, my heart, to what foreign shore
Are you turning my ship?
I want you to bring the Muse to Aiakos and his kin.

The heart of justice follows the principle “praise the good”–
Yet, lusts for different tales are not better for a man to endure.
Look for these at home.

You have earned the proper place
Of singing something sweet.”

θυμέ, τίνα πρὸς ἀλλοδαπάν
ἄκραν ἐμὸν πλόον παραμείβεαι;
Αἰακῷ σε φαμὶ γένει τε Μοῖσαν φέρειν.
ἕπεται δὲ λόγῳ δίκας ἄωτος, “ἐσλὸν αἰνεῖν,”

οὐδ᾿ ἀλλοτρίων ἔρωτες ἀνδρὶ φέρειν κρέσσονες·
οἴκοθεν μάτευε. ποτίφορον δὲ κόσμον ἔλαχες
γλυκύ τι γαρυέμεν.

Black figure vase of ship with large bearded figure reclined. Sail is white and unfurled. Dolphins leap around the edge
Black figure Kylix (drinking cup) depicting Dionysus crossing the sea, ca. 530 BC, Staatliche Antikensammlungen, Munich