The purpose with which he has paraphrased an Olympic and Nemaean Ode
is by himself sufficiently explained. His endeavour was, not to
show precisely what Pindar spoke, but his manner of speaking. He
was therefore not at all restrained to his expressions, nor much to
his sentiments; nothing was required of him, but not to write as
Pindar would not have written.

Of the Olympic Ode the beginning is, I think, above the original in
elegance, and the conclusion below it in strength. The connection
is supplied with great perspicuity; and the thoughts, which to a
reader of less skill seem thrown together by chance, are
concatenated without any abruption. Though the English ode cannot
be called a translation, it may be very properly consulted as a
commentary.

The spirit of Pindar is indeed not everywhere equally preserved.
The following pretty lines are not such as his "deep mouth" was used
to pour:


Great Rhea's son,
If in Olympus' top, where thou
Sitt'st to behold thy sacred show,
If in Alpheus' silver flight,
If in my verse thou take delight,
My verse, great Rhea's son, which is
Lofty as that and smooth as this.