THE HOMERIC HYMNS : To Dionysus ( 21 Lines) (1) and To Dementer (495 Lines)

 I. TO DIONYSUS (21 lines) (1)

LACUNA

(ll. 1-9) For some say, at Dracanum; and some, on windy Icarus;

and some, in Naxos, O Heaven-born, Insewn (2); and others by the

deep-eddying river Alpheus that pregnant Semele bare you to Zeus

the thunder-lover.  And others yet, lord, say you were born in

Thebes; but all these lie.  The Father of men and gods gave you

birth remote from men and secretly from white-armed Hera.  There

is a certain Nysa, a mountain most high and richly grown with

woods, far off in Phoenice, near the streams of Aegyptus.

((LACUNA))

(ll. 10-12) `...and men will lay up for her (3) many offerings in

her shrines.  And as these things are three (4), so shall mortals

ever sacrifice perfect hecatombs to you at your feasts each three

years.'

(ll. 13-16) The Son of Cronos spoke and nodded with his dark

brows.  And the divine locks of the king flowed forward from his

immortal head, and he made great Olympus reel.  So spake wise

Zeus and ordained it with a nod.

(ll. 17-21) Be favourable, O Insewn, Inspirer of frenzied women! 

we singers sing of you as we begin and as we end a strain, and

none forgetting you may call holy song to mind.  And so,

farewell, Dionysus, Insewn, with your mother Semele whom men call

Thyone.

II. TO DEMETER (495 lines)

(ll. 1-3) I begin to sing of rich-haired Demeter, awful goddess

-- of her and her trim-ankled daughter whom Aidoneus rapt away,

given to him by all-seeing Zeus the loud-thunderer.

(ll. 4-18) Apart from Demeter, lady of the golden sword and

glorious fruits, she was playing with the deep-bosomed daughters

of Oceanus and gathering flowers over a soft meadow, roses and

crocuses and beautiful violets, irises also and hyacinths and the

narcissus, which Earth made to grow at the will of Zeus and to

please the Host of Many, to be a snare for the bloom-like girl --

a marvellous, radiant flower.  It was a thing of awe whether for

deathless gods or mortal men to see: from its root grew a hundred

blooms and is smelled most sweetly, so that all wide heaven above

and the whole earth and the sea's salt swell laughed for joy. 

And the girl was amazed and reached out with both hands to take

the lovely toy; but the wide-pathed earth yawned there in the

plain of Nysa, and the lord, Host of Many, with his immortal

horses sprang out upon her -- the Son of Cronos, He who has many

names (5).

(ll. 19-32) He caught her up reluctant on his golden car and bare

her away lamenting.  Then she cried out shrilly with her voice,

calling upon her father, the Son of Cronos, who is most high and

excellent.  But no one, either of the deathless gods or of mortal

men, heard her voice, nor yet the olive-trees bearing rich fruit:

only tender-hearted Hecate, bright-coiffed, the daughter of

Persaeus, heard the girl from her cave, and the lord Helios,

Hyperion's bright son, as she cried to her father, the Son of

Cronos.  But he was sitting aloof, apart from the gods, in his

temple where many pray, and receiving sweet offerings from mortal

men.  So he, that Son of Cronos, of many names, who is Ruler of

Many and Host of Many, was bearing her away by leave of Zeus on

his immortal chariot -- his own brother's child and all

unwilling.

(ll. 33-39) And so long as she, the goddess, yet beheld earth and

starry heaven and the strong-flowing sea where fishes shoal, and

the rays of the sun, and still hoped to see her dear mother and

the tribes of the eternal gods, so long hope calmed her great

heart for all her trouble....

((LACUNA))

....and the heights of the mountains and the depths of the sea

rang with her immortal voice: and her queenly mother heard her.

