HESIOD: "THE SHIELD OF HERACLES."
Introduction:
Hesiod was an Ancient Greek poet who was thought to have lived between 750 and 650 B.C. and therefore to have been a contemporary of Homer, the author of the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey." The main works of Hesiod to have survived are the "Theogony" (The Origin of the Gods), "Works and Days," and "The Shield of Heracles", the poem translated below, all three written in dactylic hexameters.
Ll. 1-38. Alcmena and Amphitryon.
Or like her who left her home and her fatherland and came to Thebes with warlike Amphitryon, Alcmena (that is), the daughter of Electryon, stirrer of nations; now she surpassed the tribe of fruitful women, both in beauty and in height; and in wisdom none were a match for those whom mortal (women) brought into the world, having lain with mortal (men). From her head and from her dark eyes wafts such (charm as comes) from Aphrodite, rich in gold. And she so honoured her husband in her heart, as none of the fruitful women had done before. In truth, he had slain her noble father, having overcome (him) by force in his anger about the oxen. So, he left his native-land and came to Thebes as a suppliant of the shield-bearing men of Cadmus. There he dwelt at home with his respectful wife, far aloof from the joy of love-making, nor was he able to go to bed with the fine-ankled daughter of Electryon until he had avenged the murder of his wife's great-hearted brothers, and consumed with raging fire the villages of those heroic men, the Taphians and the Teleboans. For so it was laid upon him, and the gods were witnesss to (it); and he feared their anger and hastened to accomplish as quickly as possible the great task which was laid to him by Zeus. And with him (were) the horse-driving Boeotians, eager for war and for battle, breathing above their shields, and the Locrians, who fight hand to hand, and the great-hearted Phocians following (him); and the noble son of Alcaeus led them, rejoicing in his hosts. But the Father of men and gods was contriving another scheme in his heart, to ward off from destruction the one who protects gods and men who earn bread. And he arose from Olympus at night, pondering cunning in the depths of his heart, (and) yearning for the love of the well-girded woman; quickly did he come to Typhaonium; and from there did counsellor Zeus proceed to the top of Phicium (i.e. a mountain peak neat Thebes which took its name from the Sphinx). There he sat (and) devised wonderful deeds in his heart; for in that night he joined the fine-ankled daughter of Electryon in her bed and in love-making, and fulfilled his desire; and on the same night, the glorious hero Amphitryon, arouser of nations, came to his house when he had completed his great task.
Ll. 39-77. The birth of Heracles.
He did not get up and go to his slaves and his rustic herdsman until he had gone to his wife's bed; for such desire took hold of the heart of the shepherd of the people. And, as when a man has happily escaped misery, whether of some disease or of harsh bondage, so, when Amphitryon had brought his heavy task to an end, he came to his home gladly and in a kindly manner. And all night long he lay with his tender wife, delighting in the gifts of Aphrodite, rich in gold. And she (i.e. Alcmena) being subjected (in love) to a god and to a very good man, gave birth to twin sons in seven-gated Thebes, but, although they were brothers, they were not of one and the same spirit; one was weaker, and the other a far better man, terrible and strong, the mighty Heracles; and, having been overpowered by the son of Cronos, the lord of dark clouds, she gave birth to him and then separately to the other, Iphicles, the son of Amphitryon the lance-wielder, the one through union with a mortal man, and the other (through union) with Zeus, the son of Cronos, the leader of all the gods.
And he (i.e. Heracles) slew Cycnus, the great-hearted son of Ares. For he found (him) in the precinct of far-shooting Apollo, him and his father Ares, insatiate with war, shining in their armour, (as) they stood in their chariot like a flame of blazing fire; their swift horses struck the ground, pawing (it) with their hooves, and the dust rose like smoke around them, pounded by the chariot wheels and the horses' hooves. And the well-made chariot and its rails rattled around (them, as) the horses plunged; and blameless Cycnus was glad, as he hoped to slay the warlike son of Zeus and his charioteer with the sword, and to strip off their splendid armour. But Phoebus Apollo did not listen to his boasting; for he himself had stirred up the mighty Heracles against him. And the whole of the grove and altar of Pagasaean Apollo shone under the dreaded god and his armour; and his eyes flashed like fire. What man, being mortal, would have dared to meet him face to face, save Heracles and the renowned Iolaus? For great (was) their strength and invincible (were) the arms that grew from their shoulders on their strong limbs. Then did he speak to his charioteer, strong Iolaus:
Ll. 78-114. Iolaus encourages Heracles to fight.
