THE HOMERIC HYMNS : To Apollo (546 Lines)

 III. TO APOLLO (546 lines)

TO DELIAN APOLLO --

(ll. 1-18) I will remember and not be unmindful of Apollo who

shoots afar.  As he goes through the house of Zeus, the gods

tremble before him and all spring up from their seats when he

draws near, as he bends his bright bow.  But Leto alone stays by

the side of Zeus who delights in thunder; and then she unstrings

his bow, and closes his quiver, and takes his archery from his

strong shoulders in her hands and hangs them on a golden peg

against a pillar of his father's house.  Then she leads him to a

seat and makes him sit: and the Father gives him nectar in a

golden cup welcoming his dear son, while the other gods make him

sit down there, and queenly Leto rejoices because she bare a

mighty son and an archer.  Rejoice, blessed Leto, for you bare

glorious children, the lord Apollo and Artemis who delights in

arrows; her in Ortygia, and him in rocky Delos, as you rested

against the great mass of the Cynthian hill hard by a palm-tree

by the streams of Inopus.

(ll. 19-29) How, then, shall I sing of you who in all ways are a

worthy theme of song?  For everywhere, O Phoebus, the whole range

of song is fallen to you, both over the mainland that rears

heifers and over the isles.  All mountain-peaks and high

headlands of lofty hills and rivers flowing out to the deep and

beaches sloping seawards and havens of the sea are your delight. 

Shall I sing how at the first Leto bare you to be the joy of men,

as she rested against Mount Cynthus in that rocky isle, in sea-

girt Delos -- while on either hand a dark wave rolled on

landwards driven by shrill winds -- whence arising you rule over

all mortal men?

(ll. 30-50) Among those who are in Crete, and in the township of

Athens, and in the isle of Aegina and Euboea, famous for ships,

in Aegae and Eiresiae and Peparethus near the sea, in Thracian

Athos and Pelion's towering heights and Thracian Samos and the

shady hills of Ida, in Scyros and Phocaea and the high hill of

Autocane and fair-lying Imbros and smouldering Lemnos and rich

Lesbos, home of Macar, the son of Aeolus, and Chios, brightest of

all the isles that lie in the sea, and craggy Mimas and the

heights of Corycus and gleaming Claros and the sheer hill of

Aesagea and watered Samos and the steep heights of Mycale, in

Miletus and Cos, the city of Meropian men, and steep Cnidos and

windy Carpathos, in Naxos and Paros and rocky Rhenaea -- so far

roamed Leto in travail with the god who shoots afar, to see if

any land would be willing to make a dwelling for her son.  But

they greatly trembled and feared, and none, not even the richest

of them, dared receive Phoebus, until queenly Leto set foot on

Delos and uttered winged words and asked her:

(ll. 51-61) `Delos, if you would be willing to be the abode of my

son "Phoebus Apollo and make him a rich temple --; for no other

will touch you, as you will find: and I think you will never be

rich in oxen and sheep, nor bear vintage nor yet produce plants

abundantly.  But if you have the temple of far-shooting Apollo,

all men will bring you hecatombs and gather here, and incessant

savour of rich sacrifice will always arise, and you will feed

those who dwell in you from the hand of strangers; for truly your

own soil is not rich.'

(ll. 62-82) So spake Leto.  And Delos rejoiced and answered and

said:  `Leto, most glorious daughter of great Coeus, joyfully

would I receive your child the far-shooting lord; for it is all

too true that I am ill-spoken of among men, whereas thus I should

become very greatly honoured.  But this saying I fear, and I will

not hide it from you, Leto.  They say that Apollo will be one

that is very haughty and will greatly lord it among gods and men

all over the fruitful earth.  Therefore, I greatly fear in heart

and spirit that as soon as he sets the light of the sun, he will

scorn this island -- for truly I have but a hard, rocky soil --

and overturn me and thrust me down with his feet in the depths of

the sea; then will the great ocean wash deep above my head for

ever, and he will go to another land such as will please him,

there to make his temple and wooded groves.  So, many-footed

creatures of the sea will make their lairs in me and black seals

their dwellings undisturbed, because I lack people.  Yet if you

will but dare to sware a great oath, goddess, that here first he

will build a glorious temple to be an oracle for men, then let

him afterwards make temples and wooded groves amongst all men;

for surely he will be greatly renowned.

(ll. 83-88) So said Delos.  And Leto sware the great oath of the

gods: `Now hear this, Earth and wide Heaven above, and dropping

water of Styx (this is the strongest and most awful oath for the

blessed gods), surely Phoebus shall have here his fragrant altar

and precinct, and you he shall honour above all.'

(ll. 89-101) Now when Leto had sworn and ended her oath, Delos

was very glad at the birth of the far-shooting lord.  But Leto

was racked nine days and nine nights with pangs beyond wont.  And

there were with her all the chiefest of the goddesses, Dione and

Rhea and Ichnaea and Themis and loud-moaning Amphitrite and the

other deathless goddesses save white-armed Hera, who sat in the

halls of cloud-gathering Zeus.  Only Eilithyia, goddess of sore

travail, had not heard of Leto's trouble, for she sat on the top

of Olympus beneath golden clouds by white-armed Hera's

contriving, who kept her close through envy, because Leto with

the lovely tresses was soon to bear a son faultless and strong.

(ll. 102-114) But the goddesses sent out Iris from the well-set

isle to bring Eilithyia, promising her a great necklace strung

with golden threads, nine cubits long.  And they bade Iris call

her aside from white-armed Hera, lest she might afterwards turn

her from coming with her words.  When swift Iris, fleet of foot

as the wind, had heard all this, she set to run; and quickly

finishing all the distance she came to the home of the gods,

sheer Olympus, and forthwith called Eilithyia out from the hall

to the door and spoke winged words to her, telling her all as the

goddesses who dwell on Olympus had bidden her.  So she moved the

heart of Eilithyia in her dear breast; and they went their way,

like shy wild-doves in their going.

(ll. 115-122) And as soon as Eilithyia the goddess of sore

travail set foot on Delos, the pains of birth seized Leto, and

she longed to bring forth; so she cast her arms about a palm tree

and kneeled on the soft meadow while the earth laughed for joy

beneath.  Then the child leaped forth to the light, and all the

goddesses washed you purely and cleanly with sweet water, and

swathed you in a white garment of fine texture, new-woven, and

fastened a golden band about you.

(ll. 123-130) Now Leto did not give Apollo, bearer of the golden

blade, her breast; but Themis duly poured nectar and ambrosia

with her divine hands: and Leto was glad because she had borne a

strong son and an archer.  But as soon as you had tasted that

divine heavenly food, O Phoebus, you could no longer then be held

by golden cords nor confined with bands, but all their ends were

undone.  Forthwith Phoebus Apollo spoke out among the deathless

goddesses:

(ll. 131-132) `The lyre and the curved bow shall ever be dear to

me, and I will declare to men the unfailing will of Zeus.'

(ll. 133-139) So said Phoebus, the long-haired god who shoots

afar and began to walk upon the wide-pathed earth; and all

goddesses were amazed at him.  Then with gold all Delos was

laden, beholding the child of Zeus and Leto, for joy because the

god chose her above the islands and shore to make his dwelling in

her: and she loved him yet more in her heart, and blossomed as

does a mountain-top with woodland flowers.

