THE HOMERIC HYMNS : TO APHRODITE (293 lines)

 V. TO APHRODITE (293 lines)

(ll. 1-6) Muse, tell me the deeds of golden Aphrodite the

Cyprian, who stirs up sweet passion in the gods and subdues the

tribes of mortal men and birds that fly in air and all the many

creatures that the dry land rears, and all the sea: all these

love the deeds of rich-crowned Cytherea.

(ll. 7-32) Yet there are three hearts that she cannot bend nor

yet ensnare.  First is the daughter of Zeus who holds the aegis,

bright-eyed Athene; for she has no pleasure in the deeds of

golden Aphrodite, but delights in wars and in the work of Ares,

in strifes and battles and in preparing famous crafts.  She first

taught earthly craftsmen to make chariots of war and cars

variously wrought with bronze, and she, too, teaches tender

maidens in the house and puts knowledge of goodly arts in each

one's mind.  Nor does laughter-loving Aphrodite ever tame in love

Artemis, the huntress with shafts of gold; for she loves archery

and the slaying of wild beasts in the mountains, the lyre also

and dancing and thrilling cries and shady woods and the cities of

upright men.  Nor yet does the pure maiden Hestia love

Aphrodite's works.  She was the first-born child of wily Cronos

and youngest too (24), by will of Zeus who holds the aegis, -- a

queenly maid whom both Poseidon and Apollo sought to wed.  But

she was wholly unwilling, nay, stubbornly refused; and touching

the head of father Zeus who holds the aegis, she, that fair

goddess, sware a great oath which has in truth been fulfilled,

that she would be a maiden all her days.  So Zeus the Father gave

her an high honour instead of marriage, and she has her place in

the midst of the house and has the richest portion.  In all the

temples of the gods she has a share of honour, and among all

mortal men she is chief of the goddesses.

(ll. 33-44) Of these three Aphrodite cannot bend or ensnare the

hearts.  But of all others there is nothing among the blessed

gods or among mortal men that has escaped Aphrodite.  Even the

heart of Zeus, who delights in thunder, is led astray by her;

though he is greatest of all and has the lot of highest majesty,

she beguiles even his wise heart whensoever she pleases, and

mates him with mortal women, unknown to Hera, his sister and his

wife, the grandest far in beauty among the deathless goddesses --

most glorious is she whom wily Cronos with her mother Rhea did

beget: and Zeus, whose wisdom is everlasting, made her his chaste

and careful wife.

(ll. 45-52) But upon Aphrodite herself Zeus cast sweet desire to

be joined in love with a mortal man, to the end that, very soon,

not even she should be innocent of a mortal's love; lest

laughter-loving Aphrodite should one day softly smile and say

mockingly among all the gods that she had joined the gods in love

with mortal women who bare sons of death to the deathless gods,

and had mated the goddesses with mortal men.

(ll. 53-74) And so he put in her heart sweet desire for Anchises

who was tending cattle at that time among the steep hills of

many-fountained Ida, and in shape was like the immortal gods. 

Therefore, when laughter-loving Aphrodite saw him, she loved him,

and terribly desire seized her in her heart.  She went to Cyprus,

to Paphos, where her precinct is and fragrant altar, and passed

into her sweet-smelling temple.  There she went in and put to the

glittering doors, and there the Graces bathed her with heavenly

oil such as blooms upon the bodies of the eternal gods -- oil

divinely sweet, which she had by her, filled with fragrance.  And

laughter-loving Aphrodite put on all her rich clothes, and when

she had decked herself with gold, she left sweet-smelling Cyprus

and went in haste towards Troy, swiftly travelling high up among

the clouds.  So she came to many-fountained Ida, the mother of

wild creatures and went straight to the homestead across the

mountains.  After her came grey wolves, fawning on her, and grim-

eyed lions, and bears, and fleet leopards, ravenous for deer: and

she was glad in heart to see them, and put desire in their

breasts, so that they all mated, two together, about the shadowy

coombes.

