With such love, in all kindness, did Apollo pledge the Son of Maia, and
thereto Cronion added grace. With all mortals and immortals he consorts.
Somewhat doth he bless, but ever through the dark night he beguiles the
tribes of mortal men.

Hail to thee thus, Son of Zeus and Maia, of thee shall I be mindful and
of another lay.



III. APHRODITE


Tell me, Muse, of the deeds of golden Aphrodite, the Cyprian, who rouses
sweet desire among the Immortals, and vanquishes the tribes of deathly
men, and birds that wanton in the air, and all beasts, even all the clans
that earth nurtures, and all in the sea. To all are dear the deeds of
the garlanded Cyprian.

[Aphrodite. Marble statue in the Louvre: lang166.jpg]

Yet three hearts there be that she cannot persuade or beguile: the
daughter of Zeus of the AEgis, grey-eyed Athene: not to her are dear the
deeds of golden Aphrodite, but war and the work of Ares, battle and
broil, and the mastery of noble arts. First was she to teach earthly men
the fashioning of war chariots and cars fair-wrought with bronze. And
she teaches to tender maidens in the halls all goodly arts, breathing
skill into their minds. Nor ever doth laughter-loving Aphrodite conquer
in desire Artemis of the Golden Distaff, rejoicing in the sound of the
chase, for the bow and arrow are her delight, and slaughter of the wild