al man; for soft desire had come upon him to wed the fair-
haired daughter of Dryops, and the glad nuptials he accomplished, and to
Hermes in the hall she bare a dear son. From his birth he was a marvel
to behold, goat-footed, twy-horned, a loud speaker, a sweet laugher. Then
the nurse leaped up and fled when she saw his wild face and bearded chin.
But him did boon Hermes straightway take in his hands and bear, and
gladly did he rejoice at heart. Swiftly to the dwellings of the Gods
went he, bearing the babe hidden in the thick skins of mountain hares;
there sat he down by Zeus and the other Immortals, and showed his child,
and all the Immortals were glad at heart, and chiefly the Bacchic
Dionysus. Pan they called the babe to name: because he had made glad the
hearts of all of them. Hail then to thee, O Prince, I am thy suppliant
in song, and I shall be mindful of thee and of another lay.

XIX. TO HEPHAESTUS

Sing, shrill Muse, of Hephaestus renowned in craft, who with grey-eyed
Athene taught goodly works to men on earth, even to men that before were
wont to dwell in mountain caves like beasts; but now, being instructed in
craft by the renowned craftsman Hephaestus, lightly the whole year
through they dwell happily in their own homes. Be gracious, Hephaestus,
and grant me valour and fortune.

XX. TO APOLLO

Phoebus, to thee the swan sings shrill to the beating of his wings, as he
lights on the bank of the whirling pools of the river Peneus; and to thee
with his shrill lyre does the sweet-voiced minstrel sing ever, both first
and last. Even so hail thou, Prince, I beseech thee in my song.

XXI. TO POSEIDON

Concerning Poseidon, a great God, I begin to sing: the shaker of the land
and of the sea unharvested; God of the deep who holdeth Helicon and wide
AEgae. A double meed of honour have the Gods given thee, O Shaker of the
Earth, to be tamer of horses and saviour of ships. Hail Prince, thou
Girdler of the Earth, thou dark-haired God, and with kindly heart, O
blessed one, do thou befriend the mariners.

XXII. TO HIGHEST ZEUS

To Zeus the best of Gods will I sing; the best and the greatest, the far-
beholding lord who bringeth all to an end, who holdeth constant counsel
with Themis as she reclines on her couch. Be gracious, far-beholding son
of Cronos, thou most glorious and greatest.

XXIII. TO HESTIA

Hestia, that guardest the sacred house of the Prince, Apollo the