Homeric Hymns

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 your 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.

Homeric HymnsHymn 2, Line 74Hugh G. Evelyn-WhiteEnglishVerse permalinkRead in Hymn 2

Homeric traditionProseID homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-en-prose-2-74