Pindarus in Los Angeles

A leader writer recalls that in ancient Greece the poet Pindar used to compose lyrics to celebrate victories in the Olympic Games, and suggests that the old Greek laureate might be astonished were he to discover women in our own modern Olympic team, which is shortly to leave for Los Angeles.

Where the swift and ruddy-skinned are
Striving for a win or place,
Oh, that we should lack a Pindar
To uphold them in the race.
Heartened then, thro’ hearing him pick
At his lyre to weave a rhyme,
Such as might his changing whim pick,
Every lad and lass Olympic
Would be breaking “even time.”
What refrains he might employ:
“Attababy! Attaboy!”

Tho’ Parnassus now, or Hades,
Shelters Pindar, the recluse,
Think you that athletic ladies
Could not stir his sleeping muse?
Gladly would he hymn their beauty
In the latest metric mode,
Deeming it a pleasing duty,
As to lilting lyre or lute he
Mingled love-songs with his ode;
Singing sweetly, brain awhirl:
“Hoof it, Honey! Attagirl!”