(ll. 140-164) And you, O lord Apollo, god of the silver bow,

shooting afar, now walked on craggy Cynthus, and now kept

wandering about the island and the people in them.  Many are your

temples and wooded groves, and all peaks and towering bluffs of

lofty mountains and rivers flowing to the sea are dear to you,

Phoebus, yet in Delos do you most delight your heart; for there

the long robed Ionians gather in your honour with their children

and shy wives: mindful, they delight you with boxing and dancing

and song, so often as they hold their gathering.  A man would say

that they were deathless and unageing if he should then come upon

the Ionians so met together.  For he would see the graces of them

all, and would be pleased in heart gazing at the men and well-

girded women with their swift ships and great wealth.  And there

is this great wonder besides -- and its renown shall never perish

-- the girls of Delos, hand-maidens of the Far-shooter; for when

they have praised Apollo first, and also Leto and Artemis who

delights in arrows, they sing a strain-telling of men and women

of past days, and charm the tribes of men.  Also they can imitate

the tongues of all men and their clattering speech: each would

say that he himself were singing, so close to truth is their

sweet song.

(ll. 165-178) And now may Apollo be favourable and Artemis; and

farewell all you maidens.  Remember me in after time whenever any

one of men on earth, a stranger who has seen and suffered much,

comes here and asks of you: `Whom think ye, girls, is the

sweetest singer that comes here, and in whom do you most

delight?'  Then answer, each and all, with one voice: `He is a

blind man, and dwells in rocky Chios: his lays are evermore

supreme.'  As for me, I will carry your renown as far as I roam

over the earth to the well-placed this thing is true.  And I will

never cease to praise far-shooting Apollo, god of the silver bow,

whom rich-haired Leto bare.

TO PYTHIAN APOLLO --

(ll. 179-181) O Lord, Lycia is yours and lovely Maeonia and

Miletus, charming city by the sea, but over wave-girt Delos you

greatly reign your own self.

(ll. 182-206) Leto's all-glorious son goes to rocky Pytho,

playing upon his hollow lyre, clad in divine, perfumed garments;

and at the touch of the golden key his lyre sings sweet.  Thence,

swift as thought, he speeds from earth to Olympus, to the house

of Zeus, to join the gathering of the other gods: then

straightway the undying gods think only of the lyre and song, and

all the Muses together, voice sweetly answering voice, hymn the

unending gifts the gods enjoy and the sufferings of men, all that

they endure at the hands of the deathless gods, and how they live

witless and helpless and cannot find healing for death or defence

against old age.  Meanwhile the rich-tressed Graces and cheerful

Seasons dance with Harmonia and Hebe and Aphrodite, daughter of

Zeus, holding each other by the wrist.  And among them sings one,

not mean nor puny, but tall to look upon and enviable in mien,

Artemis who delights in arrows, sister of Apollo.  Among them

sport Ares and the keen-eyed Slayer of Argus, while Apollo plays

his lyre stepping high and featly and a radiance shines around

him, the gleaming of his feet and close-woven vest.  And they,

even gold-tressed Leto and wise Zeus, rejoice in their great

hearts as they watch their dear son playing among the undying

gods.

(ll. 207-228) How then shall I sing of you -- though in all ways

you are a worthy theme for song?  Shall I sing of you as wooer

and in the fields of love, how you went wooing the daughter of

Azan along with god-like Ischys the son of well-horsed Elatius,

or with Phorbas sprung from Triops, or with Ereutheus, or with

Leucippus and the wife of Leucippus....

((LACUNA))

....you on foot, he with his chariot, yet he fell not short of

Triops.  Or shall I sing how at the first you went about the

earth seeking a place of oracle for men, O far-shooting Apollo? 

To Pieria first you went down from Olympus and passed by sandy

Lectus and Enienae and through the land of the Perrhaebi.  Soon

you came to Iolcus and set foot on Cenaeum in Euboea, famed for

ships: you stood in the Lelantine plain, but it pleased not your

heart to make a temple there and wooded groves.  From there you

crossed the Euripus, far-shooting Apollo, and went up the green,

holy hills, going on to Mycalessus and grassy-bedded Teumessus,

and so came to the wood-clad abode of Thebe; for as yet no man

lived in holy Thebe, nor were there tracks or ways about Thebe's

wheat-bearing plain as yet.

(ll. 229-238) And further still you went, O far-shooting Apollo,

and came to Onchestus, Poseidon's bright grove: there the new-

broken cold distressed with drawing the trim chariot gets spirit

again, and the skilled driver springs from his car and goes on

his way.  Then the horses for a while rattle the empty car, being

rid of guidance; and if they break the chariot in the woody

grove, men look after the horses, but tilt the chariot and leave

it there; for this was the rite from the very first.  And the

drivers pray to the lord of the shrine; but the chariot falls to

the lot of the god.

(ll. 239-243) Further yet you went, O far-shooting Apollo, and

reached next Cephissus' sweet stream which pours forth its sweet-

flowing water from Lilaea, and crossing over it, O worker from

afar, you passed many-towered Ocalea and reached grassy

Haliartus.

(ll. 244-253) Then you went towards Telphusa: and there the

pleasant place seemed fit for making a temple and wooded grove. 

You came very near and spoke to her: `Telphusa, here I am minded

to make a glorious temple, an oracle for men, and hither they

will always bring perfect hecatombs, both those who live in rich

Peloponnesus and those of Europe and all the wave-washed isles,

coming to seek oracles.  And I will deliver to them all counsel

that cannot fail, giving answer in my rich temple.'

(ll. 254-276) So said Phoebus Apollo, and laid out all the

foundations throughout, wide and very long.  But when Telphusa

saw this, she was angry in heart and spoke, saying: `Lord

Phoebus, worker from afar, I will speak a word of counsel to your

heart, since you are minded to make here a glorious temple to be

an oracle for men who will always bring hither perfect hecatombs

for you; yet I will speak out, and do you lay up my words in your

heart.  The trampling of swift horses and the sound of mules

watering at my sacred springs will always irk you, and men will

like better to gaze at the well-made chariots and stamping,

swift-footed horses than at your great temple and the many

treasures that are within.  But if you will be moved by me -- for

you, lord, are stronger and mightier than I, and your strength is

very great -- build at Crisa below the glades of Parnassus: there

no bright chariot will clash, and there will be no noise of

swift-footed horses near your well-built altar.  But so the

glorious tribes of men will bring gifts to you as Iepaeon (`Hail-

Healer'), and you will receive with delight rich sacrifices from

the people dwelling round about.'  So said Telphusa, that she

alone, and not the Far-Shooter, should have renown there; and she

persuaded the Far-Shooter.

(ll. 277-286) Further yet you went, far-shooting Apollo, until

you came to the town of the presumptuous Phlegyae who dwell on

this earth in a lovely glade near the Cephisian lake, caring not

for Zeus.  And thence you went speeding swiftly to the mountain

ridge, and came to Crisa beneath snowy Parnassus, a foothill

turned towards the west: a cliff hangs over if from above, and a

hollow, rugged glade runs under.  There the lord Phoebus Apollo

resolved to make his lovely temple, and thus he said:

(ll. 287-293) `In this place I am minded to build a glorious

temple to be an oracle for men, and here they will always bring

perfect hecatombs, both they who dwell in rich Peloponnesus and

the men of Europe and from all the wave-washed isles, coming to

question me.  And I will deliver to them all counsel that cannot

fail, answering them in my rich temple.'

