(Richmond Lattimore Translation)

　　　　　Let us begin our singing
　　　　　from the Helikonian Muses
　　　　　who possess the great and holy mountain
　　　　　of Helikon
　　　　　and dance there on soft feet
　　　　　by the dark blue water
　　　　　of the spring, and by the altar
　　　　　of the powerful son of Kronos;
5　　　　who wash their tender bodies in the waters
　　　　　of Permessos
　　　　　or Hippokrene, spring of the Horse,
　　　　　or holy Olmeios,
　　　　　and on the high places of Helikon
　　　　　have ordered their dances
　　　　　which are handsome and beguiling,
　　　　　and light are the feet they move on.
　　　　　From there they rise, and put a veiling
　　　　　of deep mist upon them,
10　　　 and walk in the night, singing
　　　　　in sweet voices, and celebrating
　　　　　Zeus, the holder of the aegis, and Hera,
　　　　　his lady
　　　　　of Argos, who treads on golden sandals,
　　　　　and singing also
　　　　　Athene the gray-eyed, daughter of Zeus
　　　　　of the aegis,
　　　　　Phoibos Apollo, and Artemis
　　　　　of the showering arrows,
15　　　Poseidon who encircles the earth in his arms
　　　　　and shakes it,
　　　　　stately Themis, and Aphrodite
　　　　　of the fluttering eyelids,
　　　　　Hebe of the golden wreath, beautiful Dione,
　　　　　Leto and Iapetos and devious-devising Kronos,
　　　　　Eos, the dawn, great Helios
　　　　　and shining Selene,
20　　 　Gaia, the earth, and great Okeanos,
　　　　　and dark Night,
　　　　　and all the holy rest of the everlasting
　　　　　immortals.
　　　　　And it was they who once taught Hesiod
　　　　　his splendid singing
　　　　　as he was shepherding his lambs
　　　　　on holy Helikon,
　　　　　and these were the first words of all
　　　　　the goddesses spoke to me,
25　　　 the Muses of Olympia, daughters of Zeus
　　　　　of the aegis:
　　　　　"You shepherds of the wilderness, poor fools,
　　　　　nothing but bellies,
　　　　　we know how to say many false things
　　　　　that seem like true sayings,
　　　　　but we know also how to speak the truth
　　　　　when we wish to."
　　　　　So they spoke, these mistresses of words,
　　　　　daughters of great Zeus,
30　 　　and they broke off and handed me a staff
　　　　　of strong-growing
　　　　　olive shoot, a wonderful thing;
　　　　　they breathed a voice into me,
　　　　　and power to sing the story of things
　　　　　of the future, and things past.
　　　　　They told me to sing the race
　　　　　of the blessed gods everlasting,
　　　　　but always to put themselves
　　　　　at the beginning and end of my singing
35　 　　But what is all this to me, the story
　　　　　of the oak or the boulder?


　　　　　Come you then, let us begin from the Muses,
　　　　　who by their singing
　　　　　delight the great mind of Zeus, their father,
　　　　　who lives on Olympos,
　　　　　as they tell of what is, and what is to be,
　　　　　and what was before now
　　　　　with harmonious voices, and the sound
　　　　　that comes sweet from their mouths
40　　 　never falters, and all the mansion of Zeus
　　　　　the father
　　　　　of the deep thunder is joyful
　　　　　in the light voice of the goddesses
　　　　　that scatters through it, and the peaks
　　　　　of snowy Olympos re-echo
　　　　　and the homes of the immortals, and they
　　　　　in divine utterance
　　　　　sing first the glory of the majestic race
　　　　　of immortals ,
45　　 　from its beginning, those born
　　　　　to wide Ouranos and Gaia,
　　　　　and the gods who were born to these in turn,
　　　　　the givers of blessings.
　　　　　Then next they sing of Zeus, the father
　　　　　of gods and of mortals,
　　　　　and they begin this strain and end
　　　　　this strain singing of him,
　　　　　how greatly he surpasses all gods,
　　　　　and in might is the strongest.
50　 　　And then again the Olympian Muses,
　　　　　daughters of aegis--
　　　　　wearing Zeus, delight his mind that dwells
　　　　　on Olympos
　　　　　by singing the race of human kind,
　　　　　and the powerful Giants.
　　　　　Mnemosyne, queen of the Eleutherian hills,
　　　　　bore them
　　　　　in Pieria, when she had lain
　　　　　with the Kronian Father;
55　　　 they bring forgetfulness of sorrows,
　　　　　and rest from anxieties.
　　　　　For nine nights Zeus of the counsels
　　　　　lay with her, going
　　　　　up into her sacred bed, far away
　　　　　from the other immortals.
　　　　　But when it was a year,
　　　　　after the seasons' turning
　　　　　and the months had waned away, and many days
　　　　　were accomplished,
60　　　 she bore her nine daughters, concordant
　　　　　of heart, and singing
　　　　　is all the thought that is in them,
　　　　　and no care troubles their spirits.
　　　　　She bore them a little way off
　　　　　from the highest snowy summit
　　　　　of Olympos; there are their shining
　　　　　dancing places, their handsome
　　　　　houses, and the Graces and Desire live there
　　　　　beside them
65　　　 in festivity; lovely is the voice
　　　　　that issues from their lips
　　　　　as they sing of all the laws and all
　　　　　the gracious customs
　　　　　of the immortals, and glorify them
　　　　　with their sweet voices.
　　　　　At that time, glorying in their power
　　　　　of song, they went to Olympos
　　　　　in immortal music, and all the black earth
　　　　　re-echoed to them
70　　 　as they sang, and the lovely beat
　　　　　of their footsteps sprang beneath them
　　　　　as they hastened to their father, to him
　　　　　who is King in the heaven,
　　　　　who holds in his own hands the thunder
　　　　　and the flamy lightning,
　　　　　who overpowered and put down
　　　　　his father Kronos, and ordained
　　　　　to the immortals all rights that are theirs,
　　　　　and defined their stations.
75　 　　All these things the Muses who have
　　　　　their homes on Olympos
　　　　　sang then, and they are nine daughters
　　　　　whose father is great Zeus:
　　　　　Kleio and Euterpe, Thaleia and Melpomene,
　　　　　Terpsichore and Erato, Polymnia and Ourania,
　　　　　with Kalliope, who of all holds the highest position.
80　 　　For it is she who attends
　　　　　on the respected barons.
　　　　　And when on one of these kingly nobles,
　　　　　at the time of his birth,
　　　　　the daughters of great Zeus cast their eyes
　　　　　and bestow their favors,
　　　　　upon his speech they make a distillation
　　　　　of sweetness,
　　　　　and from his mouth the words run blandishing,
　　　　　and his people
85　　　 all look in his direction as he judges
　　　　　their cases
　　　　　with straight decisions, and,
　　　　　by an unfaltering declaration
　　　　　can put a quick and expert end even
　　　　　to a great quarrel:
　　　　　and that is why there are temperate barons,
　　　　　because for their people
　　　　　who have gone astray in assembly these
　　　　　lightly turn back their actions
90　　　 to the right direction, talking them over
　　　　　with gentle arguments.
　　　　　As such a one walks through an assembly,
　　　　　the people adore him
　　　　　like a god, with gentle respect;
　　　　　he stands out among all assembled.
　　　　　Such is the holy gift the Muses
　　　　　give to humanity.
　　　　　So it is from the Muses, and from Apollo
　　　　　of the far cast,
95　　　 that there are men on earth who are poets,
　　　　　and players on the lyre.
　　　　　The lords are from Zeus; but blessed
　　　　　is that one whom the Muses
　　　　　love, for the voice of his mouth runs
　　　　　and is sweet, and even
　　　　　when a man has sorrow fresh
　　　　　in the troublement of his spirit
　　　　　and is struck to wonder over the grief
　　　　　in his heart, the singer,
100　 　the servant of the Muses singing
　　　　　the glories of ancient
　　　　　men, and the blessed gods
　　　　　who have their homes on Olympos,
　　　　　makes him presently forget his cares,
　　　　　he no longer remembers
　　　　　sorrow, for the gifts of the goddesses
　　　　　soon turn his thoughts elsewhere.

　　　　　Hail, then, children of Zeus:
　　　　　grant me lovely singing.

