ses
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
beasts on the hills: the lyre, the dance, the clear hunting halloo, and
shadowy glens, and cities of righteous men.

Nor to the revered maiden Hestia are the feats of Aphrodite a joy, eldest
daughter of crooked-counselled Cronos [youngest, too, by the design of
Zeus of the AEgis], that lady whom both Poseidon and Apollo sought to
win. But she would not, nay stubbornly she refused; and she swore a
great oath fulfilled, with her hand on the head of Father Zeus of the
AEgis, to be a maiden for ever, that lady Goddess. And to her Father
Zeus gave a goodly meed of honour, in lieu of wedlock; and in mid-hall
she sat her down choosing the best portion: and in all temples of the
Gods is she honoured, and among all mortals is chief of Gods. {168}

Of these she cannot win or beguile the hearts. But of all others there
is none, of blessed Gods or mortal men, that hath escaped Aphrodite. Yea,
even the heart of Zeus the Thunderer she led astray; of him that is
greatest of all, and hath the highest lot of honour. Even his wise wit
she hath beguiled at her will, and lightly laid him in the arms of mortal
women; Hera not wotting of it, his sister and his wife, the fairest in
goodliness of beauty among the deathless Goddesses. To highest honour
did they beget her, crooked-counselled Cronos and Mother Rheia; and Zeus
of imperishable counsel made her his chaste and duteous wife.

But into Aphrodite herself Zeus sent sweet desire, to lie in the arms of
a mortal man. This wrought he so that anon not even she