HYMN TO DEMETER
HYMN TO DEMETER
[Line 33] And so long as she, the goddess, yet beheld earth and
starry heaven and the strong-flowing sea where fishes shoal, and
the rays of the sun, and still hoped to see her dear mother and
the tribes of the eternal gods, so long hope calmed her great
heart for all her trouble. ... and the heights of the mountains
and the depths of the sea rang with her immortal voice: and her
queenly mother heard her. Bitter pain seized her heart, and she
rent the covering upon her divine hair with her dear hands: her
dark cloak she cast down from both her shoulders and sped, like
a wild-bird, over the firm land and yielding sea, seeking her
child. But no one would tell her the truth, neither god nor mortal
man; and of the birds of omen none came with true news for her.
Then for nine days queenly Deo wandered over the earth with flaming
torches in her hands, so grieved that she never tasted ambrosia
and the sweet draught of nectar, nor sprinkled her body with water.
But when the tenth enlightening dawn had come, Hecate, with a
torch in her hands, met her, and spoke to her and told her news:
"Queenly Demeter, bringer of seasons and giver of good gifts,
what god of heaven or what mortal man has rapt away Persephone
and pierced with sorrow your dear heart? For I heard her voice,
yet saw not with my eyes who it was. But I tell you truly and
shortly all I know." [Line 59] So, then, said Hecate. And the daughter of rich-haired
Rhea answered her not, but sped swiftly with her, holding flaming
torches in her hands. So they came to Helios, who is watchman
of both gods and men, and stood in front of his horses: and the
bright goddess enquired of him: "Helios, do you at least regard
me, goddess as I am, if ever by word or deed of mine I have cheered
your heart and spirit. Through the fruitless air I heard the thrilling
cry of my daughter whom I bare, sweet scion of my body and lovely
in form, as of one seized violently; though with my eyes I saw
nothing. But you - for with your beams you look down from the
bright upper air over all the earth and sea - tell me truly of
my dear child if you have seen her anywhere, what god or mortal
man has violently seized her against her will and mine, and so
made off." So said she. And the Son of Hyperion answered her:
"Queen Demeter, daughter of rich-haired Rhea, I will tell you
the truth; for I greatly reverence and pity you in your grief
for your trim-ankled daughter. None other of the deathless gods
is to blame, but only cloud-gathering Zeus who gave her to Hades,
her father's brother, to be called his buxom wife. And Hades seized
her and took her loudly crying in his chariot down to his realm
of mist and gloom. Yet, goddess, cease your loud lament and keep
not vain anger unrelentingly: Aidoneus, the Ruler of Many, is
no unfitting husband among the deathless gods for your child,
being flour own brother and born of the same stock: also, for
honour, he has that third share which he received when division
was made at the first and is appointed lord of those among whom
he dwells." So he spake, and called to his horses: and at his
chiding they quickly whirled the swift chariot along, like long-winged
birds. [Line 90] But grief yet more terrible and savage came into the
heart of Demeter, and thereafter she was so angered with the dark-clouded
Son of Cronos that she avoided the gathering of the gods and high
Olympus, and went to the towns and rich fields of men, disfiguring
her form a long while. And no one of men or deep-bosomed women
knew her when they saw her, until she came to the house of wise
Celeus who then was lord of fragrant Eleusis. Vexed in her dear
heart, she sat near the wayside by the Maiden Well, from which
the women of the place were used to draw water, in a shady place
over which grew an olive shrub. And she was like an ancient woman
who is cut off from childbearing and the gifts of garland-loving
Aphrodite, like the nurses of king's children who deal justice,
or like the house-keepers in their echoing halls. There the daughters
of Celeus, son of Eleusis, saw her, as they coming for easy-drawn
water, to carry it in pitchers of bronze to their dear father's
house: four were they and like goddesses in the flower of their
girlhood, Callidice and Cleisidice and lovely Demo and Callithoe
who was the eldest of them all. They knew her not, - for the gods
are not easily discerned by mortals -, but startling near by her
spoke winged words: "Old mother, whence are you of folk born long
ago? Why are you gone away from the city and do not draw near
the houses? For there in the shady halls are women of just such
age as you, and others younger; and they would welcome you both
by word and by deed." [Line 118] Thus they said. And she, that queen among goddesses
answered them saying: "Hail, dear children, whosoever you are
