The Hymn to Demeter

Nicholas Swift
Aoidoi.org
June 2007 (v.2)
This Hymn to Demeter is usually found second in a collection of thirty-three
works commonly known as the Homeric Hymns. The first mention of a Homeric
Hymn is by Thucydides, 3.104, where he calls the Hymn to Apollo a , or
prelude; and Pindar says (Nem.2.1-3) that the rhapsodes known as the `,
or Sons of Homer, used to begin their recitation with the phrase .
Several of the hymns (including this one) end with the poet declaring his intention
to move on to another song; in the case of the hymns to Helios and Selene, we
are told that the next songs will be of heroic deeds. They are in the style of traditional epic poetry, and were perhaps composed for competition at poetic festivals:
some close with an appeal to the deity for victory in the contest (see hymn 6, to
Aphrodite, line 19).
The hymns are addressed to many different deities, and vary greatly in length
and date of composition. There is another Hymn to Demeter in the collection,
number 13, which consists of only three lines:
, , ,
, .
, , .
Of fair-haired Demeter, revered goddess, I begin to sing,
her and her daughter, the beautiful Persephone.
Hail, goddess, and protect this city; and begin the song.

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The shorter hymns are difficult to date, but Richardson suggests, for instance,
that the Hymn to Pan is probably not earlier than the 5th century, and those to Helios and Selene are probably not earlier than the Alexandrian period. The Hymn
to Ares has been linked to Proclus (West 1970), which would place it in late antiquity. The four longest hymns, those to Apollo (which is probably a combination
of two hymns), Aphrodite, Hermes, and Demeter, are widely thought to date from
the 7th or 6th centuries. The first in the collection, the Hymn to Dionysus, is fragmentary, and was perhaps also much longer. Regarding the date for the Hymn to
Demeter, Richardson thinks it unlikely to be before the second quarter of the 7th
century, and probably not later than the middle of the 6th; but in his opinion a 7th
century date is preferable.
Until 1777 all of our manuscripts of the hymns opened with the Hymn to
Apollo. It was then that Christian Friedrich Matthaei, a professor of Greek in
Russia, found the book known as Mosquensis (hereafter simply M) in the library
of the Synod in Moscow, which begins instead with our only copies of the hymns
to Dionysus and Demeter. Based on the watermarks, it has been dated to the early
15th century, and according to what Matthaei was told, it was found in a stable,
where it must have sat for many years among chickens and pigs. At some point
the manuscript was torn, leaving two damaged sections at lines 387-404 and 46279, which a second scribe (known as m) attempted to repair from conjecture,
probably sometime in the 16th century. Other than M, there is only a small amount
of fragmentary evidence for the hymn, and, although there are some possible signs
of the hymns influence in classical times, the number of direct quotations is very
small, and all of them are late, suggesting that it was best known in the Hellenistic
period (Richardson).
The Hymn to Demeter is the oldest literary work that mentions the existence
of the Eleusinian Mysteries, which were secret rites dedicated to the worship of
the goddess. The hymn itself describes the foundation of the cult by the command
of Demeter, although, according to Richardson, it seems to represent a rather developed stage of its history. We know that the festivals coincided with important
agricultural dates, and that worshipers expected to benefit somehow after their
death, but the details of the rites are unknown to us, owing to the strict secrecy demanded of initiates, on pain of death. The hymn seems to allude to some aspects
of the mystery rites, but the meaning of the symbolism is lost to us forever.
A lot of credit and thanks goes to William Annis, for editing this document,
correcting many mistakes, and for improving it with helpful notes on metrical
issues, explanations of particles, the section on style, and other important insights.

3
The first version of this commentary appeared in August 2006. The current version
incorporates a number of small cosmetic changes, as well as a few refinements in the
notes.

Style and Language1

The Epic language the Demeter poet uses will be familiar to anyone who has read
Homer. There are also numerous ways some subtle, some obvious the poets
practice differs from Homers. There is no need to go into the fine details here, but
it does seem useful to discuss a few of the notable features of the poets style, and
to draw particular attention to those features which might be puzzling to people
still new to Greek verse.
In addition to the dialect mix of the Epic language, the Demeter poet freely
uses the traditional formulas, from particular turns of phrase ( ) to
the many noun-epithet combinations (' , ).
In the use of these formulas the poet differs from Homer in two ways. First, he
may use epithets found in Hesiod but not in Homer, or he may combine epithets
in novel ways. Some of these combinations could be cult titles. Second, the
poets personal style tends to fullness of expression, with the result that he often
extends the traditional noun-epithets. Many Epic formulas fit into a particular
metrical slot, especially the end of the line, and often filling the entire line after
the caesura. The Demeter poet will sometimes add another traditional epithet to
fill up the half-line, such as extending out to
(lines 3, 334, 441, 460). The poet is also willing to extend an epithet across
the caesura, such as the extension of ' in line 135 to
|| ' . He will even fill an entire line with epithets,
such as line 315, , and the ponderous
line 31, .
Lines 31 and 315 show the poets marked fondness for compounds in -.
He is also fond of compounds in -.
Even when the poet is not, to the best of our knowledge, using the traditional
epithets, he has a tendency to use apposition,2 sometimes extended over several
lines:
1

For this section I have drawn on Julia H. Gaisser, Noun-Epithet Combinations in the Homeric
Hymn to Demeter, TAPA 104 (1974), 113137.
2
A noun phrase used to describe or define another noun phrase, both standing in the same
grammatical role, e.g., then spoke Zeus, the lord of gods and men.

4
, V
V
,

10

Notice how line 10 is filled with two appositional phrases defining ,3

and narcissus, which Gaia..., a shining marvel, this a wonder for all to see. When
you come across noun phrases in the same case piled up without conjunctions see
if apposition makes sense.
The last feature of the poets style well consider here is his use of participles.
All Greek, whether prose or verse, uses participles freely, but the Demeter poet
is particularly fond of using participles in oblique cases while at the same time
leaving implicit the noun the participle goes with:

^

19

Here the singular feminine accusative participles and

both describe Persephone, though the nearest direct mention of her is in line 15,
and that only as the pronoun . For further examples see in line 299,
in 329330 and in 431433.
Finally, please note that none of the stylistic features mentioned above are
unexampled in Homer or Hesiod. The Demeter poet differs because of how often
he uses certain techniques, not because he invents new ones.

About the Text

The text presented here owes much to Richardsons 1974 edition. In the interest
of readability I have restored the damaged sections with previous conjectures, for
which I consulted the editions of Allen, et.al. These conjectures are marked with
brackets, and the sources cited on each page directly below the text. The punctuation has been altered in some places for clarity, for instance, by placing commas
around vocatives. Quotation marks have been added around direct speech.
See the last page for sources referenced in the notes.
Vocabulary and Prosody. In the vocabulary notes we have marked doubtful
vowels long when that seems necessary. If the long vowel bears a breathing mark
or an accent, we note the long vowel in parentheses after the word, - -
3

An argument could be made that these go rather with . The point is the same in either
case.

5
(), but where possible the long mark goes over the vowel in the headword, .
If a word began with digamma, and it matters for the meter of the line, we mark it
so: - (#-). Synizesis is marked with a tie,
^ .
A word starting with a resonant (, , , , sometimes #) will sometimes cause
a preceding short vowel to be scanned long. Historical linguistics explains some
of these a disappearing s that used to make a consonant cluster but the habit
was generalized as a license for all words starting with a resonant. We mark these
in the notes with a long sign over the consonant,
. When the princeps4
has a short syllable we will mention it in the notes. For Attic correption we use a
position line, as in line 256 .

Abbreviations
acc. accusative
act. active voice
adv. adverb
aor. aorist tense
aor2. second aorist system
. Demeter
dat. dative
encl. enclitic
f. or fem. feminine
gen. genitive
GH Grammaire Homerique
imperat. imperative mood
impf. imperfect tense
ind. indicative mood
indecl. indeclinable
infin. infinitive mood
irr. irregular
LHD A Lexicon of the Homeric Dialect
m. or masc. masculine

metaph. metaphorical
mid. middle voice
n. or neut. neuter
nom. nominative
opt. optative mood
. Persephone
pple. participle
pass. passive voice
perf. perfect tense
perf2. second perfect system
pers. person
plupf. pluperfect
pl. plural
prep. preposition
pres. present tense
pron. pronoun
sg. singular
subj. subjunctive mood
unaug. unaugmented

The princeps is the long position of a dactyl (), the biceps the two short positions.

Characters and Places in the Hymn

(or '), gen. ', acc.
', voc. , king of the dead,
and the brother of Zeus.
' , gen. ', poetic
lengthening of '.
, acc. , a city in
Thessaly; elsewhere it is not connected
with the cult of .
' , acc. ',
Slayer of the Serpent, ie. Hermes.
' , gen. ', the goddess of love and beauty.
, the Earth.
, gen.
,
, dat.
, acc.
, , voc. ,
goddess of grain and the rich harvest,
and mother of ., celebrated in the
Eleusinian mysteries.
, acc. =
, son of Keleos and
Metaneira; his name is perhaps meant
to recall .s.
, one of the daughters of Keleos
and Metaneira; her name is also meant
to recall .s, and is elsewhere used of
the goddess herself (Richardson).
, gen. , , voc. , a
nickname of ., not found in Homer or
Hesiod.
, gen. , dat. ,
a Megarian hero, and notable citizen of
Eleusis.
, gen. , another no-

table citizen of Eleusis, to us a shadowy

figure, later regarded as a son of Triptolemus (Richardson).
, the alias used by . while in
Eleusis.
` , appears in Hesiod as an important goddess, but not at all in Homer;
sometimes portrayed as Moon-goddess,
and also associated with the underworld; in some versions it is she who
retreives the girl from Hades.
' , gen. ', son of
Eleusis, ie. Keleos.
' , gen. ', a city in
Attica, and home to the Eleusinian mysteries.
, gen. ', ',
a place of darkness, associated with
, and opposed to light (Richardson); some people view it as a passage
between Earth and Hades.
` , messenger of the gods, and
giver of good luck.
, gen.
,
, mentioned as a citizen of
Eleusis, he becomes more important
in the later history of the cult, and is
sometimes portrayed as the founder of
the mysteries; his name, good singer, is
also the eponym of the Eumolpidae, a
priestly family.
, gen. , dat. , , father
of ., and brother of Hades.
' , acc. ', voc. ',

7
the Sun-god.
' , gen. ', the goddess of the
dawn.
, a city on the NE coast of
Attica, and a natural landing-place for
boats from Crete (Richardson).
' , probably a central figure in
the mysteries, her name is the eponym
of the iambic rhythm, and can also perhaps mean jesting (Richardson).
, acc. , the personification
of the rainbow, and messenger for the
gods.
, daughter of Keleos and
Metaneira.
, daughter of Keleos and
Metaneira.
, gen. , the
fountain of goodly dances, a spring near
Eleusis, above which .s temple is to
be built; in later versions, it is the well
at which . rests on her arrival to Eleusis, and is perhaps another name for the
Parthenion well.
, gen. , dat. ,
the husband of Metaneira, father of Demophon, and the leader of Eleusis.
, daughter of Keleos and
Metaneira.
, the island of Crete.
, gen. , ,
acc. , dat. , son of
Kronos, ie. Zeus.
, gen. , ruler of the Titans, husband to Rhea, father of Zeus

and ., among others.

, acc. , dat.
V, wife of Keleos.
, a mountain range sacred to
Dionysus; as adj. - -, of the
Nysian plain, the mythical location of
.s kidnapping.
, or , gen.
', , acc. ,
, as adj. ' -, the
mountain dwelling of the gods.
, dat. J, the well
near which . sits when she arrives in
Eleusis; perhaps the same well as the
Kallichoros (Richardson).
, acc. , an island of the
Cyclades, famed for marble, and one of
the most important centers of .s cult.
, gen. , father of
Hecate.
, or , acc.
,
,
dat.
V, the daughter of Zeus and
., she is often portrayed as queen of
the dead; according to a recent etymology by Rudolf Wachter, her name
means sheaf beater, as in threshing.
, acc. , the personification of wealth, especially agricultural
prosperity, and the son of .
, gen. , a notable citizen of Eleusis.
' , the Rarion plain; the site
of one of the three Attic sacred ploughings, and where the grain given as
a prize in the Eleusinian games was

8
grown.
` , or `, `, gen. `,
wife of Kronos, mother of Zeus and .
, gen. , the river Styx,
the Hateful, a river of the underworld on
which the gods swore sacred oaths; it is
also the name of one of .s playmates.
, gen. , dat.
J, a notable citizen of Eleusis; later he becomes a more important
figure in the cult history.

` , son of Hyperion, ie. Helios.

` , gen. `, one of the
Titans, although the name is sometimes
used as an epithet, or even by itself, for
the sun.
' , gen. ', the Oceangod, and father of the Oceanids, who
appear as .s playmates in the hymn.

Common Words
To save space in the commentary, we have collected a list of the most frequent
words in the poem and defined them here. They will not be defined in the notes
unless there is something unusual about a particular form or use.
against ones will, unwilling.
(initial
) deathless,
immortal; used as substantive,
, the immortals, the gods.
dreadful, terrible, grim.
(
) to move quickly, rush.
adv. quickly, suddenly, at once,
soon.
but, yet; stronger than .
other, another.
act. change, exchange; mid., often in dialogue, answer, reply.
on both sides, about, around; with
acc. about, along, near, concerning;

with gen. near; about, concerning; with

dat. at, about.
up, upon; with acc. up, up to, up
along; over, among, throughout; with
gen. onto, upon; with dat. on, upon.
(#-) king, lord, master.
, (
and
) acc.pl.
, man.
, dat. , blossom,
flower.
human.
command, order; advise, desire,
urge.
from, off, away; with gen. from,
away from.

9
, , or before a consonant; so
then, then naturally; this particle implies the logical consequence, or sometimes reason, for something already
said; often combined with other particles.
, aor. 3rd.sg. , aor.pple.

or but, but yet, however; often marks a shift of topic; stronger than
, but weaker than .
intensive pronoun,
same, self ; also 3rd person pronoun in
oblique cases (gen., dat., and acc.).
, , to grieve, to suffer pain from loss (of a person or of
honor); + gen. of person grieved for.
to walk; to come; to go.
, acc. , earth, land.
for, because.
at least, at any rate; singles out for
attention the word it follows.
, gen.pl. ,
woman; wife.
and, but.
post-positive particle emphasizing
the word it follows; really, indeed may
sometimes be usable but are usually too
strong.
, aor. 3rd.sg. , , to
give, to grant.
house, home.
gift, present.
1st pers. pron.
to will, to wish.

if ; whether.
aor2. of , see, perceive, behold; look at. Unaugmented forms
(e.g., ) have #-.
, dat. that which is seen,
form, figure, shape.
to come, to go.
to be, to exist.
or only with acc. into.
or only with gen. out of, (away)
from.
1st. pers. possessive pron.
mine.
or only with dat. in, among.
demonstrative there, then; relative
where.
see .
(#-) 3rd pers. possessive adj. his,
hers, its.
of time, after, since, when; causal,
since, seeing that.
then; thereafter, afterwards.
with gen. upon, over, during; with
dat. upon, in, against, beside; with acc.
against, onto, over.
, dat. , (#-) a word, a
story; a promise; advice; the meaning
or subject of something.
(#-) work; feat, deed.
, fut. , aor2. , , perf. , , to
come, to go; return.
see .
, fut. , , aor2. , perf.

10
, , to have, to hold, possess.
gloom, darkness; the gloom of
the world below.
and.
hazy, murky.
to sit, to be seated; to be encamped, situated.
day.
with beautiful hair.
, gen.pl. , a goddess.
a view; a sight, spectacle.
god.
to gaze at, behold; contemplate.
- - mortal.
- - , acc. ,
daughter.
soul, breath, life; heart; the seat
of various desires.
smelling of incense, sweetsmelling.
to go, proceed; to come to, approach, reach.
in order that.
a horse, used in pl. of the
chariot horses, and the chariot itself.
and; also, even.
to call, summon, invite; to call
by name.

beautiful, good, noble.

down, downwards; with acc.
downwards; on, over, throughout; opposite, against; with gen. denoting mo-

tion from above, down from; down into.