105　 　Now sound out the holy stock
　　　　　of the everlasting immortals
　　　　　who came into being out of Gaia
　　　　　and starry Ouranos
　　　　　and gloomy Night, whom Pontos, the salt sea,
　　　　　brought to maturity;
　　　　　and tell, how at the first the gods
　　　　　and the earth were begotten
　　　　　and rivers, and the boundless sea,
　　　　　raging in its swell,
110　 　the blazing stars, and the wide sky above all,
　　　　　tell of
　　　　　the gods, bestowers of blessings,
　　　　　who were begotten of all these,
　　　　　and how they divided their riches
　　　　　and distributed their privileges,
　　　　　and how they first took possession
　　　　　of many-folded Olympos,
　　　　　tell me all this, you Muses
　　　　　who have your homes on Olympos,
115　 　from the beginning, and tell who was first
　　　　　to come forth among them.
　　　　　First of all there came Chaos,
　　　　　and after him came
　　　　　Gaia of the broad breast,
　　　　　to be the unshakable foundation
　　　　　of all the immortals who keep the crests
　　　　　of snowy Olympos,
　　　　　and Tartaros the foggy in the pit
　　　　　of the wide-wayed earth,
120 　　and Eros, who is love, handsomest among all
　　　　　the immortals,
　　　　　who breaks the limbs' strength,
　　　　　who in all gods, in all human beings
　　　　　overpowers the intelligence in the breast,
　　　　　and all their shrewd planning.
　　　　　From Chaos was born Erebos, the dark,
　　　　　and black Night,
　　　　　and from Night again Aither and Hemera,
　　　　　the day, were begotten,
125　　 for she lay in love with Erebos
　　　　　and conceived and bore these two.
　　　　　But Gaia's first born was one
　　　　　who matched her every dimension,
　　　　　Ouranos, the starry sky,
　　　　　to cover her all over,
　　　　　to be an unshakable standing-place
　　　　　for the blessed immortals.
　　　　　Then she brought forth the tall Hills,
　　　　　those wild haunts that are beloved
130　　 by the goddess Nymphs who live on the hills
　　　　　and in their forests.
　　　　　Without any sweet act of love
　　　　　she produced the barren
　　　　　sea, Pontos, seething in his fury of waves,
　　　　　and after this
　　　　　she lay with Ouranos, and bore him
　　　　　deep-swirling Okeanos
　　　　　the ocean-stream; and Koios, Krios,
　　　　　Hyperion, Iapetos,
135　　 and Theia too and Rheia, and Themis,
　　　　　and Mnemosyne,
　　　　　Phoibe of the wreath of gold,
　　　　　and Tethys the lovely.
　　　　　After these her youngest-born
　　　　　was devious-devising Kronos,
　　　　　most terrible of her children;
　　　　　and he hated his strong father.
　　　　　She brought forth also the Kyklopes,
　　　　　whose hearts are proud and powerful,
140 　　Brontes and Steropes, and Arges
　　　　　of the violent spirit,
　　　　　who made the thunder and gave it to Zeus,
　　　　　and fashioned the lightning.
　　　　　These in all the rest of their shape
　　　　　were made like gods,
　　　　　but they had only one eye set in the middle
　　　　　of their foreheads.
　　　　　Kyklopes, wheel-eyed, was the name given them,
　　　　　by reason
145 　　of the single wheel-shaped eye
　　　　　that was set in their foreheads.
　　　　　Strength and force, and contriving skills,
　　　　　were in all their labors.
　　　　　And still other children were born
　　　　　to Gaia and Ouranos,
　　　　　three sons, big and powerful, so great
　　　　　they could never be told of,
　　　　　Kottos, Briareos, and Gyes,
　　　　　overmastering children.
150　　 Each had a hundred intolerably strong arms
　　　　　bursting
　　　　　out of his shoulders,
　　　　　and on the shoulders
　　　　　of each grew fifty
　　　　　heads, above their massive bodies;
　　　　　irresistible
　　　　　and staunch strength matched the appearance
　　　　　of their big bodies,
　　　　　and of all children ever born
　　　　　to Gaia and Ouranos
155　 　these were the most terrible,
　　　　　and they hated their father
　　　　　from the beginning, and every time each one
　　　　　was beginning
　　　　　to come out, he would push them back again,
　　　　　deep inside Gaia,
　　　　　and would not let them into the light,
　　　　　and Ouranos exulted
　　　　　in his wicked work; but great Gaia
　　　　　groaned within for pressure
160　　 of pain; and then she thought of an evil,
　　　　　treacherous attack.
　　　　　Presently creating the element of gray flint
　　　　　she made of it a great sickle,
　　　　　and explained it to her own children,
　　　　　and spoke, in the disturbance of her heart,
　　　　　to encourage them:
　　　　　"My sons, born to me of a criminal father,
　　　　　if you are willing
165　 　to obey me, we can punish your father
　　　　　for the brutal treatment
　　　　　he put upon you, for he was first to think
　　　　　of shameful dealing."
　　　　　So she spoke, but fear took hold of all,
　　　　　nor did one of them
　　　　　speak, but then great devious-devising Kronos
　　　　　took courage
　　　　　and spoke in return,
　　　　　and gave his gracious mother an answer:
170　　"My mother, I will promise to undertake
　　　　　to accomplish
　　　　　this act, and for our father,
　　　　　him of the evil name, I care
　　　　　nothing, for he was the first
　　　　　to think of shameful dealing."
　　　　　So he spoke, and giant Gaia
　　　　　rejoiced greatly in her heart
　　　　　and took and hid him in a secret ambush,
　　　　　and put into his hands
175　 　the sickle, edged like teeth, and told him
　　　　　all her treachery.
　　　　　And huge Ouranos came on
　　　　　bringing night with him, and desiring
　　　　　love he embraced Gaia and lay over her
　　　　　stretched out
　　　　　complete, and from his hiding place his son
　　　　　reached with his left hand
　　　　　and seized him, and holding in his right
　　　　　the enormous sickle
180 　　with its long blade edged like teeth,
　　　　　he swung it sharply,
　　　　　and lopped the members of his own father,
　　　　　and threw them behind him
　　　　　to fall where they would,
　　　　　but they were not lost away when they were flung
　　　　　from his hand, but all the bloody drops
　　　　　that went splashing from them
　　　　　were taken in by Gaia, the earth,
　　　　　and with the turning of the seasons
185　　 she brought forth the powerful Furies
　　　　　and the tall Giants
　　　　　shining in their armor
　　　　　and holding long spears in their hands;
　　　　　and the nymphs they call, on boundless earth,
　　　　　the Nymphs of the Ash Trees.
　　　　　But the members themselves, when Kronos
　　　　　had lopped them with the flint,
　　　　　he threw from the mainland
　　　　　into the great wash of the sea water
190 　　and they drifted a great while
　　　　　on the open sea, and there spread
　　　　　a circle of white foam
　　　　　from the immortal flesh, and in it
　　　　　grew a girl, whose course first took her
　　　　　to holy Kythera,
　　　　　and from there she afterward made her way
　　　　　to sea-washed Cyprus
　　　　　and stepped ashore, a modest lovely Goddess,
　　　　　and about her
195　　 light and slender feet the grass grew,
　　　　　and the gods call her
　　　　　Aphrodite, and men do too,
　　　　　and the aphro-foam-born
　　　　　goddess, and garlanded Kythereia,
　　　　　because from the seafoam
　　　　　she grew, land Kythereia because she had gone
　　　　　to Kythera,
　　　　　and Kyprogeneia, because she came forth
　　　　　from wave-washed Cyprus,
200 　　and Philommedea, because she appeared
　　　　　from medea, members.
　　　　　And Eros went with her, and handsome Himeros
　　　　　attended her
　　　　　when first she was born, and when she joined
　　　　　the immortal community,
　　　　　and here is the privilege she was given
　　　　　and holds from the beginning,
　　　　　and which is the part she plays among men
　　　　　and the gods immortal:
　　　　　the whispering together of girls,
205　　 the smiles and deceptions,
　　　　　the delight, and the sweetnesses of love,
　　　　　and the flattery.
　　　　　But their great father Ouranos,
　　　　　who himself begot them,
　　　　　bitterly gave to those others, his sons,
　　　　　the name of Titans,
　　　　　the Stretchers, for they stretched
　　　　　their power outrageously and accomplished
　　　　　a monstrous thing, and they would some day
210　　 be punished for it.
　　　　　But Night bore horrible Moros, and black Ker,
　　　　　End and Fate,
　　　　　and Death, and Sleep, and she bore also
　　　　　the brood of Dreams,
　　　　　she, dark Night, by herself,
　　　　　and had not been loved by any god,
　　　　　and then again she bore mocking Momos
　　　　　and painful Oizys,
215　　 and the Hesperides, who across
　　　　　the fabulous stream of the Ocean
　　　　　keep the golden apples
　　　　　and the fruit-bearing orchards,
　　　　　and she bore the destinies, the Moirai,
　　　　　and the cruelly never-forgetful
　　　　　Fates, Klotho, Lachesis, and Atropos,
　　　　　who at their birth
　　　　　bestow upon mortals their portion
　　　　　of good and evil,
220　　 and these control the transgressions
　　　　　of both men and divinities,
　　　　　and these goddesses never remit
　　　　　their dreaded anger
　　　　　until whoever has done wrong
　　　　　gives them satisfaction.
　　　　　And she, destructive Night, bore Nemesis,
　　　　　who gives much pain
　　　　　to mortals; and afterward cheating Deception
　　　　　and loving Affection
225　　 and then malignant Old Age
　　　　　and overbearing Discord.
　　　　　Hateful Discord in turn
　　　　　bore painful Hardship,
　　　　　and Forgetfulness, and Starvation,
　　　　　and the Pains, full of weeping,
　　　　　the Battles and the Quarrels, the Murders
　　　　　and the Manslaughters,
　　　　　the Grievances, the lying Stories,
　　　　　the Disputations,
230　　 and Lawlessness and Ruin, who share
　　　　　one another's nature,
　　　　　and Oath, who does more damage than any other
　　　　　to earthly
　　　　　men, when anyone, of his knowledge,
　　　　　swears to a false oath.
　　　　　But Pontos, the great Sea, was father
　　　　　of truthful Nereus
　　　　　who tells no lies, eldest of his sons.
　　　　　They call him the Old Gentleman
235　　 because he is trustworthy, and gentle,
　　　　　and never forgetful
　　　　　of what is right, but the thoughts
　　　　　of his mind are mild and righteous.
　　　　　And Pontos again fathered great Thaumas,
　　　　　and haughty Phorkys
　　　　　when he lay with Gaia, and he fathered Keto
　　　　　of the fair face,
　　　　　and Eurybia, who has a heart of stone inside her.
240　　 To Nereus and to Doris
　　　　　of the lovely hair,
　　　　　daughter
　　　　　of Okeanos the completely encircling river,
　　　　　there were born
　　　　　in the barren sea daughters
　　　　　greatly beautiful even among goddesses:
　　　　　Ploto and Eukrante and Amphitrite and Sao,
　　　　　Eudora and Thetis, and Galene and Glauke,
245　 　Kymothoe and Speio, and Thoe and lovely Halia,
　　　　　Pasithea and Erato, Eunike of the rose arms,
　　　　　and graceful Melite and Eulimene and Agaue,
　　　　　Doto and Proto, Dynamene and Pherousa,
　　　　　Nesaie and Alctaie and Protomedeia,
250　　 Doris and Panopeia, and Galateia
　　　　　the beautiful,
　　　　　Hipponoe the lovely
　　　　　and klipponoe of the rose arms,
　　　　　Kymodoke who, with Kymatolege and Amphitrite,
　　　　　light of foot, on the misty face
　　　　　of the open water
　　　　　easily stills the waves and hushes
　　　　　the winds in their blowing,
255　　 Kymo and Eione, Halimede
　　　　　of the bright garland,
　　　　　Glaukonome, the lover of laughter,
　　　　　and Pontoporeia,
　　　　　Leagore and Euagore and Laomedeia,
　　　　　Poulynoe and Autonoe and Lysianassa,
　　　　　Euarne of the lovely figure
　　　　　and face of perfection,
260　　 Psamathe of the graceful form
　　　　　and shining Menippe,
　　　　　Neso and Eupompe, and Themisto and Pronoe,
　　　　　and Nemertes, whose mind is like that
　　　　　of her immortal father.
　　　　　These were the daughters born
　　　　　to irreproachable Nereus,
　　　　　fifty in all, and the actions they know
　　　　　are beyond reproach, also.
265　　 Now Thaumas married a daughter
　　　　　of deep-running Okeanos,
　　　　　Elektra, and she bore him swift-footed Iris,
　　　　　the rainbow,
　　　　　and the Harpies of the lovely hair,
　　　　　Okypete and Aello,
　　　　　and these two in the speed of their wings
　　　　　keep pace with the blowing
　　　　　winds, or birds in flight, as they soar
　　　　　and swoop, high aloft.
270　　 And to Phorkys Keto bore the Graiai,
　　　　　with fair faces
　　　　　and gray from birth, and these the gods
　　　　　who are immortal
　　　　　and men who walk on the earth call Graiai,
　　　　　the gray sisters,
　　　　　Pemphredo robed in beauty and Enyo
　　　　　robed in saffron,
　　　　　and the Gorgons who, beyond the famous stream
　　　　　of the Ocean,
275 　　live in the utmost place toward night,
　　　　　by the singing Hesperides:
　　　　　they are Sthenno, Euryale, and Medusa,
　　　　　whose fate was a sad one,
　　　　　for she was mortal, but the other two
　　　　　immortal and ageless
　　　　　both alike. Poseidon, he of the dark hair,
　　　　　lay with
　　　　　one of these, in a soft meadow
　　　　　and among spring flowers.
280 　　But when Perseus had cut off
　　　　　the head of Medusa
　　　　　there sprang from her blood great Chrysaor
　　　　　and the horse Pegasos
　　　　　so named from the pegai, the springs
　　　　　of the Ocean, where she was born,
　　　　　while Chrysaor is named from the golden aor,
　　　　　the sword he handles.
　　　　　Pegasos, soaring, left the earth,
　　　　　the mother of sheepflocks,
285 　　and came to the immortals, and there he lives
　　　　　in the household
　　　　　of Zeus, and carries the thunder
　　　　　and lightning for Zeus of the counsels.
　　　　　Chrysaor, married to Kallirhoe,
　　　　　daughter of glorious
　　　　　Okeanos, was father
　　　　　to the triple-headed Geryon,
　　　　　but Geryon was killed by the great strength
　　　　　of Herakles
290 　　at sea-circled Erytheia
　　　　　beside his own shambling cattle
　　　　　on that day when Herakles drove
　　　　　those broad-faced cattle
　　　　　toward holy Tiryns, when he crossed
　　　　　the stream of the Ocean
　　　　　and had killed Orthos and the oxherd Eurytion
　　　　　out in that gloomy meadow
　　　　　beyond the fabulous Ocean.
295　　 But she, Kallirhoe, bore another
　　　　　unmanageable monster
　　　　　like nothing human
　　　　　nor like the immortal gods either,
　　　　　in a hollow cave. This was the divine
　　　　　and haughty Echidna,
　　　　　and half of her is a nymph
　　　　　with a fair face and eyes glancing,
　　　　　but the other half is a monstrous snake,
　　　　　terrible, enormous
300　　 and squirming and voracious,
　　　　　there in earth's secret places.
　　　　　For there she has her cave
　　　　　on the underside of a hollow
　　　　　rock, far from the immortal gods,
　　　　　and far from all mortals.
　　　　　There the gods ordained her a fabulous home
　　　　　to live in
　　　　　which she keeps underground among the Arimoi,
　　　　　grisly Echidna,
305　　 a nymph who never dies, and all her days
　　　　　she is ageless.
　　　　　They say that Typhon, the terrible,
　　　　　violent and lawless,
　　　　　was joined in love with this girl
　　　　　of the glancing eyes, and she
　　　　　conceiving bore children to him,
　　　　　with hard tempers.
　　　　　First she bore him Orthos,
　　　　　who was Geryones' herding dog,
310　　 and next again she bore the unspeakable,
　　　　　unmanageable
　　　　　Kerberos, the savage,
　　　　　the bronze-barking dog of Hades,
　　　　　fifty-headed, and powerful,
　　　　　and without pity.
　　　　　And third again she bore
　　　　　the grisly-minded Hydra
　　　　　of Lerna, whom the goddess
　　　　　white-armed Hera nourished
315 　　because of her quenchless grudge
　　　　　against the strong Herakles.
　　　　　Yet he, Herakles, son of Zeus,
　　　　　of the line of Amphitryon,
　　　　　by design of Athene the spoiler,
　　　　　and with help from warlike
　　　　　Iolaos, killed this beast
　　　　　with the pitiless bronze sword.
　　　　　Hydra bore the Chimaira, who snorted
　　　　　raging fire,
320　　 a beast great and terrible,
　　　　　and strong and swift-footed.
　　　　　Her heads were three: one was that
　　　　　of a glare-eyed lion,
　　　　　one of a goat, and the third of a snake,
　　　　　a powerful dragon.
325　　 But Chimaira was killed by Pegasos
　　　　　and gallant Bellerophon.
　　　　　But Echidna also, in love with Orthos,
　　　　　mothered the deadly
　　　　　Sphinx, the bane of the Kadmeians,
　　　　　and the Nemeian Lion
　　　　　whom Hera, the queenly wife of Zeus,
　　　　　trained up and settled
　　　　　among the hills of Nemeia,
　　　　　to be a plague to mankind.
330　　 There he preyed upon the tribes
　　　　　of the indwelling people,
　　　　　and was as a King over Tretos
　　　　　and Apesas and Nemeia.
　　　　　Nevertheless, the force of strong Herakles
　　　　　subdued him.
　　　　　Keto, joined in love with Phorkys,
　　　　　mothered the youngest
　　　　　of the deadly snakes, that one who
　　　　　at the gloomy great hidden
335　　 limits of the Earth guards
　　　　　the all-golden apples.
　　　　　This snake is of the generation
　　　　　of Keto and Phorkys.
　　　　　Tethys bore to Okeanos the swirling Rivers,
　　　　　Neilos the Nile, Alpheios,
　　　　　and deep-eddying Eridanos,
　　　　　Strymon and Maiandros, Istros
　　　　　of the beautiful waters,
340　　 Phasis and Rhesos
　　　　　and silver-swirling Acheloios,
　　　　　Nessos and Rhodios, Heptaporos
　　　　　and Haliakmon,
　　　　　Grenikos and Aisepos, and Simoeis,
　　　　　who is godlike,
　　　　　Hermos and Peneios,
　　　　　and Kalos strongly flowing,
　　　　　and great Sangarios, and Ladon,
　　　　　and Parthenios,
345　　 Euenos and Ardeskos, and Skamandros,
　　　　　who is holy.
　　　　　She brought forth also a race apart
　　　　　of daughters, who with
　　　　　Lord Apollo and the Rivers have the young
　　　　　in their keeping
　　　　　all over the earth, since this right
　　　　　from Zeus is given them.
　　　　　They are Peitho, Admete, Ianthe and Elektra,
350　 　Doris and Prymno and Ourania like a goddess,
　　　　　Hippo and Klymene, Rhodeia and Kallirhoe,
　　　　　Zeuxo and Klytia, and Idyia and Pasithoe,
　　　　　Plexaura and Galaxaura and lovely Dione,
　　　　　Melobosis and Thoe, and Polydora the shapely,
355　　 Kerkeis of the lovely stature,
　　　　　and ox-eyed Plouto,
　　　　　Xanthe and Akaste, Persels and Ianeira,
　　　　　Petraie the lovely, and Menestho, and Europa,
　　　　　Metis and Eurynome, Telesto robed in saffron,
　　　　　Chryseis, and Asia, and alluring Kalypso,
360　　 Eudora and Tyche, and Amphiro and Okyroe,
　　　　　and Styx, who among them all
　　　　　has the greatest eminence.
　　　　　Now these are the eldest of the daughters
　　　　　who were born to Tethys
　　　　　and Okeanos, but there are many others
　　　　　beside these,
　　　　　for there are three thousand
　　　　　light-stepping daughters of the Ocean
365　　 scattered far and wide, bright children
　　　　　among the goddesses, and all
　　　　　alike look after the earth
　　　　　and the depths of the standing water;
　　　　　and as many again are the rest of the Rivers,
　　　　　murmurously running,
　　　　　sons of Okeanos and the lady Tethys
　　　　　was their mother,
　　　　　and it would be hard for a mortal man
　　　　　to tell the names
370　　 of all of them; but each is known
　　　　　by those who live by him.
　　　　　Theia brought forth great Helios
　　　　　and shining Selene
　　　　　the Sun and Moon, and Eos the Dawn,
　　　　　who lights all earthly
　　　　　creatures, and the immortal gods
　　　　　who hold the wide heaven.
　　　　　These she brought forth, being subdued
　　　　　in love to Hyperion.
375　　 Eurybia, shining among the goddesses,
　　　　　was joined in love
　　　　　with Krios, and brought forth
　　　　　the great Astraios and Pallas
　　　　　and Perses, who shines among all
　　　　　for his intelligence.
　　　　　Eos, a goddess couched in love with a god,
　　　　　brought forth
　　　　　to Astraios the strong-spirited winds,
　　　　　Zephyros
380　　 the brightener, Boreas of the headlong track,
　　　　　and Notos.
　　　　　After these she, Erigeneia,
　　　　　bore Eosphoros, the dawnstar,
　　　　　and all those other shining stars
　　　　　that are wreathed in the heaven.
　　　　　And Styx, daughter of Okeanos,
　　　　　lying in love with Pallas,
　　　　　bore in their halls Rivalry
　　　　　and sweet-stepping Victory,
385　　 and also Power and Force,
　　　　　who are her conspicuous children,
　　　　　and these have no home that is not the home
　　　　　of Zeus, no resting
　　　　　place nor road, except where that god
　　　　　has guided them,
　　　　　but always they are housed by Zeus
　　　　　of the heavy thunder.
　　　　　For this was the will of Styx,
　　　　　that Okeanid never-perishing,
390　　 on the day when the Olympian flinger
　　　　　of the lightning
　　　　　summoned all the immortal gods
　　　　　to tall Olympos
　　　　　and said that any god who fought on his side
　　　　　with the Titans
　　　　　should never be beaten out of his privilege,
　　　　　but each should maintain
　　　　　the position he had had before
　　　　　among the immortals; he said, too,
395　　 that the god who under Kronos
　　　　　had gone without position or privilege
　　　　　should under him be raised to these,
　　　　　according to justice.
　　　　　And Styx the imperishable was first
　　　　　to come to Olympos
　　　　　bringing her children, as her own father
　　　　　had advised her.
　　　　　Zeus gave her position,
　　　　　and gave her great gifts further,
400　　 for he established her to be the oath
　　　　　of the immortals,
　　　　　and that her children all their days
　　　　　should live in his household.
　　　　　And so, as he had promised, in every way
　　　　　he fulfilled it
　　　　　throughout. But he himself keeps
　　　　　the great power, and is master.
　　　　　Now, Phoibe in turn went into the bed
　　　　　of love with Koios,
405　　 a goddess with a god, and there
　　　　　through his love she conceived
　　　　　and bore Leto of the dark robe,
　　　　　a sweet goddess always,
　　　　　kind to mortal men
　　　　　and to the immortal divinities,
　　　　　sweet from the beginning,
　　　　　the gentlest of all who are on Olympos.
　　　　　She bore also renowned Asteria, whom on a day
410　　 Perses led home to his great house,
　　　　　to be called his true wife,
　　　　　and she conceiving bore Hekate, whom Zeus,
　　　　　son of Kronos,
　　　　　honored above all others,
　　　　　for he gave her gifts that were glorious,
　　　　　to have a part of the earth as hers,
　　　　　and a part of the barren
　　　　　sea, and she, with a place also
　　　　　in the starry heaven,
415　　 is thus exalted exceedingly
　　　　　even among the immortals.
　　　　　For even now, whenever any one
　　　　　of mortal men makes
　　　　　a handsome sacrifice in propitiation,
　　　　　according to usage,
　　　　　he invokes Hekate, and recompense abundant
　　　　　and lightly granted
　　　　　befalls that man whose prayers
　　　　　the goddess receives with favor,
420　　 and she grants him good success,
　　　　　for hers is the power to do this.