"O (you) hero, Iolaus, most beloved of all men, then indeed did Amphitryon sin deeply against the blessed immortals who dwell on Olympus, when he came to well-crowned Thebes, after leaving Tiryns, the well-built citadel, (because) he slew for the sake of the broad-fronted oxen; then, he came to Creon and Eniocha with her long-flowing robes, who welcomed him in a kindly manner, and gave him all fitting (things) that are due to suppliants, and honoured him all the more in their hearts. And he lived in great happiness with his wife, the fine-ankled daughter of Electryon (i.e. Alcmena); and presently, as the years went by, were born, not alike in body or in mind, your father (i.e. Iphicles) and I; from him Zeus took away sense, so that he left his home and went away from his parents, to do honour to the sinful Eurystheus (i.e. king of Tiryns), unhappy (man that he was); how deeply did he grieve thereafter in bearing the burden of his own mad folly; but that cannot be taken back. But on me fate laid heavy burdens. But, O my friend, quickly take the dark-red reins of the swift horses; foster great courage in your heart, (and) guide the swift chariot and the strong swift-footed horses, and do not shrink in fear at the noise of man-slaying Ares, who rages shouting around the holy grove of Phoebus Apollo, the lord who shoots from afar; surely, strong though he is, he is satiated with war."
Then, blameless Iolaus answered him again: "Now indeed, my trusty (friend), the father of men and of gods honours your head, as does the bull-like Earth-Shaker (i.e. Poseidon) also, (he) who keeps Thebes' veil (of walls) and protects the city; so strong and mighty (is) this fellow that they bring into your hands, that you may win great glory. But come, don your warlike armour, so that with all haste we may bring the chariots of Ares and our own together, for we shall not deter the eldest son of Zeus, nor yet the son of Iphicles, but I think he will avoid the two sons of blameless Alcides (i.e. the birth name of Heracles), who are near him and longing to raise the war-cry, which is much dearer to them than a feast.
Ll. 115-153. Heracles dons his armour.
So he said; and mighty Heracles was glad at heart and smiled; for (what) he said (was) most pleasing to him; and, when he replied, he addressed him with winged words: "O heroic Iolaus, fostered by Zeus, harsh conflict (is) no longer far away; but just as you were full of skill in the past, so now also wheel the great black-maned horse Arion around in all directions and help me as far as you can."
So he spoke, (and) put upon his lower legs the greaves of shining bronze, the splendid gift of Hephaestus; next, he fastened around his breast a fine golden breastplate, richly wrought, which Pallas Athena, the daughter of Zeus, had given him, when he was firstly about to set in motion his grievous labours (i.e. the Twelve Labours of Heracles, assigned to him by Eurystheus, king of Tiryns, as a divine punishment for the killing of his own children); and across his chest he slung behind (him) a hollow quiver, and within it there were many arrows the voice-robbing dealers of death that cause one to shudder. Before them there was death and a trickling of tears, and their shafts (were) smooth (and) very long, but at the back (they were) covered with the feathers of a dark-red eagle. And he took his strong spear, edged with shining bronze, and on his valiant head he placed his cunningly wrought helmet of adamant, which fitted closely on his temples, and it protected the head of godlike Heracles. Now, he took his glittering shield in his hands, and no one ever broke it with a blow, or crushed (it), (what) a wonder (it was) to behold. For its whole orb shimmered with enamel and white ivory and electrum, and it glowed with shining gold, and zones of cyanus (i.e. a glassy paste, deep blue in colour) were drawn around (it). In its centre, worked in adamant, was unspeakable Fear, staring backwards with eyes that glowed with fire; his mouth was full of white teeth all in a row, fearful and daunting, and upon his grim brow hovered frightful Eris (i.e. Strife), who equips the throng of men, hard-hearted (as she is), (and) who took away the mind and senses of the men who made war against the son of Zeus. Their souls sunk beneath the earth and went down into (the house of) Hades, but their bones, (when) their skin (has) rotted around them, moulder away in the dark earth under parching Sirius (i.e. the Dog-Star).
Ll. 154-177. Heracles' shield portrays boars and lions fighting furiously.