, dat.pl. V, girl, maiden;
daughter.
a large room, hall; in pl. a
house, palace.
of size big, great;
tall, high; wide, spacious; of degree
great, important; strong, mighty; see
Pharr 733 for declension.
shows a contrast with a following
word or clause introduced by , or a
similar particle.
with acc. into the middle of,
among; in pursuit of; after, next; according to; with gen. in the midst of,
among, with; with dat. among, in company with.
the negative of will and thought:
it rejects or depreciates, Smyth 2688;
compare .
, acc. , dat.
, mother.
encl. 3rd pers. pron. acc.sg.,
through all genders, him, her, it.
something said, word, speech;
advice, command, promise; story, narrative.
, or , temple.
, or , ship.
() improper prep., apart from;
without the consent of, without the
knowledge of + gen.
(#-) perf. form, I know.
the negative of fact and statement:
it contradicts or denies, Smyth 2688;

11
compare .
but not, and not; not even;
... not even...nor yet.
threshold, entrance.
, or , a way, road; a journey,
voyage.
and not; ... neither...nor.
nobody, no one; in neut. nothing,
as adv. not at all.
eye.
in order that, to the end that; so
long as, while.
, or , acc. ,
dat. , child.
beside; with acc. beside, to the
side, of motion alongside; beside, near;
during; with gen. from, from beside;
with dat. beside, alongside of.
when used of many, all;
when used of one only, all, the whole.
, acc. , father.
encl., emphasizing the word to
which it is attached, very, even, indeed,
just; even though.
disabled in a limb, maimed.
, or see Pharr
733 for declension.
a title of honor, lady, queen; as
an adj., revered, august.
before, sooner; once, formerly;
until.
willing, zealous,
glad; of acts, earnest, zealous; adv.

.
2nd pers. pron. you.
encl. and; ... both...and.
child.
, fut. , aor. , ,
perf. , to make, build, fasion;
prepare.
esteem, honor; value, price;
compensation.
indefinite pron., encl., anyone,
someone; anything, something.
interrogative pron. who? which?
what?.
encl. particle let me tell you, surely,
indeed; also 2nd pers. dat.sg. for .
, fut. , aor. , aor2.
, perf. , thicken, congeal; to make to grow or increase, to
bring up, rear; maintain, support.
(, but sometimes
lengthened to accomodate meter) water.
son.
under, by; with acc., of place, under, towards and under, of subjection
under; with gen., of place, from under;
under, beneath, of agent by; with dat.,
of place, under, of agent, under an influence.
, fut. ; aor. , ,
, to bear, carry; endure; to bear,
bring forth, produce.
, fut. , aor. , aor2.
, declare, say, assert; think, suppose.

12
loved, beloved, dear; pleasant; also, in epic, ones own.
a race or tribe of people, a nation; also used of the gods.
to produce a sound, to speak; to
call by name.
, dat.
(),
(), hand.

, acc. , ground,
earth.
adv. swiftly, quickly, fast; immediately, soon.
demonstrative (with accent) thus, so,
relative as; as, like; conjunction, that, in
order that; since; so that.
as, as being; on the condition
that; and so, therefore, consequently.

Notes on a Few Particles

marks a statement that is inferrable or expected, that the action follows
naturally, as a consequence of what has happened before. Then or naturally
capture the sense, but are probably too strong to use often in translation.
draws the addressee in, you see, or marks a statement which the speaker
expects the addressee to agree with, surely. This may originally have been the
dative of , and since Epic may use both and for that dative, it is sometimes hard to tell which interpretation is better.
is intensive, very (much), surely, greatly, and the like. When it occurs
with a participle any sense of although or however comes from the participle
itself, with retaining its intensive sense.

13

ej Dmhtran
Dmhtr komon semnn qen rcom edein,
atn d qgatra tansfuron n 'Adwnej
rpaxen, dken d barktupoj eropa Zej,
nsfin Dmhtroj crusarou glaokrpou
5 pazousan korVsi sn 'Wkeano baquklpoij,
nqe t anumnhn da ka krkon d a kal
leimn m malakn ka galldaj d kinqon
nrkissn q, n fse dlon kalukpidi korV
Gaa Dij boulsi carizomnh poludktV
10 qaumastn ganwnta, sbaj t ge psin dsqai
qantoij te qeoj d qnhtoj nqrpoij:
to ka p zhj katn kra xepefkei,
1

acc. acc.sg.f. revered, majestic, awful, solemn, holy. fem.

here. (= ) pres.mid.ind. 1st sg. begin. (
) pres.act.infin. to sing.
2
acc.sg.f. herself, ie. .
acc.sg.f. slender-ankled. relative prn.,
acc.sg.f. whom.
3
aor.; with in l.2 understood here as well.
nom.sg.m. heavysounding, loud-thundering. nom.sg. with far reaching voice, GH.1.200.
4
without the knowledge of + gen. (
) gen.sg.f. with golden sword.

gen.sg.f. bearing beautiful fruit; epithet of ., giver of the fruits of the earth.
5
pres.act.pple. acc.sg.f., agreeing with l.2 , play.
here following its noun,
V.
() dat.pl.f. deep-breasted.
6
acc.pl. flower, blossom. pres.mid.pple. acc.sg.f. take hold of; pick,
pluck. acc.pl. rose. acc.sg. crocus. = . () acc.pl. violet.
7
acc.sg. grassy place, meadow. = (before words beginning with the
labials , , , ) throughout + acc. acc.sg.m. soft. acc.pl.
irises. (
) acc.sg. hyacinth.
8
acc.sg.m. narcissus.
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., put forth, grow.
acc.sg. trick, trap; here a predicate, as a trick, as a trap.
dat.sg.
flower-faced, rosy-cheeked.
9
dat.pl. plans, design; dat. of means. pres.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. please,
gratify + dat. dat.sg. the all-receiver, the host-to-many, ie. .
10
acc.sg.m. wonderful, marvellous pres.act.pple. acc.sg.m. bright;
agrees with l.8 . acc.sg. a wonder, a marvel. i.e. ...
may refer to , or, more probably, generally to what precedes (ie. ),
Richardson.
dat.pl.m.; dat. of interest.
aor.mid.infin. to see; poets may use the
middle of this verb with active sense.
12
ie. . gen.sg. root. indecl. one hundred.
nom.pl., irr., heads, Smyth 285.14. - ( in pf.) plupf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. grow out.

14
kz dist dm, pj d oranj erj perqe
ga te ps glasse ka lmurn odma qalsshj.
15 d ra qambsas rxato cersn m mfw
kaln qurma laben: cne d cqn eruguia
Nsion m pedon t rousen nax poludgmwn
ppoij qantoisi Krnou polunumoj uj.
rpxaj d kousan p crusoi
^ sin coisin
20 g lofuromnhn: chse d r rqia fwn
keklomnh patra Krondhn paton ka riston.
od tij qantwn od qnhtn nqrpwn
kousen fwnj, od glakarpoi laai,

13

13

Tyrell

M.

crasis of . impf.ind.act. 3rd.sg. smell. (= ) superlative,

acc.pl.n. adv. most sweetly. nom.sg. smell, scent. nom.sg. heaven.
nom.sg.m. wide, vast. () from above, above.
14
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. laugh (at). nom.sg.n. salty, briny. -
nom.sg.n. the swelling, the swell. gen.sg. the sea.
15
ie. .; the nom. of the demonstrative + often indicates a change in subject, Gaisser,
Smyth 1101. aor.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to be astounded, to marvel. aor.mid.ind.
3rd.sg. reach out. instrumental dat. together; at the same time. here
indecl. both.
16
acc.sg. a plaything, a toy; a delight, a joy. aor2.act.infin. to take, to
grasp. aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., gape, yawn. fem. adj. nom.sg. with
wide ways, with wide streets.
17
acc.sg.n.; adj. from , the name of several mountains sacred to Dionysus.
acc.sg. plain.
by which way, an odd usage, Richardson.
aor.act.ind.
3rd.sg., unaug., rush violently on.
nom.sg. host-to-many, all-receiver, ie.
.
18
dat. of means.
nom.sg.m. worshipped under many names, celebrated, famous.
19
() dat.pl.m. golden. dat.pl., here for sg., carriage, chariot, dat. of
location.
20
(= ) impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. carry, take.
() pres.mid.pple. acc.sg.f.
lament, weep. (
) aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., cry, shreik, shout. acc.pl.n.
adv. loudly, shrilly. dat.sg. voice, dat. of means.
21
aor2.act.pple. nom.sg.f. call to, call by name.
(for )
acc.sg.m. highest, uppermost, supreme. superlative acc.sg.m. best.
23
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. hear + gen. nom.pl.f. bearing bright fruit,
bearing beautiful fruit. nom.pl. olive tree.

15
e m Persaou qugthr tal fronousa
25 en x ntrou `Ekth liparokrdemnoj,
'Hlij te nax `Uperonoj glaj uj,
korhj keklomnhj patra Krondhn: d nsfin
sto qen pneuqe polullstJ n nh
dgmenoj er kal par qnhtn nqrpwn.
30 tn d ekazomnhn gen Dij nnesVsi
patrokasgnhtoj polushmntwr poludgmwn
ppoij qantoisi Krnou polunumoj uj.
fra mn on gan te ka orann sterenta
lesse qe ka pnton grroon cquenta
35 agj t elou, ti d lpeto mhtra kednn
yesqai ka fla qen aeigenetwn,

24

except. nom.pl.n. acting as adv. youthful, tender, innocent.

pres.act.pple. nom.sg.f. have in heart of mind, inspired by.
25
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., long in impf., hear.
gen.sg. cave.
#.

nom.sg.f. with bright head-band.

26
#. nom.sg.m. brilliant; famous.
27
gen.sg. girl, ie. .; supply the verb l.23, which takes gen.

aor2.act.pple. gen.sg.f. call. ie. '. adv. apart, aside.

28
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., sit.
adv. and prep. + gen. apart from.
dat.sg.m. sought with many prayers, greatly longed for. dat.sg. temple.
29
aor2.mid.pple. nom.sg.m. receive. () acc.pl.n., as a noun offerings.
30
ie. . acc.sg.f. being unwilling. impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. take,
lead (off). - dat.pl. design, instigation, dat. of means.
31
nom.sg. fathers brother, uncle. nom.sg. giving
commands to many, commander-to-many. nom.sg. host-to-many, all-receiver,
ie. .
32
See line 18.
33
so long as, while, usually with impf. when temporal, LSJ. is an unusual
combination in Epic (once in the Iliad, only four times in the Hymns). Both Denniston and Monro
see it as transitional, so then, while... or the like acc.sg. heaven.
acc.sg.m. starry, starred; glittering.
34
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., look at, gaze at.
acc.sg. the open sea.
acc.sg.m. strongly flowing, swiftly flowing. acc.sg.m. full of fish.
35
acc.pl. sunlight; in pl., rays or beams of light. adv. yet, still, with impf. when
of the past. impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. hope, expect, wish. acc.sg.f. dear,
cherished; trustworthy.
36
fut.mid.infin. to see, to behold. gen.pl. everlasting.

16
tfra o lpj qelge mgan non cnumnhj per.
chsan d rwn korufa ka bnqea pntou
fwn p qantV, tj klue ptnia mthr.
40 x d min kradhn coj llaben, mf d cataij
mbrosaij krdemna dazeto cers flVsi,
kuneon d klumma kat mfotrwn blet mwn,
seato d j t ownj p trafern te ka grn
maiomnh: t d o tij ttuma muqsasqai
45 qelen ote qen ote qnhtn nqrpwn,
ot ownn tij t ttumoj ggeloj lqen.
nnmar mn peita kat cqna ptnia Dh
strwft aqomnaj dadaj met cersn cousa,
od pot mbroshj ka nktaroj duptoio
37

demonstrative adv., correlating to in 33, during that time, for so long. (#-)
personal pronoun dat. 3rd.sg. to her, for her, ie. . nom.sg. expectation, hope.
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. charm, enchant; sooth. acc.sg. mind. pres.pass.pple.
gen.sg.f.; we would normally expect the dat. case here, with , Gaisser.
38
aor.act.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., sound, ring, echo. gen.pl. mountain.
nom.pl. peak. nom.pl. depths. gen.sg. open sea.
39
, of agency, under, with + dat. impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. hear.
40
nom.sg.n. sharp, keen. acc.sg. heart. nom.sg. pain,
distress. aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg. take hold, seize. dat.pl. hair, head of hair.
41
dat.pl.f. ambrosial, divine, immortal. acc.pl. veil.
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. divide, tear. dear, but in Epic often means his/her own.
42
acc.sg.n. dark, black.
acc.sg. veil, headcovering, hood.
denoting downward motion: down upon, over + gen. gen.pl.m. both.
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., put around, cast around. gen.pl. shoulder.
43
aor.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., speed, rush. like. nom.sg. a large bird, a
bird of prey. over + acc. acc.sg. dry land. acc.sg. the wet, the sea.
44
pres.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. seek, look. to her, ie. . not anyone, nobody,
with in the next line. acc.pl.n. adv. truly. aor.mid.infin. say,
speak.
46
gen.pl. large bird, bird of prey. nom.sg.m. truthful, true.
nom.sg.m. messenger. aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg. came. And no bird came to her as a
true messenger.
47
adv. for nine days. is probably a nickname shortened from , not
found in Homer or Hesiod.
48
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., roam. pres.pass.pple. acc.pl.f. burn, blaze.
acc.pl. torch.
49
and not ever, never, with in the next line.
gen.sg. ambrosia, immortality, the food of the gods. gen.sg. nectar, the drink of the gods.
gen.sg.n. sweet to drink.

17
50 pssat khcemnh, od cra blleto loutroj.

ll te d dekth o pluqe fainlij 'Hj,

ntet o `Ekth slaj n ceressin cousa,
ka o ggelousa poj fto fnhsn te:
ptnia Dhmthr rhfre gladwre
55 tj qe
^ n oranwn qnhtn nqrpwn
rpase Persefnhn ka sn flon kace qumn;
fwnj gr kous, tr ok don fqalmosin
j tij hn: so d ka lgw nhmerta pnta.
j r fh `Ekth: tn d ok mebeto mqJ
60 `Rehj kmou qugthr, ll ka sn at
x aqomnaj dadaj met cersn cousa.
'Hlion d konto qen skopn d ka ndrn,

50

aor.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. eat, partake of. pres.pass.pple. nom.sg.f.

acc.sg. skin, body, heteroclitic noun, Smyth 282. impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg.,
unaug., throw; here, sprinkle (with water), bathe, a rare usage, LSJ.B.II. dat.pl.
bath-water.
51
when. nom.sg. the tenth day (dawn). (#-) refers to . here and in the next
two lines. - aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg. come near; of time, return. nom.sg.
light-bringing, light-giving.
52
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. meet. # #. acc.sg. flame, torch.
53
and then. #. fut.act.pple. nom.sg.f., formed from fut. ; the
fut.pple. indicates purpose, in order to bring a message. (#-) acc.sg. word, question.
aor2.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug. aor. 3rd.sg., unaug. such
duplication is especially a feature of epic poetry, very common in this hymn, Richardson.
54
voc.
nom. for voc.
voc.sg.f. bringer of seasons.
voc.sg.f. giving splendid gifts.
55
who? which? gen.pl.m. heavenly, dwelling in heaven. or.
56
aor. 3rd.sg. 2nd pers. possessive pron. acc.sg.m. your, emphasized
further by (see l.41) aor2. 3rd.sg. vex, cause to grieve.
57
aor.act.ind. 1st.sg. hear. aor2.act.ind. unaug. 1st.sg. see. dat.pl.
eye; instrumental dat.
58
, indefinite, who, whoever.
impf. 3rd.sg.
whoever it was; an
indirect question added to 57, Richardson.
pres.act.ind. 1st.sg. speak.

acc.pl.n. the truth. acc.pl.n. all, the whole.
59
aor2. 3rd.sg. #. impf.mid. 3rd.sg.
60
` ie. . with, together with + dat.
61
= aor. 3rd.sg. , see line 48.
62
impf.mid. 3rd.pl. acc.sg.m. one who looks out, one who watches.