　　　　　For among the children who were born
　　　　　to Ouranos and Gaia
　　　　　and had station allotted,
　　　　　among all these she has a certain office.
　　　　　Nor did the son of Kronos use violence
　　　　　toward her nor deprive her
　　　　　of the rights she had among Titan gods
　　　　　of the older generation
425　　 but she holds her apportioned share
　　　　　as formerly from the beginning,
　　　　　nor, because she is an only child,
　　　　　does the goddess have the less honor,
　　　　　and a privileged place in the earth,
　　　　　and in the sky, and the sea also;
　　　　　but as much as others and far more,
　　　　　seeing that Zeus honors her.
　　　　　She greatly assists and advantages any man,
　　　　　as she pleases, and in
430　　 the assembly of the people a man shines
　　　　　when she wishes it,
　　　　　and when men put on their armor
　　　　　to go to battle, where men
　　　　　are wasted, the goddess
　　　　　is present there also, to give out
　　　　　the victory and the glory
　　　　　to whichever side she wishes.
　　　　　And she sits beside solemn kings when they give
　　　　　their judgment.
435 　　She is great, too,
　　　　　where men contend in athletics,
　　　　　and there the goddess stands by those
　　　　　whom she will, and assists them,
　　　　　and one who, by his force and strength,
　　　　　has won a fine prize,
　　　　　lightly and gladly carries it home,
　　　　　and brings glory to his parents.
　　　　　She is great also in standing by the riders
　　　　　as she wishes,
440　　 and those who on the gray-green,
　　　　　the hard-wracking sea, make a living,
　　　　　and they pray to Hekate
　　　　　and to the deep-thunderous Earthshaker,
　　　　　and lightly the high goddess
　　　　　grants a great haul of fish, and lightly
　　　　　too she takes it away when it has shown,
　　　　　if such is her pleasure.
　　　　　She is great in the farms also
　　　　　to help Hermes swell the produce,
445　　 and the driven herds of cattle
　　　　　and the wide-ranging goat flocks
　　　　　and the flocks of deep-fleeced sheep,
　　　　　all these also at her own pleasure
　　　　　she weightens to many out of few,
　　　　　or makes few out of many.
　　　　　Thus, though she is only the single child
　　　　　of her mother
　　　　　she is honored with high offices
　　　　　among all the immortals.
450　　 Zeus son of Kronos made her, too,
　　　　　protector of those children
　　　　　who after her laid eyes on the Dawn,
　　　　　the many-light-beaming;
　　　　　so she, from the beginning,
　　　　　has protected children, and these are her offices.
　　　　　Rheia, submissive in love to Kronos,
　　　　　bore glorious children,
　　　　　Histia and Demeter,
　　　　　Hera of the golden sandals,
455　　 and strong Hades, who under the ground
　　　　　lives in his palace
　　　　　and has a heart without pity;
　　　　　the deep-thunderous Earthshaker,
　　　　　and Zeus of the counsels,
　　　　　who is the father of gods and of mortals,
　　　　　and underneath whose thunder
　　　　　the whole wide earth shudders;
　　　　　but, as each of these children
　　　　　came from the womb of its mother
460　　 to her knees, great Kronos swallowed it down,
　　　　　with the intention
　　　　　that no other of the proud children
　　　　　of the line of Ouranos
　　　　　should ever hold the king's position
　　　　　among the immortals.
　　　　　For he had heard, from Gaia
　　　　　and from starry Ouranos,
　　　　　that it had been ordained for him,
　　　　　for all his great strength,
465　　 to be beaten by his son,
　　　　　and through the designs of great Zeus.
　　　　　Therefore he kept watch, and did not sleep,
　　　　　but waited
　　　　　for his children, and swallowed them,
　　　　　and Rheia's sorrow was beyond forgetting.
　　　　　But when she was about to bear Zeus,
　　　　　the father of mortals
　　　　　and gods, then Rheia went
　　　　　and entreated her own dear parents,
470　　 and these were Gaia and starry Ouranos,
　　　　　to think of some plan
　　　　　by which, when she gave birth to her dear son,
　　　　　the thing might not
　　　　　be known, and the fury of revenge
　　　　　be on devious-devising Kronos
　　　　　the great, for his father,
　　　　　and his own children whom he had swallowed.
　　　　　They listened gladly
　　　　　to their beloved daughter, and consented,
475　　 and explained to her
　　　　　all that had been appointed to happen
　　　　　concerning Kronos, who was King, and his son,
　　　　　of the powerful
　　　　　spirit, and sent her to Lyktos,
　　　　　in the fertile countryside of Crete
　　　　　at that time when she was to bring forth
　　　　　the youngest of her children,
　　　　　great Zeus; and the Earth, gigantic Gaia,
　　　　　took him inside her
480　　 in wide Crete, there to keep him alive
　　　　　and raise him.
　　　　　There Earth arrived
　　　　　through the running black night, carrying
　　　　　him, and came first to Lyktos,
　　　　　and holding him in her arms, hid him
　　　　　in a cave in a cliff, deep in
　　　　　under the secret places
　　　　　of earth, in Mount Aigaion
　　　　　which is covered with forest.
485　　 She wrapped a great stone in baby-clothes,
　　　　　and this she presented
　　　　　to the high lord, son of Ouranos,
　　　　　who once ruled the immortals,
　　　　　and he took it then in his hands
　　　　　and crammed it down in his belly,
　　　　　hard wretch, nor saw in his own mind
　　　　　how there had been left him
　　　　　instead of the stone a son,
　　　　　invincible and unshakable
490 　　ago for the days to come, who soon by force
　　　　　and his hands defeating him
　　　　　must drive him from his title,
　　　　　and then be lord over the immortals.
　　　　　And presently after this the shining limbs
　　　　　and the power
　　　　　of the lord, Zeus, grew great,
　　　　　and with the years circling on
　　　　　great Kronos, the devious-devising,
　　　　　fooled by the resourceful
495　　 promptings of Gaia, once again
　　　　　brought up his progeny.
　　　　　First he vomited up the stone,
　　　　　which last he had swallowed,
　　　　　and this Zeus took and planted in place,
　　　　　on earth of the wide ways,
　　　　　at holy Pytho, in the hollow ravines
　　　　　under Parnassos,
500　　 to be a portent and a wonder
　　　　　to mortal men thereafter.
　　　　　Then he set free from their dismal bonds
　　　　　the brothers of his father,
　　　　　he sons of Ouranos, whom his father
　　　　　in his wild temper had enchained,
　　　　　and they remembered, and knew gratitude
　　　　　for the good he had done them,
　　　　　and they gave him the thunder,
　　　　　and the smoky bolt, and the flash
505　　 of the lightning, which Gaia the gigantic
　　　　　had hidden till then.
　　　　　With these to support him, he is lord
　　　　　over immortals and mortals.