of woman-kind. I will tell you my story; for it is not unseemly
that I should tell you truly what you ask. Doso is my name, for
my stately mother gave it me. And now I am come from Crete over
the sea's wide back, - not willingly; but pirates brought me thence
by force of strength against my liking. Afterwards they put in
with their swift craft to Thoricus, and these the women landed
on the shore in full throng and the men likewise, and they began
to make ready a meal by the stern-cables of the ship. But my heart
craved not pleasant food, and I fled secretly across the dark
country and escaped my masters, that they should not take me unpurchased
across the sea, there to win a price for me. And so I wandered
and am come here: and I know not at all what land this is or what
people are in it. But may all those who dwell on Olympus give
you husbands and birth of children as parents desire, so you take
pity on me, maidens, and show me this clearly that I may learn,
dear children, to the house of what man and woman I may go, to
work for them cheerfully at such tasks as belong to a woman of
my age. Well could I nurse a new born child, holding him in my
arms, or keep house, or spread my masters' bed in a recess of
the well-built chamber, or teach the women their work." So said
the goddess. And straightway the unwed maiden Callidice, goodliest
in form of the daughters of Celeus, answered her and said: [Line 147] "Mother, what the gods send us, we mortals bear perforce,
although we suffer; for they are much stronger than we. But now
I will teach you clearly, telling you the names of men who have
great power and honour here and are chief among the people, guarding
our city's coif of towers by their wisdom and true judgements:
there is wise Triptolemus and Dioclus and Polyxeinus and blameless
Eumolpus and Dolichus and our own brave father. All these have
wives who manage in the house, and no one of them, so soon as
she had seen you, would dishonour you and turn you from the house,
but they will welcome you; for indeed you are godlike. But if
you will, stay here; and we will go to our father's house and
tell Metaneira, our deep-bosomed mother, all this matter fully,
that she may bid you rather come to our home than search after
the houses of others. She has an only son, late-born, who is being
nursed in our well-built house, a child of many prayers and welcome:
if you could bring him up until he reached the full measure of
youth, any one of womankind who should see you would straightway
envy you, such gifts would our mother give for his upbringing."
So she spake: and the goddess bowed her head in assent. And they
filled their shining vessels with water and carried them off rejoicing.
Quickly they came to their father's great house and straightway
told their mother according as they had heard and seen. Then she
bade them go with all speed and invite the stranger to come for
a measureless hire. As hinds or heifers in spring time, when sated
with pasture, bound about a meadow, so they, holding up the folds
of their lovely garments, darted down the hollow path, and their
hair like a crocus flower streamed about their shoulders. And
they found the good goddess near the wayside where they had left
her before, and led her to the house of their dear father. And
she walked behind, distressed in her dear heart, with her head
veiled and wearing a dark cloak which waved about the slender
feet of the goddess. [Line 184] Soon they came to the house of heaven-nurtured Celeus
and went through the portico to where their queenly mother sat
by a pillar of the close-fitted roof, holding her son, a tender
scion, in her bosom. And the girls ran to her. But the goddess
walked to the threshold: and her head reached the roof and she
filled the doorway with a heavenly radiance. Then awe and reverence
and pale fear took hold of Metaneira, and she rose up from her
couch before Demeter, and bade her be seated. But Demeter, bringer
of seasons and giver of perfect gifts, would not sit upon the
bright couch, but stayed silent with lovely eyes cast down until
careful Iambe placed a jointed seat for her and threw over it
a silvery fleece. Then she sat down and held her veil in her hands
before her face. A long time she sat upon the stool[2] without
speaking because of her sorrow, and greeted no one by word or
by sign, but rested, never smiling, and tasting neither food nor
drinks because she pined with longing for her deep-bosomed daughter,
until careful Iambe - who pleased her moods in aftertime also
- moved the holy lady with many a quip and jest to smile and laugh
and cheer her heart. Then Metaneira filled a cup with sweet wine
and offered it to her; but she refused it, for she said it was
not lawful for her to drink red wine, but bade them mix meal and