18
stn d ppwn proproiqe ka ereto da qewn:
'Hli adessa me qen qej, e pote d seu
65 pei rgJ kradhn ka qumn hna.
korhn tn tekon glukern qloj ede kudrn
tj dinn p kousa di aqroj trugtoio
j te biazomnhj, tr ok don fqalmosin.
ll s gr d psan p cqna ka kat pnton
70 aqroj k dhj katadrkeai ktnessi,
nhmertwj moi nispe flon tkoj e pou pwpaj
stij nsfin meo labn kousan ngkV
ocetai qen ka qnhtn nqrpwn.
j fto, tn d `Uperiondhj mebeto mqJ:

63

= aor2.act.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., stand. before, in front of + gen.

impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. say, speak. nom.sg.f. noblest, most divine; often has
superlative force with , LSJ.
64
' voc.
aor.mid.imperat. 2nd.sg. respect.
'
Helios, respect me, god to goddess.
if ever, if at any time; this is a common way to
introduce prayers. pers. pron., encl., 2nd.sg. gen. of you, with in 65.
65
#. #J. J dat. of means, either by word or deed. acc.sg.
heart. aor.act.ind. unaug. 1st.sg. to warm, delight.
66
aor2.act.ind. 1st.sg. conceive, bring into the world.
(like )
acc.sg.n. sweet; metaph. delightful. acc.sg. offshoot, bloom; metaph. child.
dat. of respect, in form, Smyth 1516. acc.sg.f. glorious, illustrious, noble.
67
relative, whose. acc.sg.f. thick, crowded, hence, loud, vehement; used
already in Homer of throbbing hearts, intense grief, and passionate voices, Richardson.
acc.sg. voice.
aor.act.ind. 1st.sg., unaug., hear.
gen.sg.f. air, sky.
gen.sg.f. unfruitful, barren.
68
as, like; with pple., to give the reason or motive of the action, LSJ.C.I., Smyth 3002.
pres.pass.pple. gen.sg.f. to suffer violence, agreeing with l.67 .

see line 57.
69
is often used in prayers and wishes, Richardson. acc.sg. sea.
70
gen.sg.f. divine, wondrous, heavenly. - pres.mid.ind. 2nd.sg.
look down upon. dat.pl. rays, beams; instrumental dat.
71
adv. form, truthfully, infallibly. pres.act.imperat. 2nd.sg. tell, relate;
speak.
acc.sg. offspring; child.
indefinite encl. somewhere, anywhere.
perf2.act.ind. 2nd.sg. to see.
72
indefinite, who, whoever.
= , from . pres.act.pple.
nom.sg.m. take, seize. dat.sg. force, dat. of means.
73
pres.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to be gone. or even, perhaps suggesting that the second
possibility is less likely, Richardson.
74
aor2.mid. 3rd.sg., unaug. ... J recall line 59.

19
75 `Rehj kmou qugthr Dmhter nassa

edseij: d gr mga zomai d learw

cnumnhn per paid tanisfrJ: od tij lloj
atioj qantwn e m nefelhgerta Zej,
j min dwk 'AdV qalern keklsqai koitin
80 atokasigntJ: d p zfon erenta
rpxaj ppoisin gen megla cousan.
ll qe katpaue mgan gon: od t se cr
my atwj plhton cein clon: o toi eikj
gambrj n qantoij polushmntwr 'Adwnej
85 atokasgnhtoj ka msporoj: mf d timn
llacen j t prta ditrica dasmj tcqh:
75

nom. for voc. voc. voc.sg., fem. of , queen, lady.

fut.act.ind. 2nd.sg. you will see; you will know. adv. pres.mid.ind.
1st.sg. to stand in awe of, revere. pres.act.ind. 1st.sg. to take pity on.
77
pres.pass.pple. acc.sg.f. grieve. for, about, on account of + dat.

dat.sg.f. slender-ankled. no one else, none other.

78
nom.sg.m. blameworthy, guilty. if not, except. nom.sg.
cloud-gatherer, cloud-compeller.
79
ie. . = aor. 3rd.sg. acc.sg.f. fresh, blooming, youthful.
perf.mid.infin. to call. (fem. for ) acc.sg. spouse, wife.
80
dat.sg. his own brother. ie. . towards and under, into +
acc.
81
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., lead, bring, carry.
adv. exceedingly, loudly.
(##
-) pres.act.pple. acc.sg.f. cry, scream; the initial digamma here is acting like the other
resonants, , , , , sometimes do and doubling, causing the final alpha of to scan long
by being in a closed syllable.
82
voc. - pres.act.imperat. 2nd.sg. stop, cease. great; loud; heavy,
weighty; violent. acc.sg. weeping, wailing. neut. adv. at all, in any degree.
must, ought + infin.
83
adv. in vain, fruitlessly; foolishly, thoughtlessly. adv. in this manner, just so.
acc.sg.m. boundless, insatiable. infin. acc.sg. gall, bile; metaph.
bitter anger, wrath. nom.sg.m. unseemly, shameful.
84
nom.sg. bridegroom; son-in-law; can be used of any relative by marriage. nom.sg. commander of many.
85
see line 80.
nom.sg.m. sown together; kindred, related.
and as for honor; here referring to the province or sphere of influence of a
god, Richardson.
86
aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg. obtain by lot, inherit. temporal, when, LSJ.Ad.
adv. firstly, in the first place, Pharr 781. adv. threefold, divided three ways.
nom.sg. a division, a share. aor.pass. 3rd.sg.
76

20
toj metanaietei tn llace koranoj enai.
j epn ppoisin kkleto, to d p moklj
mfa fron qon rma tanpteroi j t owno:
90 tn d coj anteron ka knteron keto qumn.
cwsamnh dpeita kelainef Kronwni
nosfisqesa qen gorn ka makrn Olumpon
cet p nqrpwn pliaj ka pona rga
edoj maldnousa poln crnon: od tij ndrn
95 esorwn gnwske baquznwn te gunaikn,
prn g te d Keleoo dafronoj keto dma,
j tt 'Eleusnoj quosshj koranoj en.

87

demonstrative.
- pres.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to dwell with.
relative.
nom.sg. a commander, a leader. pres.act.infin.
88
aor.act.pple. nom.sg.m. to say. aor2.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. call, command; governing the dat., Pharr 1001, Smyth 1464. = ie. . because of, under the
compulsion of + gen, LHD.II.1.e. gen.sg. shouting, encouragement, command.
89
adv. lightly, swiftly. impf. 3rd.pl., unaug. acc.sg.n. quick, nimble.
acc.sg. chariot.
nom.pl.m. with long wings. as, like.
nom.pl. large birds, birds of prey.
90
ie. . nom.sg. pain, distress. nom.sg.n., comparative, more
terrible, more dread. nom.sg.n., comparative, more dog-like, ie. more shameful,
more brutal; used with a wide range of things difficult to endure, Richardson. impf.mid.
3rd.sg., to come upon; of mental state, seize, affect, LHD.4. acc. of respect, at heart,
regarding the spirit.
91
aor.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to be angry at + dat. = .
dat.sg.m. black with clouds, shrouded in dark clouds.
92
aor.pass.pple. nom.sg.f. forsake, abandon + acc. acc.sg. assembly.
acc.sg.m. tall, high.
93
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to go, proceed; leave, depart.
acc.pl. cities.
(neut. ) acc.pl.n. fat, rich, fertile. (#-) acc.pl. fields, soil.
94
() pres.act.pple. nom.sg.f. soften; efface, destroy; metaph. conceal, disguise.
acc.sg.m., of time, long. acc.sg. for a long time; acc. of extent, Smyth 1582,
Pharr 1015. not anyone, no one.
95
- pres.act.pple. nom.pl.m. to look upon, behold. impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg.,
unaug., know, recognize. gen.pl.f. deep-girded; girded not under the breast, but
the hips, so that the gown fell in folds over the girdle, LSJ. gen.pl.
96
until the moment when, Gaisser. gen.sg.m. skillful, thoughtful;
whether in war or in the arts of peace, LHD.
97
adv. then, at that time. gen.sg.f. fragrant.
nom.sg. ruler,
commander. = impf. 3rd.sg.

21
zeto d ggj doo flon tetihmnh tor
ParqenJ frati qen dreonto poltai
100 n ski, atr perqe pefkei qmnoj lahj,
grh palaigen nalgkioj, te tkoio
erghtai drwn te filostefnou 'Afrodthj,
oa te trofo esi qemistoplwn basilwn
padwn ka tamai kat dmata centa.
105 tn d don Keleoo 'Eleusindao qgatrej
rcmenai meq dwr eruton fra froien
klpisi calkeVsi fla prj dmata patrj,
tssarej j te qea kouron nqoj cousai,
Kallidkh ka Kleisidkh Dhm t ressa

98

impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., sit. near + gen. gen.sg. path, road.

pres.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to be sorrowful, to mourn. acc.sg., acc. of respect, at
heart.
99
dat.sg.n. of a maiden, virgin, metaph. pure, undefiled; here as the name of the
well. dat.sg. reservoir, well, local dat.; on - see Smyth 253.b. The final iota here
is metrically treated as long. relative adv. from which. impf.mid.ind. 3rd.pl.,
unaug., to draw, fetch, carry water. nom.pl. citizens.
100
dat.sg. shadow, shade. adv. above. ( in pf.) plupf.act.ind. 3rd.sg.,
unaug., grow, spring up; intransitive; pf. often be. nom.sg. bush. gen.sg.
olive.
101
dat.sg. old woman. dat.sg.f. born long ago, old, ancient.
The final iota here is metrically treated as long.
nom.sg.f. like, resembling + dat.
gen.sg. childbirth.
102
pres.pass.subj. 3rd.sg. cut off from, exclude from + gen.; epic often omits , Smyth
2567.b.
gen.sg.f. garlanded, loving crowns; not in Homer or Hesiod, Richardson.
103
relative pron. nom.pl.f. such as, like. nom.pl.f. nurse.
gen.pl.m. ministering law, law-giving. gen.pl. king; possessive
of in the next line.
104

in + acc.; used distributively, LSJ.B.II.

nom.pl. housekeeper, housewife.
acc.pl.n. sounding, echoing, noisy.
105
ie. . = (#-) aor2. 3rd.pl., unaug., to see.
106
after, in search of + acc. acc.sg.n. easy to draw out. pres.act.opt.
3rd.pl.
107
dat.pl. vessel for drawing water. dat.pl.f. bronze. recall
line 56.
108
nom.pl.f. four. here, like, resembling. acc.sg.n. youthful.
acc.sg. blossom, flower.
109
nom.sg.f. lovely, charming.

22
110 Kalliqh q, tn progenestth en pasn:

od gnwn: calepo d qeo qnhtosin rsqai.

gco d stmenai pea pterenta proshdwn:
tj pqen ss grh palaigenwn nqrpwn;
tpte d nsfi plhoj psticej od dmoisi
gara skienta
115 plnasai; nqa gunakej n m
thlkai j s per de ka plterai gegasin,
a k se flwntai mn pei d ka rgJ.
j faq, d pessin mebeto ptna qewn:
tkna fl a tinj ste gunaikn qhluterwn
120 caret, g d mn muqsomai: o toi eikj
110
gen.pl.f., the four daughters. nom.sg.f., superlative, eldest. =
impf. 3rd.sg. (contraction of
) gen.pl.f., like .
111
aor2.act.ind. 3rd.pl. know, recognize. nom.pl.m. hard to bear,
difficult to do; dangerous + infin. dat. of agent. pres.mid.infin.
112
adv. of place near, close by. pres.mid.pple. nom.pl.f. to stand. #.
acc.pl.n. feathered, winged; light. - impf.act.ind. 3rd.pl. speak to,
address.
113
who? from where? = pres. 2nd.sg. Who are you,
and where are you from? voc.sg. an old woman. gen.pl.m.
born long ago, ancient.
114
(syncope of ) why?, Smyth 44.b. gen.sg. city. -
aor. - aor2.act.ind. 2nd.sg. to leave, to go away.
dat.pl. house, household.
| ; Why have you gone apart from the city,
and do not approach the homes?
115
pres.mid.ind. 2nd.sg. draw near, approach + dat. acc.pl.n. shady,
shadowy.
116
() nom.pl.f. of such an age. = , just as you. thus,
so; here to such a degree, modifying . nom.pl.f., comparative, younger.
perf2.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to come into being, to be born, in perf. often nearly to be.
117
aor.mid.subj. 3rd.pl. (from Epic 1st.aor.mid. ) care for, treat kindly, welcome;
the subj. often used for the fut. in epic, Smyth 1810. ... both...and. #.
J compare line 65.
118
aor2.mid. 3rd.sg.; notice the sg. here, which should compliment the pl. in line 112.
ie. . impf.mid. 3rd.sg., unaug. = .
119
voc.pl. voc.pl.n. = pres.act.ind. 2nd.pl. a common
formula of address when someones name or identity is unknown, Richardson.
gen.pl.f. tender, delicate; the comparative emphasizing the distinction from men, Richardson;
Smyth 1067.
120
pres.act.imperat. 2nd.pl., a common form of greeting and parting.

fut.mid.ind. 1st.sg. speak, tell.

nom.sg.n. shameful, unseemly; with
in the next line, it is not unseemly (for me) to tell you ()...

23
mn eromnVsin lhqa muqsasqai.
Dws mo g nom st: t gr qto ptnia mthr:
nn ate Krthqen p era nta qalsshj
luqon ok qlousa, bV d kousan ngkV
125 ndrej lhstrej pgagon. o mn peita
nh qo Qoriknde katsceqon, nqa gunakej
perou pbhsan ollej d ka ato
depnon phrtnonto par prumnsia nhj:
ll mo o drpoio melfronoj rato qumj,
130 lqrV d rmhqesa di peroio melanhj
fegon perfilouj shmntoraj, fra ke m me
121
pres.mid.pple. dat.pl.f. to ask, enquire.
acc.pl.n. truth.

aor.mid.infin.
122
nom.sg. name. acc.; ie. . = aor2.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug.,
of names, to assign, to give.
123
now, at this time; also of what is just past, just now, but now. furthermore, next;
used here to indicate that she is about to answer the girls second question. - From
Crete, see Smyth 342. acc.pl.n. wide, broad. acc.pl. the back; metaph.
of any wide surface.
124
aor2. 1st.sg., an alternate form of .
dat.sg. strength, force;
violence; dat. of means. dat.sg. necessity; constraint, force, violence; dat. of means.
125
nom.pl. a robber; especially a pirate. - aor.act.ind. 3rd.pl. carry
away.
126
dat.sg. ship. dat.sg.f. quick, nimble, swift. , to
Thoricus, see Smyth 342. - aor2.ind.act. 3rd.pl. to hold back, restrain, stop; to bring
a ship to shore. relative.
127
gen.sg. land, as opposed to the sea. - aor2.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to set foot
on + gen. nom.pl.f. all together, in crowds. and also (the pirates)
themselves.
128
acc.sg. a meal; usually of the principal meal in the daytime, but see LHD.1.e. and
1.g.
- () impf.mid.ind. 3rd.pl. to prepare.
acc.pl.n. stern; in
neut.pl. stern cables.
129
gen.sg. a meal; usually an evening meal. gen.sg.n. delicious, sweet
to the mind. impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. long for, desire + gen. is used for the seat of
various appetites and desires.
130
V adv. secretly, covertly. aor.pass.pple. nom.sg.f. to go in motion, proceed;
rush. a different gen.sg. form for in line 127. gen.sg.f.
dark, black.
131
impf.act.ind. 1st.sg., unaug., to run away, flee, escape.
acc.pl.m.
overbearing, arrogant, reckless.
acc.pl. commander, master.
with
in the next line.

24
prithn persantej mj ponaato timj.
otw der kmhn lalhmnh, od ti oda
tij d ga st ka o tinej ggegasin.
135 ll mn mn pntej 'Olmpia dmat contej
doen kouridouj ndraj ka tkna teksqai
j qlousi tokj: m d at okterate korai
137a [toto d moi safwj poqkate fra pqwmai:]
137a. This is Allens suggestion for the lacuna after line 137; compare with
line 149. Like the other lacunae at lines 211 and 236, it occurs at the foot of
the page in the M manuscript.

profronwj, fla tkna, twn prj dmaq kwmai

nroj d gunaikj, na sfsin rgzwmai
140 prfrwn oa gunaikj flikoj rga ttuktai:
ka ken pada neognn n gkonVsin cousa
132

acc.sg.f., from an assumed adj. , unbought, not paid for.

aor.act.pple. nom.pl.m. to export for sale; to sell into slavery. - aor.mid.opt. 3rd.pl.
to have use of, to enjoy + gen. here, purchase price, a sense not found in Homer.
133
thus, so, in this way.
adv. of place, to here, to this place.
impf.mid.
1st.sg., unaug. perf.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to wander, to roam. here adverbial, at all.
#.
134
emphasizes .s pretended uncertainty, Richardson. - perf2.mid.ind. 3rd.pl.
to be born or bred in a place; to be a native. An indirect question: what land it is and who
inhabit it.
135
' All those dwelling in the Olympian halls, ie. the gods.
136
= aor2.act.opt. 3rd.pl., opt. of wish. acc.pl.m. wedded.
here, husbands. aor.mid.infin. to bring into the world, to give birth to.
137
as, like.
(contraction of ) nom.pl. parent.
adv. in turn,
furthermore; paired with in l.135. pres.act.imperat. 2nd.pl. pity. voc.pl.
137a
acc.sg.n. this, ie. lines 138-140.
adv. form clearly, plainly.
aor.act.imperat. 2nd pl. to lay before; present, advise + dat. of person.

aor.mid.subj. 1st.sg. to learn by inquiry.