　　　　　Iapetos took Klymene
　　　　　the light-stepping daughter of Ocean,
　　　　　to be his wife, and mounted into the same bed
　　　　　with her,
　　　　　and she bore him a son, Atlas,
　　　　　of the powerful spirit,
510 　　and she bore him high-vaunting Menoitios,
　　　　　and Prometheus
　　　　　of the intricate and twisting mind,
　　　　　and Epimetheus
　　　　　the gullible, who from the beginning
　　　　　brought bad luck to men
　　　　　who eat bread, for he first accepted
　　　　　from Zeus the girl Zeus fashioned
　　　　　and married her.
　　　　　Menoitios was mutinous,
　　　　　and Zeus of the wide brows
515　　 struck him with the blazing thunderbolt
　　　　　and dropped him to Erebos
　　　　　because of his too-great hardihood
　　　　　and outrageous action.
　　　　　But Atlas, under strong constraint,
　　　　　at earth's uttermost
　　　　　places, near the sweet-singing Hesperides,
　　　　　standing upright
　　　　　props the wide sky upon his head
　　　　　and his hands never wearied,
520　　 for this was the doom
　　　　　which Zeus of the counsels dealt out to him.
　　　　　And in ineluctable, painful bonds
　　　　　he fastened Prometheus
　　　　　of the subtle mind, for he drove a stanchion
　　　　　through his middle. Also
　　　　　he let loose on him the wing-spread eagle,
　　　　　and it was feeding
　　　　　on his imperishable liver, which by night
　　　　　would grow back
525　　 to size from what the spread-winged bird
　　　　　had eaten in the daytime.
　　　　　But Herakles, the powerful son
　　　　　of lightfooted Alkmene,
　　　　　killed the eagle
　　　　　and drove that pestilential affliction
　　　　　from Iapetos' son, and set him free
　　　　　from all his unhappiness,
　　　　　not without the will of high-minded Zeus
　　　　　of Olympos
530　　 in order that the reputation
　　　　　of Thebes-born Herakles
　　　　　might be greater even than it had been
　　　　　on the earth that feeds many.
　　　　　With such thoughts in mind he honored his son
　　　　　and made him glorious,
　　　　　and angry as he had been before,
　　　　　he gave up his anger;
　　　　　for Prometheus once had matched wits
　　　　　against the great son of Kronos.
535　　 It was when gods, and mortal men,
　　　　　took their separate positions
　　　　　at Mekone, and Prometheus,
　　　　　eager to try his wits, cut up
　　　　　a great ox, and set it before Zeus,
　　　　　to see if he could outguess him.
　　　　　He took the meaty parts and the inwards
　　　　　thick with fat, and set them
　　　　　before men, hiding them away
　　　　　in an ox's stomach,
540　　 but the white bones of the ox he arranged,
　　　　　with careful deception,
　　　　　inside a concealing fold of white fat,
　　　　　and set it before Zeus.
　　　　　At last the father of gods
　　　　　and men spoke to him, saying:
　　　　　"Son of Iapetos, conspicuous among all Kings,
　　　　　old friend, oh how prejudicially
　　　　　you divided the portions."
545　　 So Zeus, who knows imperishable counsels,
　　　　　spoke in displeasure,
　　　　　but Prometheus the devious-deviser,
　　　　　lightly smiling,
　　　　　answered him again, quite well aware
　　　　　of his artful deception:
　　　　　"Zeus most high, most honored
　　　　　among the gods everlasting,
　　　　　choose whichever of these the heart within
　　　　　would have you."
550　　 He spoke, with intent to deceive, and Zeus,
　　　　　who knows imperishable
　　　　　counsels, saw it, the trick
　　　　　did not escape him, he imagined
　　　　　evils for mortal men in his mind,
　　　　　and meant to fulfil them.
　　　　　In both his hands he took up the portion
　　　　　of the white fat. Anger
　　　　　rose up about his heart
　　　　　and the spite mounted in his spirit
555　　 when he saw the white bones of the ox
　　　　　in deceptive arrangement.


