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第39章

hesiod, the homeric hymns, and homerica-第39章

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able to persuade her mind and will; so wrath 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。

(ll。 334…346) 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:

(ll。 347…356) ‘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。'

(ll。 357…359) 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:

(ll。 360…369) ‘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。'

(ll。 370…383) 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 chariot。  And she mounted on the chariot; and the strong Slayer of Argos 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。

(ll。 384…404) 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?'

(ll。 405…433) 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 (9) 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: 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。'

(ll。 434…437) So did they turn; with hearts at one; greatly cheer each the other's soul and spirit with many an embrace: their heart had relief from their griefs while each took and gave back joyousness。

(ll。 438…440) 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。

(ll。 441…459) 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 right 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 grains was hidden by design of trim…ankled Demeter。  But afterwards; as springtime 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:

(ll。 460…469) ‘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。'

(ll。 470…482) So spake Rhea。  And rich…crowned Demeter did not refuse but straightway made fruit to spring up from

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