138
adv. form.
vocatives.
= gen.pl.f. whose?
= . pres.mid.subj. 1st.sg.
139
3rd.prn., dat.pl. dat. of interest. pres.mid.subj. 1st.sg. to work, to labor.
140
pple. from adj., of . herself. acc.pl.n. such, of a certain kind, here
relative, such (work) as. gen.sg.f. beyond youth, elderly.
genitive of characteristic. perf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., often the perf. simply means to be.
141
potential optative (l.142), and in lines 143 and 144. acc.sg.m. new-born.
dat.pl. the bent arm, only in pl.

25
kal tiqhnomhn ka dmata thrsaimi
ka ke lcoj storsaimi muc qalmwn pktwn
despsunon ka k rga didasksaimi gunakaj.
145
f a qe: tn d atk mebeto parqnoj dmj
Kallidkh Keleoo qugatrn edoj rsth:
maa, qen mn dra ka cnmeno per ngkV
ttlamen nqrwpoi: d gr pol frtero esin.
tata d toi safwj poqsomai d nomnw
150 nraj osin pesti mga krtoj nqde timj,
dmou te procousin, d krdemna plhoj
eratai boulsi ka qeVsi dkVsin.
142

neut. adv. well. pres.mid.opt. 1st.sg. to nurse; potential opt., Pharr 1105.
aor.act.opt. 1st.sg. watch, observe, oversee.
143
acc.sg. couch, bed. aor.act.opt. 1st.sg. to spread; to make a bed;
potential opt. dat.sg. the innermost place or corner.
(
) gen.pl. inner
rooms, bedrooms. gen.pl.m. well-built.
144
acc.sg.n. belonging to the master, with in line 143. = ().
works, crafts, occupations, properly of womens work, LSJ. aor.act.opt. 1st.sg. to
teach, with double acc.; potential opt.
145
aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug.
= .
adv. at once, immediately.
nom.sg. young girl, unmarried girl. nom.sg.f. unwedded.
146
acc. of respect, in form, with regard to beauty. nom.sg.f., superlative
of , best.
147
vocative, (old) mother, a form of address to elderly women.
pres.mid.pple.
nom.pl.m. dat.sg. force, necessity, dat. of agent.
148
perf.act.ind. 1st.pl. to suffer, undergo, endure + acc.; the perf. of this verb is used for the
pres. increasing the comparative force of , much, by far, LSJ.III.2.a.
comparative nom.pl. better, stronger, more able to work ones will.
149
acc.pl.n. these things.
pronoun.
adv. form clearly, plainly.
- fut.mid.ind. 1st.sg. to lay before; present, advise + dat. of person.

pres.act.subj. 1st.sg. to name, to call by name; subj. here acting like future, a common Epic usage.
Smyth 1810.
150
relative pron. dat.pl.m. - pres.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to be upon + dat.
nom.sg. strength, power. adv. here. gen. of explanation, modifying ,
power consisting of authority, Richardson; recall the usage at line 85.
151
gen.sg. a people, a community, a district.
(= -) pres.act.pple.
dat.pl.m. to jut out, to stand out, to be the first of + gen. = . acc.pl. the
battlements that crown the city walls; the city walls; the topmost part of a city, the citadel.
gen.sg. city.
152
perf.mid.ind. 3rd.pl. protect, guard, Pharr 910. dat.pl. will, plan, design.
dat.pl.f. straight. () dat.pl. judgement, decision.

26
mn Triptolmou pukimdeoj d Diklou
d Poluxenou ka mmonoj Emlpoio
155 ka Dolcou ka patrj gnoroj metroio
tn pntwn locoi kat dmata porsanousi:
twn ok n tj se kat prtiston pwpn
edoj timsasa dmwn ponosfsseien,
ll se dxontai: d gr qeoekelj ssi.
160 e d qleij, pmeinon, na prj dmata patrj
lqwmen ka mhtr baquznJ MetanerV
epwmen tde pnta diamperj, a k s ngV
mteron d nai mhd llwn dmat reunn.
egrJ pktJ
thlgetoj d o uj n m
165 ygonoj trfetai, poluecetoj spsij te.
e tn g kqryaio ka bhj mtron koito
153

The genitives in lines 153-155 depend on in 156, with being explanatory; such anticipation over several lines is not Homeric; Allen (1904), Richardson. ...
both...and; and so, ....... gen.sg.m. of subtle mind, shrewd, clever.
154
() gen.sg.m. noble, excellent, honorable, illustrious.
155
gen.sg.m. manly, courageous, heroic. gen.sg.m. our.
156
ie. the men just listed.
nom.pl. wife.
pres.act.ind.
3rd.pl. prepare, manage. manage (all things) in the house, LSJ.II.3.
157
gen.pl.f., ie. the wives. with in line 158. temporal, at +
acc. superlative acc.sg.f. first. acc.sg. a sight, a view.
158
aor.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to dishonor, to disrespect. gen.pl. house, home.
- aor.pass.opt. 3rd.pl. to turn away from; potential opt.
159
fut.mid.ind. 3rd.pl. to receive, accept, welcome. nom.sg.f. godlike.
pres. 2nd.sg.
160
- aor.act.imperat. 2nd.sg. to remain in place, to wait.
161
= pres.act.subj. 1st.pl.
dat.sg.f. deep-girded; recall line 95.
162
pres.act.subj. 1st.pl. speak, say. demonstrative acc.pl.n. these things.
adv. thoroughly, continuously, entirely. (= ) so that, in the hope that.
pres.act.subj. 3rd.sg. to bid, desire, urge + acc. of person + infin.
163
acc.sg.n. our (home). = pres.act.infin. pres.act.infin. to
seek, to search after.
164
nom.sg.m., of uncertain meaning, used of a favorite or only child, and often explained as latest-born, youngest; note also that is an only son.
(#-) ie.
V, dat. of interest. dat.sg.n. well-built.
165
nom.sg.m. late-born; born in ones old age; young. nom.sg.m.
much wished for, much desired. nom.sg.m. welcome, giving gladness.
166
ie. . - aor.mid.opt. 2nd.sg. to bring up from childhood, to raise. gen.sg. early manhood, youthful prime. acc.sg. a unit of
measure; the prime of youth. pres.mid.opt. 3rd.sg.

27
e k tj se dosa gunaikn qhluterwn
zhlsai: tsa kn toi p qreptria doh.
j faq: d pneuse karati, ta d faein
170 plhsmenai datoj fron ggea kudiousai.
mfa d patrj konto mgan dmon, ka d mhtr
nnepon j edn te ka kluon. d ml ka
lqosaj kleue kalen p peroni misq.
a d j t lafoi prtiej aroj rV
175 llont n leimna koressmenai frna forb,
j a piscmenai ann ptcaj merontwn

167

adv. easily, readily. with in line 168. indefinite pron., Smyth 182,
185. (#-) pres.act.pple. nom.sg.f. see line 119.
168
aor.act.opt. 3rd.sg. to admire, emulate; to be jealous of, envy. acc.pl.n
so great, so many. pron. ... like the compound , to give back; to pay what
is due, Smyth 1650. acc.pl.n. rewards for childrearing. aor2.act.opt.
3rd.sg.
169
ie. . - aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to nod in approval. head, instrumental
dative. ie. the girls.
acc.pl.n. bright, shining; with in the next line.
170
aor.act.pple. nom.pl.f. to fill full of a thing + gen.
impf. 3rd.pl., unaug. acc.pl. vessel, jar. pres.act.pple. nom.pl.f. to walk
proudly, to exult.
171
adv. quickly, swiftly; soon. impf.mid. 3rd.pl., unaug. acc.sg.
house.
172
impf.act.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to tell, relate, describe. relative sense, as, even as.
aor2.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to hear. ie. . probably modifying
and not , Gaisser.
173
, aor2. , aor.act.pple. acc.pl.f.
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to order, to
bid. pres.act.infin. for, with a view to + dat.; of an end or purpose, LHD.II.1.d.,
LSJ.B.III.2,4. dat.sg.m. countless, endless. dat.sg. wages, payment.
174
ie. the girls. correlates with in line 176, as...so. ... see line 65.
nom.pl. deer. nom.pl. young cow, heifer. gen. of explanation,
spring; the standing for of the lengthened form , probably influenced by the contracted
form , Richardson. dat.sg. time; season; dat. of time.
175
pres.mid.ind. 3rd.pl. to leap, to bound. apocope of , Smyth 75.D.
acc.sg. grassy place, meadow. aor.mid.pple. nom.pl.f. to satisfy, to take ones
fill. acc.sg. midriff, heart; here of the appetite, LHD.III.5.a., LSJ.I.2. dat. of
means, pasture, forage, food.
176
ie. the girls. - pres.mid.pple. nom.pl.f. to hold, to restrain; ie. holding their
gowns up off the ground while running.
(#-) gen.pl. a fine robe, a garment; partitive
gen. acc.pl. folds. () gen.pl.m. lovely, charming.

28
xan kolhn kat maxitn, mf d catai
moij ssonto krokhJ nqei moai.
ttmon d ggj do kudrn qen nqa proj per
180 kllipon: atr peita fla prj dmata patrj
genq, d r pisqe flon tetihmnh tor
stece kat krqen kekalummnh, mf d pploj
kuneoj adinosi qej lelzeto possn.
aya d dmaq konto diotrefoj Keleoo,
185 bn d di aqoshj nqa sfsi ptnia mthr
sto par staqmn tgeoj pka poihtoo
177

= aor.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to move quickly, to rush. acc.sg.f. low-lying;

or perhaps sunken, worn, LHD.4. acc.sg.f. travelled by wagons; as substantive, a
road. with in the next line. nom.pl. hair.
178
dat.pl. the shoulder. impf.mid.ind. 3rd.pl. to move quickly; here, of the hair
bouncing or being tossed about the shoulders. dat.sg.n. of the purple-flowered
, of saffron; or of the orange-yellow saffron color of the stigmas. nom.pl.f.
like, resembling + dat.
179
aor2., without any pres. in use, here 3rd.pl., unaug., to come up to, to reach, to
overtake. near to + gen. gen.sg. path, road. acc.sg.f. illustrious,
noble. relative, where. adv. before, formerly.
180
(= ) aor2.act.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to leave behind. here of a
slight contrast, and, and then, as they set out again for home.
181
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to lead the way, to conduct. ie. . ()
adv. behind, at the back. (perf. formed as if from , but with no pres. in use)
perf.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to mourn, to grieve. acc. of respect, at heart.
182
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to walk, to go; to follow.
adv. from ,
used in the phrase , down from the head, ie. head to foot, entirely.

perf.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to cover. with in the next line. nom.sg. any

cloth used as a covering; a robe.
183
(
) nom.sg.m. dark, black.
dat.pl.m. slender, slim. gen.sg.
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to shake; to whirl about; to move in coils.
dat.pl. feet.
184
= . impf.mid.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., + acc. gen.sg.m.
nourished or cherished by Zeus.
185
= aor2. 3rd.pl., unaug. through, passing through a space + gen.
gen.sg. a corridor or verandah of the house, facing E. or S. to catch the sun; from the pple. of
, to light up, to blaze. to where, ie. to the . 3rd.prn., dat.pl. dat. of
interest. here for .
186
= impf.mid. 3rd.sg.
acc.sg. In the , one of the columns
surrounding the hearth and supporting the roof, LHD. roof ; gen. of belonging.
adv. strongly, carefully. gen.sg.n. made, constructed.

29
pad p klpJ cousa non qloj: a d par atn
dramon, d r p odn bh pos ka a melqrou
kre krh, plsen d qraj slaoj qeoio.
190 tn d adj te sbaj te d clwrn doj elen:
exe d o klismoo ka driasqai nwgen.
ll o Dhmthr rhfroj gladwroj
qelen driasqai p klismoo faeino,
ll kousa mimne kat mmata kal balosa,
195 prn g te d o qhken 'Imbh kdn edua
phktn doj, kaqperqe d p rgfeon ble kaj.

187

dat.sg. the breast, or the bosom of the robe. J under (at) her breast, or
perhaps under the fold of her garment, as at Od.15.649, Richardson. acc.sg.n. young,
fresh. acc.sg. a young shoot or branch; metaph. for children. in
apposition with , Smyth 986. ie. the girls. ie. .
188
, aor2. , aor2.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to run.
ie. . up to, as far as +
acc. acc.sg. threshold, entrance. = aor2. 3rd.sg. dat.pl.
foot; instrumental dat. gen.sg. generally, a beam; here, of the lintel beam over the
doorway, Richardson.
189
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to reach to; to hit + gen (). (= ) acc.sg.
head; acc. of respect. aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to fill a thing (acc.) with something
(gen.) () acc.pl. doorway, entrance. gen.sg. light, brightness, glow.
gen.sg.n. of the gods, divine, sacred.
190
ie. . nom.sg. respect, reverence. nom.sg. awe,
wonder. = . nom.sg.n. pale, as epithet of fear. nom.sg.
fear, alarm. = aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to take, grasp, seize.
191
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to yield, to give up + gen. of thing + dat. of person. #.
gen.sg. couch, seat. pres.mid.infin. to sit. impf. 3rd.sg., unaug.
192
negating in the next line. see line 54; here the
phrase is nom.
193

gen.sg.m. shining, radiant; splendid, brilliant.

194
pple. form, used as adv., in silence, without speech. impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg.
to stay, remain, wait. acc.pl. eyes. ..., like the compound , pres.pple. of , to cast down; see line 168.
195
see line 96. #. = aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to place, to put.
acc.pl.n. careful, diligent; of things, tasks, duties.
= perf.act.pple.
nom.sg.f. knowing her duties, an epic formula.
196
acc.sg.n., of woodwork, jointed (from several pieces); well built; in Homer used
only of the plough. acc.sg. seat, chair, stool.
() adv. down from above,
on top, ie. covering. ... = aor2. 3rd.sg. of to throw upon, to lay on;
recall lines 168, 194. () acc.sg.n. silver-white. acc.sg., irr., fleece.

30
nqa kaqezomnh prokatsceto cers kalptrhn:
dhrn d fqoggoj tetihmnh st p dfrou,
od tin ot pe prosptsseto ote ti rgJ,
200 ll glastoj pastoj dhtoj d pottoj
sto pqJ minqousa baquznoio qugatrj,
prn g te d cleVj min 'Imbh kdn edua
poll par skptous tryato ptnian gnn
meidsai gelsai te ka laon scen qumn:
205 d o ka peita meqsteron eaden rgaj.
t d dpaj Metneira ddou melihdoj onou
plsas, d nneus: o gr qemitn o faske
pnein onon ruqrn, nwge d r lfi ka dwr
197

- pres.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to sit down. -- aor2.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., in

mid., to hold down before oneself. acc.sg. veil.
198
neut.sg., acc. of extent, for a long time.
nom.sg.f. voiceless,
speechless. see line 181. = impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to sit still.
gen.sg. a seat, chair, stool.
199
= acc.sg. ... J compare lines 65, 117. neut. adv. in any
degree, at all. - impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to address, to greet. #J.
200
nom.sg.f. not laughing: grave, gloomy, sullen. nom.sg.f. fasting,
not eating + gen. gen.sg. meat; food. gen.sg. drink.
201
dat. of cause, a longing or desire + gen. of thing or person. () pres.act.pple.
nom.sg.f. to decay, to waste away.
gen.sg.f. deep-girded; see line 95.
202
...' recall line 195. dat.pl. a joke, a jest; dat. of
means. ie. .
203
intensifying .
..., like the compound ,
aor.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. of to divert; to change somebodys mind or opinion.
pres.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to joke, to jest. acc.sg.f. holy, pure.
204
aor.act.infin. to smile.
aor.act.infin. to laugh.

() acc.sg.m.
gracious; gentle; benign. = pres.act.infin.
205
ie. '. (#-) ie. . acc.sg.n. adv. afterwards, in later times.
(#) = aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to please, to gratify; commonly with double dat.,
Richardson. dat.pl. a natural impulse, disposition, mood; dat. of place.
206
ie. . acc.sg. a cup, a goblet. = impf. 3rd.sg., unaug.
gen.sg.m. honey-sweet. gen.sg. wine.
207
aor.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to fill.
ie. . - aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to
refuse; the Greeks nodded up in refusal, down () in acceptance, Gaisser.
nom.sg.n. right, lawful. (#) ie. .; dat. of relation, Smyth 1495. = impf.
3rd.sg.
208
() pres.act.infin. to drink. acc.sg.m. red. impf. 3rd.sg., unaug.
acc.sg. barley.