(ll. 294-299) When he had said this, Phoebus Apollo laid out all

the foundations throughout, wide and very long; and upon these

the sons of Erginus, Trophonius and Agamedes, dear to the

deathless gods, laid a footing of stone.  And the countless

tribes of men built the whole temple of wrought stones, to be

sung of for ever.

(ll. 300-310) But near by was a sweet flowing spring, and there

with his strong bow the lord, the son of Zeus, killed the

bloated, great she-dragon, a fierce monster wont to do great

mischief to men upon earth, to men themselves and to their thin-

shanked sheep; for she was a very bloody plague.  She it was who

once received from gold-throned Hera and brought up fell, cruel

Typhaon to be a plague to men.  Once on a time Hera bare him

because she was angry with father Zeus, when the Son of Cronos

bare all-glorious Athena in his head.  Thereupon queenly Hera was

angry and spoke thus among the assembled gods:

(ll. 311-330) `Hear from me, all gods and goddesses, how cloud-

gathering Zeus begins to dishonour me wantonly, when he has made

me his true-hearted wife.  See now, apart from me he has given

birth to bright-eyed Athena who is foremost among all the blessed

gods.  But my son Hephaestus whom I bare was weakly among all the

blessed gods and shrivelled of foot, a shame and disgrace to me

in heaven, whom I myself took in my hands and cast out so that he

fell in the great sea.  But silver-shod Thetis the daughter of

Nereus took and cared for him with her sisters: would that she

had done other service to the blessed gods!  O wicked one and

crafty!  What else will you now devise?  How dared you by

yourself give birth to bright-eyed Athena?  Would not I have

borne you a child -- I, who was at least called your wife among

the undying gods who hold wide heaven.  Beware now lest I devise

some evil thing for you hereafter: yes, now I will contrive that

a son be born me to be foremost among the undying gods -- and

that without casting shame on the holy bond of wedlock between

you and me.  And I will not come to your bed, but will consort

with the blessed gods far off from you.'

(ll. 331-333) When she had so spoken, she went apart from the

gods, being very angry.  Then straightway large-eyed queenly Hera

prayed, striking the ground flatwise with her hand, and speaking

thus:

(ll. 334-362) `Hear now, I pray, Earth and wide Heaven above, and

you Titan gods who dwell beneath the earth about great Tartarus,

and from whom are sprung both gods and men!  Harken you now to

me, one and all, and grant that I may bear a child apart from

Zeus, no wit lesser than him in strength -- nay, let him be as

much stronger than Zeus as all-seeing Zeus than Cronos.'  Thus

she cried and lashed the earth with her strong hand.  Then the

life-giving earth was moved: and when Hera saw it she was glad in

heart, for she thought her prayer would be fulfilled.  And

thereafter she never came to the bed of wise Zeus for a full

year, not to sit in her carved chair as aforetime to plan wise

counsel for him, but stayed in her temples where many pray, and

delighted in her offerings, large-eyed queenly Hera.  But when

the months and days were fulfilled and the seasons duly came on

as the earth moved round, she bare one neither like the gods nor

mortal men, fell, cruel Typhaon, to be a plague to men. 

Straightway large-eyed queenly Hera took him and bringing one

evil thing to another such, gave him to the dragoness; and she

received him.  And this Typhaon used to work great mischief among

the famous tribes of men.  Whosoever met the dragoness, the day

of doom would sweep him away, until the lord Apollo, who deals

death from afar, shot a strong arrow at her.  Then she, rent with

bitter pangs, lay drawing great gasps for breath and rolling

about that place.  An awful noise swelled up unspeakable as she

writhed continually this way and that amid the wood: and so she

left her life, breathing it forth in blood.  Then Phoebus Apollo

boasted over her:

(ll. 363-369) `Now rot here upon the soil that feeds man!  You at

least shall live no more to be a fell bane to men who eat the

fruit of the all-nourishing earth, and who will bring hither

perfect hecatombs.  Against cruel death neither Typhoeus shall

avail you nor ill-famed Chimera, but here shall the Earth and

shining Hyperion make you rot.'

(ll. 370-374) Thus said Phoebus, exulting over her: and darkness

covered her eyes.  And the holy strength of Helios made her rot

away there; wherefore the place is now called Pytho, and men call

the lord Apollo by another name, Pythian; because on that spot

the power of piercing Helios made the monster rot away.

(ll. 375-378) Then Phoebus Apollo saw that the sweet-flowing

spring had beguiled him, and he started out in anger against

Telphusa; and soon coming to her, he stood close by and spoke to

her:

(ll. 379-381) `Telphusa, you were not, after all, to keep to

yourself this lovely place by deceiving my mind, and pour forth

your clear flowing water: here my renown shall also be and not

yours alone?'

(ll. 382-387) Thus spoke the lord, far-working Apollo, and pushed

over upon her a crag with a shower of rocks, hiding her streams:

and he made himself an altar in a wooded grove very near the

clear-flowing stream.  In that place all men pray to the great

one by the name Telphusian, because he humbled the stream of holy

Telphusa.

(ll. 388-439) Then Phoebus Apollo pondered in his heart what men

he should bring in to be his ministers in sacrifice and to serve

him in rocky Pytho.  And while he considered this, he became

aware of a swift ship upon the wine-like sea in which were many

men and goodly, Cretans from Cnossos (10), the city of Minos,

they who do sacrifice to the prince and announce his decrees,

whatsoever Phoebus Apollo, bearer of the golden blade, speaks in

answer from his laurel tree below the dells of Parnassus.  These

men were sailing in their black ship for traffic and for profit

to sandy Pylos and to the men of Pylos.  But Phoebus Apollo met

them: in the open sea he sprang upon their swift ship, like a

dolphin in shape, and lay there, a great and awesome monster, and

none of them gave heed so as to understand (11); but they sought

to cast the dolphin overboard.  But he kept shaking the black

ship every way and make the timbers quiver.  So they sat silent

in their craft for fear, and did not loose the sheets throughout

the black, hollow ship, nor lowered the sail of their dark-prowed

vessel, but as they had set it first of all with oxhide ropes, so

they kept sailing on; for a rushing south wind hurried on the

swift ship from behind.  First they passed by Malea, and then

along the Laconian coast they came to Taenarum, sea-garlanded

town and country of Helios who gladdens men, where the thick-

fleeced sheep of the lord Helios feed continually and occupy a

glad-some country.  There they wished to put their ship to shore,

and land and comprehend the great marvel and see with their eyes

whether the monster would remain upon the deck of the hollow

ship, or spring back into the briny deep where fishes shoal.  But

the well-built ship would not obey the helm, but went on its way

all along Peloponnesus: and the lord, far-working Apollo, guided

it easily with the breath of the breeze.  So the ship ran on its

course and came to Arena and lovely Argyphea and Thryon, the ford

of Alpheus, and well-placed Aepy and sandy Pylos and the men of

Pylos; past Cruni it went and Chalcis and past Dyme and fair

Elis, where the Epei rule.  And at the time when she was making

for Pherae, exulting in the breeze from Zeus, there appeared to

them below the clouds the steep mountain of Ithaca, and Dulichium

and Same and wooded Zacynthus.  But when they were passed by all

the coast of Peloponnesus, then, towards Crisa, that vast gulf

began to heave in sight which through all its length cuts off the

rich isle of Pelops.  There came on them a strong, clear west-

wind by ordinance of Zeus and blew from heaven vehemently, that

with all speed the ship might finish coursing over the briny

water of the sea.  So they began again to voyage back towards the

dawn and the sun: and the lord Apollo, son of Zeus, led them on

until they reached far-seen Crisa, land of vines, and into haven:

there the sea-coursing ship grounded on the sands.

