Hymn To Mercury. (translated From The Greek Of Homer.) Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCBDBDEE FBFBFBBB DGDGDGHH F FIFIJJ KLMLNOMM PQI PQRR SLSOSOJJ TUTUTSS VWXWXYDD SZSA2SA2B2B2 WC2WQWD2D2 E2F2G2H2G2F2I2I2 DJ2DJ2DJ2G2G2 D2DD2DD2G2G2 K2IK2IK2IL2 M2SM2SM2SN2N2 SJSJSJBB O2P2Q2BR2SSS G2S2G2S2G2S2I2H2 MIMPMPJT2 EJEJEJU2V2 WG2WG2WG2SS P2W2BU2P2W2X2Y2 K2Z2K2H2K2F2M2M2 BQBQBQD2D2 A3H2H2H2H2H2G2G2 H2K2H2K2H2K2 I H2H2H2H2H2H2H2H2 BH2BH2BH2BB H2K2H2K2H2K2 H2 H2K2H2K2H2K2IU2 H2K2H2K2H2K2K2K2 H2K2H2K2H2K2 G2 SG2SG2SG2H2H2 FFFFFFH2 K2H2K2H2K2H2H2H2 H2SH2SH2SG2G2 SSSSG2H2H2 BH2BH2BH2FF SH2SH2SH2H2H2 FSFSFSH2H2 H2H2H2H2H2H2H2H2 G2SG2G2G2G2H2H2 H2G2H2G2H2G2H2H2 FFFFFFB3C3 H2H2H2H2H2H2BB H2H2H2H2H2H2G2G2 H2H2H2H2H2H2H2H2 H2G2H2G2H2G2H2H2 G2H2G2H2BB H2G2 G2H2G2H2H2 G2H2SH2SH2H2 G2H2G2H2G2H2H2H2 SG2SG2SG2G2 SH2SH2SH2G2G2 G2G2G2G2G2G2SS H2H2H2H2H2H2D3D3 SG2SG2SG2G2G2 H2G2H2G2H2G2H2H2 SH2SH2SH2SS SSSSS H2H2 SH2SH2SH2G2G2 G2E3G2E3G2E3FF H2G2H2G2H2G2H2H2 G2SG2SG2SF SSSSSSH2H2 H2H2H2H2H2H2SS SSSSSSH2H2 SSSSSSSS SSSSSSSS SSSSSSSS SG2SG2SG2H2H2 H2G2H2G2H2G2SS SH2SH2SH2H2H2 SFSFSFSS G2H2G2H2G2H2H2H2 G2G2G2H2G2SSS H2G2H2G2H2G2S F3H2F3H2F3H2SS SSSSSSSS SFSFSFSS SSSSSSH2H2 FH2FH2FH2H2H2 SH2SH2SH2FF G3FG3FG3FSS SG2SG2SG2G2G2 SH2SH2SH2H2H2 SH2SH2SH2G2G2 S SSSSG2G2 H2G2H2G2H2G2FF H2G2SG2H2G2H2H2 SSSSSSG2S SG2SG2SG2H2H2 SG2SG2SG2G2G2 G2G2G2G2SG2H2H2 SH2SH2SH2S H2H3H2H3H2H3SS

	A
Sing Muse the son of Maia and of Jove	B
The Herald child king of Arcadia	C
And all its pastoral hills whom in sweet love	B
Having been interwoven modest May	D
Bore Heaven's dread Supreme An antique grove	B
Shadowed the cavern where the lovers lay	D
In the deep night unseen by Gods or Men	E
And white armed Juno slumbered sweetly then	E
	-
	-
Now when the joy of Jove had its fulfilling	F
And Heaven's tenth moon chronicled her relief	B
She gave to light a babe all babes excelling	F
A schemer subtle beyond all belief	B
A shepherd of thin dreams a cow stealing	F
A night watching and door waylaying thief	B
Who 'mongst the Gods was soon about to thieve	B
And other glorious actions to achieve	B
	-
	-
The babe was born at the first peep of day	D
He began playing on the lyre at noon	G
And the same evening did he steal away	D
Apollo's herds the fourth day of the moon	G
On which him bore the venerable May	D
From her immortal limbs he leaped full soon	G
Nor long could in the sacred cradle keep	H
But out to seek Apollo's herds would creep	H
	-
	-
Out of the lofty cavern wandering	F
He found a tortoise and cried out 'A treasure '	-
For Mercury first made the tortoise sing	F
The beast before the portal at his leisure	I
The flowery herbage was depasturing	F
Moving his feet in a deliberate measure	I
Over the turf Jove's profitable son	J
Eying him laughed and laughing thus begun	J
	-
	-
'A useful godsend are you to me now	K
King of the dance companion of the feast	L
Lovely in all your nature Welcome you	M
Excellent plaything Where sweet mountain beast	L
Got you that speckled shell Thus much I know	N
You must come home with me and be my guest	O
You will give joy to me and I will do	M
All that is in my power to honour you	M
	-
	-
'Better to be at home than out of door	P
So come with me and though it has been said	Q
That you alive defend from magic power	I
I know you will sing sweetly when you're dead '	-
Thus having spoken the quaint infant bore	P
Lifting it from the grass on which it fed	Q
And grasping it in his delighted hold	R
His treasured prize into the cavern old	R
	-
	-
Then scooping with a chisel of gray steel	S
He bored the life and soul out of the beast	L
Not swifter a swift thought of woe or weal	S
Darts through the tumult of a human breast	O
Which thronging cares annoy not swifter wheel	S
The flashes of its torture and unrest	O
Out of the dizzy eyes than Maia's son	J
All that he did devise hath featly done	J
	-
	-
	-
And through the tortoise's hard stony skin	T
At proper distances small holes he made	U
And fastened the cut stems of reeds within	T
And with a piece of leather overlaid	U
The open space and fixed the cubits in	T
Fitting the bridge to both and stretched o'er all	S
Symphonious cords of sheep gut rhythmical	S
	-
	-
When he had wrought the lovely instrument	V
He tried the chords and made division meet	W
Preluding with the plectrum and there went	X
Up from beneath his hand a tumult sweet	W
Of mighty sounds and from his lips he sent	X
A strain of unpremeditated wit	Y
Joyous and wild and wanton such you may	D
Hear among revellers on a holiday	D
	-
	-
He sung how Jove and May of the bright sandal	S
Dallied in love not quite legitimate	Z
And his own birth still scoffing at the scandal	S