And on (the shield) Pursuit and Flight were wrought, and on (it) Tumult, and Panic, and Slaughter blazed forth, and Strife and Uproar were darting along, and deadly Fate (was there) holding one man newly wounded, another unhurt, (and) one (who was) dead she was dragging by his feet through (the tumult of( battle. And she had around her shoulders a garment red with men's blood, (and) terribly did she glare and gnash her teeth.
And on (it) there were the heads of unspeakably frightful snakes; twelve (of them there were, and) they used to frighten the tribes of men on earth, those who made war against the son of Zeus (i.e. Heracles); and there was gnashing of their teeth, when Amphitryon' s son was fighting, and these wonderful works shone brightly. And (it was) as though spots had come to light (for one) to see on the frightful snakes; (and) their backs (were) dark-blue, and their jaws (were) black.
And on the (shield) there were herds of boars feeding separately, and of lions glaring at one another, (being) both envious and eager. Rows of them proceeded in bands; now, neither side quaked with fear, but both bristled up their manes. For a great lion already lay between them, and (there were) two boars on either side, bereft of life, and their dark blood was dripping down on to the ground; and they lay dead with necks outstretched beneath the grim lions. So, in their malice both sides were roused still more to fight, both the wild boars and the fierce lions.
Ll. 178-215. Numerous figures appear on the shield.
And there was the strife of the Lapith spearmen among and around the lord Caeneus, and Dryas and Peirithous. and Hopleus, and Exadius, and Phalerus, and Prolochus, and Mopsus, the son of Ampyce of Titaresia, scion of Ares, and Theseus, the son of Aegeus, like unto the immortal (gods); (they were) of silver, (and) had golden armour around their bodies. And the Centaurs were gathered against (them) on the other side around great Petraeus and the augur Asbolus, and Arctus, and Ureus, and black-haired Mimas, and the two sons of Peuceus, Perimedes and Dryalus; (these were) of silver and had golden pine-trees in their hands. And they were pressing violently together, as though they were alive, (and) striking at one another hand to hand with spears and with pines.
And on (the shield) stood the fleet-footed steeds of grim Ares made of gold, and on (it was) deadly Ares, himself wearing the spoils, holding a spear in his hands, (and) urging on the soldiers; red with blood (he was), as if he were slaying living (men) while standing in his chariot; beside (him) stood Fear and Flight, longing to plunge into the war of men.
And on (it was) the daughter of Zeus, Tritogeneia (i.e. an epithet of Athena, taken from the name of the lake Tritonis in Libya, near which she was born) who drives the spoil, (and) in her case (it was) like as if she wished to array the battle-line, with a spear in her hands, and a golden helmet, and the aegis around her shoulders; and she was going towards the dreadful din of battle.
And on (it) there was the holy company of the immortal (gods); and in its midst the son of Zeus and Leto (i.e. Apollo) played sweetly on a golden lyre; and (there was) pure Olympus and the abode of the gods; and on (it), in the gathering of the immortal (gods) and in their assembly infinite riches were spread around; the goddesses, the Muses of Pieria were beginning a song like singers with a shrill voice.
And on (the shield was) a harbour with a safe haven from the irresistible sea, made of quite refined tin wrought in a circle, (and) it seemed to heave with the waves; in the middle of it (there were) many dolphins darting this way and that, fishing like swimmers; two silver dolphins were spouting up and devouring the mute fishes. And beneath them bronze fishes were trembling; and on the headland sat a fisherman watching, and he held in his hands a casting-net for fishes, and it seemed as if he were about to cast (it) forth.
Ll. 216-244. Perseus appears on the shield.
On (it) too was the son of Danae, Perseus, the rider of horses; now he did not touch the shield with his feet, and yet they were not far from it, a very marvellous (thing) to speak of, since he was not supported anywhere. For so did the famous Lame One (i.e. Hephaestus) fashion him of gold with his hands; and on his feet he had winged sandals. And his black-sheathed sword was slung across his shoulders by means of a golden strap, and he was flying here and there like thought; and the head of the dreadful Gorgon monster (i.e. Medusa) held the whole of the broad of his back; and a silver bag, a marvel to see, contained it; and (from it) bright tassels of gold hung down; and upon the head of the prince lay the dread cap of Hades, which had the awful gloom of night (i.e. the cap of darkness which made its wearer invisible). Perseus himself, the son of Danae, was at full stretch, like (one who) hurries and shudders with horror. And after him rushed the Gorgons, unapproachable and unspeakable, longing to seize (him). As they stepped upon the pale adamant, the shield rang sharp and clear with a loud clanging noise; and two serpents were suspended from their girdles with their heads bent forwards. Their tongues were flickering, and they were gnashing their teeth with fury, (and their eyes) were glaring fiercely. And upon the dreadful heads of the Gorgons great Fear was quaking. And beyond these, men with warlike armour were fighting, some to save their own city and their parents from destruction, and others longing to sack (it). Many lay dead, but more (of them) still strove (and) fought; the women on well-built towers of bronze were crying out in a shrill voice and tearing their cheeks like those who were living, the work of famous Hephaestus.