(ll. 440-451) Then, like a star at noonday, the lord, far-working

Apollo, leaped from the ship: flashes of fire flew from him thick

and their brightness reached to heaven.  He entered into his

shrine between priceless tripods, and there made a flame to flare

up bright, showing forth the splendour of his shafts, so that

their radiance filled all Crisa, and the wives and well-girded

daughters of the Crisaeans raised a cry at that outburst of

Phoebus; for he cast great fear upon them all.  From his shrine

he sprang forth again, swift as a thought, to speed again to the

ship, bearing the form of a man, brisk and sturdy, in the prime

of his youth, while his broad shoulders were covered with his

hair: and he spoke to the Cretans, uttering winged words:

(ll. 452-461) `Strangers, who are you?  Whence come you sailing

along the paths of the sea?  Are you for traffic, or do you

wander at random over the sea as pirates do who put their own

lives to hazard and bring mischief to men of foreign parts as

they roam?  Why rest you so and are afraid, and do not go ashore

nor stow the gear of your black ship?  For that is the custom of

men who live by bread, whenever they come to land in their dark

ships from the main, spent with toil; at once desire for sweet

food catches them about the heart.'

(ll. 462-473) So speaking, he put courage in their hearts, and

the master of the Cretans answered him and said: `Stranger --

though you are nothing like mortal men in shape or stature, but

are as the deathless gods -- hail and all happiness to you, and

may the gods give you good.  Now tell me truly that I may surely

know it: what country is this, and what land, and what men live

herein?  As for us, with thoughts set otherwards, we were sailing

over the great sea to Pylos from Crete (for from there we declare

that we are sprung), but now are come on shipboard to this place

by no means willingly -- another way and other paths -- and

gladly would we return.  But one of the deathless gods brought us

here against our will.'

(ll. 474-501) Then far-working Apollo answered then and said:

`Strangers who once dwelt about wooded Cnossos but now shall

return no more each to his loved city and fair house and dear

wife; here shall you keep my rich temple that is honoured by many

men.  I am the son of Zeus; Apollo is my name: but you I brought

here over the wide gulf of the sea, meaning you no hurt; nay,

here you shall keep my rich temple that is greatly honoured among

men, and you shall know the plans of the deathless gods, and by

their will you shall be honoured continually for all time.  And

now come, make haste and do as I say.  First loose the sheets and

lower the sail, and then draw the swift ship up upon the land. 

Take out your goods and the gear of the straight ship, and make

an altar upon the beach of the sea: light fire upon it and make

an offering of white meal.  Next, stand side by side around the

altar and pray: and in as much as at the first on the hazy sea I

sprang upon the swift ship in the form of a dolphin, pray to me

as Apollo Delphinius; also the altar itself shall be called

Delphinius and overlooking (12) for ever.  Afterwards, sup beside

your dark ship and pour an offering to the blessed gods who dwell

on Olympus.  But when you have put away craving for sweet food,

come with me singing the hymn Ie Paean (Hail, Healer!), until you

come to the place where you shall keep my rich temple.'

(ll. 502-523) So said Apollo.  And they readily harkened to him

and obeyed him.  First they unfastened the sheets and let down

the sail and lowered the mast by the forestays upon the mast-

rest.  Then, landing upon the beach of the sea, they hauled up

the ship from the water to dry land and fixed long stays under

it.  Also they made an altar upon the beach of the sea, and when

they had lit a fire, made an offering of white meal, and prayed

standing around the altar as Apollo had bidden them.  Then they

took their meal by the swift, black ship, and poured an offering

to the blessed gods who dwell on Olympus.  And when they had put

away craving for drink and food, they started out with the lord

Apollo, the son of Zeus, to lead them, holding a lyre in his

hands, and playing sweetly as he stepped high and featly.  So the

Cretans followed him to Pytho, marching in time as they chanted

the Ie Paean after the manner of the Cretan paean-singers and of

those in whose hearts the heavenly Muse has put sweet-voiced

song.  With tireless feet they approached the ridge and

straightway came to Parnassus and the lovely place where they

were to dwell honoured by many men.  There Apollo brought them

and showed them his most holy sanctuary and rich temple.

(ll. 524-525) But their spirit was stirred in their dear breasts,

and the master of the Cretans asked him, saying:

(ll. 526-530) `Lord, since you have brought us here far from our

dear ones and our fatherland, -- for so it seemed good to your

heart, -- tell us now how we shall live.  That we would know of

you.  This land is not to be desired either for vineyards or for

pastures so that we can live well thereon and also minister to

men.'

(ll. 531-544) Then Apollo, the son of Zeus, smiled upon them and

said: `Foolish mortals and poor drudges are you, that you seek

cares and hard toils and straits!  Easily will I tell you a word

and set it in your hearts.  Though each one of you with knife in

hand should slaughter sheep continually, yet would you always

have abundant store, even all that the glorious tribes of men

bring here for me.  But guard you my temple and receive the

tribes of men that gather to this place, and especially show

mortal men my will, and do you keep righteousness in your heart. 

But if any shall be disobedient and pay no heed to my warning, of

if there shall be any idle word or deed and outrage as is common

among mortal men, then other men shall be your masters and with a

strong hand shall make you subject for ever.  All has been told

you: do you keep it in your heart.'

(ll. 545-546) And so, farewell, son of Zeus and Leto; but I will

remember you and another hymn also.

IV. TO HERMES (582 lines)

(ll. 1-29) Muse, sing of Hermes, the son of Zeus and Maia, lord

of Cyllene and Arcadia rich in flocks, the luck-bringing

messenger of the immortals whom Maia bare, the rich-tressed

nymph, when she was joined in love with Zeus, -- a shy goddess,

for she avoided the company of the blessed gods, and lived within

a deep, shady cave.  There the son of Cronos used to lie with the

rich-tressed nymph, unseen by deathless gods and mortal men, at

dead of night while sweet sleep should hold white-armed Hera

fast.  And when the purpose of great Zeus was fixed in heaven,

she was delivered and a notable thing was come to pass.  For then

she bare a son, of many shifts, blandly cunning, a robber, a

cattle driver, a bringer of dreams, a watcher by night, a thief

at the gates, one who was soon to show forth wonderful deeds

among the deathless gods.  Born with the dawning, at mid-day he

played on the lyre, and in the evening he stole the cattle of

far-shooting Apollo on the fourth day of the month; for on that

day queenly Maia bare him.  So soon as he had leaped from his

mother's heavenly womb, he lay not long waiting in his holy

cradle, but he sprang up and sought the oxen of Apollo.  But as

he stepped over the threshold of the high-roofed cave, he found a

tortoise there and gained endless delight.  For it was Hermes who

first made the tortoise a singer.  The creature fell in his way

at the courtyard gate, where it was feeding on the rich grass

before the dwelling, waddling along.  When be saw it, the luck-

bringing son of Zeus laughed and said:

(ll. 30-38) `An omen of great luck for me so soon!  I do not

slight it.  Hail, comrade of the feast, lovely in shape, sounding

at the dance!  With joy I meet you!  Where got you that rich gaud

for covering, that spangled shell -- a tortoise living in the

mountains?  But I will take and carry you within: you shall help

me and I will do you no disgrace, though first of all you must

profit me.  It is better to be at home: harm may come out of

doors.  Living, you shall be a spell against mischievous

witchcraft (13); but if you die, then you shall make sweetest

song.

