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hawkwing_lb) wrote2016-06-29 05:03 pm
hawkwing_lb) wrote2016-06-29 05:03 pm
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The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite (Homeric Hymn 5) lines 38-53
To Aphrodite
And whenever he wishes – for [Aphrodite] easily beguiles even his shrewd wits –
He has intercourse with mortal women doomed to death,
Out of sight of Hera, his sister and his spouse –
Her great form is best among the undying gods.
Crooked-counselling Kronos brought her, a most honoured woman, forth,
And so did mother Rheia: Zeus who’s versed in immortal counsels
Made her his spouse, since she knows diligence.
And to her [Aphrodite] Zeus gave in her heart sweet-tasting desire
To be joined in intercourse with a death-doomed mortal man, in order that swiftly
She herself might not be kept from a mortal marriage-bed,
And whenever laughter-loving Aphrodite, sweetly laughing,
Would say, boasting among all the gods,
how the gods mixed with mortal women,
And [mortal women] with immortals brought forth mortal sons,
Thus a goddess had intercourse with death-doomed mortals.
And whenever he wishes – for [Aphrodite] easily beguiles even his shrewd wits –
He has intercourse with mortal women doomed to death,
Out of sight of Hera, his sister and his spouse –
Her great form is best among the undying gods.
Crooked-counselling Kronos brought her, a most honoured woman, forth,
And so did mother Rheia: Zeus who’s versed in immortal counsels
Made her his spouse, since she knows diligence.
And to her [Aphrodite] Zeus gave in her heart sweet-tasting desire
To be joined in intercourse with a death-doomed mortal man, in order that swiftly
She herself might not be kept from a mortal marriage-bed,
And whenever laughter-loving Aphrodite, sweetly laughing,
Would say, boasting among all the gods,
how the gods mixed with mortal women,
And [mortal women] with immortals brought forth mortal sons,
Thus a goddess had intercourse with death-doomed mortals.