31
donai mxasan pimen glhcni terenV.
210 d kuke
^ texasa qe pren j kleue:
dexamnh d shj neken poluptnia Dh
211a [kpien, d labosa dpaj qto nq neire,]
211a. This is Allens suggestion for the lacuna after line 211. Richardson
speculates that perhaps two lines were lost, one indicating she drank it,
and the other, but when she had drunk it.

tsi d mqwn rcen zwnoj Metneira:

care gnai, pe o se kakn p olpa tokwn
mmenai ll gaqn: p toi prpei mmasin adj
215 ka crij, j e pr te qemistoplwn basilwn.
ll qen mn dra ka cnmeno per ngkV
ttlamen nqrwpoi: p gr zugj acni ketai.
209
= aor2.act.infin.
aor.act.pple. acc.sg.f. to mix.
()
aor2.act.infin. dat.sg. mint; dat. of accompaniment. dat.sg.f.
smooth, soft.
210
ie. . epic acc.sg. a mixture. aor.act.pple. nom.sg.f.
aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., furnish, present, give. impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to ask,
to bid.
211
aor.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to accept, to receive. gen.sg. that which is right;
divine law; rites. because of, for + gen, usually after its case. strengthened
form of .
211a
- aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to drink out, to drain a cup dry. ie. .
pres.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to take; to receive. acc.sg. a cup, a goblet.
= aor2.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to put, to place. relative, where.
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to lift up. she took it and placed it where she picked it up from.
212
dat.pl.f. of , used here as a personal pron.; locative dat., among them.

impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to begin with + gen. nom.sg.f. well-girdled.

213
pres.act.imperat. 2nd.sg., see line 120.
voc.sg. of .

gen.pl.m. bad, lowborn, ignoble.
in postpositive position, governing .
perf.act.ind. 1st.sg., with pres. sense, expect, think, suppose.
(epic pl.
) gen.pl. parents.
214
= pres.act.infin. of . gen.pl.m. good, noble. ...,
like , pres.act.ind. 3rd.sg. of , to be manifest, to be conspicuous. particle.
dat.pl. eyes; locative dat. nom.sg. modesty, self-respect, dignity.
215
nom.sg. grace, kindness. as if ; not found elsewhere, Richardson. see line 103; gen. of possession.
216
Recall lines 147-148.
217
..., like , pres.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. of , to be placed on, to be pressed
upon + dat. nom.sg. yoke. dat.sg. neck, throat.

32
nn d pe keo dero, parssetai ssa t mo per.
pada d moi trfe tnde, tn ygonon ka elpton
220 pasan qnatoi, polurhtoj d mo stin.
e tn g kqryaio ka bhj mtron koito
k tj se dosa gunaikn qhluterwn
zhlsai: tsa kn toi p qreptria dohn.
tn d ate proseipen stfanoj Dhmthr:
225 ka s gnai mla care, qeo d toi sql proien.
pada d toi prfrwn podxomai j me keleeij:
qryw, ko min olpa kakofradVsi tiqnhj
ot r phlush dhlsetai oq potamnn:
oda gr nttomon mga frteron lotmoio,

228
218

(neut.pple.) Allen

(masc.pple.) Ignarra, Faraone.

now, at this time. = aor2.mid.ind. 2nd.sg. adv. to here. () fut.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to be present, to be at hand, to be available.
()
nom.pl.n. as much as. as much as I have will be available to you,
Gaisser.
219
dat. of interest. pres.act.imperat. 2nd.sg. acc.sg.m. of , this; with
. acc.sg.m. late-born. acc.sg.m. beyond hope, unexpected.
220
aor.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to send, to give as a companion. (
) nom.sg.m.
very desired.
221
See line 166.
222
See line 167. indeed, surely.
223
See line 168. Notice that here is 1st person, because will make the reward
herself, Richardson.
224
adv. furthermore, next. - (= ) aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to speak to,
to address + acc. nom.sg.f. well-crowned.
225
voc. ... see line 213. adv. much, very much. dat. 2nd.sg. pron.
acc.pl.n. good things, gifts. pres.act.opt. 3rd.pl. to give, to furnish; opt. of
wish.
226
dat. of interest. - fut.mid.ind. 1st.sg. to undertake, to take in charge as a
nurse. pres.act.ind. 2nd.sg. to bid, urge, ask.
227
fut. of . = . ie. the boy, . perf.act.ind.
1st.sg., with pres. sense, to expect, to think. dat.pl. bad counsel, folly; dat. of
means. gen.sg. nurse.
228
nom.sg. a bewitching, a coming over one by spells.
fut.mid.ind.
3rd.sg., to hurt, to harm. nom.sg. a plant cut off at the bottom, an undercutting;
or perhaps the agent, an undercutter.
229
acc.sg.n. a remedy, a cure.
acc.sg.n. comparative, better,
stronger. gen.sg. a woodcutter; gen. of comparison.

33
230 oda d phlushj polupmonoj sqln rusmn.
227-230. These lines are thought to reproduce or mimic a magical spell,
and the placement of ... in line 228 matches a hexametrical incantation from a Cretan amulet of the 4th or 3rd century. According
to Faraone, the - ending is used for the names of demons and also
of various surgeons, but he sees both (which he changes to a
masc.pple.) and as demons who cause tooth pain. Allen read a
neut.pple., and suggested that both names refer to worms thought to cause
toothaches. Richardson thinks that both names refer to herbcutting for magical purposes, and that indicates either the action of undercutting, or the agent. In any case, it seems clear that line 229 is her answer to
and that line 230 answers the threat of .

j ra fwnsasa qude dxato klpJ

cersn t qantVsi: gegqei d frna mthr.
j mn Keleoo dafronoj glan un
Dhmofwnq, n tikten zwnoj Metneira,
235 trefen n megroij: d xeto damoni soj
236 ot on ston dwn, o qhsmenoj [gla mhtrj,
236a math mn gr kallistfanoj] Dhmthr
236

Hermann. or Richardson.
Voss

236a
230

objective gen., for or against a bewitching. gen.sg.f. baneful,

causing much harm. acc.sg.m. good, excellent. acc.sg. a safeguard
against witchcraft.
231
aor.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to speak. dat.sg.m. smelling of incense, sweetsmelling. aor.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to take, to receive. dat.sg. bosom,
breast; locative dat.
232
V = dat.pl.f. plupf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to rejoice; with impf.
sense, Smyth 1952.a. heart; acc. of respect.
233
ie. . gen.sg.m. skillful, thoughtful, whether in war or in the arts of peace,
LHD. acc.sg.m. splendid, bright, beautiful, famous.
234
= acc. impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to bring into the world, to
conceive. nom.sg.f. well-girdled.
235
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to increase, to grow. dat.sg.m. a god,
a divinity. (#-) nom.sg.m. equal to, like + dat.
236
adds emphasis to the exclusive clause, Smyth 2961, perhaps to stress the opposition of
food and drink, Richardson. ... truly neither...nor. acc.sg. food, as opposed
to drink. pres.act.pple. nom.sg.m. to eat. aor.mid.pple. nom.sg.m. to suck.
acc.sg. milk.
236a
nom.sg.f. by day, daily. nom.sg.f. beautiful-crowned.

34
236a. follows in the M manuscript. There is a lacuna, and a line is needed stating that . gave the boy ambrosia by day,
supplied here by Voss. Richardson postulates that after the loss of 236a,
replaced the original ending of 236 in order to supply a subject for
line 237.

cresk mbrosV j e qeo kgegata,

d katapneousa ka n klpoisin cousa:
nktaj d krpteske purj mnei te daln
ga qam ttukto
240 lqra flwn gonwn: toj d m
j proqalj telqeske, qeosi d nta kei.
ka kn min pohsen grwn t qnatn te
e m r fradVsin zwnoj Metneira
nkt pithrsasa qudeoj k qalmoio

237

impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to annoint, past iterative, denoting customary or repeated

action, Pharr 900, Smyth 495. instrumental dat., the food of the gods; literally,
immortality. as if. - perf.act.pple. acc.sg.m. to be born of + gen.
238
acc.sg.n. adv. pleasant, sweet.
- pres.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to
breathe upon. dat.pl. bosom, breast.
239
acc.pl. night; adverbial acc. of time, Smyth 1611, at night.

impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., past iterative, to cover, to hide; to bury. gen.sg. fire;
gen. of material. dat.sg. force, strength; passion, fury; locative dat. like, as.

acc.sg. a piece of flaming wood, a firebrand.

240
unknown to, without the knowledge of + gen. gen.pl. parents.
nom.sg. a wonder, a marvel. plupf.pass.ind. 3rd.sg. to cause, to bring about;
like the impf. of , it was, see line 140 and Smyth 1952.a.
241
how. nom.sg.m. early growing. impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug.,
past iterative, to become, to prove to be.
the dat. is used with verbs of comparison,
Smyth 1466. adv. face to face; in this common Homeric phrasing, , in
appearance. (#-) plupf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., with impf. sense, to be like.
he was like the gods to look at, LSJ, when set face to face, LHD.
242
with aor. of past potentiality, she would have made, Smyth 1784. ie. the
boy, . aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to make, to cause, to bring about.
(= ) acc.sg.m. not growing old, ageless.
243
with in line 245, if she had not spied; the protasis here following the apodosis,
Smyth 2280-82. dat.pl. folly, thoughtlessness; dat. of accompanying circumstance.
244
probably the object of , an acc. of extent of time, watching through the
night, Richardson, Gaisser.
- aor.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to look out for.

gen.sg. room, chamber; bedroom.

35
245 skyato: kkusen d ka mfw plxato mhr

desas per paid ka sqh mga qum,

ka lofuromnh pea pterenta proshda:
tknon Dhmofwn, xenh se pur ni poll
krptei, mo d gon ka kdea lugr tqhsin.
250
j ft duromnh: tj d e da qewn.
t d colwsamnh kallistfanoj Dhmthr
egroisin tikte,
pada flon, tn elpton n m
ceress qantVsin p o qke pdonde
xanelosa purj qum kotsasa ml anj
255 ka mudij proseipen zwnon Metneiran:

245

aor.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to look carefully, to spy.

( in aor.)
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to cry out in distress, to shriek. acc.dual both.
aor.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to hit, to strike. acc.dual thighs.
246
aor.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to fear, to be alarmed. dat.sg.m., 3rd pers. possessive adj.,
her own. for, about, on account of + dat. aor.pass.ind. 3rd.sg. to mislead, to act
foolishly. neut.sg. adv. very, greatly. locative dat.
247
() pres.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to wail, to lament. see
line 112.
248
vocatives. nom.sg. stranger, guest; ie. . dat.sg.
fire; though the is short, the princeps is scanned long. mighty, deep.
249
pres.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to cover, to hide; to bury.
acc.sg. woe, mourning.
acc.pl. troubles, sorrows.
acc.pl.n. wretched, miserable, painful.
pres.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to place, to cause.
250
see line 74. () pres.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to lament, sorrow, mourn.
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to hear + gen (). see line 63.
251
ie. V. aor.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to be angry (at) + dat.
nom.sg.f. beautiful-crowned.
252
acc. with l.253 . relative. acc.sg.m. beyond hope, unexpected.
dat.pl.
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to bring into the world, to give birth to; the
subject is .
253
V instrumental dat.
(#) gen.sg., 3rd pers. reflexive pron., herself,
po ##eo. =
ie. . Note that the digamma here is doubled, giving the scansion a
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to put, place, cast. acc.sg. ground, earth. - to
the ground; recall line 126.
254
-- aor.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to take out of + gen. gen.sg. fire.
aor.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to bear resentment, to be angry. adv. very much, exceedingly.
adv. terribly.
255
(
) at the same time. - (= ) aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg., to speak to,
to address + acc.

36
ndej nqrwpoi ka frdmonej ot gaqoo
asan percomnou prognmenai ote kakoo:
ka s gr fradVsi tej nkeston sqhj.
stw gr qe
^ n rkoj melikton Stugj dwr
260 qnatn kn toi ka graon mata pnta
pada flon pohsa ka fqiton pasa timn:
nn d ok sq j ken qnaton ka kraj lxai.
tim d fqitoj an pssetai oneka gonwn
metrwn pbh ka n gkonVsin ausen.
265 rVsin d ra t ge periplomnwn niautn
padej 'Eleusinwn plemon ka flopin ann
256
nom.pl.m. unskilled, lacking knowledge. nom.pl.m. without
sense, foolish, reckless. gen.sg.n.
257
acc.sg. due measure, destiny. - pres.mid.pple. gen.sg.n. to come upon.
- aor2.act.infin. to perceive beforehand, to anticipate; explaining in
the previous line, Smyth 2001. Humans are ignorant and without the sense to anticipate the
destiny coming upon them, neither the good nor the bad.
258
dat.pl. folly, thoughtlessness; dat. of agency. , epic for , 2nd person
possessive adj., dat.pl.f. your. acc.sg.n. adv. incurably. aor.pass.ind. 2nd.sg.
to mislead, to be mistaken.
259
= imperat. 3rd.sg. to know; the subject is , Gaisser. nom.sg. an
oath; the thing by which one swears, ie. ; here it is invoked as a witness, Richardson.
nom.sg.n. unsoftened, cruel. gen. of possession.
appositive phrase explaining .
260
with and in the next line. acc.sg.m. not growing old, ageless.
= acc.pl. acc. of extent for all days, forever.
261
aor.act.ind. 1st.sg., unaug., see line 242. acc.sg.f. imperishable, unfailing.
aor.act.ind. 1st.sg. to give, to grant; with , of past potentiality, like .
262
now. = . there is no way that, Gaisser. acc.pl.
agents of death, LHD.4. aor.act.opt. 3rd.sg. to escape.
263
adv. always, forever.
- fut.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to be upon.
because.
gen.pl. knees.
264
gen.pl.n., possessive pron., our; here used for , LSJ. = -
aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to get onto, to climb upon + gen. dat.pl. the bent arm.
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. unaug. to sleep.
265
dat.pl. in time, in due time. for him, in his honor, Richardson; explaining
in line 267. - pres.mid.pple. gen.pl.m. to go around, to pass.
gen.pl. period of time, cycle, year. gen. absolute, with the passing
years, as the anniversaries came around, Richardson.
266
acc.sg. a battle, a war; referring to the , a ritual mock battle held in
honor of , Richardson.
() acc.sg. a battle cry; the din of battle;
battle. acc.sg.f., like , dread, grim, terrible.

37
an n llloisi sunxous mata pnta.
em d Dhmthr timocoj, te mgiston
qantoij qnhtos t nea
^ r ka crma ttuktai.
270 ll ge moi nhn te mgan ka bwmn p at
teucntwn pj dmoj pa plin ap te tecoj
Kallicrou kaqperqen p proconti kolwn:
rgia d at gn poqsomai j n peita
eagwj rdontej mn non lskoisqe.
275
j eposa qe mgeqoj ka edoj meiye

267

see line 263. reciprocal pron. dat.pl.m. at one another. =

- fut.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to bring together, to join. see line 260. 265267,
In due season, with the passing years, for him the children of Eleusis will ever among themselves
bring together war and the grim battle cry for all days.
268
(
) nom.sg.f. having honor, honored. relative. , superlative
of , acc.sg.n., describing in the next line, greatest, most important.
269
dat. of interest. acc.sg. anything that helps or profits;
aid, advantage. acc.sg. a source of joy; joy. perf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to
cause, to bring about; sometimes the 3rd person is used with a relative after a 1st or 2nd person
antecedent (), Richardson.
270
imperative. of , used as an adv., come! come on! dat. of interest.
acc.sg. temple. acc.sg. a raised platform; an altar. ... both a and a
. below it, ie. in the courtyard in front.
271
pres.act.imperat. 3rd.pl. to make, to build; sometimes a pl. verb is used with a collective sg. noun (), Smyth 950. nom.sg. the people. = .
acc.sg. city. acc.sg.n. sheer, steep; lofty. acc.sg. a wall.
Sanctuaries of . tend to be situated just outside the city, Richardson.
272
a well near which, according to Pausanias, the women of Eleusis danced and
sang in honor of ., Gaisser.
(), here following its noun, above, on the upper side
of + gen. , for , pres.act.pple. dat.sg.m. of -, to jut out.
dat.sg. a hill.
273
acc.sg. rites, secret worship; used here for the first time, Richardson.
intensive with (= before vowels). - fut.mid.ind. 1st.sg. to place under (as
a foundation or beginning). conjunction, so that, in order that. with in the
next line.
274

epic adv. purely, guiltlessly; righteously. pres.act.pple. nom.pl.m. to do; to

make a sacrifice. acc.sg. mind; will, design; liking. () pres.mid.opt.
2nd.pl. to appease, to seek favor; the opt. is rare in purpose clauses after a primary tense
(), Gaisser, from GH.2.271.
275
, aor2.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to speak. acc.sg. size, stature. #.
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to change, to exchange.

