The Homeric Hymn to Helios (Homeric Hymn 31)

[hawkwing_lb]

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.

Comments

[hrj.livejournal.com]

I am oddly delighted that my two favorite classical scholars are butting up against each other in my LJ feed. The other one just finished her PhD at U.C. Santa Cruz. There are times when I'd love to gather up all of my online friends (although she's an IRL friend as well) and bring them together for "HRJ-con" so they can all get to know each other. There are so many exciting and fabulous people in my life (and you're one of them).

[hawkwing-lb.livejournal.com]

I don't feel like much of scholar this month. (Maybe you should have a party! :) )