And naming his own name did celebrate	A2
His mother's cave and servant maids he planned all	S
In plastic verse her household stuff and state	A2
Perennial pot trippet and brazen pan	B2
But singing he conceived another plan	B2
	-
	-
	-
Seized with a sudden fancy for fresh meat	W
He in his sacred crib deposited	C2
The hollow lyre and from the cavern sweet	W
Rushed with great leaps up to the mountain's head	Q
Revolving in his mind some subtle feat	W
Of thievish craft such as a swindler might	D2
Devise in the lone season of dun night	D2
	-
	-
Lo the great Sun under the ocean's bed has	E2
Driven steeds and chariot the child meanwhile strode	F2
O'er the Pierian mountains clothed in shadows	G2
Where the immortal oxen of the God	H2
Are pastured in the flowering unmown meadows	G2
And safely stalled in a remote abode	F2
The archer Argicide elate and proud	I2
Drove fifty from the herd lowing aloud	I2
	-
	-
He drove them wandering o'er the sandy way	D
But being ever mindful of his craft	J2
Backward and forward drove he them astray	D
So that the tracks which seemed before were aft	J2
His sandals then he threw to the ocean spray	D
And for each foot he wrought a kind of raft	J2
Of tamarisk and tamarisk like sprigs	G2
And bound them in a lump with withy twigs	G2
	-
	-
And on his feet he tied these sandals light	D2
The trail of whose wide leaves might not betray	D
His track and then a self sufficing wight	D2
Like a man hastening on some distant way	D
He from Pieria's mountain bent his flight	D2
But an old man perceived the infant pass	G2
Down green Onchestus heaped like beds with grass	G2
	-
	-
The old man stood dressing his sunny vine	K2
'Halloo old fellow with the crooked shoulder	I
You grub those stumps before they will bear wine	K2
Methinks even you must grow a little older	I
Attend I pray to this advice of mine	K2
As you would 'scape what might appal a bolder	I
Seeing see not and hearing hear not and	L2
If you have understanding understand '	-
	-
	-
So saying Hermes roused the oxen vast	M2
O'er shadowy mountain and resounding dell	S
And flower paven plains great Hermes passed	M2
Till the black night divine which favouring fell	S
Around his steps grew gray and morning fast	M2
Wakened the world to work and from her cell	S
Sea strewn the Pallantean Moon sublime	N2
Into her watch tower just began to climb	N2
	-
	-
Now to Alpheus he had driven all	S
The broad foreheaded oxen of the Sun	J
They came unwearied to the lofty stall	S
And to the water troughs which ever run	J
Through the fresh fields and when with rushgrass tall	S
Lotus and all sweet herbage every one	J
Had pastured been the great God made them move	B
Towards the stall in a collected drove	B
	-
	-
A mighty pile of wood the God then heaped	O2
And having soon conceived the mystery	P2
Of fire from two smooth laurel branches stripped	Q2
The bark and rubbed them in his palms on high	B
Suddenly forth the burning vapour leaped	R2
And the divine child saw delightedly	S
Mercury first found out for human weal	S
Tinder box matches fire irons flint and steel	S
	-
	-
And fine dry logs and roots innumerous	G2
He gathered in a delve upon the ground	S2
And kindled them and instantaneous	G2
The strength of the fierce flame was breathed around	S2
And whilst the might of glorious Vulcan thus	G2
Wrapped the great pile with glare and roaring sound	S2
Hermes dragged forth two heifers lowing loud	I2
Close to the fire such might was in the God	H2
	-
	-
And on the earth upon their backs he threw	M
The panting beasts and rolled them o'er and o'er	I
And bored their lives out Without more ado	M
He cut up fat and flesh and down before	P
The fire on spits of wood he placed the two	M
Toasting their flesh and ribs and all the gore	P
Pursed in the bowels and while this was done	J
He stretched their hides over a craggy stone	T2
	-
	-
We mortals let an ox grow old and then	E
Cut it up after long consideration	J
But joyous minded Hermes from the glen	E
Drew the fat spoils to the more open station	J
Of a flat smooth space and portioned them and when	E
He had by lot assigned to each a ration	J
Of the twelve Gods his mind became aware	U2
Of all the joys which in religion are	V2
	-
	-
For the sweet savour of the roasted meat	W
Tempted him though immortal Natheless	G2
He checked his haughty will and did not eat	W
Though what it cost him words can scarce express	G2
And every wish to put such morsels sweet	W
Down his most sacred throat he did repress	G2
But soon within the lofty portalled stall	S
He placed the fat and flesh and bones and all	S
	-
	-
And every trace of the fresh butchery	P2
And cooking the God soon made disappear	W2