(ll. 40-53) Bitter pain seized her heart, and she rent the

covering upon her divine hair with her dear hands: her dark cloak

she cast down from both her shoulders and sped, like a wild-bird,

over the firm land and yielding sea, seeking her child.  But no

one would tell her the truth, neither god nor mortal men; and of

the birds of omen none came with true news for her.  Then for

nine days queenly Deo wandered over the earth with flaming

torches in her hands, so grieved that she never tasted ambrosia

and the sweet draught of nectar, nor sprinkled her body with

water.  But when the tenth enlightening dawn had come, Hecate,

with a torch in her hands, met her, and spoke to her and told her

news:

(ll. 54-58) `Queenly Demeter, bringer of seasons and giver of

good gifts, what god of heaven or what mortal man has rapt away

Persephone and pierced with sorrow your dear heart?  For I heard

her voice, yet saw not with my eyes who it was.  But I tell you

truly and shortly all I know.'

(ll. 59-73) So, then, said Hecate.  And the daughter of rich-

haired Rhea answered her not, but sped swiftly with her, holding

flaming torches in her hands.  So they came to Helios, who is

watchman of both gods and men, and stood in front of his horses:

and the bright goddess enquired of him: `Helios, do you at least

regard me, goddess as I am, if ever by word or deed of mine I

have cheered your heart and spirit.  Through the fruitless air I

heard the thrilling cry of my daughter whom I bare, sweet scion

of my body and lovely in form, as of one seized violently; though

with my eyes I saw nothing.  But you -- for with your beams you

look down from the bright upper air Over all the earth and sea --

tell me truly of my dear child, if you have seen her anywhere,

what god or mortal man has violently seized her against her will

and mine, and so made off.'

(ll. 74-87) So said she.  And the Son of Hyperion answered her:

`Queen Demeter, daughter of rich-haired Rhea, I will tell you the

truth; for I greatly reverence and pity you in your grief for

your trim-ankled daughter.  None other of the deathless gods is

to blame, but only cloud-gathering Zeus who gave her to Hades,

her father's brother, to be called his buxom wife.  And Hades

seized her and took her loudly crying in his chariot down to his

realm of mist and gloom.  Yet, goddess, cease your loud lament

and keep not vain anger unrelentingly: Aidoneus, the Ruler of

Many, is no unfitting husband among the deathless gods for your

child, being your own brother and born of the same stock: also,

for honour, he has that third share which he received when

division was made at the first, and is appointed lord of those

among whom he dwells.'

(ll. 88-89) So he spake, and called to his horses: and at his

chiding they quickly whirled the swift chariot along, like long-

winged birds.

(ll. 90-112) But grief yet more terrible and savage came into the

heart of Demeter, and thereafter she was so angered with the

dark-clouded Son of Cronos that she avoided the gathering of the

gods and high Olympus, and went to the towns and rich fields of

men, disfiguring her form a long while.  And no one of men or

deep-bosomed women knew her when they saw her, until she came to

the house of wise Celeus who then was lord of fragrant Eleusis. 

Vexed in her dear heart, she sat near the wayside by the Maiden

Well, from which the women of the place were used to draw water,

in a shady place over which grew an olive shrub.  And she was

like an ancient woman who is cut off from childbearing and the

gifts of garland-loving Aphrodite, like the nurses of king's

children who deal justice, or like the house-keepers in their

echoing halls.  There the daughters of Celeus, son of Eleusis,

saw her, as they were coming for easy-drawn water, to carry it in

pitchers of bronze to their dear father's house: four were they

and like goddesses in the flower of their girlhood, Callidice and

Cleisidice and lovely Demo and Callithoe who was the eldest of

them all.  They knew her not, -- for the gods are not easily

discerned by mortals -- but standing near by her spoke winged

words:

(ll. 113-117) `Old mother, whence and who are you of folk born

long ago?  Why are you gone away from the city and do not draw

near the houses?  For there in the shady halls are women of just

such age as you, and others younger; and they would welcome you

both by word and by deed.'