　　　　　Ever since that time the races of mortal men
　　　　　on earth have burned
　　　　　the white bones to the immortals
　　　　　on the smoky altars.


　　　　　Then Zeus the cloud-gatherer
　　　　　in great vexation said to him:
　　　　　"Son of Iapetos, versed in planning
　　　　　beyond all others,
560　　 old friend, so after all you did not forget
　　　　　your treachery."
　　　　　So Zeus, who knows imperishable counsels,
　　　　　spoke in his anger,
　　　　　and ever remembering this deception
　　　　　thereafter, he would not
　　　　　give the force of weariless fire
　　　　　to the ash-tree people,
　　　　　not to people who inhabit the earth
　　　　　and are mortal,
565　　 no, but the strong son of Iapetos
　　　　　outwitted him
　　　　　and stole the far-seen glory
　　　　　of weariless fire, hiding it
　　　　　in the hollow fennel stalk;
　　　　　this bit deep into the feeling
　　　　　of Zeus who thunders on high,
　　　　　and it galled the heart inside him
　　　　　when he saw the far-seen glory of fire
　　　　　among mortal people,
570　　 and next, for the price of the fire,
　　　　　he made an evil thing for mankind.
　　　　　For the renowned smith of the strong arms
　　　　　took earth, and molded it,
　　　　　through Zeus's plans, into the likeness
　　　　　of a modest young girl,
　　　　　and the goddess gray-eyed Athene
　　　　　dressed her and decked her
　　　　　in silverish clothing, and over her head
　　　　　she held, with her hands,
575　　 an intricately wrought veil in place,
　　　　　a wonder to look at,
　　　　　and over this on her head
　　　　　she placed a wreath of gold, one
　　　　　that the very renowned smith
　　　　　of the strong arms had fashioned
580　　 working it out with his hands,
　　　　　as a favor to Zeus the father.
　　　　　On this had been done much intricate work,
　　　　　a wonder to look at:
　　　　　wild animals, such as the mainland
　　　　　and the sea also produce
　　　　　in numbers, and he put many on,
　　　　　the imitations of living
　　　　　things, that have voices, wonderful,
　　　　　and it flashed in its beauty.
585　　 But when, to replace good,
　　　　　he had made this beautiful evil
　　　　　thing, he led her out
　　　　　where the rest of the gods and mortals
　　　　　were, in the pride and glory
　　　　　that the gray-eyed daughter of a great
　　　　　father had given; wonder
　　　　　seized both immortals and mortals
　　　　　as they gazed on this sheer deception,
　　　　　more than mortals can deal with.
590　　 For from her originates the breed
　　　　　of female women,
　　　　　and they live with mortal men,
　　　　　and are a great sorrow to them,
　　　　　and hateful poverty they will not share,
　　　　　but only luxury.
　　　　　As when, inside the overarching hives,
　　　　　the honeybees
595　　 feed their drones (and these are accomplished
　　　　　in doing no good,
　　　　　while the bees, all day long
　　　　　until the sun goes down
　　　　　do their daily hard work
　　　　　and set the white combs in order,
　　　　　and the drones, spending their time
　　　　　inside the hollow skeps,
　　　　　gamer the hard work of others
　　　　　into their own bellies),
600 　　so Zeus of the high thunder established women,
　　　　　for mortal
　　　　　men an evil thing,
　　　　　and they are accomplished in bringing
　　　　　hard labors.
　　　　　And Zeus made, in place
　　　　　of the good, yet another evil.
　　　　　For whoever, escaping marriage
　　　　　and the sorrowful things women do,
　　　　　is unwilling to marry, must come then
　　　　　to a mournful old age
605　　 bereft of one to look after it,
　　　　　and in need of livelihood
　　　　　lives on, and when he dies
　　　　　the widow-inheritors divide up
　　　　　what he has. While if the way of marriage
　　　　　befalls one
　　　　　and he gets himself a good wife,
　　　　　one with ways suited to him,
　　　　　even so through his lifetime the evil remains,
　　　　　balancing
610　　 the good, and he whose luck
　　　　　is to have cantankerous children
　　　　　lives keeping inside him discomfort
　　　　　which will not leave him
　　　　　in heart and mind; and for this evil
　　　　　there is no healing.
　　　　　So it is not possible to hide
　　　　　from the mind of Zeus, nor escape it;
　　　　　for not even the son of Iapetos,
　　　　　the gentle Prometheus,
615　　 was able to elude that heavy anger,
　　　　　but, for all his
　　　　　numerous shifts, force
　　　　　and the mighty chain confine him.
　　　　　Now, when Ouranos their father
　　　　　was bitter at heart against Obriareos
　　　　　and Kottos and Gyes (because he was so struck
　　　　　by their towering
　　　　　vigor, and their stature and beauty),
　　　　　therefore he bound them
620 　　in strong bonds, and settled them
　　　　　under the wide-wayed earth. There
　　　　　dwellers under the ground
　　　　　and with a life full of agony
　　　　　they lived at the uttermost end,
　　　　　at the edges of the great earth,
　　　　　with a long spell of grieving,
　　　　　and at their hearts a great sorrow;
　　　　　but Zeus son of Kronos,
　　　　　and the other immortal divinities
625　　 whom Rheia of the fair tresses
　　　　　had born in love to Kronos,
　　　　　brought them back to the light
　　　　　again at the instigation of Gaia.
　　　　　For Gaia had told the gods the whole truth,
　　　　　from the beginning,
　　　　　that with these Three victory would be won,
　　　　　and glorious honor.
　　　　　For a long time now, the Titan gods
　　　　　and those who were descended
630 　　from Kronos had fought each other,
　　　　　with hard heart-hurting struggles,
　　　　　ranged in opposition
　　　　　all through the hard encounters:
　　　　　one side, the haughty Titans,
　　　　　fought from towering Othrys,
　　　　　but they of the other side, the gods,
　　　　　the givers of good things,
　　　　　whom Rheia bore in love to Kronos,
　　　　　these fought from Olympos.
635 　　These then, with heart-hurting rancor
　　　　　against each other, fought
　　　　　for ten full years, continually,
　　　　　nor was there any
　　　　　release from the hardship of hostility,
　　　　　nor any end to it
　　　　　for either side, and the balance
　　　　　of the fighting was even. But after
　　　　　Zeus had given the Three Gods all they wished
　　　　　and needed,
640　　 ambrosia and nectar, which the very gods
　　　　　themselves feed on,
　　　　　then the bold spirit rose up again
　　　　　in the hearts of all three,
　　　　　when they had eaten of the nectar
　　　　　and delightful ambrosia.
　　　　　Then to these three spoke the father of gods
　　　　　and of mortals:
　　　　　"Hear me, 0 shining children
　　　　　of Ouranos and Gaia
645　　 while I speak out what the heart
　　　　　in my breast commands me.
　　　　　All our days, the Titan gods and we,
　　　　　who were born
　　　　　of Kronos, have been fighting
　　　　　a long time now, in opposed
　　　　　battle, for the sake of victory and power.
　　　　　Now, therefore,
　　　　　show yourselves against the Titans
　　　　　in the grim encounter,
650　　 and show the greatness of your strength,
　　　　　your hands irresistible;
　　　　　remember the love we gave you, the kindness,
　　　　　how you had been treated
　　　　　before you came back into the light
　　　　　out of cruel bondage,
　　　　　and out from under the gloom and the mist,
　　　　　all through our contriving."
　　　　　So he spoke, and in turn unfaulted Kottos
　　　　　answered him:
655　　 "What need to speak, what you say
　　　　　is not unknown. We ourselves
　　　　　know it, your counsels and perception
　　　　　are beyond all others,
　　　　　that you are the immortals' defender
　　　　　against stark ruin.
　　　　　For it is only by your forethought
　　　　　we ever came back up
　　　　　again from the gloom and the mist
　　　　　and from that merciless bondage,
660 　　through you, 0 lord, son of Kronos,
　　　　　when we suffered what we never had looked for.
　　　　　Therefore now, with stubborn spirit
　　　　　and resolute purpose
　　　　　we shall be defenders of your power
　　　　　in the grim encounter
　　　　　and fight against the Titans
　　　　　in the strong shock of battle."
　　　　　So he spoke, and the gods,
　　　　　the givers of blessings, assented
665　　 as they heard what he said,
　　　　　and the spirit in them was insistent on battle
　　　　　more even than it had been,
　　　　　and they launched an unwelcome onset
　　　　　all, the female and the male gods alike,
　　　　　on that day,
　　　　　and the Titan gods, and those
　　　　　of the generation of Kronos,
　　　　　and those whom Zeus had upraised
　　　　　from under the earth and Erebos
670　　 back to the light, fierce gods and mighty,
　　　　　with strength overmastering.
　　　　　Each and all alike had a hundred strong arms
　　　　　bursting
　　　　　out of his shoulders, and on the shoulders
　　　　　of each grew fifty
　　　　　heads above their massive bodies,
　　　　　and now at this time
　　　　　these stood forth against the Titans
　　　　　in bitter combat
675　　 wielding in their ponderous hands
　　　　　steep cliffside boulders,
　　　　　while on the opposite side the Titans
　　　　　stiffened their battalions
　　　　　in eager courage, and the work of force
　　　　　and hands was conspicuous
　　　　　on either side, and the infinite great sea
　　　　　moaned terribly
　　　　　and the earth crashed aloud,
　　　　　and the wide sky resounded
680　　 as it was shaken, and tall Olympos rocked
　　　　　on its bases
　　　　　in the fan of the wind of the immortals,
　　　　　and a strong shudder drove deep
　　　　　into gloomy Tartaros under the suddenness
　　　　　of the footrush
　　　　　and the quenchless crashing of their feet
　　　　　and their powerful missiles.
　　　　　So either against either they threw
　　　　　their re-echoing weapons
685　　 and the noise of either side outcrying
　　　　　went up to the starry
　　　　　heaven as with great war crying
　　　　　they drove at each other.
　　　　　Now Zeus no longer held in his strength,
　　　　　but here his heart filled
　　　　　deep with fury, and now he showed
　　　　　his violence entire
　　　　　and indiscriminately. Out of the sky
　　　　　and off Olympos
690　　 he moved flashing his fires incessantly,
　　　　　and the thunderbolts,
　　　　　the crashing of them and the blaze
　　　　　together came flying, one after
　　　　　another, from his ponderous hand,
　　　　　and spinning whirls of inhuman
　　　　　flame, and with it the earth,
　　　　　the giver of life, cried out
　　　　　aloud as she burned, and the vast forests
　　　　　in the fire screamed.
695　　 All earth was boiling with it,
　　　　　and the courses of the Ocean
　　　　　and the barren sea, and the steam
　　　　　and the heat of it was engulfing
　　　　　the Titans of the earth, while the flames
　　　　　went up to the bright sky
　　　　　unquenchably, and the blaze
　　　　　and the glare of thunder and lightning
　　　　　blinded the eyes of the Titan gods,
　　　　　for all they were mighty.
700 　　The wonderful conflagration crushed Chaos,
　　　　　and to the eyes' seeing
　　　　　and ears' hearing the clamor of it,
　　　　　it absolutely
　　　　　would have seemed as if Earth
　　　　　and the wide Heaven above her
　　　　　had collided, for such would have been
　　　　　the crash arising
　　　　　as Earth wrecked and the sky came piling down
　　　　　on top of her,
705　　 so vast was the crash heard
　　　　　as the gods collided in battle.
　　　　　The winds brought on with their roaring
　　　　　a quake of the earth and dust storm,
　　　　　with thunder and with lightning,
　　　　　and the blazing thunderbolt,
　　　　　the weapons thrown by great Zeus,
　　　　　and they carried the clamor
　　　　　and outcry between the hosts opposed,
　　　　　and a horrible tumult
710　　 of grisly battle uprose,
　　　　　and both sides showed power in the fighting.
　　　　　Then the battle turned; before that,
　　　　　both sides attacking
　　　　　in the fury of their rage fought on
　　　　　through the strong encounters.
　　　　　But now the Three, Kottos and Briareos
　　　　　and Gyes,
　　　　　insatiate of battle, stirred
　　　　　the grim fighting in the foremost,
715　　 for from their powerful hands they volleyed
　　　　　three hundred boulders
　　　　　one after another, and their missile flights
　　　　　overwhelmed the Titans
　　　　　in darkness, and these they drove
　　　　　underneath the wide-wayed
　　　　　earth, and fastened them there
　　　　　in painful bondage, for now they
　　　　　had beaten the Titan gods with their hands,
　　　　　for all their high hearts.
720　　 They drove them as far underground
　　　　　as earth is distant from heaven.
　　　　　Such is the distance from earth's surface
　　　　　to gloomy Tartaros.
　　　　　For a brazen anvil dropping out of the sky
　　　　　would take nine
　　　　　nights, and nine days, and land on earth
　　　　　on the tenth day,
　　　　　and a brazen anvil dropping off the earth
　　　　　would take nine
725　　 nights, and nine days, and land in Tartaros
　　　　　on the tenth day.