As if it all had vanished through the sky	B
He burned the hoofs and horns and head and hair	U2
The insatiate fire devoured them hungrily	P2
And when he saw that everything was clear	W2
He quenched the coal and trampled the black dust	X2
And in the stream his bloody sandals tossed	Y2
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	-
All night he worked in the serene moonshine	K2
But when the light of day was spread abroad	Z2
He sought his natal mountain peaks divine	K2
On his long wandering neither Man nor God	H2
Had met him since he killed Apollo's kine	K2
Nor house dog had barked at him on his road	F2
Now he obliquely through the keyhole passed	M2
Like a thin mist or an autumnal blast	M2
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	-
Right through the temple of the spacious cave	B
He went with soft light feet as if his tread	Q
Fell not on earth no sound their falling gave	B
Then to his cradle he crept quick and spread	Q
The swaddling clothes about him and the knave	B
Lay playing with the covering of the bed	Q
With his left hand about his knees the right	D2
Held his beloved tortoise lyre tight	D2
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	-
There he lay innocent as a new born child	A3
As gossips say but though he was a God	H2
The Goddess his fair mother unbeguiled	H2
Knew all that he had done being abroad	H2
'Whence come you and from what adventure wild	H2
You cunning rogue and where have you abode	H2
All the long night clothed in your impudence	G2
What have you done since you departed hence	G2
	-
	-
'Apollo soon will pass within this gate	H2
And bind your tender body in a chain	K2
Inextricably tight and fast as fate	H2
Unless you can delude the God again	K2
Even when within his arms ah runagate	H2
A pretty torment both for Gods and Men	K2
Your father made when he made you ' 'Dear mother '	-
Replied sly Hermes 'wherefore scold and bother	I
	-
	-
'As if I were like other babes as old	H2
And understood nothing of what is what	H2
And cared at all to hear my mother scold	H2
I in my subtle brain a scheme have got	H2
Which whilst the sacred stars round Heaven are rolled	H2
Will profit you and me nor shall our lot	H2
Be as you counsel without gifts or food	H2
To spend our lives in this obscure abode	H2
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	-
'But we will leave this shadow peopled cave	B
And live among the Gods and pass each day	H2
In high communion sharing what they have	B
Of profuse wealth and unexhausted prey	H2
And from the portion which my father gave	B
To Phoebus I will snatch my share away	H2
Which if my father will not natheless I	B
Who am the king of robbers can but try	B
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	-
'And if Latona's son should find me out	H2
I'll countermine him by a deeper plan	K2
I'll pierce the Pythian temple walls though stout	H2
And sack the fane of everything I can	K2
Caldrons and tripods of great worth no doubt	H2
Each golden cup and polished brazen pan	K2
All the wrought tapestries and garments gay '	-
So they together talked meanwhile the Day	H2
	-
	-
Aethereal born arose out of the flood	H2
Of flowing Ocean bearing light to men	K2
Apollo passed toward the sacred wood	H2
Which from the inmost depths of its green glen	K2
Echoes the voice of Neptune and there stood	H2
On the same spot in green Onchestus then	K2
That same old animal the vine dresser	I
Who was employed hedging his vineyard there	U2
	-
	-
Latona's glorious Son began 'I pray	H2
Tell ancient hedger of Onchestus green	K2
Whether a drove of kine has passed this way	H2
All heifers with crooked horns for they have been	K2
Stolen from the herd in high Pieria	H2
Where a black bull was fed apart between	K2
Two woody mountains in a neighbouring glen	K2
And four fierce dogs watched there unanimous as men	K2
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	-
'And what is strange the author of this theft	H2
Has stolen the fatted heifers every one	K2
But the four dogs and the black bull are left	H2
Stolen they were last night at set of sun	K2
Of their soft beds and their sweet food bereft	H2
Now tell me man born ere the world begun	K2
Have you seen any one pass with the cows '	-
To whom the man of overhanging brows	G2
	-
	-
'My friend it would require no common skill	S
Justly to speak of everything I see	G2
On various purposes of good or ill	S
Many pass by my vineyard and to me	G2
'Tis difficult to know the invisible	S
Thoughts which in all those many minds may be	G2
Thus much alone I certainly can say	H2
I tilled these vines till the decline of day	H2
	-
	-
'And then I thought I saw but dare not speak	F