Ll. 245-279. The appearance of the Fates.
And the men who were elders, and (on whom) old age had laid hold, were altogether outside the gates, and they were holding up their hands to the blessed gods, for they were fearing for their own sons; but these were engaged in battle. And behind them the dusky Fates, gnashing their white fangs, tawny and unapproachable, were holding a battle around (those who were) falling; for they were all longing to drink dark blood; and as soon as they laid hold of a man, overthrown or falling newly wounded, (one of them) would clasp her great claws around him, and his soul would go down to the house of Hades, to icy-cold Tartarus. And, when they had satisfied their souls with human blood, they would cast him behind (them), and go rushing back again into the tumult and fray. Clotho (i.e. The Spinner of the Threads of Life) and Lachesis (i.e. The Disposer of Lots) were placed over them; and Atropos (i.e. The Inflexible One), of lesser stature (than they were), was a goddess of no great size, but she was superior to the others and was the eldest (of them). And they all made a fierce fight over one (poor) fellow. And they glared wickedly at one another with furious eyes, and made equally bold (actions) with their claws and their hands. And beside (them) stood Darkness of Death, sad and fearful, pale, shrivelled, shrunk with hunger, (and) swollen-kneed, and long nails were at the end of her hands. Discharge dribbled from her nose, and from her cheeks blood dripped down to the ground; and she stood (there) leering terribly, and much dust, sodden with tears, piled up upon her shoulders. And, besides that, there was a city of men with goodly towers; and seven gates of gold, fitted to the lintels, guarded it; for they were bringing a bride to her husband on a well-wheeled wagon, and the wedding-song rose high; and the flame of blazing torches in the hands of of handmaidens rolled along from afar, and they, thriving in the festive joy, went in front; and, following them (came) the dancing choirs. And they sang from tender mouths to the sound of shrill pipes, and the echo resounded around them.
Ll. 280-326. The shield displays the fruits of the harvest.
The (girls) conducted the lovely dance to (the sound) of lyres. And then again, on the other side, young men were revelling under (the sound) of a flute. Some were frolicking again with dance and song, and others were each going forwards in time with a flute-player (and) laughing; merriment and dancing and festivities filled the whole town. And others again were mounted on horse-back, and were darting along before the town. And ploughmen were breaking up the good soil, and they were clothed in girt up tunics. There was also a wide cornfield; and some (of them) were reaping with sharp spearheads the heavy ears of corn, (which) bent flat, as if they were Demeter's grain; and others were binding (the sheaves) in bands, and they were falling on the threshing-floor, and some held reaping-hooks in their hands, (and) were gathering the vintage, while others were taking from the reapers into baskets white and black clusters of grapes from the long row of vines, (which were) heavy with leaves and silver spirals. And others again were gathering (them) into baskets. And beside them was a row of golden vines, the splendid work of very thoughtful Hephaestus, heaving with leaves and silver stakes, laden with bunches of grapes; and they turned black. And there were men treading grapes and those drawing off the liquor; and there were men boxing and wrestling; and there were huntsmen chasing swift-footed hares, and there was a pair of dogs with sharp jagged teeth before them, and they were eager to catch (the hares), and the (hares) were eager to escape.
Next to them horsemen brought work, and they battled and laboured for a prize. And charioteers standing on well-plaited cars, urged on their swift horses by slackening their reins and the closely joined chariots flew along clattering, and the naves of their wheels shrieked out loudly. So, they were engaged in endless toil, and victory was never achieved by them, but the contest brought uncertainty. But there was set before them within the course a great golden tripod, the splendid work of the very thoughtful Hephaestus.
