The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice/Hymns/Hymn 27

by Homer

XXVII. TO VESTA AND MERCURY.

O Vesta, who hast obtained an immortal seat in the lofty dwellings of all, both immortal gods and earth-traversing men, an honour due to age,^[1]* possessing a fair privilege and honour. For without thee [are there] no banquets for mortals, where [the host] beginning [the libations], pours out sweet wine to Vesta not first nor last. †And thou, for me, O slayer of Argus, son of Jove and Maia, messenger of the blest, bearer of a golden wand, giver of good things, †ye dwell in beauteous abodes, dear to each other in your minds.† Do thou, being propitious, give aid, with hallowed and beloved Vesta; for ye both, knowing good works, accompany the mind and youth of men upon the earth. Hail, daughter of Saturn, both thou and golden-wanded Mercury; but I will be mindful both of you and of another song.

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1. This is the only interpretation of πρεσβηΐδα at all agreeable to the sense. Ernesti would read γαῖαν for τιμὴν. Vss. 4, 5, 6, are condemned by Ilgen as spurious, and vs. 9 put after vs. 11, by Martin and Matthiæ. To me there appears to be a mixture of two hymns.