With certainty of such a wondrous thing	F
A child who could not have been born a week	F
Those fair horned cattle closely following	F
And in his hand he held a polished stick	F
And as on purpose he walked wavering	F
From one side to the other of the road	H2
And with his face opposed the steps he trod '	-
	-
	-
Apollo hearing this passed quickly on	K2
No winged omen could have shown more clear	H2
That the deceiver was his father's son	K2
So the God wraps a purple atmosphere	H2
Around his shoulders and like fire is gone	K2
To famous Pylos seeking his kine there	H2
And found their track and his yet hardly cold	H2
And cried 'What wonder do mine eyes behold	H2
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	-
'Here are the footsteps of the horned herd	H2
Turned back towards their fields of asphodel	S
But THESE are not the tracks of beast or bird	H2
Gray wolf or bear or lion of the dell	S
Or maned Centaur sand was never stirred	H2
By man or woman thus Inexplicable	S
Who with unwearied feet could e'er impress	G2
The sand with such enormous vestiges	G2
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'That was most strange but this is stranger still '	-
Thus having said Phoebus impetuously	S
Sought high Cyllene's forest cinctured hill	S
And the deep cavern where dark shadows lie	S
And where the ambrosial nymph with happy will	S
Bore the Saturnian's love child Mercury	G2
And a delightful odour from the dew	H2
Of the hill pastures at his coming flew	H2
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And Phoebus stooped under the craggy roof	B
Arched over the dark cavern Maia's child	H2
Perceived that he came angry far aloof	B
About the cows of which he had been beguiled	H2
And over him the fine and fragrant woof	B
Of his ambrosial swaddling clothes he piled	H2
As among fire brands lies a burning spark	F
Covered beneath the ashes cold and dark	F
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	-
There like an infant who had sucked his fill	S
And now was newly washed and put to bed	H2
Awake but courting sleep with weary will	S
And gathered in a lump hands feet and head	H2
He lay and his beloved tortoise still	S
He grasped and held under his shoulder blade	H2
Phoebus the lovely mountain goddess knew	H2
Not less her subtle swindling baby who	H2
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	-
Lay swathed in his sly wiles Round every crook	F
Of the ample cavern for his kine Apollo	S
Looked sharp and when he saw them not he took	F
The glittering key and opened three great hollow	S
Recesses in the rock where many a nook	F
Was filled with the sweet food immortals swallow	S
And mighty heaps of silver and of gold	H2
Were piled within a wonder to behold	H2
	-
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And white and silver robes all overwrought	H2
With cunning workmanship of tracery sweet	H2
Except among the Gods there can be nought	H2
In the wide world to be compared with it	H2
Latona's offspring after having sought	H2
His herds in every corner thus did greet	H2
Great Hermes 'Little cradled rogue declare	H2
Of my illustrious heifers where they are	H2
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'Speak quickly or a quarrel between us	G2
Must rise and the event will be that I	S
Shall hurl you into dismal Tartarus	G2
In fiery gloom to dwell eternally	G2
Nor shall your father nor your mother loose	G2
The bars of that black dungeon utterly	G2
You shall be cast out from the light of day	H2
To rule the ghosts of men unblessed as they	H2
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To whom thus Hermes slily answered 'Son	H2
Of great Latona what a speech is this	G2
Why come you here to ask me what is done	H2
With the wild oxen which it seems you miss	G2
I have not seen them nor from any one	H2
Have heard a word of the whole business	G2
If you should promise an immense reward	H2
I could not tell more than you now have heard	H2
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'An ox stealer should be both tall and strong	F
And I am but a little new born thing	F
Who yet at least can think of nothing wrong	F
My business is to suck and sleep and fling	F
The cradle clothes about me all day long	F
Or half asleep hear my sweet mother sing	F
And to be washed in water clean and warm	B3
And hushed and kissed and kept secure from harm	C3
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'O let not e'er this quarrel be averred	H2
The astounded Gods would laugh at you if e'er	H2
You should allege a story so absurd	H2
As that a new born infant forth could fare	H2
Out of his home after a savage herd	H2
I was born yesterday my small feet are	H2
