The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice/Hymns/Hymn 26

by Homer

XXVI. TO MINERVA.

I begin to sing Pallas Minerva, a renowned goddess, dark-eyed, of much counsel, possessing an unsoftened heart, a hallowed virgin, guardian of cities, valiant, Tritogenia, whom counselling Jove himself begat from his reverend head, possessing warlike arms of gold, all-gleaming. And reverence seized all the immortals as they beheld; but she hastily leaped forth^[1] from the immortal head of Ægis-bearing Jove, brandishing a sharp spear. And mighty Olympus trembled fearfully under the dread dark-eyed [maid], and the earth around shrieked fearfully, and the sea was stirred, troubled with its purple waves. But the brine stood still forthwith, and the glorious son of Hyperon stopped his fleet-footed steeds a long time till the virgin, Pallas Minerva, had taken off her godlike arms from her immortal shoulders; and counselling Jove re- joiced. And do thou indeed thus hail, child of Ægis-bearing Jove; but I will be mindful of thee and of another song.

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1. But πρόσθεν contains the idea of haste and celerity. Cf. Lucian, Dial. Deorr. 8, p. 27, ed. Bip., with the note of Hemsterhusius.