　　　　　A wall of bronze is driven around it,
　　　　　and night is drifted
　　　　　about its throat in a triple circlet,
　　　　　while upward from it
　　　　　there grow and branch the roots of the earth,
　　　　　and of the barren sea.
　　　　　There the Titan gods live buried under the darkness
730　　 and the mists, and this is by the decree
　　　　　of Zeus the cloud-gatherer,
　　　　　in a moldy place, at the uttermost edges
　　　　　of monstrous
　　　　　earth. There is no way out for them;
　　　　　Poseidon has fitted
　　　　　brazen doors, and the walls run around
　　　　　enclosing everything.
　　　　　And there Gyes, Kottos,
　　　　　and great-hearted Briareos
735　　 are settled as faithful sentinels
　　　　　for Zeus of the aegis.
　　　　　And there, for the gloomy earth,
　　　　　and for Tartaros of the mists,
　　　　　and for the barren great sea
　　　　　and the starry heaven,
　　　　　for all these, the springs
　　　　　and the sources stand there, all in order;
　　　　　an unpleasant, moldy place,
　　　　　and even the gods loathe it;
740　　 it is a great chasm, and once
　　　　　one were inside the gates of it
　　　　　within a whole year's completion
　　　　　he would not come to the bottom,
　　　　　but stormblast on cruel stormblast
　　　　　would sweep him one way
　　　　　and another; this is a monstrous place,
　　　　　and even the immortals
　　　　　fear it. And here stand the terrible houses
　　　　　of dark Night,
745　　 and the buildings are sheathed in the dark
　　　　　of the clouds. Before them
　　　　　Atlas, son of Iapetos, stands
　　　　　staunchly upholding
　　　　　the wide heaven upon his head
　　　　　and with arms unwearying
　　　　　sustains it, there where Night and Day
　　　　　come close to each other
　　　　　and speak a word of greeting
　　　　　and cross on the great threshold
750　　 of bronze, for the one is coming back in
　　　　　and the other is going
　　　　　outdoors, and the house never at once
　　　　　contains both of them,
　　　　　but at every time, while one of them
　　　　　is out of the house, faring
　　　　　over the length of the earth,
　　　　　the other remaining indoors
　　　　　waits for the time of her own journey,
　　　　　when the other one comes back;
755　　 the one carries for people on earth Light
　　　　　the far-flashing,
　　　　　while the other one carries Sleep
　　　　　in her arms, and he is Death's brother,
　　　　　and she is Night, the destructive,
　　　　　veiled in a cloud of vapor.
　　　　　And there the children of Night
　　　　　the gloomy have their houses.
　　　　　These are Sleep and Death, dread divinities.
　　　　　Never upon them
760　　 does Helios, the shining sun,
　　　　　cast the light of his eye-beams,
　　　　　neither when he goes up the sky
　　　　　nor comes down from it.
　　　　　One of these, across the earth
　　　　　and the wide sea-ridges,
　　　　　goes his way quietly back and forth,
　　　　　and is kind to mortals,
　　　　　but the heart of the other one is iron,
　　　　　and brazen feelings
765 　　without pity are inside his breast.
　　　　　When he takes hold of anyone
　　　　　he keeps him; and even the immortal gods
　　　　　hate this one.
　　　　　And there, at the front, stand
　　　　　the resounding halls of the Earth gods,
　　　　　of Hades the powerful,
　　　　　and of august Persephone,
　　　　　there they stand, and before them
　　　　　a dreaded hound, on watch,
770　　 who has no pity, but a vile stratagem:
　　　　　as people go in
　　　　　he fawns on all, with actions of his tail
　　　　　and both ears,
　　　　　but he will not let them go back out,
　　　　　but lies in wait for them
　　　　　and eats them up, when he catches any
　　　　　going back through the gates.
775　　 And there is housed a goddess
　　　　　loathed even by the immortals:
　　　　　dreaded Styx, eldest daughter of Ocean,
　　　　　who flows back
　　　　　on himself, and apart from the gods
　　　　　she lives in her famous palace
　　　　　which is overroofed with towering rocks,
　　　　　and the whole circuit
　　　　　is undergirded with silver columns,
　　　　　and pushes heaven;
780　　 and seldom does the daughter of Thaumas,
　　　　　fleet-footed Iris,
　　　　　come her way with a message
　　　　　across the sea's wide ridges,
　　　　　those times when dispute and quarreling
　　　　　start among the immortals,
　　　　　and some one of those who have their homes
　　　　　on Olympos is lying,
　　　　　and Zeus sends Iris
　　　　　to carry the many-storied water
785　　 that the gods swear their great oath on,
　　　　　thence, in a golden pitcher,
　　　　　that cold water that drizzles down
　　　　　from a steep sky-climbing
　　　　　cliffside, and it is one horn
　　　　　of the Ocean stream, and travels
　　　　　off that holy river a great course
　　　　　through night's blackness
　　　　　under the wide-wayed earth,
　　　　　and this water is a tenth part
790　　 of all, for in nine loops
　　　　　of silver-swirling waters, around
　　　　　the earth and the sea's wide ridges
　　　　　he tumbles into salt water,
　　　　　but this stream, greatly vexing the gods,
　　　　　runs off the precipice.
　　　　　And whoever of the gods,
　　　　　who keep the summits of snowy
　　　　　Olympos, pours of this water,
　　　　　and swears on it, and is forsworn,
795　　 is laid flat, and does not breathe,
　　　　　until a year is completed;
　　　　　nor is this god let come near ambrosia
　　　　　and nectar
　　　　　to eat, but with no voice in him,
　　　　　and no breath, he is laid out
　　　　　flat, on a made bed, and the evil coma
　　　　　covers him.
　　　　　But when, in the course of a great year,
　　　　　he is over his sickness,
800　　 there follows on in succession another trial,
　　　　　yet harsher:
　　　　　for nine years he is cut off
　　　　　from all part of the everlasting
　　　　　gods, nor has anything to do
　　　　　with their counsels, their festivals
　　　　　for nine years entire, but in the tenth
　　　　　he once more mingles
　　　　　in the assemblies of the gods
　　　　　who have their homes on Olympos.
805　　 Such an oath did the gods make
　　　　　of the imperishable, primeval
　　　　　water of Styx; and it jets down
　　　　　through jagged country.
　　　　　And there, for the gloomy earth,
　　　　　and for Tartaros of the mists,
　　　　　and for the barren great sea
　　　　　and the starry heaven,
　　　　　for all these the springs and sources
　　　　　stand there, all in order;
810　　 an unpleasant, moldy place,
　　　　　and even the gods loathe it.
　　　　　And there are the marmoreal gates,
　　　　　and the brazen threshold
　　　　　self-ongrown, unshakable,
　　　　　and gripped on to branching
　　　　　roots, and in front of it,
　　　　　and apart from all the immortals,
　　　　　are settled the Titans, the other side
　　　　　of gloomy Chaos;
815　　 only the glorious helpers of Zeus,
　　　　　the loud-crashing,
　　　　　are settled in houses along the foundations
　　　　　of the Ocean:
　　　　　Kottos and Gyes, that is;
　　　　　but of strong-grown Briareos
　　　　　the deep-stroking shaker of the Earth,
　　　　　Poseidon, made
　　　　　a son-in-law, and married him to Kymopoleia,
　　　　　his daughter.