water with soft mint and give her to drink. And Metaneira mixed
the draught and gave it to the goddess as she bade. So the great
queen Deo received it to observe the sacrament.[3] [Line 212] And of them all, well-girded Metaneira first began
to speak: "Hail, lady! For I think you are not meanly but nobly
born; truly dignity and grace are conspicuous upon your eyes as
in the eyes of kings that deal justice. Yet we mortals bear per-force
what the gods send us, though we be grieved; for a yoke is set
upon our necks. But now, since you are come here, you shall have
what I can bestow: and nurse me this child whom the gods gave
me in my old age and beyond my hope, a son much prayed for. If
you should bring him up until he reach the full measure of youth,
any one of woman-kind that sees you will straightway envy you,
so great reward would I give for his upbringing." Then rich-haired
Demeter answered her: "And to you, also, lady, all hail, and may
the gods give you good! Gladly will I take the boy to my breast,
as you bid me, and will nurse him. Never, I ween, through any
heedlessness of his nurse shall witchcraft hurt him nor yet the
Undercutter: for I know a charm far stronger than the Woodcutter,
and I know an excellent safeguard against woeful witchcraft."[4]
When she had so spoken, she took the child in her fragrant bosom
with her divine hands: and his mother was glad in her heart. So
the goddess nursed in the palace Demophoon, wise Celeus' goodly
son whom well-girded Metaneira bare. And the child grew like some
immortal being, not fed with food nor nourished at the breast:
for by day rich-crowned Demeter would anoint him with ambrosia
as if he were the offspring of a god and breathe sweetly upon
him as she held him in her bosom. But at night she would hide
him like a brand in the heart of the fire, unknown to his dear
parents. And it wrought great wonder in these that he grew beyond
his age; for he was like the gods face to face. And she would
have made him deathless and unaging, had not well-girded Metaneira
in her heedlessness kept watch by night from her sweet-smelling
chamber and spied. But she wailed and smote her two hips, because
she feared for her son and was greatly distraught in her heart;
so she lamented and uttered winged words: [Line 248] "Demophoon, my son, the strange woman buries you deep
in fire and works grief and bitter sorrow for me." Thus she spoke,
mourning. And the bright goddess, lovely-crowned Demeter, heard
her, and was wroth with her. So with her divine hands she snatched
from the fire the dear son whom Metaneira had born unhoped-for
in the palace, and cast him from her to the ground; for she was
terribly angry in her heart. Forthwith she said to well-girded
Metaneira: "Witless are you mortals and dull to foresee your lot,
whether of good or evil, that comes upon you. For now in your
heedlessness you have wrought folly past healing; for - be witness
the oath of the gods, the relentless water of Styx - I would have
made your dear son deathless and unaging all his days and would
have bestowed on him ever-lasting honour, but now he can in no
way escape death and the fates. Yet shall unfailing honour always
rest upon him, because he lay upon my knees and slept in my arms.
But, as the years move round and when he is in his prime, the
sons of the Eleusinians shall ever wage war and dread strife with
one another continually. Lo! I am that Demeter who has share of
honour and is the greatest help and cause of joy to the undying
gods and mortal men. But now, let all the people build me a great
temple and an altar below it and beneath the city and its sheer
wall upon a rising hillock above Callichorus. And I myself will
teach my rites, that hereafter you may reverently perform them
and so win the favour of my heart." [Line 275] When she had so said, the goddess changed her stature
and her looks, thrusting old age away from her: beauty spread
round about her and a lovely fragrance was wafted from her sweet-smelling
robes, and from the divine body of the goddess a light shone afar,
while golden tresses spread down over her shoulders, so that the
strong house was filled with brightness as with lightning. And
so she went out from the palace. And straightway Metaneira's knees
were loosed and she remained speechless for a long while and did
not remember to take up her late-born son from the ground. But
his sisters heard his pitiful wailing and sprang down from their
well-spread beds: one of them took up the child in her arms and
laid him in her bosom, while another revived the fire, and a third
rushed with soft feet to bring their mother from her fragrant
chamber. And they gathered about the struggling child and washed
him, embracing him lovingly; but he was not comforted, because
nurses and handmaids much less skillful were holding him now.