(ll. 39-61) Thus speaking, he took up the tortoise in both hands

and went back into the house carrying his charming toy.  Then he

cut off its limbs and scooped out the marrow of the mountain-

tortoise with a scoop of grey iron.  As a swift thought darts

through the heart of a man when thronging cares haunt him, or as

bright glances flash from the eye, so glorious Hermes planned

both thought and deed at once.  He cut stalks of reed to measure

and fixed them, fastening their ends across the back and through

the shell of the tortoise, and then stretched ox hide all over it

by his skill.  Also he put in the horns and fitted a cross-piece

upon the two of them, and stretched seven strings of sheep-gut. 

But when he had made it he proved each string in turn with the

key, as he held the lovely thing.  At the touch of his hand it

sounded marvellously; and, as he tried it, the god sang sweet

random snatches, even as youths bandy taunts at festivals.  He

sang of Zeus the son of Cronos and neat-shod Maia, the converse

which they had before in the comradeship of love, telling all the

glorious tale of his own begetting.  He celebrated, too, the

handmaids of the nymph, and her bright home, and the tripods all

about the house, and the abundant cauldrons.

(ll. 62-67) But while he was singing of all these, his heart was

bent on other matters.  And he took the hollow lyre and laid it

in his sacred cradle, and sprang from the sweet-smelling hall to

a watch-place, pondering sheet trickery in his heart -- deeds

such as knavish folk pursue in the dark night-time; for he longed

to taste flesh.

(ll. 68-86) The Sun was going down beneath the earth towards

Ocean with his horses and chariot when Hermes came hurrying to

the shadowy mountains of Pieria, where the divine cattle of the

blessed gods had their steads and grazed the pleasant, unmown

meadows.  Of these the Son of Maia, the sharp-eyed slayer of

Argus then cut off from the herd fifty loud-lowing kine, and

drove them straggling-wise across a sandy place, turning their

hoof-prints aside.  Also, he bethought him of a crafty ruse and

reversed the marks of their hoofs, making the front behind and

the hind before, while he himself walked the other way (14). 

Then he wove sandals with wicker-work by the sand of the sea,

wonderful things, unthought of, unimagined; for he mixed together

tamarisk and myrtle-twigs, fastening together an armful of their

fresh, young wood, and tied them, leaves and all securely under

his feet as light sandals.  The brushwood the glorious Slayer of

Argus plucked in Pieria as he was preparing for his journey,

making shift (15) as one making haste for a long journey.

(ll. 87-89) But an old man tilling his flowering vineyard saw him

as he was hurrying down the plain through grassy Onchestus.  So

the Son of Maia began and said to him:

(ll. 90-93) `Old man, digging about your vines with bowed

shoulders, surely you shall have much wine when all these bear

fruit, if you obey me and strictly remember not to have seen what

you have seen, and not to have heard what you have heard, and to

keep silent when nothing of your own is harmed.'

(ll. 94-114) When he had said this much, he hurried the strong

cattle on together: through many shadowy mountains and echoing

gorges and flowery plains glorious Hermes drove them.  And now

the divine night, his dark ally, was mostly passed, and dawn that

sets folk to work was quickly coming on, while bright Selene,

daughter of the lord Pallas, Megamedes' son, had just climbed her

watch-post, when the strong Son of Zeus drove the wide-browed

cattle of Phoebus Apollo to the river Alpheus.  And they came

unwearied to the high-roofed byres and the drinking-troughs that

were before the noble meadow.  Then, after he had well-fed the

loud-bellowing cattle with fodder and driven them into the byre,

close-packed and chewing lotus and began to seek the art of fire.

He chose a stout laurel branch and trimmed it with the knife....

((LACUNA)) (16)

....held firmly in his hand: and the hot smoke rose up.  For it

was Hermes who first invented fire-sticks and fire.  Next he took

many dried sticks and piled them thick and plenty in a sunken

trench: and flame began to glow, spreading afar the blast of

fierce-burning fire.

(ll. 115-137) And while the strength of glorious Hephaestus was

beginning to kindle the fire, he dragged out two lowing, horned

cows close to the fire; for great strength was with him.  He

threw them both panting upon their backs on the ground, and

rolled them on their sides, bending their necks over (17), and

pierced their vital chord.  Then he went on from task to task:

first he cut up the rich, fatted meat, and pierced it with wooden

spits, and roasted flesh and the honourable chine and the paunch

full of dark blood all together.  He laid them there upon the

ground, and spread out the hides on a rugged rock: and so they

are still there many ages afterwards, a long, long time after all

this, and are continually (18).  Next glad-hearted Hermes dragged

the rich meats he had prepared and put them on a smooth, flat

stone, and divided them into twelve portions distributed by lot,

making each portion wholly honourable.  Then glorious Hermes

longed for the sacrificial meat, for the sweet savour wearied

him, god though he was; nevertheless his proud heart was not

prevailed upon to devour the flesh, although he greatly desired

(19).  But he put away the fat and all the flesh in the high-

roofed byre, placing them high up to be a token of his youthful

theft.  And after that he gathered dry sticks and utterly

destroyed with fire all the hoofs and all the heads.

(ll. 138-154) And when the god had duly finished all, he threw

his sandals into deep-eddying Alpheus, and quenched the embers,

covering the black ashes with sand, and so spent the night while

Selene's soft light shone down.  Then the god went straight back

again at dawn to the bright crests of Cyllene, and no one met him

on the long journey either of the blessed gods or mortal men, nor

did any dog bark.  And luck-bringing Hermes, the son of Zeus,

passed edgeways through the key-hole of the hall like the autumn

breeze, even as mist: straight through the cave he went and came

to the rich inner chamber, walking softly, and making no noise as

one might upon the floor.  Then glorious Hermes went hurriedly to

his cradle, wrapping his swaddling clothes about his shoulders as

though he were a feeble babe, and lay playing with the covering

about his knees; but at his left hand he kept close his sweet

lyre.

(ll. 155-161) But the god did not pass unseen by the goddess his

mother; but she said to him: `How now, you rogue!  Whence come

you back so at night-time, you that wear shamelessness as a

garment?  And now I surely believe the son of Leto will soon have

you forth out of doors with unbreakable cords about your ribs, or

you will live a rogue's life in the glens robbing by whiles.  Go

to, then; your father got you to be a great worry to mortal men

and deathless gods.'

