IV. HYMN TO DEMETER


[Syracusan medallion by Euainetos. Obv. Head of Persephone. Rev.
Victorious Chariot: lang183.jpg]

Of fair-tressed Demeter, Demeter holy Goddess, I begin to sing: of her
and her slim-ankled daughter whom Hades snatched away, the gift of wide-
beholding Zeus, but Demeter knew it not, she that bears the Seasons, the
giver of goodly crops. For her daughter was playing with the
deep-bosomed maidens of Oceanus, and was gathering flowers--roses, and
crocuses, and fair violets in the soft meadow, and lilies, and hyacinths,
and the narcissus which the earth brought forth as a snare to the fair-
faced maiden, by the counsel of Zeus and to pleasure the Lord with many
guests. Wondrously bloomed the flower, a marvel for all to see, whether
deathless gods or deathly men. From its root grew forth a hundred
blossoms, and with its fragrant odour the wide heaven above and the whole
earth laughed, and the salt wave of the sea. Then the maiden marvelled,
and stretched forth both her hands to seize the fair plaything, but the
wide-wayed earth gaped in the Nysian plain, and up rushed the Prince, the
host of many guests, the many-named son of Cronos, with his immortal
horses. Maugre her will he seized her, and drave her off weeping in his
golden chariot, but she shrilled aloud, calling on Father Cronides, the
highest of gods and the best.

But no immortal god or deathly man heard the voice of her, . . . save the
daughter of Persaeus, Hecate of the shining head-tire, as she was
thinking delicate thoughts, who heard the cry from her cave [and Prince