(ll. 118-144) Thus they said.  And she, that queen among

goddesses answered them saying: `Hail, dear children, whosoever

you are of woman-kind.  I will tell you my story; for it is not

unseemly that I should tell you truly what you ask.  Doso is my

name, for my stately mother gave it me.  And now I am come from

Crete over the sea's wide back, -- not willingly; but pirates

brought be thence by force of strength against my liking. 

Afterwards they put in with their swift craft to Thoricus, and

there the women landed on the shore in full throng and the men

likewise, and they began to make ready a meal by the stern-cables

of the ship.  But my heart craved not pleasant food, and I fled

secretly across the dark country and escaped by masters, that

they should not take me unpurchased across the sea, there to win

a price for me.  And so I wandered and am come here: and I know

not at all what land this is or what people are in it.  But may

all those who dwell on Olympus give you husbands and birth of

children as parents desire, so you take pity on me, maidens, and

show me this clearly that I may learn, dear children, to the

house of what man and woman I may go, to work for them cheerfully

at such tasks as belong to a woman of my age.  Well could I nurse

a new born child, holding him in my arms, or keep house, or

spread my masters' bed in a recess of the well-built chamber, or

teach the women their work.'

(ll. 145-146) So said the goddess.  And straightway the unwed

maiden Callidice, goodliest in form of the daughters of Celeus,

answered her and said:

(ll. 147-168) `Mother, what the gods send us, we mortals bear

perforce, although we suffer; for they are much stronger than we.

But now I will teach you clearly, telling you the names of men

who have great power and honour here and are chief among the

people, guarding our city's coif of towers by their wisdom and

true judgements: there is wise Triptolemus and Dioclus and

Polyxeinus and blameless Eumolpus and Dolichus and our own brave

father.  All these have wives who manage in the house, and no one

of them, so soon as she has seen you, would dishonour you and

turn you from the house, but they will welcome you; for indeed

you are godlike.  But if you will, stay here; and we will go to

our father's house and tell Metaneira, our deep-bosomed mother,

all this matter fully, that she may bid you rather come to our

home than search after the houses of others.  She has an only

son, late-born, who is being nursed in our well-built house, a

child of many prayers and welcome: if you could bring him up

until he reached the full measure of youth, any one of womankind

who should see you would straightway envy you, such gifts would

our mother give for his upbringing.'

(ll. 169-183) So she spake: and the goddess bowed her head in

assent.  And they filled their shining vessels with water and

carried them off rejoicing.  Quickly they came to their father's

great house and straightway told their mother according as they

had heard and seen.  Then she bade them go with all speed and

invite the stranger to come for a measureless hire.  As hinds or

heifers in spring time, when sated with pasture, bound about a

meadow, so they, holding up the folds of their lovely garments,

darted down the hollow path, and their hair like a crocus flower

streamed about their shoulders.  And they found the good goddess

near the wayside where they had left her before, and led her to

the house of their dear father.  And she walked behind,

distressed in her dear heart, with her head veiled and wearing a

dark cloak which waved about the slender feet of the goddess.

(ll. 184-211) Soon they came to the house of heaven-nurtured

Celeus and went through the portico to where their queenly mother

sat by a pillar of the close-fitted roof, holding her son, a

tender scion, in her bosom.  And the girls ran to her.  But the

goddess walked to the threshold: and her head reached the roof

and she filled the doorway with a heavenly radiance.  Then awe

and reverence and pale fear took hold of Metaneira, and she rose

up from her couch before Demeter, and bade her be seated.  But

Demeter, bringer of seasons and giver of perfect gifts, would not

sit upon the bright couch, but stayed silent with lovely eyes

cast down until careful Iambe placed a jointed seat for her and

threw over it a silvery fleece.  Then she sat down and held her

veil in her hands before her face.  A long time she sat upon the

stool (6) without speaking because of her sorrow, and greeted no

one by word or by sign, but rested, never smiling, and tasting

neither food nor drink, because she pined with longing for her

deep-bosomed daughter, until careful Iambe -- who pleased her

moods in aftertime also -- moved the holy lady with many a quip

and jest to smile and laugh and cheer her heart.  Then Metaneira

filled a cup with sweet wine and offered it to her; but she

refused it, for she said it was not lawful for her to drink red

wine, but bade them mix meal and water with soft mint and give

her to drink.  And Metaneira mixed the draught and gave it to the

goddess as she bade.  So the great queen Deo received it to

observe the sacrament.... (7)