(ll. 162-181) Then Hermes answered her with crafty words:

`Mother, why do you seek to frighten me like a feeble child whose

heart knows few words of blame, a fearful babe that fears its

mother's scolding?  Nay, but I will try whatever plan is best,

and so feed myself and you continually.  We will not be content

to remain here, as you bid, alone of all the gods unfee'd with

offerings and prayers.  Better to live in fellowship with the

deathless gods continually, rich, wealthy, and enjoying stories

of grain, than to sit always in a gloomy cave: and, as regards

honour, I too will enter upon the rite that Apollo has.  If my

father will not give it to me, I will seek -- and I am able -- to

be a prince of robbers.  And if Leto's most glorious son shall

seek me out, I think another and a greater loss will befall him. 

For I will go to Pytho to break into his great house, and will

plunder therefrom splendid tripods, and cauldrons, and gold, and

plenty of bright iron, and much apparel; and you shall see it if

you will.'

(ll. 182-189) With such words they spoke together, the son of

Zeus who holds the aegis, and the lady Maia.  Now Eros the early

born was rising from deep-flowing Ocean, bringing light to men,

when Apollo, as he went, came to Onchestus, the lovely grove and

sacred place of the loud-roaring Holder of the Earth.  There he

found an old man grazing his beast along the pathway from his

court-yard fence, and the all-glorious Son of Leto began and said

to him.

(ll. 190-200) `Old man, weeder (20) of grassy Onchestus, I am

come here from Pieria seeking cattle, cows all of them, all with

curving horns, from my herd.  The black bull was grazing alone

away from the rest, but fierce-eyed hounds followed the cows,

four of them, all of one mind, like men.  These were left behind,

the dogs and the bull -- which is great marvel; but the cows

strayed out of the soft meadow, away from the pasture when the

sun was just going down.  Now tell me this, old man born long

ago: have you seen one passing along behind those cows?'

(ll. 201-211) Then the old man answered him and said: `My son, it

is hard to tell all that one's eyes see; for many wayfarers pass

to and fro this way, some bent on much evil, and some on good: it

is difficult to know each one.  However, I was digging about my

plot of vineyard all day long until the sun went down, and I

thought, good sir, but I do not know for certain, that I marked a

child, whoever the child was, that followed long-horned cattle --

an infant who had a staff and kept walking from side to side: he

was driving them backwards way, with their heads toward him.'

(ll. 212-218) So said the old man.  And when Apollo heard this

report, he went yet more quickly on his way, and presently,

seeing a long-winged bird, he knew at once by that omen that

thief was the child of Zeus the son of Cronos.  So the lord

Apollo, son of Zeus, hurried on to goodly Pylos seeking his

shambling oxen, and he had his broad shoulders covered with a

dark cloud.  But when the Far-Shooter perceived the tracks, he

cried:

(ll. 219-226) `Oh, oh!  Truly this is a great marvel that my eyes

behold!  These are indeed the tracks of straight-horned oxen, but

they are turned backwards towards the flowery meadow.  But these

others are not the footprints of man or woman or grey wolves or

bears or lions, nor do I think they are the tracks of a rough-

maned Centaur -- whoever it be that with swift feet makes such

monstrous footprints; wonderful are the tracks on this side of

the way, but yet more wonderfully are those on that.'

(ll. 227-234) When he had so said, the lord Apollo, the Son of

Zeus hastened on and came to the forest-clad mountain of Cyllene

and the deep-shadowed cave in the rock where the divine nymph

brought forth the child of Zeus who is the son of Cronos.  A

sweet odour spread over the lovely hill, and many thin-shanked

sheep were grazing on the grass.  Then far-shooting Apollo

himself stepped down in haste over the stone threshold into the

dusky cave.

(ll. 235-253) Now when the Son of Zeus and Maia saw Apollo in a

rage about his cattle, he snuggled down in his fragrant

swaddling-clothes; and as wood-ash covers over the deep embers of

tree-stumps, so Hermes cuddled himself up when he saw the Far-

Shooter.  He squeezed head and hands and feet together in a small

space, like a new born child seeking sweet sleep, though in truth

he was wide awake, and he kept his lyre under his armpit.  But

the Son of Leto was aware and failed not to perceive the

beautiful mountain-nymph and her dear son, albeit a little child

and swathed so craftily.  He peered in ever corner of the great

dwelling and, taking a bright key, he opened three closets full

of nectar and lovely ambrosia.  And much gold and silver was

stored in them, and many garments of the nymph, some purple and

some silvery white, such as are kept in the sacred houses of the

blessed gods.  Then, after the Son of Leto had searched out the

recesses of the great house, he spake to glorious Hermes:

(ll. 254-259) `Child, lying in the cradle, make haste and tell me

of my cattle, or we two will soon fall out angrily.  For I will

take and cast you into dusty Tartarus and awful hopeless

darkness, and neither your mother nor your father shall free you

or bring you up again to the light, but you will wander under the

earth and be the leader amongst little folk.' (21)

(ll. 260-277) Then Hermes answered him with crafty words: `Son of

Leto, what harsh words are these you have spoken?  And is it

cattle of the field you are come here to seek?  I have not seen

them: I have not heard of them: no one has told me of them.  I

cannot give news of them, nor win the reward for news.  Am I like

a cattle-liter, a stalwart person?  This is no task for me:

rather I care for other things: I care for sleep, and milk of my

mother's breast, and wrappings round my shoulders, and warm

baths.  Let no one hear the cause of this dispute; for this would

be a great marvel indeed among the deathless gods, that a child

newly born should pass in through the forepart of the house with

cattle of the field: herein you speak extravagantly.  I was born

yesterday, and my feet are soft and the ground beneath is rough;

nevertheless, if you will have it so, I will swear a great oath

by my father's head and vow that neither am I guilty myself,

neither have I seen any other who stole your cows -- whatever

cows may be; for I know them only by hearsay.'

(ll. 278-280) So, then, said Hermes, shooting quick glances from

his eyes: and he kept raising his brows and looking this way and

that, whistling long and listening to Apollo's story as to an

idle tale.

(ll. 281-292) But far-working Apollo laughed softly and said to

him: `O rogue, deceiver, crafty in heart, you talk so innocently

that I most surely believe that you have broken into many a well-

built house and stripped more than one poor wretch bare this

night (22), gathering his goods together all over the house

without noise.  You will plague many a lonely herdsman in

mountain glades, when you come on herds and thick-fleeced sheep,

and have a hankering after flesh.  But come now, if you would not

sleep your last and latest sleep, get out of your cradle, you

comrade of dark night.  Surely hereafter this shall be your title

amongst the deathless gods, to be called the prince of robbers

continually.'

(ll. 293-300) So said Phoebus Apollo, and took the child and

began to carry him.  But at that moment the strong Slayer of

Argus had his plan, and, while Apollo held him in his hands, sent

forth an omen, a hard-worked belly-serf, a rude messenger, and

sneezed directly after.  And when Apollo heard it, he dropped

glorious Hermes out of his hands on the ground: then sitting down

before him, though he was eager to go on his way, he spoke

mockingly to Hermes:

(ll. 301-303) `Fear not, little swaddling baby, son of Zeus and

Maia.  I shall find the strong cattle presently by these omens,

and you shall lead the way.'