Too tender for the roads so hard and rough	B
And if you think that this is not enough	B
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I swear a great oath by my father's head	H2
That I stole not your cows and that I know	H2
Of no one else who might or could or did	H2
Whatever things cows are I do not know	H2
For I have only heard the name ' This said	H2
He winked as fast as could be and his brow	H2
Was wrinkled and a whistle loud gave he	G2
Like one who hears some strange absurdity	G2
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Apollo gently smiled and said 'Ay ay	H2
You cunning little rascal you will bore	H2
Many a rich man's house and your array	H2
Of thieves will lay their siege before his door	H2
Silent as night in night and many a day	H2
In the wild glens rough shepherds will deplore	H2
That you or yours having an appetite	H2
Met with their cattle comrade of the night	H2
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	-
'And this among the Gods shall be your gift	H2
To be considered as the lord of those	G2
Who swindle house break sheep steal and shop lift	H2
But now if you would not your last sleep doze	G2
Crawl out ' Thus saying Phoebus did uplift	H2
The subtle infant in his swaddling clothes	G2
And in his arms according to his wont	H2
A scheme devised the illustrious Argiphont	H2
	-
	-
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And sneezed and shuddered Phoebus on the grass	G2
Him threw and whilst all that he had designed	H2
He did perform eager although to pass	G2
Apollo darted from his mighty mind	H2
Towards the subtle babe the following scoff	B
'Do not imagine this will get you off	B
	-
	-
'You little swaddled child of Jove and May	H2
And seized him 'By this omen I shall trace	G2
My noble herds and you shall lead the way '	-
Cyllenian Hermes from the grassy place	G2
Like one in earnest haste to get away	H2
Rose and with hands lifted towards his face	G2
Round both his ears up from his shoulders drew	H2
His swaddling clothes and 'What mean you to do	H2
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'With me you unkind God ' said Mercury	G2
'Is it about these cows you tease me so	H2
I wish the race of cows were perished I	S
Stole not your cows I do not even know	H2
What things cows are Alas I well may sigh	S
That since I came into this world of woe	H2
I should have ever heard the name of one	H2
But I appeal to the Saturnian's throne '	-
	-
	-
Thus Phoebus and the vagrant Mercury	G2
Talked without coming to an explanation	H2
With adverse purpose As for Phoebus he	G2
Sought not revenge but only information	H2
And Hermes tried with lies and roguery	G2
To cheat Apollo But when no evasion	H2
Served for the cunning one his match had found	H2
He paced on first over the sandy ground	H2
	-
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He of the Silver Bow the child of Jove	S
Followed behind till to their heavenly Sire	G2
Came both his children beautiful as Love	S
And from his equal balance did require	G2
A judgement in the cause wherein they strove	S
O'er odorous Olympus and its snows	G2
A murmuring tumult as they came arose	G2
	-
	-
And from the folded depths of the great Hill	S
While Hermes and Apollo reverent stood	H2
Before Jove's throne the indestructible	S
Immortals rushed in mighty multitude	H2
And whilst their seats in order due they fill	S
The lofty Thunderer in a careless mood	H2
To Phoebus said 'Whence drive you this sweet prey	G2
This herald baby born but yesterday	G2
	-
	-
'A most important subject trifler this	G2
To lay before the Gods ' 'Nay Father nay	G2
When you have understood the business	G2
Say not that I alone am fond of prey	G2
I found this little boy in a recess	G2
Under Cyllene's mountains far away	G2
A manifest and most apparent thief	S
A scandalmonger beyond all belief	S
	-
	-
'I never saw his like either in Heaven	H2
Or upon earth for knavery or craft	H2
Out of the field my cattle yester even	H2
By the low shore on which the loud sea laughed	H2
He right down to the river ford had driven	H2
And mere astonishment would make you daft	H2
To see the double kind of footsteps strange	D3
He has impressed wherever he did range	D3
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'The cattle's track on the black dust full well	S
Is evident as if they went towards	G2
The place from which they came that asphodel	S
Meadow in which I feed my many herds	G2
HIS steps were most incomprehensible	S
I know not how I can describe in words	G2
Those tracks he could have gone along the sands	G2
Neither upon his feet nor on his hands	G2
	-
	-
'He must have had some other stranger mode	H2