All night long they sought to appease the glorious goddess, quaking
with fear. But, as soon as dawn began to show, they told powerful
Celeus all things without fail, as the lovely-crowned goddess
Demeter charged them. So Celeus called the countless people to
an assembly and bade them make a goodly temple for rich-haired
Demeter and an altar upon the rising hillock. And they obeyed
him right speedily and harkened to his voice, doing as he commanded.
As for the child, he grew like an immortal being. [Line 301] Now when they had finished building and had drawn back
from their toil, they went every man to his house. But golden-haired
Demeter sat there apart from all the blessed gods and stayed,
wasting with yearning for her deep-bosomed daughter. Then she
caused a most dreadful and cruel year for mankind over the all-nourishing
earth: the ground would not make the seed sprout, for rich-crowned
Demeter kept it hid. In the fields the oxen drew many a curved
plough in vain, and much white barley was cast upon the land without
avail. So she would have destroyed the whole race of man with
cruel famine and have robbed them who dwell on Olympus of their
glorious right of gifts and sacrifices, had not Zeus perceived
and marked this in his heart. First he sent golden-winged Iris
to call rich-haired Demeter, lovely in form. So he commanded.
And she obeyed the dark-clouded Son of Cronos, and sped with swift
feet across the space between. She came to the stronghold of fragrant
Eleusis, and there finding dark-cloaked Demeter in her temple,
spake to her and uttered winged words: "Demeter, father Zeus,
whose wisdom is everlasting, calls you to come join the tribes
of the eternal gods: come therefore, and let not the message I
bring from Zeus pass unobeyed." Thus said Iris imploring her.
But Demeter's heart was not moved. Then again the father sent
forth all the blessed and eternal gods besides: and they came,
one after the other, and kept calling her and offering many very
beautiful gifts and whatever rights she might be pleased to choose
among the deathless gods. Yet no one was able to persuade her
mind and will, so wroth was she in her heart; but she stubbornly
rejected all their words: for she vowed that she would never set
foot on fragrant Olympus nor let fruit spring out of the ground,
until she beheld with her eyes her own fair-faced daughter. [Line 334] Now when all-seeing Zeus the loud-thunderer heard this,
he sent the Slayer of Argus whose wand is of gold to Erebus, so
that having won over Hades with soft words, he might lead forth
chaste Persephone to the light from the misty gloom to join the
gods, and that her mother might see her with her eyes and cease
from her anger. And Hermes obeyed, and leaving the house of Olympus,
straightway sprang down with speed to the hidden places of the
earth. And he found the lord Hades in his house seated upon a
couch, and his shy mate with him, much reluctant, because she
yearned for her mother. But she was afar off, brooding on her
fell design because of the deeds of the blessed gods. And the
strong Slayer of Argus drew near and said: "Dark-haired Hades,
ruler over the departed, father Zeus bids me bring noble Persephone
forth from Erebus unto the gods, that her mother may see her with
her eyes and cease from her dread anger with the immortals; for
now she plans an awful deed, to destroy the weakly tribes of earthborn
men by keeping seed hidden beneath the earth, and so she makes
an end of the honours of the undying gods. For she keeps fearful
anger and does not consort with the gods, but sits aloof in her
fragrant temple, dwelling in the rocky hold of Eleusis." So he
said. And Aidoneus, ruler over the dead, smiled grimly and obeyed
the behest of Zeus the king. For he straightway urged wise Persephone,
saying: [Line 360] "Go now, Persephone, to your dark-robed mother, go,
and feel kindly in your heart towards me: be not so exceedingly
cast down; for I shall be no unfitting husband for you among the
deathless gods, that am own brother to father Zeus. And while
you are here, you shall rule all that lives and moves and shall
have the greatest rights among the deathless gods: those who defraud
you and do not appease your power with offerings, reverently performing
rites and paying fit gifts, shall be punished for evermore." When
he said this, wise Persephone was filled with joy and hastily
sprang up for gladness. But he on his part secretly gave her sweet
pomegranate seed to eat, taking care for himself that she might
not remain continually with grave, dark-robed Demeter. Then Aidoneus
the Ruler of Many openly got ready his deathless horses beneath