(ll. 304-306) When Apollo had so said, Cyllenian Hermes sprang up

quickly, starting in haste.  With both hands he pushed up to his

ears the covering that he had wrapped about his shoulders, and

said:

(ll. 307-312) `Where are you carrying me, Far-Worker, hastiest of

all the gods?  Is it because of your cattle that you are so angry

and harass me?  O dear, would that all the sort of oxen might

perish; for it is not I who stole your cows, nor did I see

another steal them -- whatever cows may be, and of that I have

only heard report.  Nay, give right and take it before Zeus, the

Son of Cronos.'

(ll. 313-326) So Hermes the shepherd and Leto's glorious son kept

stubbornly disputing each article of their quarrel: Apollo,

speaking truly....

((LACUNA))

....not fairly sought to seize glorious Hermes because of the

cows; but he, the Cyllenian, tried to deceive the God of the

Silver Bow with tricks and cunning words.  But when, though he

had many wiles, he found the other had as many shifts, he began

to walk across the sand, himself in front, while the Son of Zeus

and Leto came behind.  Soon they came, these lovely children of

Zeus, to the top of fragrant Olympus, to their father, the Son of

Cronos; for there were the scales of judgement set for them both.

There was an assembly on snowy Olympus, and the immortals who

perish not were gathering after the hour of gold-throned Dawn.

(ll. 327-329) Then Hermes and Apollo of the Silver Bow stood at

the knees of Zeus: and Zeus who thunders on high spoke to his

glorious son and asked him:

(ll. 330-332) `Phoebus, whence come you driving this great spoil,

a child new born that has the look of a herald?  This is a

weighty matter that is come before the council of the gods.'

(ll. 333-364) Then the lord, far-working Apollo, answered him: `O

my father, you shall soon hear no triffling tale though you

reproach me that I alone am fond of spoil.  Here is a child, a

burgling robber, whom I found after a long journey in the hills

of Cyllene: for my part I have never seen one so pert either

among the gods or all men that catch folk unawares throughout the

world.  He strole away my cows from their meadow and drove them

off in the evening along the shore of the loud-roaring sea,

making straight for Pylos.  There were double tracks, and

wonderful they were, such as one might marvel at, the doing of a

clever sprite; for as for the cows, the dark dust kept and showed

their footprints leading towards the flowery meadow; but he

himself -- bewildering creature -- crossed the sandy ground

outside the path, not on his feet nor yet on his hands; but,

furnished with some other means he trudged his way -- wonder of

wonders! -- as though one walked on slender oak-trees.  Now while

he followed the cattle across sandy ground, all the tracks showed

quite clearly in the dust; but when he had finished the long way

across the sand, presently the cows' track and his own could not

be traced over the hard ground.  But a mortal man noticed him as

he drove the wide-browed kine straight towards Pylos.  And as

soon as he had shut them up quietly, and had gone home by crafty

turns and twists, he lay down in his cradle in the gloom of a dim

cave, as still as dark night, so that not even an eagle keenly

gazing would have spied him.  Much he rubbed his eyes with his

hands as he prepared falsehood, and himself straightway said

roundly: "I have not seen them: I have not heard of them: no man

has told me of them.  I could not tell you of them, nor win the

reward of telling."'

(ll. 365-367) When he had so spoken, Phoebus Apollo sat down. 

But Hermes on his part answered and said, pointing at the Son of

Cronos, the lord of all the gods:

(ll. 368-386) `Zeus, my father, indeed I will speak truth to you;

for I am truthful and I cannot tell a lie.  He came to our house

to-day looking for his shambling cows, as the sun was newly

rising.  He brought no witnesses with him nor any of the blessed

gods who had seen the theft, but with great violence ordered me

to confess, threatening much to throw me into wide Tartarus.  For

he has the rich bloom of glorious youth, while I was born but

yesterday -- as he too knows -- nor am I like a cattle-lifter, a

sturdy fellow.  Believe my tale (for you claim to be my own

father), that I did not drive his cows to my house -- so may I

prosper -- nor crossed the threshold: this I say truly.  I

reverence Helios greatly and the other gods, and you I love and

him I dread.  You yourself know that I am not guilty: and I will

swear a great oath upon it: -- No! by these rich-decked porticoes

of the gods.  And some day I will punish him, strong as he is,

for this pitiless inquisition; but now do you help the younger.'

(ll. 387-396) So spake the Cyllenian, the Slayer of Argus, while

he kept shooting sidelong glances and kept his swaddling-clothes

upon his arm, and did not cast them away.  But Zeus laughed out

loud to see his evil-plotting child well and cunningly denying

guilt about the cattle.  And he bade them both to be of one mind

and search for the cattle, and guiding Hermes to lead the way

and, without mischievousness of heart, to show the place where

now he had hidden the strong cattle.  Then the Son of Cronos

bowed his head: and goodly Hermes obeyed him; for the will of

Zeus who holds the aegis easily prevailed with him.

(ll. 397-404) Then the two all-glorious children of Zeus hastened

both to sandy Pylos, and reached the ford of Alpheus, and came to

the fields and the high-roofed byre where the beasts were

cherished at night-time.  Now while Hermes went to the cave in

the rock and began to drive out the strong cattle, the son of

Leto, looking aside, saw the cowhides on the sheer rock.  And he

asked glorious Hermes at once:

(ll. 405-408) `How were you able, you crafty rogue, to flay two

cows, new-born and babyish as you are?  For my part, I dread the

strength that will be yours: there is no need you should keep

growing long, Cyllenian, son of Maia!'

(ll. 409-414) So saying, Apollo twisted strong withes with his

hands meaning to bind Hermes with firm bands; but the bands would

not hold him, and the withes of osier fell far from him and began

to grow at once from the ground beneath their feet in that very

place.  And intertwining with one another, they quickly grew and

covered all the wild-roving cattle by the will of thievish

Hermes, so that Apollo was astonished as he gazed.

(ll. 414-435) Then the strong slayer of Argus looked furtively

upon the ground with eyes flashing fire.... desiring to hide....

((LACUNA))

....Very easily he softened the son of all-glorious Leto as he

would, stern though the Far-shooter was.  He took the lyre upon

his left arm and tried each string in turn with the key, so that

it sounded awesomely at his touch.  And Phoebus Apollo laughed

for joy; for the sweet throb of the marvellous music went to his

heart, and a soft longing took hold on his soul as he listened. 

Then the son of Maia, harping sweetly upon his lyre, took courage

and stood at the left hand of Phoebus Apollo; and soon, while he

played shrilly on his lyre, he lifted up his voice and sang, and

lovely was the sound of his voice that followed.  He sang the

story of the deathless gods and of the dark earth, how at the

first they came to be, and how each one received his portion. 

First among the gods he honoured Mnemosyne, mother of the Muses,

in his song; for the son of Maia was of her following.  And next

the goodly son of Zeus hymned the rest of the immortals according

to their order in age, and told how each was born, mentioning all

in order as he struck the lyre upon his arm.  But Apollo was

seized with a longing not to be allayed, and he opened his mouth

and spoke winged words to Hermes:

(ll. 436-462) `Slayer of oxen, trickster, busy one, comrade of

the feast, this song of yours is worth fifty cows, and I believe

that presently we shall settle our quarrel peacefully.  But come

now, tell me this, resourceful son of Maia: has this marvellous

thing been with you from your birth, or did some god or mortal

man give it you -- a noble gift -- and teach you heavenly song? 