(ll. 75-88) (25) But she herself came to the neat-built shelters,

and him she found left quite alone in the homestead -- the hero

Anchises who was comely as the gods.  All the others were

following the herds over the grassy pastures, and he, left quite

alone in the homestead, was roaming hither and thither and

playing thrillingly upon the lyre.  And Aphrodite, the daughter

of Zeus stood before him, being like a pure maiden in height and

mien, that he should not be frightened when he took heed of her

with his eyes.  Now when Anchises saw her, he marked her well and

wondered at her mien and height and shining garments.  For she

was clad in a robe out-shining the brightness of fire, a splendid

robe of gold, enriched with all manner of needlework, which

shimmered like the moon over her tender breasts, a marvel to see.

Also she wore twisted brooches and shining earrings in the form

of flowers; and round her soft throat were lovely necklaces.

(ll. 91-105) And Anchises was seized with love, and said to her:

`Hail, lady, whoever of the blessed ones you are that are come to

this house, whether Artemis, or Leto, or golden Aphrodite, or

high-born Themis, or bright-eyed Athene.  Or, maybe, you are one

of the Graces come hither, who bear the gods company and are

called immortal, or else one of those who inhabit this lovely

mountain and the springs of rivers and grassy meads.  I will make

you an altar upon a high peak in a far seen place, and will

sacrifice rich offerings to you at all seasons.  And do you feel

kindly towards me and grant that I may become a man very eminent

among the Trojans, and give me strong offspring for the time to

come.  As for my own self, let me live long and happily, seeing

the light of the sun, and come to the threshold of old age, a man

prosperous among the people.'

(ll. 106-142) Thereupon Aphrodite the daughter of Zeus answered

him: `Anchises, most glorious of all men born on earth, know that

I am no goddess: why do you liken me to the deathless ones?  Nay,

I am but a mortal, and a woman was the mother that bare me. 

Otreus of famous name is my father, if so be you have heard of

him, and he reigns over all Phrygia rich in fortresses.  But I

know your speech well beside my own, for a Trojan nurse brought

me up at home: she took me from my dear mother and reared me

thenceforth when I was a little child.  So comes it, then, that I

well know you tongue also.  And now the Slayer of Argus with the

golden wand has caught me up from the dance of huntress Artemis,

her with the golden arrows.  For there were many of us, nymphs

and marriageable (26) maidens, playing together; and an

innumerable company encircled us: from these the Slayer of Argus

with the golden wand rapt me away.  He carried me over many

fields of mortal men and over much land untilled and unpossessed,

where savage wild-beasts roam through shady coombes, until I

thought never again to touch the life-giving earth with my feet. 

And he said that I should be called the wedded wife of Anchises,

and should bear you goodly children.  But when he had told and

advised me, he, the strong Slayer of Argos, went back to the

families of the deathless gods, while I am now come to you: for

unbending necessity is upon me.  But I beseech you by Zeus and by

your noble parents -- for no base folk could get such a son as

you -- take me now, stainless and unproved in love, and show me

to your father and careful mother and to your brothers sprung

from the same stock.  I shall be no ill-liking daughter for them,

but a likely.  Moreover, send a messenger quickly to the swift-

horsed Phrygians, to tell my father and my sorrowing mother; and

they will send you gold in plenty and woven stuffs, many splendid

gifts; take these as bride-piece.  So do, and then prepare the

sweet marriage that is honourable in the eyes of men and

deathless gods.'

(ll. 143-144) When she had so spoken, the goddess put sweet

desire in his heart.  And Anchises was seized with love, so that

he opened his mouth and said:

(ll. 145-154) `If you are a mortal and a woman was the mother who

bare you, and Otreus of famous name is your father as you say,

and if you are come here by the will of Hermes the immortal

Guide, and are to be called my wife always, then neither god nor

mortal man shall here restrain me till I have lain with you in

love right now; no, not even if far-shooting Apollo himself

should launch grievous shafts from his silver bow.  Willingly

would I go down into the house of Hades, O lady, beautiful as the

goddesses, once I had gone up to your bed.'