the golden chariots And she mounted on the chariot and the strong
Slayer of Argus took reins and whip in his dear hands and drove
forth from the hall, the horses speeding readily. Swiftly they
traversed their long course, and neither the sea nor river-waters
nor grassy glens nor mountain-peaks checked the career of the
immortal horses, but they clave the deep air above them as they
went. And Hermes brought them to the place where rich-crowned
Demeter was staying and checked them before her fragrant temple. [Line 384] And when Demeter saw them, she rushed forth as does
a Maenad down some thick-wooded mountain, while Persephone on
the other side, when she saw her mother's sweet eyes, left the
chariot and horses, and leaped down to run to her, and falling
upon her neck, embraced her. But while Demeter was still holding
her dear child in her arms, her heart suddenly misgave her for
some snare, so that she feared greatly and ceased fondling her
daughter and asked of her at once: "My child, tell me, surely
you have not tasted any food while you were below? Speak out and
hide nothing, but let us both know. For if you have not, you shall
come back from loathly Hades and live with me and your father,
the dark-clouded Son of Cronos and be honoured by all the deathless
gods; but if you have tasted food, you must go back again beneath
the secret places of the earth, there to dwell a third part of
the seasons every year: yet for the two parts you shall be with
me and the other deathless gods. But when the earth shall bloom
with the fragrant flowers of spring in every kind, then from the
realm of darkness and gloom thou shalt come up once more to be
a wonder for gods and mortal men. And now tell me how he rapt
you away to the realm of darkness and gloom, and by what trick
did the strong Host of Many beguile you?" [Line 405] Then beautiful Persephone answered her thus: "Mother,
I will tell you all without error. When luck-bringing Hermes came,
swift messenger from my father the Son of Cronos and the other
Sons of Heaven, bidding me come back from Erebus that you might
see me with your eyes and so cease from your anger and fearful
wrath against the gods, I sprang up at once for joy; but he secretly
put in my mouth sweet food, a pomegranate seed, and forced me
to taste against my will. Also I will tell how he rapt me away
by the deep plan of my father the Son of Cronos and carried me
off beneath the depths of the earth, and will relate the whole
matter as you ask. All we were playing in a lovely meadow, Leucippe
and Phaeno and Electra and Ianthe, Melita also and Iache with
Rhodea and Callirhoe and Melobosis and Tyche and Ocyrhoe, fair
as a flower, Chryseis, Ianeira, Acaste and Admete and Rhodope
and Pluto and charming Calypso; Styx too was there and Urania
and lovely Galaxaura with Pallas who rouses battles and Artemis
delighting in arrows.[5] We were playing and gathering sweet flowers
in our hands, soft crocuses mingled with irises and hyacinths,
and rose-blooms and lilies, marvellous to see, and the narcissus
which the wide earth caused to grow yellow as a crocus. That I
plucked in my joy; but the earth parted beneath, and there the
strong lord, the Host of Many, sprang forth and in his golden
chariot he bore me away, all unwilling, beneath the earth: then
I cried with a shrill cry. All this is true, sore though it grieves
me to tell the tale." [Line 434] So did they then, with hearts at one, greatly cheer
each the other's soul and spirit with many an embrace: their hearts
had relief from their griefs while each took and gave back joyousness.
Then bright-coiffed Hecate came near to them, and often did she
embrace the daughter of holy Demeter: and from that time the lady
Hecate was minister and companion to Persephone. And all-seeing
Zeus sent a messenger to them, rich-haired Rhea, to bring dark-cloaked
Demeter to join the families of the gods: and he promised to give
her what rights she should choose among the deathless gods and
agreed that her daughter should go down for the third part of
the circling year to darkness and gloom, but for the two parts
should live with her mother and the other deathless gods. Thus
he commanded. And the goddess did not disobey the message of Zeus;
swiftly she rushed down from the peaks of Olympus and came to
the plain of Rharus, rich, fertile corn-land once, but then in
nowise fruitful, for it lay idle and utterly leafless, because
the white grain was hidden by design of trim-ankled Demeter. But
afterwards, as spring-time waxed, it was soon to be waving with
long ears of corn, and its rich furrows to be loaded with grain
upon the ground, while others would already be bound in sheaves.