38
graj pwsamnh, per t mf te klloj hto:
dm d meressa quhntwn p pplwn
skdnato, tle d fggoj p croj qantoio
lmpe qej, xanqa d kmai katennoqen mouj,
280 agj d plsqh pukinj dmoj steropj j.
b d dik megrwn, tj d atka gonat lunto,
dhrn d fqoggoj gneto crnon, od ti paidj
mnsato thlugtoio p dapdou nelsqai.
to d kasgnhtai fwnn skousan leinn,

276

acc.sg. old age. - aor.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to thrust off, to push

away; to reject. around and about, Gaisser. nom.sg. beauty.
impf.pass.ind. 3rd.sg. unaug. to breathe, to blow about.
277
nom.sg. smell, scent.
() nom.sg.f. exciting desire, charming,
ravishing. gen.pl.m. smelling of incense, fragrant with the savor of sacrifice.
gen.pl. any cloth used as a covering, a robe; the pl. is not used of a single robe in
Homer, Richardson.
278
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to scatter, disperse; to emanate. adv. at a
distance, far from. nom.sg. light, splendor. heteroclite gen.sg. skin.
Smyth 287.29.
279
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to shine, to radiate. gen. of possession (
). nom.pl.f. yellow, golden. nom.pl. hair. -()
perf. 3rd.sg., without a pres. in use, to be over, to lie upon; to grow over; unusual with a pl.
subject, Richardson. acc.pl. shoulders.
280
gen.sg. sunlight. aor.pass.ind. 3rd.sg. to be filled with + gen.
nom.sg.m. well-built, well-constructed.
nom.sg. house.
gen.sg.
lightning. relative, like, as; takes the accent at the end of a clause, or when following the
word dependent on it, LSJ.
281
= aor2. 3rd.sg., unaug. through and out of + gen. gen. of possession,
ie. . at once. = nom.pl. knees. aor2.mid.ind.
3rd.pl. to loosen; to give up, to buckle.
282
acc.sg.m. long, too long. nom.sg.f. voiceless, silent. =
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., here simply to be. acc.sg. time; acc. of extent.
not at all.
283
= aor.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to be mindful of, to remember + gen. or
infin.; here it governs both and , Gaisser. see line 164.
(
) gen.sg. floor; perhaps really (LSJ, same meaning), which would account for scansion here of as . - aor2.mid.infin. to pick up; in mid., to take up in ones arms.
284
ie. ; gen. of possession ( ).
nom.pl. sister.
acc.sg. voice. - aor.act.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to give ear to, to hear.
acc.sg.f. pitiable, piteous.

39
285 kd d r p estrtwn lecwn qron: mn peita

pad n cersn losa gktqeto klpJ,

d ra pr nkai, d ssuto pss palosi
mhtr nastsousa qudeoj k qalmoio.
grmenai d min mfj loeon sparonta
290 mfagapazmenai: to d o meilsseto qumj:
ceirterai gr d min con trofo d tiqnai.
a mn pannciai kudrn qen lskonto
demati pallmenai: ma d o fainomnhfin
erubV Kele nhmerta muqsanto,
295 j ptelle qe kallistfanoj Dhmthr.
285
= before , with .
gen.pl.n. well-spread.

gen.pl. couches, beds. with , like , aor2. 3rd.pl., unaug., of , to
leap down. one of the sisters.
286
with , like , aor2.act.pple. nom.sg.f. of , to pick up.
instrumental dat.
(#-) possessive adj., dat. 3rd.sg., with J.
--
aor2.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to place in against, to put to. dat.sg. bosom, breast;
locative dat.
287
... the other (the second)...the third; correlating to in line 285.
acc.sg. fire. = - impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to light up. aor2.mid.ind. 3rd.sg.
to put in motion; in mid., to run, to rush. = dat.pl. feet; instrumental dat.

(
) dat.pl.m. soft, delicate, gentle.
288
- fut.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to make to stand up, to rouse; expressing purpose or intention, Smyth 2044.
(
) gen.sg. room, chamber; bedroom.
289
aor2.mid.pple. nom.pl.f. to come together, to gather.
ie. .
, like , around, about + acc.; with the acc., always following its noun, LSJ.
impf.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to wash. pres.act.pple. acc.sg.m. to gasp, to struggle.
290
-
impf.mid.ind.

pres.mid.pple. nom.pl.f. to embrace warmly.

3rd.sg., unaug., to make mild, to appease.
291
, like , irr. comparative of , nom.pl.f. lesser, inferior. impf.
3rd.pl., unaug., to hold; to have in charge. nom.pl. a feeder, rearer, nurse.
nom.pl. a nurse.
292
() nom.pl.f. all night long.
acc.sg.f. glorious, illustrious.
fem. here. () impf.mid.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to appease.
293
dat.sg. fear; dat. of cause. pres.mid.pple. nom.pl.f. to shake, to
tremble. at the same time with + dat. = dat.sg. morning, daybreak, dawn.
pres.mid.pple. dat.sg.f. to come to light, to appear; the archaic suffix - expresses certain
functions of both the dat. and gen. cases, Smyth 280.
294
dat.sg. of wide-reaching might or influence, wide-ruling. acc.pl.n.
the truth. aor.mid.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to say, to speak.
295
relative as, even as.
- impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to lay upon, to command.
see line 251.

40
atr g ej gorn kalsaj poluperona lan
nwg kmJ Dhmteri pona nhn
poisai ka bwmn p proconti kolwn.
o d ml ay pqonto ka kluon adsantoj,
300 tecon d j ptell: d xeto damonoj asV.
atr pe tlesan ka rhsan kamtoio,
bn men okad kastoj: tr xanq Dhmthr
nqa kaqezomnh makrwn p nsfin pntwn
mmne pqJ minqousa baquznoio qugatrj.
305 antaton d niautn p cqna poulubteiran
pohs nqrpoij ka kntaton, od ti gaa

296

sometimes used for a slight transition, and then; see line 180. ie. .
acc.sg. an assembly. aor.act.pple. nom.sg.m. acc.sg.m. the meaning
seems to be with many boundaries; perhaps manifold or numerous.
acc.sg. the people.
297
= impf. 3rd.sg. J dat. of interest. acc.sg.m.
rich, wealthy; lavish. acc.sg. temple.
298
aor.act.infin. to make, to build. acc.sg. a raised platform, an altar.
see line 272.
299
adv. very, exceedingly. adv. quickly, with speed. impf.mid.ind. 3rd.pl.
to obey, to comply, to be persuaded. impf.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to hear, to heed, to attend to +
gen. aor.act.pple. gen.sg.m. to speak, to proclaim.
300
impf. 3rd.pl., unaug. see line 295. ie. the temple. impf.mid.ind.
3rd.sg., unaug., to increase, to grow tall. gen.sg.f. a divinity, a god; gen. of
possession. dat.sg. a decree, a dispensation; dat. of cause.
301
as in line 296. when, after; with aor. to express a complete action, LSJ.
aor.act.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to accomplish, to complete. aor.act.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to
cease, to rest from + gen. gen.sg. labor, toil.
302
= aor2. 3rd.pl., unaug.; agreeing with logical rather than grammatical number
of .
= pres.act.infin.
adv. to home, homewards.

nom.sg.m. each, each one. nom.sg.f. with golden hair.
303
- pres.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to sit.
gen.pl. the blessed ones, the
happy ones, ie. the gods. apart from, aloof from, LSJ. , like
, gen.pl.m.
304
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to stay, to remain. J see line 201.
305
superlative acc.sg.m. most grim, most terrible. acc.sg. a period of
time. fem.adj. (= ) acc.sg. much nourishing, all-nourishing.
306
= aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to create; to cause. dat. of interest.
superlative acc.sg.m. most dog-like, most brutal; compare line 90. and
not any ().

41
sprm nei: krpten gr stfanoj Dhmthr.
poll d kampl rotra mthn bej elkon roraij,
polln d kr leukn tsion mpese gaV.
310 ka n ke pmpan lesse gnoj merpwn nqrpwn
limo p rgalhj, gerwn t rikuda timn
ka qusin mersen 'Olmpia dmat contaj,
e m Zej nhsen t frssato qum.
Irin d prton cruspteron rse kalssai
315 Dmhtr komon poluraton edoj cousan.
j faq: d Zhn kelainef Kronwni
peqeto ka messhg didramen ka pdessin.
307
acc.sg. seed.
- impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to send up, to produce, to grow. impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to hide, to conceal; to cover in the earth.
see line 224.
308
() acc.pl.n. bent, curved. acc.pl. a plough. adv. in
vain, fruitlessly. nom.pl. oxen. impf.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to pull, to drag, to
draw. dat.pl. arable land, a field; locative dat.
309
acc.sg. barley.
acc.sg. white.
acc.sg.n. adv. fruitlessly,
uselessly. - aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to fall upon + dat.
310
= now. with , and in line 312, of past potentiality; recall line 242.
adv. quite, wholly, altogether. = aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to destroy,
to make an end of. acc.sg. race, stock. gen.pl. dividing the voice,
ie. articulate, endowed with speech; only in pl. as epithet of men, LSJ.
311
gen.sg.f. hunger, famine. of agency or means. gen.sg.f.
painful, grievous. gen.pl. a gift of honor; gen. of explanation.
acc.sg.f. glorious, splendid.
312
gen.pl. offerings, sacrifices; gen. of explanation. = aor.act.ind.
3rd.sg. to deprive of + acc. of person + acc. of thing. ' see line 135;
is acc. here.
313
recall line 243.
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to perceive, to notice.
3rd person
possessive adj. dat.sg.m.
aor.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to indicate to oneself, to consider, to
ponder.
314
superlative acc.sg.n. adv. firstly, first of all. acc.sg.f. with
golden wings; has wings on her heels, Richardson. = aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to
set in motion, to send. aor.act.infin.
315
see line 1. acc.sg.n. much-loved, very lovely.
316
the use of this formula after an indirect speech is not Homeric, Allen 1904. ie.
. lengthened from the more common formula in line 91.
317
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to listen to, to obey + dat.
adv. in the
space separating two objects, between. -, aor2. , 3rd.sg. to run through, to
traverse. = dat.pl. feet; instrumental dat.

42
keto d ptoleqron 'Eleusnoj quosshj,
eren d n nh Dhmtera kuanpeplon,
320 ka min fwnsas pea pterenta proshda:
Dmhter, kalei se patr Zej fqita edj
lqmenai met fla qen aeigenetwn.
ll qi, mhd tleston mn poj k Dij stw.
j fto lissomnh: tj d ok pepeqeto qumj.
325 atij peita [patr] mkaraj qeoj an ntaj
^
pntaj piproallen: moibhdj d kintej
kklhskon ka poll ddon perikalla dra,
timj q j ken loito met qantoisi qeosin:
ll o tij pesai dnato frnaj od nhma

325
318

Valckenaer (missing in M).

acc.sg. city. ' see line 97.

aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to find. acc.sg.f. dark-veiled; recall
in lines 182-83.
320
aor.pple. nom.sg.f. see line 112.
321
voc. uncontracted form of pres. 3rd.sg. of .
acc.pl.n. imperishable (things), Gaisser. (#-) pple. of .
322
= aor2.act.infin., from , aor2. of .
see line 36.
323
= pres.act.imperat. 2nd.sg.
negating , do not let it be.

nom.sg.n. without effect, unaccomplished.

#.
of origin.
=
pres.act.imperat. 3rd.sg.
324
pres.mid.ind. nom.sg.f. to beg, to entreat. ie. . - impf.mid.ind.
3rd.sg. to be persuaded.
325
adv. again; back again. acc.pl. blessed, happy. adv. always,
forever. = pres.act.pple. acc.pl.m.
326
- () impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to send one after another. adv. in
succession, in turn. () pres.act.pple. nom.pl.m. to go.
327
impf.act.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to summon, invite, implore.
=
impf.act.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug. acc.pl.n. very beautiful.
328
take as general relative clause. = pres.mid.opt. 3rd.sg. to grasp; in mid., to
take for oneself, to choose; potential optative with , whichever she might choose. here
among.
329
aor.act.infin. to persuade. aor.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to be able + infin.
acc.pl. the midriff as the seat of various faculties, such as, heart, mind, wits,
judgement. acc.sg. thought, purpose, design.
319

43
330 qum cwomnhj, sterej d naneto mqouj.

o mn gr pot faske qudeoj Olmpoio

prn g pibsesqai, o prn gj karpn nsein,
prn doi fqalmosin n epida korhn.
atr pe t g kouse barktupoj eropa Zej
335 ej Ereboj pmye crusrrapin 'Argeifnthn,
fr 'Adhn malakosi paraifmenoj pessin
gnn Persefneian p zfou erentoj
j foj xaggoi met damonaj, fra mthr
fqalmosin dosa metallxeie cloio.
340 `Ermj d ok pqhsen, far d p keqea gahj
ssumnwj katrouse lipn doj Olmpoio.

330

pres.mid.pple. gen.sg.f. to be angry; gen. of possessor of and , ie. .

adv. form, firmly, steadfastly. impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to reject, to refuse
+ acc.
331
for indeed not ever; here is emphatic, Smyth 2895.

impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to promise + fut.infin.

332
both instances here anticipate the third, in the next line, and need not be translated,
Gaisser. - fut.mid.infin. to set foot on, to enter + gen. gen.sg. earth; gen. of
source. acc.sg. fruit. - fut.act.infin. to send forth, to make spring up.
333
= (#-) aor2.act.opt. 3rd.sg. 3rd pers. possessive pron. acc.sg.f.
acc.sg. fair to look on, attractive.
334
when, after + aor. to express a complete action.
demonstrative, of .s reply.
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to hear. see line 3.
335
acc., a place of nether darkness above Hades.
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg.,
unaug., to send, to dispatch. acc.sg.m. with golden wand.
336
dat.pl.n. soft, gentle. - ( = ) aor.mid.pple. nom.sg.m. to
encourage, to advise; in mid., to persuade + acc. = dat.pl. of (#-); instrumental
dat.
337
acc.sg.f. chaste, pure, holy. compare with line 80.
338
acc.sg. light, daylight; in poets, of life, LSJ. - aor.act.opt. 3rd.sg., unaug., to
lead out, to carry out. acc.pl.m. gods. (#-) personal pron. 3rd.pers. acc.sg.;
ie. .
339
= aor2.act.pple. nom.sg.f. ()- aor.act.opt. 3rd.sg. to leave off, to
cease from + gen. gen.sg. bitter anger, wrath.
340
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to disobey, to refuse. adv. without hesitation, at
once. acc.pl. depths, innermost chambers. gen. of possession.
341
adv. form, hurriedly, furiously. - aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to
rush downwards.
aor2.act.pple. nom.sg.m. to leave.
acc.sg. a seat; a
dwelling-place.

44
ttme d tn ge nakta dmwn ntosqen nta
menon n lecessi sn adoV parakoti
pll ekazomnV mhtrj pqJ: d pothlo
345 rgoij qe
^ n makrwn [deinn] mhtseto bouln.
gco d stmenoj prosfh kratj 'Argeifnthj:
Aidh kuanocata katafqimnoisin nsswn,
Zej me patr nwgen gaun Persefneian
xagagen 'Erbeusfi met sfaj, fra mthr
350 fqalmosin dosa clou ka mnioj anj
qantoij paseien: pe mga mdetai rgon
fqsai fl menhn camaigenwn nqrpwn
344
345
342

Voss M Ilgen.
Voss (missing in M). M Voss.

or , aor2. form, no pres. in use; here 3rd.sg., unaug., to reach, to come upon.
him, the lord, Richardson. #. gen.pl. a room, and sometimes
in pl. for a single house. , like , within + gen.; here after its case.
343
= pres.mid.pple. acc.sg.m. dat.pl. a couch, bed; a marriage bed;
sometimes in pl. for one bed. with, in company with + dat. dat.sg.f. august,
deserving respect. dat.sg. one who sleeps beside; a spouse, wife.
344
acc.pl.n. adv. , pple. form of , pres.mid. dat.sg.f., agreeing
with , ie. . dat.sg. a longing for, a desire for + gen.; it is a dat. of cause.
ie. . adv. far away.
345
dat. of cause. see line 325. acc.sg.f. terrible, dread,
awful. impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to consider; to devise, to contrive.
acc.sg. will, determination; a plan, a design.
346
adv. near, close by.
pres.mid.pple. nom.sg.m. to stand.
-
aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to speak.
() nom.sg. strong, mighty.
347
voc.
voc.sg. dark-haired.
- aor.mid.pple. dat.pl.n. to
waste away, to die; here the pple. becomes a substantive, those having died, Smyth 2050, and
takes the dat. after . pres.act.pple. nom.sg.m. to rule over + dat.
348
acc.sg.f. illustrious, noble.
349
- aor2.act.infin. to lead out. ' the ending -() can be used to represent
the ablative function of separation, as here, or sometimes the instrumental or locative, Smyth 280.
personal pron. 3rd.pers. acc.pl., ie. the gods. see line 338.
350
see line 339. gen.sg. bitter anger, wrath. gen.sg.
anger, wrath. gen.sg.f. dread, grim, terrible.
351
dat. of interest. aor.act.opt. 3rd.sg. to stop, to cease + gen.; the intransitive
use is normally found only with the imperative, Richardson. since, seeing that; sometimes
like, else, otherwise. pres.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to plan, to contrive, to intend.
352
aor.act.infin. to make to perish, to destroy. acc.pl.n. powerless, helpless,
feeble. gen.pl.m. earth-born.