(ll. 155-167) So speaking, he caught her by the hand.  And

laughter-loving Aphrodite, with face turned away and lovely eyes

downcast, crept to the well-spread couch which was already laid

with soft coverings for the hero; and upon it lay skins of bears

and deep-roaring lions which he himself had slain in the high

mountains.  And when they had gone up upon the well-fitted bed,

first Anchises took off her bright jewelry of pins and twisted

brooches and earrings and necklaces, and loosed her girdle and

stripped off her bright garments and laid them down upon a

silver-studded seat.  Then by the will of the gods and destiny he

lay with her, a mortal man with an immortal goddess, not clearly

knowing what he did.

(ll. 168-176) But at the time when the herdsmen driver their oxen

and hardy sheep back to the fold from the flowery pastures, even

then Aphrodite poured soft sleep upon Anchises, but herself put

on her rich raiment.  And when the bright goddess had fully

clothed herself, she stood by the couch, and her head reached to

the well-hewn roof-tree; from her cheeks shone unearthly beauty

such as belongs to rich-crowned Cytherea.  Then she aroused him

from sleep and opened her mouth and said:

(ll. 177-179) `Up, son of Dardanus! -- why sleep you so heavily?

-- and consider whether I look as I did when first you saw me

with your eyes.'

(ll. 180-184) So she spake.  And he awoke in a moment and obeyed

her.  But when he saw the neck and lovely eyes of Aphrodite, he

was afraid and turned his eyes aside another way, hiding his

comely face with his cloak.  Then he uttered winged words and

entreated her:

(ll. 185-190) `So soon as ever I saw you with my eyes, goddess, I

knew that you were divine; but you did not tell me truly.  Yet by

Zeus who holds the aegis I beseech you, leave me not to lead a

palsied life among men, but have pity on me; for he who lies with

a deathless goddess is no hale man afterwards.'

(ll. 191-201) Then Aphrodite the daughter of Zeus answered him:

`Anchises, most glorious of mortal men, take courage and be not

too fearful in your heart.  You need fear no harm from me nor

from the other blessed ones, for you are dear to the gods: and

you shall have a dear son who shall reign among the Trojans, and

children's children after him, springing up continually.  His

name shall be Aeneas (27), because I felt awful grief in that I

laid me in the bed of mortal man: yet are those of your race

always the most like to gods of all mortal men in beauty and in

stature (28).

(ll. 202-217) `Verily wise Zeus carried off golden-haired

Ganymedes because of his beauty, to be amongst the Deathless Ones

and pour drink for the gods in the house of Zeus -- a wonder to

see -- honoured by all the immortals as he draws the red nectar

from the golden bowl.  But grief that could not be soothed filled

the heart of Tros; for he knew not whither the heaven-sent

whirlwind had caught up his dear son, so that he mourned him

always, unceasingly, until Zeus pitied him and gave him high-

stepping horses such as carry the immortals as recompense for his

son.  These he gave him as a gift.  And at the command of Zeus,

the Guide, the slayer of Argus, told him all, and how his son

would be deathless and unageing, even as the gods.  So when Tros

heard these tidings from Zeus, he no longer kept mourning but

rejoiced in his heart and rode joyfully with his storm-footed

horses.

(ll. 218-238) `So also golden-throned Eos rapt away Tithonus who

was of your race and like the deathless gods.  And she went to

ask the dark-clouded Son of Cronos that he should be deathless

and live eternally; and Zeus bowed his head to her prayer and

fulfilled her desire.  Too simply was queenly Eos: she thought

not in her heart to ask youth for him and to strip him of the

slough of deadly age.  So while he enjoyed the sweet flower of

life he lived rapturously with golden-throned Eos, the early-

born, by the streams of Ocean, at the ends of the earth; but when

the first grey hairs began to ripple from his comely head and

noble chin, queenly Eos kept away from his bed, though she

cherished him in her house and nourished him with food and

ambrosia and gave him rich clothing.  But when loathsome old age

pressed full upon him, and he could not move nor lift his limbs,

this seemed to her in her heart the best counsel: she laid him in

a room and put to the shining doors.  There he babbles endlessly,

and no more has strength at all, such as once he had in his

supple limbs.

