The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice/Hymns/Hymn 25

by Homer

XXV. TO DIANA.

I sing Diana, of the golden distaff, mistress of the cry,^[1] the hallowed virgin, striker of stags, rejoicing in arrows, own sister of golden-sworded Apollo; who, delighting in the chace, stretches her bow, sending forth deadly shafts o'er the shadowy mountains and wind-swept summits. And the heads of lofty mountains tremble, and the shady wood re-echoes dreadfully from the noise of beasts,^[2] and the earth and fishy sea are stricken with terror. But she, having a valiant heart, turns in all directions, destroying the offspring of wild beasts. But when the arrow-rejoicing watcher of wild beasts has rejoiced herself, and is gladdened in mind, relaxing her well-bent bow, she comes into the mighty dwelling of her dear brother, Phœbus Apollo, into the rich abode of Delphi, having equipped the beauteous quire of muses and graces. Here having hung up her bending bow and arrows, she takes the lead, having beauteous ornaments about her form, leading the dance. But they, emitting an ambrosial voice,^[3] hymn fair-ancled Latona, how she brought forth children among the immortals, far the best both in counsel and in deeds. Hail! children of Jove, and fair-haired Latona. But I will be mindful of you and of another song.

---

1. i. e. of the chace.
2. Ruhnken elegantly reads νευρων, i. e. "at the noise of her bow."
3. The true reading is probably αἵ δ' ἄμβροτον ὄσσαν ἱεῖσαι, from Hesiod, Theog. 43. Hermann.