XXIV. TO THE MUSES AND APOLLO


From the Muse I shall begin and from Apollo and Zeus. For it is from the
Muses and far-darting Apollo that minstrels and harpers are upon the
earth, but from Zeus come kings. Fortunate is he whomsoever the Muses
love, and sweet flows his voice from his lips. Hail, ye children of
Zeus, honour ye my lay, and anon I shall be mindful of you and of another
hymn.



XXV. TO DIONYSUS


Of ivy-tressed uproarious Dionysus I begin to sing, the splendid son of
Zeus and renowned Semele. Him did the fair-tressed nymphs foster,
receiving him from the king and father in their bosoms, and needfully
they nurtured him in the glens of Nyse. By his father's will he waxed
strong in the fragrant cavern, being numbered among the Immortals. Anon
when the Goddesses had bred him up to be the god of many a hymn, then
went he wandering in the woodland glades, draped with ivy and laurel, and
the nymphs followed with him where he led, and loud rang the wild
woodland. Hail to thee, then, Dionysus of the clustered vine, and grant
to us to come gladly again to the season of vintaging, yea, and
afterwards for many a year to come.