Of moving on those vestiges immense	G2
Far as I traced them on the sandy road	H2
Seemed like the trail of oak toppings but thence	G2
No mark nor track denoting where they trod	H2
The hard ground gave but working at his fence	G2
A mortal hedger saw him as he passed	H2
To Pylos with the cows in fiery haste	H2
	-
	-
'I found that in the dark he quietly	S
Had sacrificed some cows and before light	H2
Had thrown the ashes all dispersedly	S
About the road then still as gloomy night	H2
Had crept into his cradle either eye	S
Rubbing and cogitating some new sleight	H2
No eagle could have seen him as he lay	S
Hid in his cavern from the peering day	S
	-
	-
'I taxed him with the fact when he averred	S
Most solemnly that he did neither see	S
Nor even had in any manner heard	S
Of my lost cows whatever things cows be	S
Nor could he tell though offered a reward	S
Not even who could tell of them to me '	-
So speaking Phoebus sate and Hermes then	H2
Addressed the Supreme Lord of Gods and Men	H2
	-
	-
'Great Father you know clearly beforehand	S
That all which I shall say to you is sooth	H2
I am a most veracious person and	S
Totally unacquainted with untruth	H2
At sunrise Phoebus came but with no band	S
Of Gods to bear him witness in great wrath	H2
To my abode seeking his heifers there	G2
And saying that I must show him where they are	G2
	-
	-
'Or he would hurl me down the dark abyss	G2
I know that every Apollonian limb	E3
Is clothed with speed and might and manliness	G2
As a green bank with flowers but unlike him	E3
I was born yesterday and you may guess	G2
He well knew this when he indulged the whim	E3
Of bullying a poor little new born thing	F
That slept and never thought of cow driving	F
	-
	-
'Am I like a strong fellow who steals kine	H2
Believe me dearest Father such you are	G2
This driving of the herds is none of mine	H2
Across my threshold did I wander ne'er	G2
So may I thrive I reverence the divine	H2
Sun and the Gods and I love you and care	G2
Even for this hard accuser who must know	H2
I am as innocent as they or you	H2
	-
	-
'I swear by these most gloriously wrought portals	G2
It is you will allow an oath of might	S
Through which the multitude of the Immortals	G2
Pass and repass forever day and night	S
Devising schemes for the affairs of mortals	G2
I am guiltless and I will requite	S
Although mine enemy be great and strong	F
His cruel threat do thou defend the young '	-
	-
	-
So speaking the Cyllenian Argiphont	S
Winked as if now his adversary was fitted	S
And Jupiter according to his wont	S
Laughed heartily to hear the subtle witted	S
Infant give such a plausible account	S
And every word a lie But he remitted	S
Judgement at present and his exhortation	H2
Was to compose the affair by arbitration	H2
	-
	-
And they by mighty Jupiter were bidden	H2
To go forth with a single purpose both	H2
Neither the other chiding nor yet chidden	H2
And Mercury with innocence and truth	H2
To lead the way and show where he had hidden	H2
The mighty heifers Hermes nothing loth	H2
Obeyed the Aegis bearer's will for he	S
Is able to persuade all easily	S
	-
	-
These lovely children of Heaven's highest Lord	S
Hastened to Pylos and the pastures wide	S
And lofty stalls by the Alphean ford	S
Where wealth in the mute night is multiplied	S
With silent growth Whilst Hermes drove the herd	S
Out of the stony cavern Phoebus spied	S
The hides of those the little babe had slain	H2
Stretched on the precipice above the plain	H2
	-
	-
'How was it possible ' then Phoebus said	S
'That you a little child born yesterday	S
A thing on mother's milk and kisses fed	S
Could two prodigious heifers ever flay	S
Even I myself may well hereafter dread	S
Your prowess offspring of Cyllenian May	S
When you grow strong and tall ' He spoke and bound	S
Stiff withy bands the infant's wrists around	S
	-
	-
He might as well have bound the oxen wild	S
The withy bands though starkly interknit	S
Fell at the feet of the immortal child	S
Loosened by some device of his quick wit	S
Phoebus perceived himself again beguiled	S
And stared while Hermes sought some hole or pit	S
Looking askance and winking fast as thought	S
Where he might hide himself and not be caught	S
	-
	-
Sudden he changed his plan and with strange skill	S
Subdued the strong Latonian by the might	S
Of winning music to his mightier will	S
His left hand held the lyre and in his right	S
The plectrum struck the chords unconquerable	S
Up from beneath his hand in circling flight	S
The gathering music rose and sweet as Love	S
The penetrating notes did live and move	S
	-
	-
Within the heart of great Apollo he	S
Listened with all his soul and laughed for pleasure	G2
