The Homeric Hymn to Helios (Homeric Hymn 31)

To Helios


Muse, Kalliope, child of Zeus, begin to sing again of Helios,
The radiant one whom ox-eyed Euryphaessa
Brought forth [of her union] with the child of Earth and star-filled Heaven.
For Hyperion took to bed splendid Euryphaessa,
His own full sister, and to him she bore noble children,
Rose-armed Eos and fine-haired Selene and
Tireless Helios, just like the immortal gods.
He [Helios] shines on death-doomed mortals and the deathless gods,
While mounted on his horses: and he - dire-gleaming - flashes with both eyes
Out from under his golden helmet, and vigorous rays shine
Resplendent from his temples, and about his far-shining countenance gracefully fall
The radiant hairs from his head, and his finely-worked garments blaze
Close against his skin in the blowing of winds, and mighty stallions are at his command.
And in that place, there! He stays his gold-yoked chariot and horses, stopping right there on the furthest point of heaven,
Until, divinely decreed, he conducts them back again through the sky to Ocean.
Hail, lord! Willingly grant [me] well-pleasing life,
And now I've started with you, I'll celebrate in song the race of half-divine men, whose inheritance is speech,
And whose works goddesses made known to death-doomed mortals.