(ll. 239-246) `I would not have you be deathless among the

deathless gods and live continually after such sort.  Yet if you

could live on such as now you are in look and in form, and be

called my husband, sorrow would not then enfold my careful heart.

But, as it is, harsh (29) old age will soon enshroud you --

ruthless age which stands someday at the side of every man,

deadly, wearying, dreaded even by the gods.

(ll. 247-290) `And now because of you I shall have great shame

among the deathless gods henceforth, continually.  For until now

they feared my jibes and the wiles by which, or soon or late, I

mated all the immortals with mortal women, making them all

subject to my will.  But now my mouth shall no more have this

power among the gods; for very great has been my madness, my

miserable and dreadful madness, and I went astray out of my mind

who have gotten a child beneath my girdle, mating with a mortal

man.  As for the child, as soon as he sees the light of the sun,

the deep-breasted mountain Nymphs who inhabit this great and holy

mountain shall bring him up.  They rank neither with mortals nor

with immortals: long indeed do they live, eating heavenly food

and treading the lovely dance among the immortals, and with them

the Sileni and the sharp-eyed Slayer of Argus mate in the depths

of pleasant caves; but at their birth pines or high-topped oaks

spring up with them upon the fruitful earth, beautiful,

flourishing trees, towering high upon the lofty mountains (and

men call them holy places of the immortals, and never mortal lops

them with the axe); but when the fate of death is near at hand,

first those lovely trees wither where they stand, and the bark

shrivels away about them, and the twigs fall down, and at last

the life of the Nymph and of the tree leave the light of the sun

together.  These Nymphs shall keep my son with them and rear him,

and as soon as he is come to lovely boyhood, the goddesses will

bring him here to you and show you your child.  But, that I may

tell you all that I have in mind, I will come here again towards

the fifth year and bring you my son.  So soon as ever you have

seen him -- a scion to delight the eyes -- you will rejoice in

beholding him; for he shall be most godlike: then bring him at

once to windy Ilion.  And if any mortal man ask you who got your

dear son beneath her girdle, remember to tell him as I bid you:

say he is the offspring of one of the flower-like Nymphs who

inhabit this forest-clad hill.  But if you tell all and foolishly

boast that you lay with rich-crowned Aphrodite, Zeus will smite

you in his anger with a smoking thunderbolt.  Now I have told you

all.  Take heed: refrain and name me not, but have regard to the

anger of the gods.'

(l. 291) When the goddess had so spoken, she soared up to windy

heaven.

(ll. 292-293) Hail, goddess, queen of well-builded Cyprus!  With

you have I begun; now I will turn me to another hymn.

VI. TO APHRODITE (21 lines)

(ll. 1-18) I will sing of stately Aphrodite, gold-crowned and

beautiful, whose dominion is the walled cities of all sea-set

Cyprus.  There the moist breath of the western wind wafted her

over the waves of the loud-moaning sea in soft foam, and there

the gold-filleted Hours welcomed her joyously.  They clothed her

with heavenly garments: on her head they put a fine, well-wrought

crown of gold, and in her pierced ears they hung ornaments of

orichalc and precious gold, and adorned her with golden necklaces

over her soft neck and snow-white breasts, jewels which the gold-

filleted Hours wear themselves whenever they go to their father's

house to join the lovely dances of the gods.  And when they had

fully decked her, they brought her to the gods, who welcomed her

when they saw her, giving her their hands.  Each one of them

prayed that he might lead her home to be his wedded wife, so

greatly were they amazed at the beauty of violet-crowned

Cytherea.

(ll. 19-21) Hail, sweetly-winning, coy-eyed goddess!  Grant that

I may gain the victory in this contest, and order you my song. 

And now I will remember you and another song also.