((LACUNA))

(ll. 212-223) And of them all, well-girded Metaneira first began

to speak: `Hail, lady!  For I think you are not meanly but nobly

born; truly dignity and grace are conspicuous upon your eyes as

in the eyes of kings that deal justice.  Yet we mortals bear

perforce what the gods send us, though we be grieved; for a yoke

is set upon our necks.  But now, since you are come here, you

shall have what I can bestow: and nurse me this child whom the

gods gave me in my old age and beyond my hope, a son much prayed

for.  If you should bring him up until he reach the full measure

of youth, any one of womankind that sees you will straightway

envy you, so great reward would I give for his upbringing.'

(ll. 224-230) Then rich-haired Demeter answered her: `And to you,

also, lady, all hail, and may the gods give you good!  Gladly

will I take the boy to my breast, as you bid me, and will nurse

him.  Never, I ween, through any heedlessness of his nurse shall

witchcraft hurt him nor yet the Undercutter (8): for I know a

charm far stronger than the Woodcutter, and I know an excellent

safeguard against woeful witchcraft.'

(ll. 231-247) When she had so spoken, she took the child in her

fragrant bosom with her divine hands: and his mother was glad in

her heart.  So the goddess nursed in the palace Demophoon, wise

Celeus' goodly son whom well-girded Metaneira bare.  And the

child grew like some immortal being, not fed with food nor

nourished at the breast: for by day rich-crowned Demeter would

anoint him with ambrosia as if he were the offspring of a god and

breathe sweetly upon him as she held him in her bosom.  But at

night she would hide him like a brand in the heard of the fire,

unknown to his dear parents.  And it wrought great wonder in

these that he grew beyond his age; for he was like the gods face

to face.  And she would have made him deathless and unageing, had

not well-girded Metaneira in her heedlessness kept watch by night

from her sweet-smelling chamber and spied.  But she wailed and

smote her two hips, because she feared for her son and was

greatly distraught in her heart; so she lamented and uttered

winged words:

(ll. 248-249) `Demophoon, my son, the strange woman buries you

deep in fire and works grief and bitter sorrow for me.'

(ll. 250-255) Thus she spoke, mourning.  And the bright goddess,

lovely-crowned Demeter, heard her, and was wroth with her.  So

with her divine hands she snatched from the fire the dear son

whom Metaneira had born unhoped-for in the palace, and cast him

from her to the ground; for she was terribly angry in her heart. 

Forthwith she said to well-girded Metaneira:

(ll. 256-274) `Witless are you mortals and dull to foresee your

lot, whether of good or evil, that comes upon you.  For now in

your heedlessness you have wrought folly past healing; for -- be

witness the oath of the gods, the relentless water of Styx -- I

would have made your dear son deathless and unaging all his days

and would have bestowed on him everlasting honour, but now he can

in no way escape death and the fates.  Yet shall unfailing honour

always rest upon him, because he lay upon my knees and slept in

my arms.  But, as the years move round and when he is in his

prime, the sons of the Eleusinians shall ever wage war and dread

strife with one another continually.  Lo!  I am that Demeter who

has share of honour and is the greatest help and cause of joy to

the undying gods and mortal men.  But now, let all the people

build be a great temple and an altar below it and beneath the

city and its sheer wall upon a rising hillock above Callichorus. 

And I myself will teach my rites, that hereafter you may

reverently perform them and so win the favour of my heart.'

