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HESIOD.
the poem, the poet designed to teach. The creation and equipment of Pandora is one of Hesiod's finest nights above a commonly-even level:—
"The Sire who rules the earth and sways the pole
Had said, and laughter filled his secret soul:
He bade the crippled god his hest obey,
And mould with tempering water plastic clay;
With human nerve and human voice invest
The limbs elastic, and the breathing breast;
Fair as the blooming goddesses above,
A virgin's likeness with the looks of love.
He bade Minerva teach the skill that sheds
A thousand colours in the gliding threads;
He called the magic of love's golden queen
To breathe around a witchery of mien,
And eager passion's never-sated flame,
And cares of dress that prey upon the frame;
Bade Hermes last endue with craft refined
Of treacherous manners, and a shameless mind."
—E. 83-99.
Had said, and laughter filled his secret soul:
He bade the crippled god his hest obey,
And mould with tempering water plastic clay;
With human nerve and human voice invest
The limbs elastic, and the breathing breast;
Fair as the blooming goddesses above,
A virgin's likeness with the looks of love.
He bade Minerva teach the skill that sheds
A thousand colours in the gliding threads;
He called the magic of love's golden queen
To breathe around a witchery of mien,
And eager passion's never-sated flame,
And cares of dress that prey upon the frame;
Bade Hermes last endue with craft refined
Of treacherous manners, and a shameless mind."
—E. 83-99.
The Olympians almost overdo the bidding of their chief, calling in other helpers besides those named in the above extract:—
"Adored Persuasion and the Graces young,
Her tapered limbs with golden jewels hung;
Round her fair brow the lovely-tressed Hours
A golden garland twined of spring's purpureal flowers."
—E. 103-106.
Her tapered limbs with golden jewels hung;
Round her fair brow the lovely-tressed Hours
A golden garland twined of spring's purpureal flowers."
—E. 103-106.
And when the conclave deemed that they had perfected an impersonation of mischief,—
"The name Pandora to the maid was given,
For all the gods conferred a gifted grace
To crown this mischief of the mortal race.
For all the gods conferred a gifted grace
To crown this mischief of the mortal race.
