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Hymn To Mercury. Translated From The Greek Of Homer
by
83.
‘To those who are unskilled in its sweet tongue,
Though they should question most impetuously
Its hidden soul, it gossips something wrong–
Some senseless and impertinent reply.
But thou who art as wise as thou art strong 655
Canst compass all that thou desirest. I
Present thee with this music-flowing shell,
Knowing thou canst interrogate it well.
84.
‘And let us two henceforth together feed,
On this green mountain-slope and pastoral plain, 660
The herds in litigation–they will breed
Quickly enough to recompense our pain,
If to the bulls and cows we take good heed;–
And thou, though somewhat over fond of gain,
Grudge me not half the profit.’–Having spoke, 665
The shell he proffered, and Apollo took;
85.
And gave him in return the glittering lash,
Installing him as herdsman;–from the look
Of Mercury then laughed a joyous flash.
And then Apollo with the plectrum strook 670
The chords, and from beneath his hands a crash
Of mighty sounds rushed up, whose music shook
The soul with sweetness, and like an adept
His sweeter voice a just accordance kept.
86.
The herd went wandering o’er the divine mead, 675
Whilst these most beautiful Sons of Jupiter
Won their swift way up to the snowy head
Of white Olympus, with the joyous lyre
Soothing their journey; and their father dread
Gathered them both into familiar 680
Affection sweet,–and then, and now, and ever,
Hermes must love Him of the Golden Quiver,
87.
To whom he gave the lyre that sweetly sounded,
Which skilfully he held and played thereon.
He piped the while, and far and wide rebounded 685
The echo of his pipings; every one
Of the Olympians sat with joy astounded;
While he conceived another piece of fun,
One of his old tricks–which the God of Day
Perceiving, said:–‘I fear thee, Son of May;– 690
88.
‘I fear thee and thy sly chameleon spirit,
Lest thou should steal my lyre and crooked bow;
This glory and power thou dost from Jove inherit,
To teach all craft upon the earth below;
Thieves love and worship thee–it is thy merit 695
To make all mortal business ebb and flow
By roguery:–now, Hermes, if you dare
By sacred Styx a mighty oath to swear
89.
‘That you will never rob me, you will do
A thing extremely pleasing to my heart.’ 700
Then Mercury swore by the Stygian dew,
That he would never steal his bow or dart,
Or lay his hands on what to him was due,
Or ever would employ his powerful art
Against his Pythian fane. Then Phoebus swore 705
There was no God or Man whom he loved more.
90.
‘And I will give thee as a good-will token,
The beautiful wand of wealth and happiness;
A perfect three-leaved rod of gold unbroken,
Whose magic will thy footsteps ever bless; 710
And whatsoever by Jove’s voice is spoken
Of earthly or divine from its recess,
It, like a loving soul, to thee will speak,
And more than this, do thou forbear to seek.