Classical Texts Library >> Callimachus, Hymns >> Hymns 1-3 CALLIMACHUS, HYMNS 1 - 3 CALLIMACHUS OF CYRENE was a Greek poet and scholar of the Library of Alexandria who flourished in the C3rd B.C. He was the author of a large number of works, of which only 6 hymns and 63 epigrams still survive in their entirety. Callimachus, Hymns and Epigrams. Lycophron. Aratus. Translated by Mair, A. W. & G. R. Loeb Classical Library Volume 129. London: William Heinemann, 1921. This volume is still in print and available new from Amazon.com (click on image right for details). In addition to the translation of Callimachus' Hymns and Epigrams the book contains Lycophron's riddling poem Alexandra, Aratus' description of the stars, source Greek texts and Mair's introduction, index and footnotes. Some more recent translations of Callimachus and commentaries on his work appear in the booklist (left below). HYMNS CONTENTS HYMNS 1 - 3 1. To Zeus 2. To Apollo 3. To Artemis HYMNS 4 - 6 4. To Delos 5. The Bath of Pallas 6. To Demeter HYMNS 1 - 3, TRANSLATED BY A. W. MAIR HYMN I. TO ZEUS [1] At libations to Zeus what else should rather be sung than the god himself, mighty for ever, king for evermore, router of the Pelagonians, dealer of justice to the sons of Heaven? [4] How shall we sing of him – as lord of Dicte1 or of Lycaeum?2 My soul is all in doubt, since debated is his birth. O Zeus, some say that thou wert born on the hills of Ida3; others, O Zeus, say in Arcadia; did these or those, O Father lie? “Cretans are ever liars.”4 Yea, a tomb,5 O Lord, for thee the Cretans builded; but thou didst not die, for thou art for ever. [10] In Parrhasia6 it was that Rheia bare thee, where was a hill sheltered with thickest brush. Thence is the place holy, and no fourfooted thing that hath need of Eileithyia7 nor any woman approacheth thereto, but the Apidanians8 call it the primeval childbed of Rheia. There when thy mother had laid thee down from her mighty lap, straightway she sought a stream of water, wherewith she might purge her of the soilure of birth and wash thy body therein. [17] But mighty Ladon9 flowed not yet, nor Erymanthus,9 clearest of rivers; waterless was all Arcadia; yet was it anon to be called well-watered. For all that time when Rhea loosed her girdle, full many a hollow oak did water Iaon9 bear aloft, and many a wain did Melas10 carry and many a serpent above Carnion,11 wet though it now be, cast its lair; and a man would fare on foot over Crathis12 and many-pebbled Metope,13 athirst: while that abundant water lay beneath his feet. [28] And holden in distress the lady Rheia said, "Dear Earth, give birth thou also! They birthpangs are light." So spake the goddess, and lifting her great arm aloft she smote the mountain with her staff; and it was greatly rent in twain for her and poured forth a mighty flood. Therein, O Lord, she cleansed they body; and swaddled thee, and gave thee to Neda to carry within the Cretan covert, that thou mightst be reared secretly: Neda,14 eldest of the nymphs who then were about her bed, earliest birth after Styx15 and Philyra.16 And no idle favour did the goddess repay her, but named that stream Neda17; which, I ween, in great flood by the very city of the Cauconians,18 which is called Lepreion,19 mingles its stream with Nereus,20 and its primeval water do the son’s son of the Bear,21 Lycaon’s daughter, drink. [42] When the nymph, carrying thee, O Father Zeus, towards Cnosus,22 was leaving Thenae22– for Thenae as nigh to Cnosus – even then, O God, thy navel fell away: hence that plain the Cydonians23 call the Plain of the Navel.24 But thee, O Zeus, the companions of the Cyrbantes25 took to their arms, even the Dictaean Meliae,26 and Adrasteia27 laid thee to rest in a cradle of gold, and thou didst suck the rich teat of the she-goat Amaltheia,28 and thereto eat the sweet honey-comb. For suddenly on the hills of Ida, which men call Panacra,29 appeared the works of the Panacrian bee. And lustily round thee danced the Curetes30 a war-dance,31 beating their armour, that Cronus might hear with his ears the din of the shield, but not thine infant noise. [54] Fairly didst thou wax, O heavenly Zeus, and fairly wert thou nurtured, and swiftly thou didst grow to manhood, and speedily came the down upon thy cheek. But, while yet a child, thou didst devise all the deeds of perfect stature. Wherefore thy kindred, though an earlier generation, grudged not that thou shouldst have heaven for thine appointed habitation.32 For they said that the lot assigned to the sons of Cronus their three several abodes.33 But who would draw lots for Olympos and for Hades – save a very fool? For equal chances should one cast lots; but these are the wide world apart. When I speak fiction, be it such fiction as persuades the listener’s ear! Thou wert made sovereign of the gods not by casting of lots by the deeds of thy hands, thy might and that strength34 which thou hast set beside thy throne. And the most excellent of birds35 ...