For wonderful is this new-uttered sound I hear, the like of which

I vow that no man nor god dwelling on Olympus ever yet has known

but you, O thievish son of Maia.  What skill is this?  What song

for desperate cares?  What way of song?  For verily here are

three things to hand all at once from which to choose, -- mirth,

and love, and sweet sleep.  And though I am a follower of the

Olympian Muses who love dances and the bright path of song -- the

full-toned chant and ravishing thrill of flutes -- yet I never

cared for any of those feats of skill at young men's revels, as I

do now for this: I am filled with wonder, O son of Zeus, at your

sweet playing.  But now, since you, though little, have such

glorious skill, sit down, dear boy, and respect the words of your

elders.  For now you shall have renown among the deathless gods,

you and your mother also.  This I will declare to you exactly: by

this shaft of cornel wood I will surely make you a leader

renowned among the deathless gods, and fortunate, and will give

you glorious gifts and will not deceive you from first to last.'

(ll. 463-495) Then Hermes answered him with artful words: `You

question me carefully, O Far-worker; yet I am not jealous that

you should enter upon my art: this day you shall know it.  For I

seek to be friendly with you both in thought and word.  Now you

well know all things in your heart, since you sit foremost among

the deathless gods, O son of Zeus, and are goodly and strong. 

And wise Zeus loves you as all right is, and has given you

splendid gifts.  And they say that from the utterance of Zeus you

have learned both the honours due to the gods, O Far-worker, and

oracles from Zeus, even all his ordinances.  Of all these I

myself have already learned that you have great wealth.  Now, you

are free to learn whatever you please; but since, as it seems,

your heart is so strongly set on playing the lyre, chant, and

play upon it, and give yourself to merriment, taking this as a

gift from me, and do you, my friend, bestow glory on me.  Sing

well with this clear-voiced companion in your hands; for you are

skilled in good, well-ordered utterance.  From now on bring it

confidently to the rich feast and lovely dance and glorious

revel, a joy by night and by day.  Whoso with wit and wisdom

enquires of it cunningly, him it teaches through its sound all

manner of things that delight the mind, being easily played with

gentle familiarities, for it abhors toilsome drudgery; but whoso

in ignorance enquires of it violently, to him it chatters mere

vanity and foolishness.  But you are able to learn whatever you

please.  So then, I will give you this lyre, glorious son of

Zeus, while I for my part will graze down with wild-roving cattle

the pastures on hill and horse-feeding plain: so shall the cows

covered by the bulls calve abundantly both males and females. 

And now there is no need for you, bargainer though you are, to be

furiously angry.'

(ll. 496-502) When Hermes had said this, he held out the lyre:

and Phoebus Apollo took it, and readily put his shining whip in

Hermes' hand, and ordained him keeper of herds.  The son of Maia

received it joyfully, while the glorious son of Leto, the lord

far-working Apollo, took the lyre upon his left arm and tried

each string with the key.  Awesomely it sounded at the touch of

the god, while he sang sweetly to its note.

(ll. 503-512) Afterwards they two, the all-glorious sons of Zeus

turned the cows back towards the sacred meadow, but themselves

hastened back to snowy Olympus, delighting in the lyre.  Then

wise Zeus was glad and made them both friends.  And Hermes loved

the son of Leto continually, even as he does now, when he had

given the lyre as token to the Far-shooter, who played it

skilfully, holding it upon his arm.  But for himself Hermes found

out another cunning art and made himself the pipes whose sound is

heard afar.

(ll. 513-520) Then the son of Leto said to Hermes: `Son of Maia,

guide and cunning one, I fear you may steal form me the lyre and

my curved bow together; for you have an office from Zeus, to

establish deeds of barter amongst men throughout the fruitful

earth.  Now if you would only swear me the great oath of the

gods, either by nodding your head, or by the potent water of

Styx, you would do all that can please and ease my heart.'

(ll. 521-549) Then Maia's son nodded his head and promised that

he would never steal anything of all the Far-shooter possessed,

and would never go near his strong house; but Apollo, son of

Leto, swore to be fellow and friend to Hermes, vowing that he

would love no other among the immortals, neither god nor man

sprung from Zeus, better than Hermes: and the Father sent forth

an eagle in confirmation.  And Apollo sware also: `Verily I will

make you only to be an omen for the immortals and all alike,

trusted and honoured by my heart.  Moreover, I will give you a

splendid staff of riches and wealth: it is of gold, with three

branches, and will keep you scatheless, accomplishing every task,

whether of words or deeds that are good, which I claim to know

through the utterance of Zeus.  But as for sooth-saying, noble,

heaven-born child, of which you ask, it is not lawful for you to

learn it, nor for any other of the deathless gods: only the mind

of Zeus knows that.  I am pledged and have vowed and sworn a

strong oath that no other of the eternal gods save I should know

the wise-hearted counsel of Zeus.  And do not you, my brother,

bearer of the golden wand, bid me tell those decrees which all-

seeing Zeus intends.  As for men, I will harm one and profit

another, sorely perplexing the tribes of unenviable men. 

Whosoever shall come guided by the call and flight of birds of

sure omen, that man shall have advantage through my voice, and I

will not deceive him.  But whoso shall trust to idly-chattering

birds and shall seek to invoke my prophetic art contrary to my

will, and to understand more than the eternal gods, I declare

that he shall come on an idle journey; yet his gifts I would

take.

(ll. 550-568) `But I will tell you another thing, Son of all-

glorious Maia and Zeus who holds the aegis, luck-bringing genius

of the gods.  There are certain holy ones, sisters born -- three

virgins (23) gifted with wings: their heads are besprinkled with

white meal, and they dwell under a ridge of Parnassus.  These are

teachers of divination apart from me, the art which I practised

while yet a boy following herds, though my father paid no heed to

it.  From their home they fly now here, now there, feeding on

honey-comb and bringing all things to pass.  And when they are

inspired through eating yellow honey, they are willing to speak

truth; but if they be deprived of the gods' sweet food, then they

speak falsely, as they swarm in and out together.  These, then, I

give you; enquire of them strictly and delight your heart: and if

you should teach any mortal so to do, often will he hear your

response -- if he have good fortune.  Take these, Son of Maia,

and tend the wild roving, horned oxen and horses and patient

mules.'

(ll. 568a-573) So he spake.  And from heaven father Zeus himself

gave confirmation to his words, and commanded that glorious

Hermes should be lord over all birds of omen and grim-eyed lions,

and boars with gleaming tusks, and over dogs and all flocks that

the wide earth nourishes, and over all sheep; also that he only

should be the appointed messenger to Hades, who, though he takes

no gift, shall give him no mean prize.

(ll. 574-578) Thus the lord Apollo showed his kindness for the

Son of Maia by all manner of friendship: and the Son of Cronos

gave him grace besides.  He consorts with all mortals and

immortals: a little he profits, but continually throughout the

dark night he cozens the tribes of mortal men.

(ll. 579-580) And so, farewell, Son of Zeus and Maia; but I will

remember you and another song also.

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.