And around the rim Ocean was flowing with a full stream so it seemed, and it enclosed all the cunning work of the shield, and over it the swans were soaring (and) calling out loudly, and many of them were swimming on the top of the water; and (shoals of) fish were rushing along wildly beside (them). The great strong shield (was) a wonderful (thing) to see, even in the case of loud-thundering Zeus, by whose will Hephaestus made (it) and fitted (it) with his hands. The valiant son of Zeus (i.e. Heracles) wielded it in a masterly fashion; and he leapt upon his horse-driven chariot, moving nimbly like the lightning of his father Zeus, who bears the aegis; and then strong Iolaus, his charioteer, standing on the chariot-board, guided the curved chariot. Then, the bright-eyed goddess Athena came near them and spoke winged words to encourage them:
Ll. 327-364. Heracles warns Cycnus not to fight him.
"Hail, offspring of far-famed Lynceus; even now, Zeus, the ruler of the blessed gods, gives you the power to slay Cycnus, and to strip off his splendid armour. But I will tell you something else, (you who are) by far the mightiest of the people; when you have deprived Cycnus of his sweet life, then leave him and his armour there, and you yourself watch Ares, the bane of men, as he attacks, and whenever you shall see (him), with your eyes uncovered below his cunningly wrought shield, there you are to wound (him) with your sharp spear; then, you must draw back; for it is not ordained that you should take his horses or his splendid armour."
So spoke the goddess among goddesses, (and) she got up swiftly into the chariot with victory and renown in the hands of the immortal (one). Then, heaven-nurtured Iolaus called the horses in a terrible voice; and under threat they bore the fleet chariot swiftly along, raising dust from the plain. For the bright-eyed goddess Athena put strength into them by shaking her aegis; and the earth groaned all around (them). And they, the horse-taming Cycnus and Ares, insatiate in war, came forward together like fire or hurricane. Then, their horses, facing one another, neighed in a shrill sound, and the echo shivered all around them.
Mighty Heracles spoke first (and said) to the (other): "Cycnus, my friend, why now do you set your swift horses at us, men who are experienced in labour and hardship? But set your chariot of polished metal aside, and give way (and) go off the path. (It is) to Trachis that I am driving, let me tell you, to Ceyx the king; for in Trachis he excels in power and honour, as you yourself know very well; for you are married to his daughter, dark-eyed Themistonoe. You fool, for Ares will not spare you from the outcome of death, if we should meet together in battle. For now I declare that he has made trial of my spear at another time when he stood against me in defence of sandy Pylos, insatiably longing for battle. Three times was he smitten by my spear (and) dashed to earth, his shield having been pierced, but the fourth time I struck his thigh with all my strength and tore deeply into his flesh.
Ll. 365-401. Heracles and Cycnus prepare to fight.
"And he fell headlong in the dust on the ground, through the force of my spear. Then, indeed, he would have become dishonoured among the immortal (gods), if he had left behind his bloody spoils in my hands."
So said he (i.e. Heracles); but Cycnus, armed with a good ashen spear, did not wish to obey him and checked the horses that drew his chariot. Then, from their well-plaited chariots they leapt forthwith to the ground, the son of mighty Zeus and the son of the Lord of War. And the charioteers drove near to the horses with the beautiful manes; and the wide earth rang with the beat of their hooves as they rushed along. And, as when rocks spring forth from the lofty peak of a high mountain, and fall on one another, and many towering oaks, and many pines and poplars with outstretched roots are broken by them, and they roll swiftly down until they reach the plain, so did they fall on each other shouting loudly. And the whole of the town of the Myrmidons, and renowned Iolcus, and Arne, and Helice, and grassy Antheia echoed loudly at the voice of the two of them; and they went by with an awful cry; and counsellor Zeus thundered loudly. And he rained down drops of blood from heaven, giving the signal for battle to his undaunted son.
And as a tusky boar, a fearful (sight) for a man to see from afar in the glen of a mountain, resolves in his heart to fight with the huntsmen, and whets his white tusks, leaning sideways, foam flows forth all around his mouth as he gnashes (them), and his eyes are like glowing fire, and the hairs on his mane and around his neck stand up straight; like him the son of Zeus leapt from his horse-drawn chariot. And, when the dark-winged chirping grasshopper, perched on a green twig, begins to sing to men of summer, and his food and drink (is) the fruitful dew, he pours forth his voice all day long from the break of day in the deadliest heat, when Sirius (i.e. the dog-star) scorches one's flesh, then the beards of corn grow around the millets, which (men) sow in summer, when the unripe grapes, which Dionysus gave to men (both) as a source of joy and a burden, begin to change in colour; in that season they fought, and a loud noise arose.
