XXI.—TO APOLLO
and Bacchic Dionysus in especial; and they called the boy Pan[1] because he delighted all their hearts.
And so hail to you, lord! I seek your favour with a song. And now I will remember you and another song also.
XX
TO HEPHAESTUS
Sing, clear-voiced Muse, of Hephaestus famed for inventions. With bright-eyed Athene he taught men glorious crafts throughout the world,—men who before used to dwell in caves in the mountains like wild beasts. But now that they have learned crafts through Hephaestus the famed worker, easily they live a peaceful life in their own houses the whole year round.
Be gracious, Hephaestus, and grant me success and prosperity!
XXI
TO APOLLO
Phoebus, of you even the swan sings with clear voice to the beating of his wings, as he alights upon the bank by the eddying river Peneus; and of you the sweet-tongued minstrel, holding his high-pitched lyre, always sings both first and last.
And so hail to you, lord! I seek your favour with my song.
- ↑ The name Pan is here derived from πάντες "all." Cp. Hesiod, Works and Days 80-82, Hymn to Aphrodite (v) 198, for the significance of personal names.