820　　 Now after Zeus had driven the Titans
　　　　　out of heaven,
　　　　　gigantic Gaia, in love with Tartaros,
　　　　　by means of golden
　　　　　Aphrodite, bore the youngest of her children,
　　　　　Typhoeus;
　　　　　the hands and arms of him are mighty,
　　　　　and have work in them,
　　　　　and the feet of the powerful god
　　　　　were tireless, and up from his shoulders
825　　 there grew a hundred snake heads,
　　　　　those of a dreaded dragon,
　　　　　and the heads licked with dark
　　　　　tongues, and from the eyes on
　　　　　the inhuman heads fire glittered
　　　　　from under the eyelids:
　　　　　from all his heads fire flared
　　　　　from his eyes' glancing;
　　　　　and inside each one of these horrible heads
　　　　　there were voices
830　　 that threw out every sort of horrible sound,
　　　　　for sometimes
　　　　　it was speech such as the gods
　　　　　could understand, but at other
　　　　　times, the sound of a bellowing bull,
　　　　　proud-eyed and furious
　　　　　beyond holding, or again like a lion
　　　　　shameless in cruelty,
835　　 or again it was like the barking of dogs,
　　　　　a wonder to listen to,
　　　　　or again he would whistle
　　　　　so the tall mountains re-echoed to it.
　　　　　And now that day there would have been done
　　　　　a thing past mending,
　　　　　and he, Typhoeus, would have been master
　　　　　of gods and of mortals,
　　　　　had not the father of gods and men
　　　　　been sharp to perceive it
　　　　　and gave a hard, heavy clap of thunder,
　　　　　so that the earth
840　　 gave grisly reverberation,
　　　　　and the wide heaven above, and
　　　　　the sea, and the streams of Ocean,
　　　　　and the underground chambers.
　　　　　And great Olympos was shaken
　　　　　under the immortal feet
　　　　　of the master as he moved,
　　　　　and the earth groaned beneath him,
　　　　　and the heat and blaze from both of them
　　　　　was on the dark-faced sea,
845　　 from the thunder and lightning of Zeus
　　　　　and from the flame of the monster,
　　　　　from his blazing bolts and from the scorch
　　　　　and breath of his stormwinds,
　　　　　and all the ground and the sky
　　　　　and the sea boiled, and towering
　　　　　waves were tossing and beating all up
　　　　　and down the promontories
　　　　　in the wind of these immortals,
　　　　　and a great shaking of the earth
850　　 came on, and Hades, lord over
　　　　　the perished dead, trembled,
　　　　　and the Titans under Tartaros,
　　　　　who live beside Kronos,
　　　　　trembled to the dread encounter
　　　　　and the unending clamor.
　　　　　But now, when Zeus had headed up
　　　　　his own strength, seizing
　　　　　his weapons, thunder, lightning,
　　　　　and the glowering thunderbolt,
855　　 he made a leap from Olympos, and struck,
　　　　　setting fire
　　　　　to all those wonderful heads set about
　　　　　on the dreaded monster.
　　　　　Then, when Zeus had put him down
　　　　　with his strokes, Typhoeus
　　　　　crashed, crippled, and the gigantic earth
　　　　　groaned beneath him,
　　　　　and the flame from the great lord
　　　　　so thunder-smitten ran out
860　　 along the darkening and steep forests
　　　　　of the mountains
　　　　　as he was struck, and a great part
　　　　　of the gigantic earth burned
　　　　　in the wonderful wind of his heat,
　　　　　and melted, as tin melts
　　　　　in the heat of the carefully grooved crucible
　　　　　when craftsmen
　　　　　work it, or as iron, though that is
　　　　　the strongest substance,
865　　 melts under stress of blazing fire
　　　　　in the mountain forests
　　　　　worked by handicraft of Hephaistos
　　　　　inside the divine earth.
　　　　　So earth melted in the flash
　　　　　of the blazing fire; but Zeus
　　　　　in tumult of anger cast Typhoeus
　　　　　into broad Tartaros.
　　　　　And from Typhoeus comes the force of winds
　　　　　blowing wetly:
870　　 all but Notos, Boreas, and clearing Zephyros,
　　　　　for their generation is of the gods,
　　　　　they are a great blessing
　　　　　to men, but the rest of them blow wildly
　　　　　across the water
　　　　　and burst upon the misty face
　　　　　of the open sea, bringing
　　　　　heavy distress to mortal men,
　　　　　and rage in malignant
875　　 storm, and blow from veering directions,
　　　　　and scatter the shipping
　　　　　and drown the sailors,
　　　　　and there is no remedy against this evil
　　　　　for men who run into such winds
　　　　　as these on the open water.
　　　　　And then again, across the limitless
　　　　　and flowering
　　　　　earth, they ruin the beloved works
　　　　　of ground-dwelling people
880　　 by overwhelming them with dust
　　　　　and hard tornadoes.


　　　　　Now when the immortal gods had finished
　　　　　their work of fighting,
　　　　　they forced the Titans to share with them
　　　　　their titles and privilege.
　　　　　Then, by the advice of Gaia,
　　　　　they promoted Zeus, the Olympian
　　　　　of the wide brows, to be King
　　　　　and to rule over the immortals
885　　 and he distributed among them their titles
　　　　　and privilege.


　　　　　Zeus, as King of the gods,
　　　　　took as his first wife Metis,
　　　　　and she knew more than all the gods
　　　　　or mortal people.
　　　　　But when she was about to be delivered
　　　　　of the goddess, gray-eyed
　　　　　Athene, then Zeus, deceiving her perception
　　　　　by treachery
890　　 and by slippery speeches,
　　　　　put her away inside his own belly.
　　　　　This was by the advices of Gaia,
　　　　　and starry Ouranos,
　　　　　for so they counseled,
　　　　　in order that no other everlasting
　　　　　god, beside Zeus, should ever be given
　　　　　the kingly position.
　　　　　For it had been arranged that, from her,
　　　　　children surpassing in wisdom
895　　 should be born, first the gray-eyed girl,
　　　　　the Tritogeneia
　　　　　Athene; and she is the equal of her father
　　　　　in wise counsel
　　　　　and strength; but then a son to be King
　　　　　over gods and mortals
　　　　　was to be born of her, and his heart
　　　　　would be overmastering:
　　　　　but before this, Zeus put her away
　　　　　inside his own belly
900　　 so that this goddess should think for him,
　　　　　for good and for evil.
　　　　　Next Zeus took to himself Themis,
　　　　　the shining, who bore him the Seasons,
　　　　　Lawfulness, and Justice,
　　　　　and prospering Peacetime: these
　　　　　are concerned to oversee the actions
　　　　　of mortal people;
　　　　　and the Fates, to whom Zeus of the counsels
　　　　　gave the highest position:
905　　 they are Klotho, Lachesis, and Atropos:
　　　　　they distribute
　　　　　to mortal people what people have,
　　　　　for good and for evil.
　　　　　Eurynome, daughter of Okeanos,
　　　　　lovely in appearance,
　　　　　bore to Zeus the three Graces
　　　　　with fair cheeks; these are
　　　　　Aglaia and Euphrosyne and lovely Thalia,
910　　 and from the glancing of their lidded eyes
　　　　　bewildering
　　　　　love distills; there is beauty
　　　　　in their glance, from beneath brows.
　　　　　Zeus entered also into the bed
　　　　　of fruitful Demeter,
　　　　　who bore him Persephone of the white arms,
　　　　　she that Aidoneus
　　　　　ravished away from her mother,
　　　　　and Zeus of the counsels granted it.
915　　 Then again, he loved Mnemosyne,
　　　　　of the splendid tresses,
　　　　　from whom were born to him the Muses
　　　　　with veils of gold, the Nine
　　　　　whose pleasure is all delightfulness,
　　　　　and the sweetness of singing.
　　　　　Leto, who had lain in the arms of Zeus
　　　　　of the aegis,
　　　　　bore Apollo, and Artemis
　　　　　of the showering arrows,
920　　 children more delightful than all
　　　　　the other Ouranians.
　　　　　Last of all, Zeus took Hera
　　　　　to be his fresh consort,
　　　　　and she, lying in the arms
　　　　　of the father of gods and mortals,
　　　　　conceived and bore Hebe to him, and Ares,
　　　　　and Eileithyia.
　　　　　Then from his head, by himself,
　　　　　he produced Athene of the gray eyes,
925　　 great goddess, weariless,
　　　　　waker of battle noise, leader of armies,
　　　　　a goddess queen who delights in war cries,
　　　　　onslaughts, and battles,
　　　　　while Hera, without any act of love,
　　　　　brought forth glorious
　　　　　Hephaistos, for she was angered
　　　　　and quarteling with her husband;
　　　　　and Hephaistos in arts and crafts
　　　　　surpasses all the Ouranians.