(ll. 275-281) When she had so said, the goddess changed her

stature and her looks, thrusting old age away from her: beauty

spread round about her and a lovely fragrance was wafted from her

sweet-smelling robes, and from the divine body of the goddess a

light shone afar, while golden tresses spread down over her

shoulders, so that the strong house was filled with brightness as

with lightning.  And so she went out from the palace.

(ll. 281-291) And straightway Metaneira's knees were loosed and

she remained speechless for a long while and did not remember to

take up her late-born son from the ground.  But his sisters heard

his pitiful wailing and sprang down from their well-spread beds:

one of them took up the child in her arms and laid him in her

bosom, while another revived the fire, and a third rushed with

soft feet to bring their mother from her fragrant chamber.  And

they gathered about the struggling child and washed him,

embracing him lovingly; but he was not comforted, because nurses

and handmaids much less skilful were holding him now.

(ll. 292-300) All night long they sought to appease the glorious

goddess, quaking with fear.  But, as soon as dawn began to show,

they told powerful Celeus all things without fail, as the lovely-

crowned goddess Demeter charged them.  So Celeus called the

countless people to an assembly and bade them make a goodly

temple for rich-haired Demeter and an altar upon the rising

hillock.  And they obeyed him right speedily and harkened to his

voice, doing as he commanded.  As for the child, he grew like an

immortal being.

(ll. 301-320) Now when they had finished building and had drawn

back from their toil, they went every man to his house.  But

golden-haired Demeter sat there apart from all the blessed gods

and stayed, wasting with yearning for her deep-bosomed daughter. 

Then she caused a most dreadful and cruel year for mankind over

the all-nourishing earth: the ground would not make the seed

sprout, for rich-crowned Demeter kept it hid.  In the fields the

oxen drew many a curved plough in vain, and much white barley was

cast upon the land without avail.  So she would have destroyed

the whole race of man with cruel famine and have robbed them who

dwell on Olympus of their glorious right of gifts and sacrifices,

had not Zeus perceived and marked this in his heart.  First he

sent golden-winged Iris to call rich-haired Demeter, lovely in

form.  So he commanded.  And she obeyed the dark-clouded Son of

Cronos, and sped with swift feet across the space between.  She

came to the stronghold of fragrant Eleusis, and there finding

dark-cloaked Demeter in her temple, spake to her and uttered

winged words:

(ll. 321-323) `Demeter, father Zeus, whose wisdom is everlasting,

calls you to come join the tribes of the eternal gods: come

therefore, and let not the message I bring from Zeus pass

unobeyed.'

(ll. 324-333) Thus said Iris imploring her.  But Demeter's heart

was not moved.  Then again the father sent forth all the blessed

and eternal gods besides: and they came, one after the other, and

kept calling her and offering many very beautiful gifts and

whatever right she might be pleased to choose among the deathless

gods.  Yet no one was able to persuade her mind and will, so

wrath was she in her heart; but she stubbornly rejected all their

words: for she vowed that she would never set foot on fragrant

Olympus nor let fruit spring out of the ground, until she beheld

with her eyes her own fair-faced daughter.

(ll. 334-346) Now when all-seeing Zeus the loud-thunderer heard

this, he sent the Slayer of Argus whose wand is of gold to

Erebus, so that having won over Hades with soft words, he might

lead forth chaste Persephone to the light from the misty gloom to

join the gods, and that her mother might see her with her eyes

and cease from her anger.  And Hermes obeyed, and leaving the

house of Olympus, straightway sprang down with speed to the

hidden places of the earth.  And he found the lord Hades in his

house seated upon a couch, and his shy mate with him, much

reluctant, because she yearned for her mother.  But she was afar

off, brooding on her fell design because of the deeds of the

blessed gods.  And the strong Slayer of Argus drew near and said:

(ll. 347-356) `Dark-haired Hades, ruler over the departed, father

Zeus bids me bring noble Persephone forth from Erebus unto the

gods, that her mother may see her with her eyes and cease from

her dread anger with the immortals; for now she plans an awful

deed, to destroy the weakly tribes of earthborn men by keeping

seed hidden beneath the earth, and so she makes an end of the

honours of the undying gods.  For she keeps fearful anger and

does not consort with the gods, but sits aloof in her fragrant

temple, dwelling in the rocky hold of Eleusis.'