45
sprm p gj krptousa, katafqinqousa d timj
qantwn. d ann cei clon, od qeosi
355 msgetai, ll pneuqe qudeoj ndoqi nho
stai, 'Eleusnoj kranan ptoleqron cousa.
j fto: medhsen d nax nrwn 'Adwnej
frsin, od pqhse Dij basiloj fetmj.
ssumnwj d kleuse dafroni PersefoneV:
360
rceo Persefnh par mhtra kuanpeplon
pion n stqessi mnoj ka qumn cousa,
mhd ti dusqmaine lhn perision llwn.
o toi n qantoisin eikj ssom kothj
atokasgnhtoj patrj Dij: nqa d osa

353

acc.sg. seed. pres.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to conceal, hide; to bury.

- () pres.act.pple. nom.sg.f., of things, to make to disappear, to obliterate.
354
gen. of possession; ie. the gods wont receive sacrifices. ie. .
recall line 350. dat. of association.
355
( is alternate present) pres.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to join with, to mingle.
adv. far off, aloof. within + gen.
356
= pres.mid.ind. 3rd.sg.

acc.sg.n. rocky, rugged.

acc.sg. city. recall line 135 for this usage.
357
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to smile. #. gen.pl. those below, ie. the
dead.
358
dat.pl. eyebrows; instrumental dat.: he smiles with his eyebrows.

aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to disobey + dat.

this title occurs in Hesiod, but
Homer never uses of the gods, only , Richardson. dat.pl. a command.
359
adv. form, quickly, eagerly.
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to urge, bid,
command + dat. dat.sg.f. skillful, thoughtful, whether in war or in the arts of peace,
LHD.
360
pres.mid.imperat. 2nd.sg., uncontracted form of . voc.
see line 319.
361
acc.sg.n. gentle, mild. dat.pl. the breast, as the seat of feeling,
always pl. in Homer, LSJ. acc.sg. spirit, passion; temper. acc.sg. heart,
resolve, courage. Having courage and a gentle temperament in your breast.
362
acc.sg.n. adv. in any degree, at all. - pres.act.imperat. 2nd.sg. to be disheartened, to despair; this verb occurs only here, Richardson. () very, exceedingly.
acc.sg.n., like , near, around + gen. Do not be too disheartened among the others (gods).
363
nom.sg.m. unseemly, shameful. = fut. 1st.sg. nom.sg.
spouse, husband. Recall lines 83-85.
364
nom.sg. an own brother, ie. myself a brother. there, ie. the upperworld.

46
365 despsseij pntwn psa zei te ka rpei,

timj d scshsqa met qantoisi megstaj,

tn d dikhsntwn tsij ssetai mata pnta,
o ken m qusaisi ten mnoj lskwntai
eagwj rdontej nasima dra telontej.
370
j fto: gqhsen d perfrwn Persefneia,
karpalmwj d nrous p crmatoj: atr g atj
oij kkkon dwke fagen melihda lqrV
mf nwmsaj, na m mnoi mata pnta
aqi par adoV Dhmteri kuanopplJ.
375 ppouj d proproiqen p crusoi
^ sin cesfin

365

fut.act.ind. 2nd.sg. to rule over + gen. () nom.pl.n. how many, as

many as. (= ) pres.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to live. pres.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to move, to
creep.
366
fut. 2nd.sg., an anomalous form of , Richardson. superlative
acc.pl.f. greatest.
367
aor.act.pple. gen.pl.m. to do wrong; the verb occurs first here in epic, Richardson.
objective gen.
nom.sg. retribution, vengeance, punishment.
fut.mid. 3rd.sg. of . see line 260.
368
demonstrative; probably what follows defines , Richardson.
dat.pl. offerings, sacrifices. see line 258. acc.sg. power, strength; temperament. pres.mid.subj. 3rd.pl. to appease.
369
adv. purely, righteously. pres.act.pple. nom.pl.m. to do, to make; ie. a
sacrifice. acc.pl.n. fit, proper. acc.pl. gifts. pres.act.pple.
nom.pl.m. to complete, accomplish; to execute, perform.
370
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to rejoice. nom.sg.f. very thoughtful.
371
adv. form swiftly, rapidly. aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to leap up.
of cause + gen. gen.sg. joy, delight. he himself, ie. .
372
gen.sg. the pomegranate. acc.sg. seed. to eat, infin. of ,
aor2. with no pres. in use. acc.sg.m. honey-sweet. V adv. secretly, stealthily,
treacherously.
373
(#-) see line 338; reflexive here of . aor.act.pple. nom.sg.m. to distribute;
to handle; later, to observe; the sense here is uncertain, but Matthiae reads it as peering around
himself, as fitting his secretive behavior, Richardson.
pres.act.opt. 3rd.sg. to stay, to
remain.
374
adv. there. dat.sg.f. revered, respected, august. dat.sg.f.
dark-veiled.
375
acc.pl.m. horses. adv. before, in front. () dat.pl.n.
golden. , heteroclite , epic dat.pl.n., used of one chariot; recall line 349 for -
ending.

47
ntuen qantouj polushmntwr 'Adwnej.
d cwn pbh, par d kratj 'Argeifnthj
na ka mstiga labn met cers flVsi
see dik megrwn: t d ok konte petsqhn.
380 mfa d makr kleuqa dinusan, od qlassa
oq dwr potamn ot gkea poienta
ppwn qantwn ot kriej sceqon rmn,
ll pr atwn baqn ra tmnon ntej.
stse d gwn qi mmnen stfanoj Dhmthr
385 nhoo proproiqe qudeoj: d dosa

376

impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to prepare, to make ready; yokes the horses,

and lends them his chariot, Richardson.
with in the previous line.
nom.sg. commander-to-many.
377
ie. . gen.pl.n., see line 375. - aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to go onto, to
mount + gen. here as adv., together, at once, LSJ.F. ' recall line
346.
378
acc.pl. reins.
acc.sg. a whip.
pres.act.pple.
nom.sg.m. to take, to hold.
+ dat., between, ie. in the hands, LSJ.B.3.
V in
epic, often his/her own, recall line 41; in poetry, used of limbs, LSJ.I.3.
379
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to put in quick motion, to drive. through and out
of + gen.
dual, ie. the horses.
contracted pres.act.pple. nom.dual.m.
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.dual, unaug., to fly, to rush.
380
adv. lightly, swiftly, fleetly. acc.pl.n. long. heterogeneous
noun, becoming neut. in the pl. forms; acc.pl.n., voyage, journey. - aor.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to
finish, to complete. nom.sg. sea.
381
gen.pl. stream, river; gen. of possession. nom.pl. bends, ie. glens,
valleys. nom.pl.n. grassy, rich in grass.
382
gen. of possession of .
nom.pl. hilltops.

aor2.act.ind. 3rd.pl., no pres. in use, in meaning like , to have, hold; to restrain, keep back.
acc.sg. rapid movement forward, onrush, charge, attack.
383
over, above + gen. = gen.pl.f., ie. the hilltops.
acc.sg.m., of height, deep or high; also, thick.
acc.sg.m. mist, fog, cloud; or
simply, air. aor2.act.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to cut. = pres.act.pple. nom.pl.m.
384
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to make to stand, and so, to stop; Hermes is the subject.
pres.act.pple. nom.sg.m. to lead, to convey. relative adv. where. impf.act.ind.
3rd.sg., unaug., to stay, remain, wait.
385
gen.sg. a temple.
before, in front of + gen.
= (#-)
aor2.act.pple. nom.sg.f.

48
x te mainj roj kta dskion lV.
386. V does not describe .s movements here, but
belongs to the simile, alluding to the Mainads, or Bacchae, the female
followers of Dionysus.

Persefnh d tr[wqen pe den mmata kal]

mhtrj j kat [r g cea proliposa ka ppouj]
lto qei[n, deir d o mpesen mficuqesa:]
390 t d [flhn ti pada j met cersn cosV]
a[ya dlon qumj tin sato, trsse d r anj]
pa[u]om[nh klauqmoo, far d reeneto mqJ:]
386

V Ruhnken M.
Ilgen. Goodwin.
388
Goodwin.
389
, Goodwin.
390
V Goodwin.
391
, Goodwin.
392
Richardson Goodwin.
||
J Goodwin.
387

= aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to move quickly, to rush. as, like.

nom.sg. a mad woman, a lunatic. acc.sg. a mountain, a hill. postpositive
here, downwards, down + acc. acc.sg.n. thick-shaded, bushy. () dat.sg. a
wood, a forest; dat. of location.
387
adv. from the other side; without local sense, on the other hand, for her part.
when, with aor. to express a complete action, LSJ. = aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg.
acc.pl. eyes; face, countenance.
388
gen. of possession. 3rd.pers. possessive pron., gen.sg.f. with in
the next line. of course she jumped down to run... acc.pl.n., see line 375.
- aor.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to leave behind, to abandon.
389
= aor2.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to spring, to leap. pres.act.infin. to run.
dat.sg. the neck. ie. ., agent of . - aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg.,
unaug., to fall upon + dat. () - aor.pass.pple. nom.sg.f. to embrace.
390
ie. ., dat. of reference, agreeing with V.
of time, still.
3rd.pers.
possessive pron. dat.pl.f., with . recall line 378.
391
acc.sg. a trick, deception, treachery. indefinite pron., acc.sg.m., with .
() aor.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to think, imagine, suspect, fear. aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg.,
unaug., to fear, to be afraid. adv. form, terribly, exceedingly.
392
pres.mid.pple. nom.sg.f. to stop, to cease + gen. gen.sg. a weeping.
adv. presently, straightway, at once.
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to ask, to
inquire. J instrumental dat.
386

49
tknon, m t moi s[ ge pssao, nrqen osa,]
brmhj; xada, [m keq, na edomen mfw:]
395 j mn gr k niosa p[ar stugero 'Adao]
ka par mo ka patr kel[ainef Kronwni]
naietoij, pntessi tetim[nh qantoi]sin.
e [d psw, yorron os, p keqesi gahj]
okseij rw
^ n trtaton mr[oj ej niautn,]
400 tj d dw par mo te ka [lloij qan]toisin.
ppte d nqesi ga ede[sin] arino[si]
393

, Goodwin.
, Hermann.
395
' Goodwin.
396
m (unknown 16th c. hand in M).
397
m.
398
, , West.
399
Bucheler. m.
400
m.
401
m.
394

393

voc.sg. child. because . is hoping for a negative answer, Gaisser. adv.

in any degree, at all.
dat. of feeling, showing the interest of the speaker, Smyth 1486.
aor.mid.ind. 2nd.sg., unaug., to eat + gen.
adv. below, beneath.
Child,
please tell me that you didnt eat any food while you were down there?
394
gen.sg. food.
- pres.act.imperat. 2nd.sg. to speak out.

pres.act.imperat. 2nd.sg. to hide, to conceal.

perf2.act.subj. 1st.pl.
nom.dual
both.
395
demonstrative, thus, in this way; ie. if . did not eat anything. anticipating
in line 397. - pres.act.pple. nom.sg.f. to spring forth, to leave. gen.sg.m.
loathsome, wretched, miserable.
396
see line 91.
397
pres.act.opt. 2nd.sg. to dwell.
dat. of agent.
()
perf.pass.pple. nom.sg.f. to honor.
398
opposed to in line 395.
aor.mid.ind. 2nd.sg. to eat.

neut. adv., backwards, back again. = pres.act.pple. nom.sg.f. dat.pl.
depths, innermost chambers.
399
fut.act.ind. 2nd.sg. to inhabit, to occupy. gen.pl. the seasons; partitive gen.

() acc.sg.n. a third. acc.sg. a part, a share. acc.sg. a

cycle, period; a year. every year, Gaisser.
400
ie. the other two-thirds of the year.
401
() when. dat.pl. a flower, a blossom. nom.sg.
dat.pl.n. sweet-smelling, fragrant. dat.pl.n. of spring; regarding the eta, see line
174.

50
pantodapoj qllei, tt p zfou erentoj
atij nei mga qama qeoj qnhtoj t nqrpoij.
ka tni s xapthse dlJ krater[j polud]gmwn;
405
tn d a Persefnh perikallj nton hda:
toigr g toi, mter, rw
^ nhmerta pnta:
et moi ggeloj lq rionioj 'Argeifnthj
pr patroj Krondao ka llwn oraninwn
lqen x 'Erbeuj, na m fqalmosin dosa
410 lxaij qantoisi clou ka mnioj anj,
atr gn nrous p crmatoj, atr lqrV
mbal moi oij kkkon, melihd dwdn,

404
402

m.

dat.pl.n. of all kinds, manifold. pres.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to bloom, to

abound. adv. then, at that time.
403
adv. again; back again. = pres.act.ind. 2nd.sg. to go up; in the pres.ind.
can have a future sense, you shall rise up again, Smyth 1880.
acc.sg.
a wonder, a marvel; here predicate, as a great spectacle; recall lines 10-11.
dat. of interest.
404
interrogative pron., dat.sg.m., with J. - aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to
deceive thoroughly. dat.sg. a bait, a trick, treachery; instrumental dat.
nom.sg.m. strong, mighty. nom.sg.m. host-to-many, all-receiver, ie. .
405
adv., following , in turn, LSJ.II.2. nom.sg.f. very beautiful.
acc.sg.n. adv. against, straight at, opposite. impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to speak to + acc.
she answered, LSJ.
406
so then, therefore, accordingly. pronoun. vocative. fut.act.ind.
1st.sg. to speak, to tell. see line 58.
407
of time, when. dat. of advantage. nom.sg.m. messenger, envoy.
= aor2. 3rd.sg. nom.sg., epithet of Hermes, the ready helper, luckbringer.
408
= from beside + gen.
() gen.pl. the heavenly ones, the gods above.
409
= aor.act.infin., main verb in indirect discourse, with l.407 acting as subject. ' gen. instrumental dat. see line 385.
410
aor.act.opt. 2nd.sg. to cease, to abate + gen. dat. of interest.
see line 350.
411
= , used before vowels. see line 371. ie. .
V adv. secretly, covertly, treacherously.
412
- aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to throw in, to put in; to give. gen.sg. the
pommegranate. acc.sg. a seed. acc.sg.f. honey-sweet. acc.sg.
food.

51
kousan d bV me proshngkasse psasqai.
j d m narpxaj Krondew
^ pukinn di mtin
415 ceto patrj moo frwn p keqea gahj
xerw ka pnta dixomai j reeneij.
mej mn mla psai n mertn leimna,
418-424. The following list of .s playmates is a shorter version of the
catalogue of Oceanids which begins at Theogony 349, but with a few added
names. It may be borrowed directly from Hesiod, or perhaps it is a traditional feature (Richardson). The presence of Pallas (Athena) and Artemis is
not mentioned earlier in the hymn, but they appear in other versions, where
they chase Hades and attempt to fight, but are prevented by a thunderbolt
from Zeus, which, in one case, serves to open the earth for Hades (Richardson). All of the names are nominative.

Leukpph Fain te ka 'Hlktrh ka 'Inqh

ka Melth 'Ich te `Rdei te Kallirh te
420 Mhlbosj te Tch te ka 'Wkurh kalukpij
Crushj t 'Ineir t 'Aksth t 'Admth te
ka `Rodph Plout te ka meressa Kaluy
ka Stx Oranh te Galaxarh t ratein
Pallj t gremch ka Artemij ocaira
413

contracted form of , acc.sg.f. dat.sg. strength, force; instrumental

dat.
- aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to force someone (acc.) to do something (infin.).
aor.mid.infin. to eat.
414
, here like , how, LSJ.B.VI.; introducing an indirect question, governed by in
416, Gaisser. - aor.act.pple. nom.sg.m. to snatch up, carry away, kidnap.
acc.sg.f. solid, well-constructed; wise, shrewd. through, by means of + acc.
acc.sg. wisdom, counsel, plan.
415
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to go away, depart; the subject is . gen.
of separation. see line 340.
416
- fut.act.ind. 1st.sg. to put forth, to tell. - fut.mid.ind. 1st.sg. to go through,
penetrate; to recount. pres.act.ind. 2nd.sg. to ask.
417
adv. very much, exceedingly; with , all together, everyone.
()
acc.sg.m. longed for, lovely. acc.sg. grassy place, meadow.
419
##.
420
nom.sg. flower-faced, rosy-cheeked.
422
nom.sg.f. exciting desire, charming, lovely.
423

nom.sg.f. lovely, charming.