Close to his side stood harping fearlessly	S
The unabashed boy and to the measure	G2
Of the sweet lyre there followed loud and free	S
His joyous voice for he unlocked the treasure	G2
Of his deep song illustrating the birth	H2
Of the bright Gods and the dark desert Earth	H2
	-
	-
And how to the Immortals every one	H2
A portion was assigned of all that is	G2
But chief Mnemosyne did Maia's son	H2
Clothe in the light of his loud melodies	G2
And as each God was born or had begun	H2
He in their order due and fit degrees	G2
Sung of his birth and being and did move	S
Apollo to unutterable love	S
	-
	-
These words were winged with his swift delight	S
'You heifer stealing schemer well do you	H2
Deserve that fifty oxen should requite	S
Such minstrelsies as I have heard even now	H2
Comrade of feasts little contriving wight	S
One of your secrets I would gladly know	H2
Whether the glorious power you now show forth	H2
Was folded up within you at your birth	H2
	-
	-
'Or whether mortal taught or God inspired	S
The power of unpremeditated song	F
Many divinest sounds have I admired	S
The Olympian Gods and mortal men among	F
But such a strain of wondrous strange untired	S
And soul awakening music sweet and strong	F
Yet did I never hear except from thee	S
Offspring of May impostor Mercury	S
	-
	-
'What Muse what skill what unimagined use	G2
What exercise of subtlest art has given	H2
Thy songs such power for those who hear may choose	G2
From three the choicest of the gifts of Heaven	H2
Delight and love and sleep sweet sleep whose dews	G2
Are sweeter than the balmy tears of even	H2
And I who speak this praise am that Apollo	H2
Whom the Olympian Muses ever follow	H2
	-
	-
'And their delight is dance and the blithe noise	G2
Of song and overflowing poesy	G2
And sweet even as desire the liquid voice	G2
Of pipes that fills the clear air thrillingly	H2
But never did my inmost soul rejoice	G2
In this dear work of youthful revelry	S
As now I wonder at thee son of Jove	S
Thy harpings and thy song are soft as love	S
	-
	-
'Now since thou hast although so very small	H2
Science of arts so glorious thus I swear	G2
And let this cornel javelin keen and tall	H2
Witness between us what I promise here	G2
That I will lead thee to the Olympian Hall	H2
Honoured and mighty with thy mother dear	G2
And many glorious gifts in joy will give thee	S
And even at the end will ne'er deceive thee '	-
	-
	-
To whom thus Mercury with prudent speech	F3
'Wisely hast thou inquired of my skill	H2
I envy thee no thing I know to teach	F3
Even this day for both in word and will	H2
I would be gentle with thee thou canst reach	F3
All things in thy wise spirit and thy sill	H2
Is highest in Heaven among the sons of Jove	S
Who loves thee in the fulness of his love	S
	-
	-
'The Counsellor Supreme has given to thee	S
Divinest gifts out of the amplitude	S
Of his profuse exhaustless treasury	S
By thee 'tis said the depths are understood	S
Of his far voice by thee the mystery	S
Of all oracular fates and the dread mood	S
Of the diviner is breathed up even I	S
A child perceive thy might and majesty	S
	-
	-
'Thou canst seek out and compass all that wit	S
Can find or teach yet since thou wilt come take	F
The lyre be mine the glory giving it	S
Strike the sweet chords and sing aloud and wake	F
Thy joyous pleasure out of many a fit	S
Of tranced sound and with fleet fingers make	F
Thy liquid voiced comrade talk with thee	S
It can talk measured music eloquently	S
	-
	-
'Then bear it boldly to the revel loud	S
Love wakening dance or feast of solemn state	S
A joy by night or day for those endowed	S
With art and wisdom who interrogate	S
It teaches babbling in delightful mood	S
All things which make the spirit most elate	S
Soothing the mind with sweet familiar play	H2
Chasing the heavy shadows of dismay	H2
	-
	-
'To those who are unskilled in its sweet tongue	F
Though they should question most impetuously	H2
Its hidden soul it gossips something wrong	F
Some senseless and impertinent reply	H2
But thou who art as wise as thou art strong	F
Canst compass all that thou desirest I	H2
Present thee with this music flowing shell	H2
Knowing thou canst interrogate it well	H2
	-
	-
'And let us two henceforth together feed	S
On this green mountain slope and pastoral plain	H2
The herds in litigation they will breed	S
Quickly enough to recompense our pain	H2
If to the bulls and cows we take good heed	S
And thou though somewhat over fond of gain	H2
Grudge me not half the profit ' Having spoke	F
The shell he proffered and Apollo took	F
	-
	-
And gave him in return the glittering lash	G3
Installing him as herdsman from the look	F
