Pythian 7: For Megacles of Athens

The mighty city of Athens is the fairest prelude of song, which the widely powerful race of the Alcmaeonidae can lay as a foundation of odes in honour of their steeds.

What fatherland, what family, in which thou dwellest, shalt thou name as more illustrious of report in Greece? For all the cities are haunted by the story of those citizens of Erechtheus, who in divine Pytho made thy temple, O Apollo, a marvel to behold.

I am also prompted to song by five victories, one at the Isthmus, and one famous victory at the Olympian festival of Zeus, and two from Cirrha, won by yourselves, Megacles, and by your ancestors. At this new good fortune I have no little joy; but it is very grievous that noble acts are requited by envy. Yet they say that prosperity which abideth in bloom bringeth evil as well as good in its train.