424
nom.sg. rouser of battles, Foley. () nom.sg. shooter of arrows.

52
425 pazomen d nqea
drpomen ceress renta,
^

mgda krkon t gann ka galldaj d kinqon

ka odaj klukaj ka leria, qama dsqai,
nrkissn q n fus j per krkon erea cqn.
atr g drepmhn per crmati, gaa d nerqe
430 crhsen, t d kqor nax kraterj poludgmwn.
b d frwn p gaan n rmasi cruseoisi
pll ekazomnhn, bhsa d r rqia fwn.
tat toi cnumnh per lhqa pnt gorew.
j tte mn prpan mar mfrona qumn cousai
435 poll ml lllwn kradhn ka qumn ainon
425
impf.act.ind. 1st.pl., unaug., to play. acc.pl. blossoms, flowers.
impf.act.ind. 1st.pl., unaug., to pluck, to pick.
instrumental dat.

acc.pl.n. lovely, charming; with .
426

mingled, in one mass. acc.sg. crocus. acc.sg.m. gentle, soft.

acc.pl. irises. (
) acc.sg. hyacinth.
427
acc.pl.f. of roses. acc.pl. buds. acc.pl. lilies.
acc.sg. a wonder, a marvel. (#-) aor2.mid.infin. to see, to behold; poets may use
the middle of this verb with active sense.
428
acc.sg. narcissus. ( in aor.) aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to bring forth, to bear.
just like. an uncertain comparison, perhaps referring to the golden color;
Sophocles mentions both flowers together in connection with . and her daughter, Richardson.
nom.sg.f. wide, broad.
429
impf.mid.ind. 1st.sg., unaug., to pluck, to pick; understand as the object.
of the cause or occasion, for, by reason of + dat.; this usage is not Homeric, Richardson.
dat.sg. joy, delight. adv. beneath, below.
430
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to give way, gape, open. by which way; recall line
17. -, -, - aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to leap out.
see line 404.
431
= aor2. 3rd.sg., unaug. dat.pl., for a single chariot, especially a
war chariot. () dat.pl.n. of gold, golden.
432
acc.sg.f. unwilling. aor.act.ind. 1st.sg. to shout, to cry out.
acc.pl.n. adv. aloud, loudly, shrilly. dat.sg. voice; instrumental dat.
433
demonstrative pron. acc.pl.n. these things. pronoun. pres.mid.pple.
nom.sg.f.
acc.pl.n. the truth.
pres.act.ind. 1st.sg. to speak, mention,
declare.
434
so, thus. adv. then, at that time. , strengthened form of ,
acc.sg.n., with , acc. of extent of time: all day long. acc.sg.m. of one
mind/heart, like-minded.
435
acc.pl.n. adv. adv. very, exceedingly. reciprocal pron., gen.pl.m.
acc.sg. heart. () impf.act.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to warm, cheer, soothe.

53
mfagapazmenai, cwn d pepaeto qumj.
ghqosnaj d dconto par lllwn did[n te.]
tsin d ggqen lq `Ekth liparokrdemnoj,
poll d r mfagphse krhn Dhmteroj gnj:
440 k to o prpoloj ka pwn plet nassa.
taj d metggelon ke barktupoj eropa Zej
`Rehn komon Dhmtera kuanpeplon
xmenai met fla qen, pdekto d timj
dwsmen, j ken loito met qantoisi qeosi:
445 nese d o korhn teoj peritellomnoio
tn tritthn mn moran p zfon erenta,
437
442
436

... Ruhnken
M: Fontein.

- pres.mid.pple. nom.pl.f. to embrace warmly, to treat kindly.

pres.act.pple. nom.sg.m. to grieve, to sorrow.

- impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to stop, to
cease + gen.
437
acc.pl. joys, delights.
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.pl., unaug., to accept, to
receive. impf.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to give.
438
dat.pl.f.; ie. . and . adv. nearby.
= aor2. 3rd.sg.

nom.sg.f. with bright head-dress.

439
acc.pl.n. adv. - aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to embrace warmly, to treat
kindly. (= ) acc.sg. gen.sg.f. holy, hallowed, sacred; pure, chaste.
gen. of possession.
440
from that time, since then. (#-) dat. of interest; probably referring to ., Richardson. nom.sg.f. one who goes before: a servant, attendant, minister.
(
) nom.sg. one who follows: a follower, attendant, companion. , syncope of ,
impf.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. of , to be in motion, or simply to be. nom.sg. queen, lady;
ie. `.
441
= , see line 438. acc.sg.f. a messenger between two parties; in
apposition with ` . aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. of , to send.
see line 3.
442
object of .
443
fut.act.infin. to lead, to take; infinitive of purpose, Smyth 2008.
-
aor2.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to take upon oneself, to promise + fut.infin. ().
444
fut.act.infin. see line 328.
445
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to nod in assent, to agree. (#-) ie. his messenger, `.
gen.sg. a year; partitive gen. - pres.mid.pple. gen.sg.n. to go around,
turn, cycle.
446

() acc.sg.f. a third. acc.sg. a part, a portion.

acc. of extent of time.

54
tj d dw par mhtr ka lloij qantoisin.
j fat, od pqhse qe Dij ggeliwn.
ssumnwj d xe kat Olmpoio karnwn,
450 ej d ra 'Rrion xe, fersbion oqar rorhj
t prn, tr tte g o ti fersbion, ll khlon
estkei panfullon: keuqe d ra kr leukn
mdesi Dmhtroj kallisfrou: atr peita
mllen far tanaosi komsein stacessin
455 roj exomnoio, pdJ d ra ponej gmoi
brismen stacwn, t d n lledanosi dedsqai.

447

ie. : the other two thirds of the year. The sense of lines 445-447 is compressed: an infin. should be understood with , and a verb of motion with ,
Richardson.
448
recall line 316. aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to disobey; taking a gen. here,
but usually with a dat. ie. `. gen.pl. proclamations, commands.
449
adv. form, hurriedly, furiously. aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to move quickly,
to rush. gen.pl. heads; metaph. mountain peaks.
450
' acc.sg. the Rarian (plain), sacred to ., where tillage was first practised, LSJ.
= aor. 3rd.sg. + acc. acc.sg.n. life-giving. acc.sg. udder;
metaph. most fertile, richest. gen.sg. arable land, land, earth; gen. of possession.
451
of past time, once, formerly, LSJ.A.II. then, after that, with , of the period
of famine caused by . not at all. (#-) acc.sg.n. at rest, idle; metaph. fallow,
LSJ.
452
= plupf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., intransitive, to lie, to be situated; to be in a certain
state.
(
) acc.sg.n. completely leafless, barren; found only here, Richardson.
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to hide, to conceal; the subject is , Richardson.
acc.sg. barley. acc.sg. white.
453
dat.pl. plans, designs; instrumental dat.
gen.sg.f. with
beautiful ankles.
454
impf.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to think of doing, intend to do, to be about to do +
fut.infin.
adv. thereupon, after that.

dat.pl.m. outstretched, tall, long.

fut.act.infin. to grow long hair; metaph. of trees and plants.
dat.pl. ears
of corn.
455
gen.sg. spring. pres.mid.pple. gen.sg.n. to increase, grow, rise.
gen. absolute.
dat.sg. the ground, the earth; locative dat.

nom.pl.m. fat, plump; rich. nom.pl. furrows, rows.
456
() fut.act.infin. to be heavy with, to groan under the weight of + gen. ie. other
ears of corn.
dat.pl. bands for binding corn-sheaves. perf.pass.infin. to be
bound, to be tied.

55
nq pbh prtiston p aqroj trugtoio:
spaswj d don lllaj, kecrhnto d qum.
tn d de proseipe `Rh liparokrdemnoj:
460
dero tkoj, kalei se barktupoj eropa Zej
lqmenai met fla qen, pdekto d timj
[dwsmen, j ken loio] met qantoisi qeosi.
[nese d soi korhn teoj p]eritellomnoio
[tn tritthn mn moran p zfon ]erenta,
465 [tj d dw par so te ka lloij] qantoisin.
[j r fh tel]esqai: d pneuse krhti.
[ll qi, tknon] mn, ka peqeo, mhd ti lhn
[zhcj men]aine kelainef Kronwni:
462

, Ilgen
m.
464
m
465
This line was removed by m, but restored by Ruhnken.
466
Goodwin
467
m
468
m Ruhnken
463

457

there, ie. the Rarian plain. - aor2.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to come upon; the subject
is `. superlative, acc.sg.n. adv., first of all. gen.sg. air, sky;
region; usually fem. in Homer. gen.sg.m. unfruitful, barren.
458
adv. form, gladly. = aor2. 3rd.pl. reciprocal pron.,
acc.pl.f. plupf.mid.ind. 3rd.pl. to rejoice, to be delighted.
459
ie. . adv. so, thus, in this way. - (= ) aor2. form, here
3rd.sg., to speak to, to address. ` alternate form of `.
nom.sg.f.
with bright head-dress.
460
adv. hither, to this place; used in calling to someone, come.
voc.sg.
child; ` is .s mother. pres. 3rd.sg. see line 3.
461465
Compare lines 443-447.
461
= aor.act.infin.
462
note change to 2nd.sg.
463
note change to 2nd.sg.; compare lines 465 and 447 as well.
466
= aor2. 3rd.sg.; the subject is . fut.mid.infin., uncontracted, to fulfil,
pay, complete; infin. of purpose. possessive pron., dat.sg.n. 3rd.sg., ie. of Zeus. -
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to nod in approval. dat.sg. head; instrumental dat.
467
= pres.act.imperat. 2nd.sg. vocative. pres.mid.imperat. 2nd.sg.
to obey, to be persuaded. negating in the next line. acc.sg.n. adv. at all, in
any degree. very, exceedingly.
468
acc.sg.n. adv. excessively, unceasingly. pres.act.imperat. 2nd.sg. to be
angry, to rage. dat.sg.m. black with clouds, shrouded with dark clouds.

56

470

475
476
478

a[ya d ka]rpn exe fersbion nqrpoisin.

[j fat, o]d pqhsen stfanoj Dhmthr,
aya d karpn nken rourwn riblwn.
psa d flloisn te ka nqesin erea cqn
bris: d kiosa qemistoploij basilesi
d[exe,] TriptolmJ te Diokle te plhxppJ,
Emlpou te bV Kele q gtori lan,
drhsmosnhn q ern ka pfraden rgia psi,
semn, t g o pwj sti parex[m]en o[te] puqsqai,
ot cein: mga gr ti qen sbaj scnei adn.
469

m
, m
474
Pausanias
478
Matthiae
479
M Richardson

470

469

acc.sg. fruit; produce, return, profit. pres.act.imperat. 2nd.sg. to foster,

increase, grow. acc.sg.m. life-giving. dat. of advantage.
470
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to disobey. nom.sg.f. well-crowned.
471
- aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to send up, to produce; to put back, restore.
gen.pl. arable lands, fields; gen. of source. (from ) gen.pl.f. with large
clods, very fertile.
472
with . dat.pl. leaves, foliage. dat.pl. flowers,
blossoms. nom.sg.f. wide, broad.
473
() aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to be weighed down with + dat. ie. . () pres.act.pple.
nom.sg.f. to go. dat.pl.m. law-giving, ministering law. dat.pl.
kings.
474
aor.act.ind. 3rd.sg., unaug., to bring to light, to reveal, to explain.
dat.sg.m. driver of horses.
475
V the strength of Eumolpos, ie. Eumolpos, a common periphrasis for a person.
dat.sg. leader, commander. gen.pl. the people; gen. of possession.
476
acc.sg. service.
(from ) gen.pl. sacred rites.

reduplicated aor2. 3rd.sg. of , to show, indicate, tell, teach. acc.pl. rites,

secret worship. ie. to all the kings.
478
acc.pl.n. sacred things, holy things. not by any means. =
pres. 3rd.sg.; a neut.pl. subject () has its verb in the singular, Smyth 958. With this accenting,
, it means it is possible, it is permited. - pres.act.infin. to go out beside, to turn
aside out of the path, ie. to transgress. aor.mid.infin. to learn by inquiry.
479
uncontracted pres.act.infin. to sound, ie. to tell, to divulge. here like an indefinite
article.
nom.sg. awe for, reverence for + gen.
(
) pres.act.ind. 3rd.sg.
checks, hinders, stops. acc.sg. speech, the voice. The initiates lips are sealed by a
great reverence of the gods, Richardson.

57
480 lbioj j td pwpen picqonwn nqrpwn:

j d telj ern, j t mmoroj, o poq mown

asan cei fqmenj per p zfJ erenti.
atr pe d pnq peqkato da qewn,
bn men Olumpnde qen meq mgurin llwn.
485 nqa d naietousi para Di terpikeranJ
semna t adoa te: mg lbioj n tin kenai
profronwj flwntai picqonwn nqrpwn:
aya d o pmpousin fstion j mga dma
Ploton, j nqrpoij fenoj qnhtosi ddwsin.
490
ll g 'Eleusnoj quosshj dmon cousai
ka Pron mfirthn Antrwn te petrenta,
480

nom.sg.m. happy, blessed. demonstrative pron., acc.pl.n., these things, ie.

the secret rites. = perf.act.ind. 3rd.sg. to see. gen.pl.m. upon the
earth, earthly. partitive gen.
481
nom.sg.m. unaccomplished, uninitiated + gen. see line 476.
nom.sg.m. not sharing in, without + gen. ( again); can also mean ill-fated. at no
time, never. gen.pl.n. resembling, equal, same; gen. of explanation, of in the
next line.
482
acc.sg. lot, share, fate. pres.mid.pple. nom.sg.m. to waste away, perish, die.
dat.sg.m. dank, moldy.
483
after that, when + aor. to indicate a complete action. = acc.pl.n. all of
this, all these things. - aor.mid.ind. 3rd.sg. to place under as a foundation.
nom.sg. divine, noblest.
484
see line 302. recall line 126 and Smyth 342 for the - suffix.
acc.sg. a company, an assembly.
485
pres.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to dwell, to inhabit.
= .

dat.sg.m. delighting in thunder.
486
nom.pl.f. revered, holy, sacred. nom.pl.f. regarded with reverence, respected. (he is) greatly blessed. anyone whom.
demonstrative, nom.pl.f., those (gods), ie. . and .
487
adv. form.
pres.mid.subj. 3rd.pl. to love, to show affection.
see line 480.
488
begins the explanation of why he is blessed, Richardson.
(#-) ie. he who is
blessed.
pres.act.ind. 3rd.pl. to send.
acc.sg.n. of the hearth, of the
household.
489
acc.sg. wealth, riches. pres. 3rd.sg.
490
= imperat., used as adv., come!; can be used with sg. or pl. verb, Richardson; here
the poet begins a closing invocation to the two goddesses.
' see line 97.
acc.sg. land, country, district, town. pres.act.pple. voc.pl.f. to dwell, to inhabit.
491
acc.sg.f., of islands, flowed-around, surrounded by sea.
acc.sg.n. rocky.

58
ptnia gladwr rhfre Dho nassa
at ka korh perikallj Persefneia
prfronej nt dj boton qumre paze.
495 atr g ka seo ka llhj mnsom oidj.
494. Other hymns have similar versions of this line. Hymn 30, to Earth the
Mother of All, at line 18 has ,
and 31, to the Sun, at line 17 has ,
. Line 495 has only been changed in number, to address both . and
, but incompletely, leaving an agreement problem in , which is singular. This lead Voss to suggest the infinitive for the imperative, a
common use in Epic (Smyth 2013). Since mismatches in number arent
unprecedented in Greek, we have kept the manuscript reading.

494
492

Voss.

voc. voc.sg.f. giving splendid gifts. voc.sg.f. bringer

of seasons. voc. of , see line 47. voc.sg. queen, lady.
493
voc.sg.f. herself, ie. . voc.
voc.sg.f. very beautiful.
voc.
494
voc.pl.f. for the price of, in return for + gen. gen.sg. a
song. acc.sg. life; means of living, livelihood. acc.sg.m. suiting the heart,
pleasant, delightful. pres.act.imp. to give, to grant.
495
gen. of , ie. . fut.mid.ind. 1st.sg. to remember, mention (aloud); ie. sing
of + gen. gen.sg. a song.

59

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Allen, T.W., W.R. Halliday, and E.E. Sikes, eds. The Homeric Hymns.
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Demon Names Ending in -tomos (Hymn to Demeter 228-29). American Journal of Philology 122 (2001) 1-10.
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Mylonas, G.E. Eleusis and the Eleusinian Mysteries. Princeton, 1961.
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Journal of Philology 83 (1962) 337-68.
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Zuntz, G. Persephone. Oxford, 1971.