Of Mercury then laughed a joyous flash	G3
And then Apollo with the plectrum strook	F
The chords and from beneath his hands a crash	G3
Of mighty sounds rushed up whose music shook	F
The soul with sweetness and like an adept	S
His sweeter voice a just accordance kept	S
	-
	-
The herd went wandering o'er the divine mead	S
Whilst these most beautiful Sons of Jupiter	G2
Won their swift way up to the snowy head	S
Of white Olympus with the joyous lyre	G2
Soothing their journey and their father dread	S
Gathered them both into familiar	G2
Affection sweet and then and now and ever	G2
Hermes must love Him of the Golden Quiver	G2
	-
	-
To whom he gave the lyre that sweetly sounded	S
Which skilfully he held and played thereon	H2
He piped the while and far and wide rebounded	S
The echo of his pipings every one	H2
Of the Olympians sat with joy astounded	S
While he conceived another piece of fun	H2
One of his old tricks which the God of Day	H2
Perceiving said 'I fear thee Son of May	H2
	-
	-
'I fear thee and thy sly chameleon spirit	S
Lest thou should steal my lyre and crooked bow	H2
This glory and power thou dost from Jove inherit	S
To teach all craft upon the earth below	H2
Thieves love and worship thee it is thy merit	S
To make all mortal business ebb and flow	H2
By roguery now Hermes if you dare	G2
By sacred Styx a mighty oath to swear	G2
	-
	-
'That you will never rob me you will do	S
A thing extremely pleasing to my heart '	-
Then Mercury swore by the Stygian dew	S
That he would never steal his bow or dart	S
Or lay his hands on what to him was due	S
Or ever would employ his powerful art	S
Against his Pythian fane Then Phoebus swore	G2
There was no God or Man whom he loved more	G2
	-
	-
'And I will give thee as a good will token	H2
The beautiful wand of wealth and happiness	G2
A perfect three leaved rod of gold unbroken	H2
Whose magic will thy footsteps ever bless	G2
And whatsoever by Jove's voice is spoken	H2
Of earthly or divine from its recess	G2
It like a loving soul to thee will speak	F
And more than this do thou forbear to seek	F
	-
	-
'For dearest child the divinations high	H2
Which thou requirest 'tis unlawful ever	G2
That thou or any other deity	S
Should understand and vain were the endeavour	G2
For they are hidden in Jove's mind and I	H2
In trust of them have sworn that I would never	G2
Betray the counsels of Jove's inmost will	H2
To any God the oath was terrible	H2
	-
	-
'Then golden wanded brother ask me not	S
To speak the fates by Jupiter designed	S
But be it mine to tell their various lot	S
To the unnumbered tribes of human kind	S
Let good to these and ill to those be wrought	S
As I dispense but he who comes consigned	S
By voice and wings of perfect augury	G2
To my great shrine shall find avail in me	S
	-
	-
'Him will I not deceive but will assist	S
But he who comes relying on such birds	G2
As chatter vainly who would strain and twist	S
The purpose of the Gods with idle words	G2
And deems their knowledge light he shall have missed	S
His road whilst I among my other hoards	G2
His gifts deposit Yet O son of May	H2
I have another wondrous thing to say	H2
	-
	-
'There are three Fates three virgin Sisters who	S
Rejoicing in their wind outspeeding wings	G2
Their heads with flour snowed over white and new	S
Sit in a vale round which Parnassus flings	G2
Its circling skirts from these I have learned true	S
Vaticinations of remotest things	G2
My father cared not Whilst they search out dooms	G2
They sit apart and feed on honeycombs	G2
	-
	-
'They having eaten the fresh honey grow	G2
Drunk with divine enthusiasm and utter	G2
With earnest willingness the truth they know	G2
But if deprived of that sweet food they mutter	G2
All plausible delusions these to you	S
I give if you inquire they will not stutter	G2
Delight your own soul with them any man	H2
You would instruct may profit if he can	H2
	-
	-
'Take these and the fierce oxen Maia's child	S
O'er many a horse and toil enduring mule	H2
O'er jagged jawed lions and the wild	S
White tusked boars o'er all by field or pool	H2
Of cattle which the mighty Mother mild	S
Nourishes in her bosom thou shalt rule	H2
Thou dost alone the veil from death uplift	S
Thou givest not yet this is a great gift '	-
	-
	-
Thus King Apollo loved the child of May	H2
In truth and Jove covered their love with joy	H3
Hermes with Gods and Men even from that day	H2
Mingled and wrought the latter much annoy	H3
And little profit going far astray	H2
Through the dun night Farewell delightful Boy	H3
Of Jove and Maia sprung never by me	S
Nor thou nor other songs shall unremembered be	S

Percy Bysshe Shelley

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