Ll. 402-442. Having slain Cycnus, Heracles is confronted by his father Ares.
Like two lions on either side of a slain deer, they spring at each other bearing malice between themselves, and there is a fearful snarling and, at the same time, a gnashing of teeth; like vultures with crooked talons and a hooked beak, they fight shrieking loudly on a high rock over a mountain-haunting goat or a fat wild deer, which some vigorous man has overcome by shooting (him) with an arrow from the string, and has wandered away himself elsewhere, being unaware of the place; but they quickly mark (it) and they eagerly do keen battle around (it); like (these), they rushed upon each other with a shout.
Then, Cycnus, eager to kill the son of almighty Zeus (i.e. Heracles) smote a bronze spear on his shield, but he did not break the bronze; and the gift of the god (i.e. the armour wrought by Hephaestus) saved (his foe). But the son of Amphitryon, mighty Heracles, quickly struck (him) with his long spear with all his strength on the neck beneath his chin, (where it was) unguarded; and his deadly spear cut through both sinews; for his great strength fell upon his foeman. And he fell, as when some oak-tree falls, or a lofty pine-tree, smitten by the smouldering thunderbolt of Zeus; so he falls; and his armour, adorned with bronze, clashed around (him).
Then, the stout-hearted son of Zeus (i.e. Heracles) let him be, and he himself watched for the onset of manslaying Ares, and he stared fiercely with (both) eyes like a lion who has come upon a body and who most eagerly rips its hide with his strong claws and takes away his sweet life with all speed; and his black heart is filled with rage; and he glares fiercely with his eyes and lashes his flanks and shoulders with his tail (and) tears the ground with his paws, so that no one should dare to look at him face to face, nor go near to him to fight; even so, the son of Amphitryon (i.e. Heracles), unsated of battle, stood eagerly face to face with Ares, fostering courage in his heart; and he drew near him with sorrow in his heart; and they both sprang at each other with a cry. As (it is) when a rock shoots out from a great promontory and rolls down with long bounds, and it goes eagerly with a roar, and a lofty crag clashes with it; and, when they strike each other, it keeps it there; with no less clamour did the deadly Ares rush shouting at (him) as he was loading the car; and he was eagerly received.
Ll. 443-480. Heracles pierces Ares in the thigh.
But Athena, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, came to meet Ares, wearing her dark aegis; (and) she looked at (him) fiercely askance, and spoke these winged words to (him): "Ares, control your fierce anger and your invincible hands. For it is not ordained that you should kill Heracles, the bold-hearted son of Zeus; but come (now), cease fighting, and do not stand against me!"
So she said; but she did not persuade the great-hearted spirit of Ares, but, uttering a great shout like fire, and brandishing his spear, he immediately rushed at the mighty Heracles, longing to kill (him); and he hurled a bronze spear upon the great shield, being violently angry because his son was dead. But bright-eyed Athena reached out from her chariot, (and) turned aside the force of the spear. Then, bitter grief seized Ares; and he drew his sharp sword (and) leapt upon bold-hearted Heracles; but, as he came on, the son of Amphitryon, insatiate of fierce battle, skilfully wounded his thigh, (which was) exposed under his cunningly-wrought shield; and, thrusting with his spear, he pierced deeply into his flesh, and cast (him) down flat on the ground. Then, Panic and Dread quickly drove the well-wheeled chariot and horses near him, and lifted (him) from the earth with its broad open ways into his richly-wrought chariot; and then they swiftly lashed the horses; and they came to high Olympus.
But the son of Alcmena (i.e. Heracles) and glorious Iolaus stripped the fine armour from the shoulders of Cycnus (and) went on their way; and then they went forthwith on their swift-footed horses to the city of Trachis. And bright-eyed Athena came to great Olympus and her father's house.
Now Ceyx buried Cycnus in the company of the countless people who lived near the city of the glorious king, (in) Anthe and the city of the Myrmidons, and renowned Iolcus, and Arne and Helice; and many people gathered (there) in honour of Ceyx, beloved by the blessed gods. But the Anaurus (i.e. a river in Thessaly), swelled by a wintry rain-storm, made his grave and memorial invisible; for so Apollo, Leto's son, instructed him, because he used to look out for, and violently bespoil, the splendid hecatombs that anyone might bring to Pytho.