　　　　　[Now Hera was angered, and quarreled
　　　　　with her husband, and because
　　　　　of this quarrel she herself brought forth a glorious son
　　　　　Hephaistos, without any act of love-making
　　　　　with Zeus of the aegis;
　　　　　but he, apart from Hera, had lain in love with a fair-faced
　　　　　daughter of Okeanos and lovely-haired Tethys,
　　　　　Metis, whom he deceived,
　　　　　for all she was so resourceful,
　　　　　for he snatched her up in his hands
　　　　　and put her inside his belly
　　　　　for fear that she might bring forth
　　　　　a thunderbolt stronger than his own;
　　　　　therefore the son of Kronos, who dwells high,
　　　　　seated in the bright air,
　　　　　swallowed her down of a sudden,
　　　　　but she then conceived Pallas
　　　　　Athene, but the father of gods
　　　　　and men gave birth to her
　　　　　near the summit of Triton
　　　　　beside the banks of the river.
　　　　　But Metis herself, hidden away
　　　　　under the vitals of Zeus,
　　　　　stayed there; she was Athene's mother;
　　　　　worker of right actions,
　　　　　beyond all the gods
　　　　　and beyond all mortal people in knowledge;
　　　　　and there Athene had given to her hands
　　　　　what made her supreme
　　　　　over all other immortals who have
　　　　　their homes on Olympos;
　　　　　for Metis made the armor of Athene,
　　　　　terror of armies,
　　　　　in which Athene was born
　　　　　with her panoply of war upon her.]


930　　 From Amphitrite and Poseidon,
　　　　　loud-thundering earth shaker,
　　　　　was born great Triton, widely powerful,
　　　　　he who, sustaining
　　　　　the sea's basis, beside his dear mother
　　　　　and the lord his father,
　　　　　dwells in the golden house, a dreaded god.
　　　　　Now Kythereia
　　　　　to Ares, stabber of shields, bore Panic
　　　　　and Terror, dreaded
935　　 gods, who batter the dense battalions
　　　　　of men embattled
　　　　　in horrible war, they with Ares,
　　　　　sacker of cities. She also
　　　　　bore him Harmonia, she whom high-spirited
　　　　　Kadmos married.
　　　　　Maia, daughter of Atlas,
　　　　　mounted the sacred bed
　　　　　of Zeus, and bore Hermes the good,
　　　　　the herald of the immortals.
940　　 Semele, daughter of Kadmos,
　　　　　lay in love with Zeus also
　　　　　and bore him a glorious son, Dionysos,
　　　　　giver of good things,
　　　　　she mortal, he immortal,
　　　　　but now both are gods together.
　　　　　Alkmene, lying in love with Zeus
　　　　　who gathers the clouds,
　　　　　bore him powerful Herakles.
945　　 Hephaistos, of the high renown
　　　　　and the strong arms, took
　　　　　Aglaia, youngest of the Graces,
　　　　　to be his fresh wife.
　　　　　Dionysos, he of the golden hair,
　　　　　took blonde Ariadne,
　　　　　daughter of Minos, to be his blossoming wife,
　　　　　and Kronian
　　　　　Zeus caused her likewise to be immortal
　　　　　and ageless.
950　　 Herakles, the strong and courageous son
　　　　　of light-stepping
　　　　　Alkmene, after he had completed
　　　　　his sorrowful labors,
　　　　　took the daughter of great Zeus
　　　　　and Hera of the golden
　　　　　sandals, Hebe, as his modest wife
　　　　　on snowy Olympos,
　　　　　blessed he, who having ended his long work,
　　　　　lives now
955　　 among the immortals, without sorrow,
　　　　　ageless all his days always.
　　　　　To Helios, the unwearied Sun,
　　　　　the glorious daughter
　　　　　of Okeanos, Perseis, bore Circe
　　　　　and the King Aietes,
　　　　　and Aietes, son of Helios
　　　　　who pours his light on mortals,
　　　　　married, by the counsels of the gods,
　　　　　the fair-faced
960　　 daughter of Okeanos, the terminal river,
　　　　　Idyia, who, subdued to him in love,
　　　　　and through golden
　　　　　Aphrodite, bore him Medeia of the slim ankles.


　　　　　Farewell now, you who have your homes
　　　　　on Olympos, farewell
　　　　　to islands, mainland masses,
　　　　　and the open sea that is between them.
965　　 But now, 0 sweet-spoken Muses of Olympos,
　　　　　daughters
　　　　　of Zeus of the aegis,
　　　　　sing out now the names of those goddesses
　　　　　who went to bed with mortal men and,
　　　　　themselves immortal,
　　　　　bore to these children in the likeness
　　　　　of the immortals.
　　　　　Demeter, shining among goddesses,
　　　　　after the embraces
970　　 of the hero Iasion in the sweetness of love,
　　　　　brought forth Ploutos
　　　　　in a three-times-plowed field
　　　　　there in the fertile countryside
　　　　　of Crete, a good son, who walks over earth
　　　　　and the sea's wide ridges
　　　　　everywhere, and he who meets him
　　　　　with the giving of hands between them
　　　　　is made a prosperous man,
　　　　　to whom great wealth is granted.
975　　 To Kadmos, Harmonia,
　　　　　daughter of Aphrodite the golden,
　　　　　bore Ino, and Semele, and Agaue of the fair face,
　　　　　and Autonoe, who was taken to wife
　　　　　by Aristaios
　　　　　of the deep hair, and Polydoros,
　　　　　in high-crowned Thebes.
　　　　　Kallirhoe, daughter of Okeanos,
　　　　　lying in the embraces
980　　 of powerful-minded Chrysaor,
　　　　　through Aphrodite the golden
　　　　　bore him a son, most powerful
　　　　　of all men mortal,
　　　　　Geryones, whom Herakles
　　　　　in his great strength killed
　　　　　over his dragfoot cattle
　　　　　in water-washed Erytheia.
　　　　　To Tithonos, Eos the Dawn bore Memnon
　　　　　of the brazen
985　　 helm, king of Ethiopians,
　　　　　and the lord Emathion.
　　　　　Then, embraced by Kephalos,
　　　　　she engendered a son, glorious
　　　　　Phaethon, the strong, a man in the likeness
　　　　　of the immortals;
　　　　　and, while he still had the soft flower
　　　　　of the splendor of youth upon him,
　　　　　still thought the light thoughts of a child,
　　　　　Aphrodite, lover of laughter,
990　　 swooped down and caught him away
　　　　　and set him in her holy temple
　　　　　to be her nocturnal temple-keeper,
　　　　　a bright divinity.
　　　　　Jason, the son of Aison, by counsel
　　　　　of the everlasting
　　　　　gods, took Medeia, daughter of Aietes
　　　　　King under god's hand,
　　　　　and led her from Aietes' house,
　　　　　having completed the many
995　　 painful trials that the great, proud king,
　　　　　Pelias, had imposed
　　　　　upon him, for he was oppressive,
　　　　　hardhearted and heavy-handed,
　　　　　but Jason did all, and came back to Iolkos,
　　　　　after much suffering,
　　　　　and brought back with him on the fast ship
　　　　　the girl of the glancing
　　　　　eyes, Medeia, and made her
　　　　　his blossoming wife, and she
1000　 submitting in love to Jason,
　　　　　shepherd of the people, bore him
　　　　　a son, Medeios, and Cheiron
　　　　　the son of Philyra fostered him
　　　　　on the mountains, and so the purpose
　　　　　of mighty Zeus was accomplished.



　　　　　But of the daughters of Nereus,
　　　　　the old man of the sea, one,
　　　　　Psamathe, shining among goddesses,
　　　　　joined to Aiakos
1005　 in love through golden Aphrodite,
　　　　　bore him Phokos,
　　　　　while Thetis, she of the silver feet,
　　　　　submitting to Peleus
　　　　　bore him Achilleus, the lion-hearted,
　　　　　breaker of warriors.
　　　　　Kythereia of the garlands joining
　　　　　in love's delight
　　　　　with the hero Anchises, bore him Aineias,
　　　　　among the forests
1010　 and many-folded valleys of the peaks of Ida.
　　　　　Circe, daughter of Helios, who is the son
　　　　　of Hyperion,
　　　　　was joined in love
　　　　　with hardy-minded Odysseus, and bore him
　　　　　Agrios and Latinos,
　　　　　a man faultless and powerful,
　　　　　[and also, through golden Aphrodite,
　　　　　bore him Telegonos],
1015　 and these far, far away in the uttermost,
　　　　　magical islands
　　　　　were Kings over the Tyrsenians,
　　　　　of glorious reputation.
　　　　　Kalypso, shining among goddesses,
　　　　　joining in love's
　　　　　delight with Odysseus, bore him Nausithoos
　　　　　and Nausinoos.
　　　　　These went to bed with mortal men and,
　　　　　themselves immortal,
1020　 bore to them children in the likeness
　　　　　of the immortals.


　　　　　But now, 0 sweet-spoken Muses of Olympos,
　　　　　daughters
　　　　　of Zeus of the aegis,
　　　　　sing out the generation of women.


　　　　　Like her . . . or like her . . . or like her
　　　　　who . . .