(ll. 357-359) So he said.  And Aidoneus, ruler over the dead,

smiled grimly and obeyed the behest of Zeus the king.  For he

straightway urged wise Persephone, saying:

(ll. 360-369) `Go now, Persephone, to your dark-robed mother, go,

and feel kindly in your heart towards me: be not so exceedingly

cast down; for I shall be no unfitting husband for you among the

deathless gods, that am own brother to father Zeus.  And while

you are here, you shall rule all that lives and moves and shall

have the greatest rights among the deathless gods: those who

defraud you and do not appease your power with offerings,

reverently performing rites and paying fit gifts, shall be

punished for evermore.'

(ll. 370-383) When he said this, wise Persephone was filled with

joy and hastily sprang up for gladness.  But he on his part

secretly gave her sweet pomegranate seed to eat, taking care for

himself that she might not remain continually with grave, dark-

robed Demeter.  Then Aidoneus the Ruler of Many openly got ready

his deathless horses beneath the golden chariot.  And she mounted

on the chariot, and the strong Slayer of Argos took reins and

whip in his dear hands and drove forth from the hall, the horses

speeding readily.  Swiftly they traversed their long course, and

neither the sea nor river-waters nor grassy glens nor mountain-

peaks checked the career of the immortal horses, but they clave

the deep air above them as they went.  And Hermes brought them to

the place where rich-crowned Demeter was staying and checked them

before her fragrant temple.

(ll. 384-404) And when Demeter saw them, she rushed forth as does

a Maenad down some thick-wooded mountain, while Persephone on the

other side, when she saw her mother's sweet eyes, left the

chariot and horses, and leaped down to run to her, and falling

upon her neck, embraced her.  But while Demeter was still holding

her dear child in her arms, her heart suddenly misgave her for

some snare, so that she feared greatly and ceased fondling her

daughter and asked of her at once:  `My child, tell me, surely

you have not tasted any food while you were below?  Speak out and

hide nothing, but let us both know.  For if you have not, you

shall come back from loathly Hades and live with me and your

father, the dark-clouded Son of Cronos and be honoured by all the

deathless gods; but if you have tasted food, you must go back

again beneath the secret places of the earth, there to dwell a

third part of the seasons every year: yet for the two parts you

shall be with me and the other deathless gods.  But when the

earth shall bloom with the fragrant flowers of spring in every

kind, then from the realm of darkness and gloom thou shalt come

up once more to be a wonder for gods and mortal men.  And now

tell me how he rapt you away to the realm of darkness and gloom,

and by what trick did the strong Host of Many beguile you?'

(ll. 405-433) Then beautiful Persephone answered her thus:

'Mother, I will tell you all without error.  When luck-bringing

Hermes came, swift messenger from my father the Son of Cronos and

the other Sons of Heaven, bidding me come back from Erebus that

you might see me with your eyes and so cease from your anger and

fearful wrath against the gods, I sprang up at once for joy; but

he secretly put in my mouth sweet food, a pomegranate seed, and

forced me to taste against my will.  Also I will tell how he rapt

me away by the deep plan of my father the Son of Cronos and

carried me off beneath the depths of the earth, and will relate

the whole matter as you ask.  All we were playing in a lovely

meadow, Leucippe (9) and Phaeno and Electra and Ianthe, Melita

also and Iache with Rhodea and Callirhoe and Melobosis and Tyche

and Ocyrhoe, fair as a flower, Chryseis, Ianeira, Acaste and

Admete and Rhodope and Pluto and charming Calypso; Styx too was

there and Urania and lovely Galaxaura with Pallas who rouses

battles and Artemis delighting in arrows: we were playing and

gathering sweet flowers in our hands, soft crocuses mingled with

irises and hyacinths, and rose-blooms and lilies, marvellous to

see, and the narcissus which the wide earth caused to grow yellow

as a crocus.  That I plucked in my joy; but the earth parted

beneath, and there the strong lord, the Host of Many, sprang

forth and in his golden chariot he bore me away, all unwilling,

beneath the earth: then I cried with a shrill cry.  All this is

true, sore though it grieves me to tell the tale.'

(ll. 434-437) So did they turn, with hearts at one, greatly cheer

each the other's soul and spirit with many an embrace: their

heart had relief from their griefs while each took and gave back

joyousness.

(ll. 438-440) Then bright-coiffed Hecate came near to them, and

often did she embrace the daughter of holy Demeter: and from that

time the lady Hecate was minister and companion to Persephone.

(ll. 441-459) And all-seeing Zeus sent a messenger to them, rich-

haired Rhea, to bring dark-cloaked Demeter to join the families

of the gods: and he promised to give her what right she should

choose among the deathless gods and agreed that her daughter

should go down for the third part of the circling year to

darkness and gloom, but for the two parts should live with her

mother and the other deathless gods.  Thus he commanded.  And the

goddess did not disobey the message of Zeus; swiftly she rushed

down from the peaks of Olympus and came to the plain of Rharus,

rich, fertile corn-land once, but then in nowise fruitful, for it

lay idle and utterly leafless, because the white grains was

hidden by design of trim-ankled Demeter.  But afterwards, as

springtime waxed, it was soon to be waving with long ears of

corn, and its rich furrows to be loaded with grain upon the

ground, while others would already be bound in sheaves.  There

first she landed from the fruitless upper air: and glad were the

goddesses to see each other and cheered in heart.  Then bright-

coiffed Rhea said to Demeter:

(ll. 460-469) `Come, my daughter; for far-seeing Zeus the loud-

thunderer calls you to join the families of the gods, and has

promised to give you what rights you please among the deathless

gods, and has agreed that for a third part of the circling year

your daughter shall go down to darkness and gloom, but for the

two parts shall be with you and the other deathless gods: so has

he declared it shall be and has bowed his head in token.  But

come, my child, obey, and be not too angry unrelentingly with the

dark-clouded Son of Cronos; but rather increase forthwith for men

the fruit that gives them life.'

(ll. 470-482) So spake Rhea.  And rich-crowned Demeter did not

refuse but straightway made fruit to spring up from the rich

lands, so that the whole wide earth was laden with leaves and

flowers.  Then she went, and to the kings who deal justice,

Triptolemus and Diocles, the horse-driver, and to doughty

Eumolpus and Celeus, leader of the people, she showed the conduct

of her rites and taught them all her mysteries, to Triptolemus

and Polyxeinus and Diocles also, -- awful mysteries which no one

may in any way transgress or pry into or utter, for deep awe of

the gods checks the voice.  Happy is he among men upon earth who

has seen these mysteries; but he who is uninitiate and who has no

part in them, never has lot of like good things once he is dead,

down in the darkness and gloom.

(ll. 483-489) But when the bright goddess had taught them all,

they went to Olympus to the gathering of the other gods.  And

there they dwell beside Zeus who delights in thunder, awful and

reverend goddesses.  Right blessed is he among men on earth whom

they freely love: soon they do send Plutus as guest to his great

house, Plutus who gives wealth to mortal men.

(ll. 490-495) And now, queen of the land of sweet Eleusis and

sea-girt Paros and rocky Antron, lady, giver of good gifts,

bringer of seasons, queen Deo, be gracious, you and your daughter

all beauteous Persephone, and for my song grant me heart-cheering

substance.  And now I will remember you and another song also.