There first she landed from the fruitless upper air: and glad
were the goddesses to see each other and cheered in heart. Then
bright-coiffed Rhea said to Demeter: [Line 459] "Come, my daughter; for far-seeing Zeus the loud-thunderer
calls you to join the families of the gods, and has promised to
give you what rights you please among the deathless gods, and
has agreed that for a third part of the circling year your daughter
shall go down to darkness and gloom, but for the two parts shall
be with you and the other deathless gods: so has he declared it
shall be and has bowed his head in token. But come, my child,
obey, and be not too angry unrelentingly with the dark-clouded
Son of Cronos; but rather increase forthwith for men the fruit
that gives them life." So spake Rhea. And rich-crowned Demeter
did not refuse but straightway made fruit to spring up from the
rich lands, so that the whole wide earth was laden with leaves
and flowers. Then she went, and to the kings who deal justice,
Triptolemus and Diocles, the horse-driver, and to doughty Eumolpus
and Celeus, leader of the people, she showed the conduct of her
rites and taught them all her mysteries, to Triptolemus and Polyxeinus
and Diocles also, - awful mysteries which no one may in any way
transgress or pry into or utter, for deep awe of the gods checks
the voice. Happy is he among men upon earth who has seen these
mysteries; but he who is uninitiate and who has no part in them,
never has lot of like good things once he is dead, down in the
darkness and gloom. [Line 483] But when the bright goddess had taught them all, they
went to Olympus to the gathering of the other gods. And there
they dwell beside Zeus who delights in thunder, awful and reverend
goddesses. Right blessed is he among men on earth whom they freely
love: soon they do send Plutus as guest to his great house, Plutus
who gives wealth to mortal men. And now, queen of the land of
sweet Eleusis and sea-girt Paros and rocky Antron, lady, giver
of good gifts, bringer of seasons, queen Deo, be gracious, you
and your daughter all beauteous Persephone, and for my song grant
me heart-cheering substance. And now I will remember you and another
song also.
IBEGIN TO SING of rich-haired Demeter, awful goddess - of her and her trim-ankled
daughter whom Aidoneus [Hades] rapt away, given to him by all-seeing
Zeus the loud-thunderer. Apart from Demeter, lady of the golden
sword and glorious fruits, she was playing with the deep-bosomed
daughters of Oceanus and gathering flowers over a soft meadow,
roses and crocuses and beautiful violets, irises also and hyacinths
and the narcissus which Earth made to grow at the will of Zeus
and to please the Host of Many, to be a snare for the bloom-like
girl - a marvellous, radiant flower. It was a thing of awe whether
for deathless gods or mortal men to see: from its root grew a
hundred blooms and it smelled most sweetly, so that all wide heaven
above and the whole earth and the sea's salt swell laughed for
joy. And the girl was amazed and reached out with both hands to
take the lovely toy; but the wide-pathed earth yawned there in
the plain of Nysa, and the lord, Host of Many, with his immortal
horses sprang out upon her - the Son of Cronos, He who has many
names.[1] He caught her up reluctant on his golden car and bare
her away lamenting. Then she cried out shrilly with her voice,
calling upon her father, the Son of Cronos, who is most high and
excellent. But no one, either of the deathless gods or of mortal
men, heard her voice, nor yet the olive-trees bearing rich fruit:
only tenderhearted Hecate, bright-coiffed, the daughter of Persaeus,
heard the girl from her cave, and the lord Helios, Hyperion's
bright son, as she cried to her father, the Son of Cronos. But
he was sitting aloof, apart from the gods, in his temple where
many pray, and receiving sweet offerings from mortal men. So he,
that Son of Cronos, of many names, who is Ruler of Many and Host
of Many, was bearing her away by leave of Zeus on his immortal
chariot - his own brother's child and all unwilling.
[2] Demeter chooses the lowlier seat, supposedly as being more
suitable to her assumed condition, but really because in her sorrow
she refuses all comforts. [3] An act of communion - the drinking of the potion (kykeon)
here described - was one of the most important pieces of ritual
in the Eleusinian mysteries, as commemorating the sorrows of the
goddess. [4] Undercutter and Woodcutter are probably popular names (after
the style of Hesiod's "Boneless One") for the worm thought to
be the cause of teething and toothache. [5] The list of names is taken - with five additions - from Hesiod,
Theogony 349 ff.
[1] The Greeks feared to name Pluto directly and mentioned him
by one of many descriptive titles, such as "Host of Many": compare
the Christian use of diabolos or our "Evil One."
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