–
“Old mother, whence and who are you of folk She has an only son, late-born, who is being nursed born long ago? Why are you gone away from the in our well-built house, a child of many prayers and city and do not draw near the houses? For there in welcome: if you could bring him up until he the shady halls are women of just such age as you, reached the full measure of youth, any one of wom-and others younger; and they would welcome you ankind who should see you would straightway envy both by word and by deed.”
you, such gifts would our mother give for his up-
–
Thus they said. And she, that queen among bringing.”
goddesses answered them saying: “Hail, dear chil-So she spake: and the goddess bowed her head in –
dren, whosoever you are of woman-kind. I will tell assent. And they filled their shining vessels with you my story; for it is not unseemly that I should water and carried them off rejoicing. Quickly they tell you truly what you ask. Doso is my name, for came to their father’s great house and straightway my stately mother gave it me. And now I am come told their mother according as they had heard and from Crete over the sea’s wide back,—not willingly; seen. Then she bade them go with all speed and but pirates brought me thence by force of strength invite the stranger to come for a measureless hire.
T R E
As hinds or heifers in spring time, when sated with conspicuous upon your eyes as in the eyes of kings pasture, bound about a meadow, so they, holding that deal justice. Yet we mortals bear perforce what up the folds of their lovely garments, darted down the gods send us, though we be grieved; for a yoke is the hollow path, and their hair like a crocus flower set upon our necks. But now, since you are come streamed about their shoulders. And they found the here, you shall have what I can bestow: and nurse good goddess near the wayside where they had left me this child whom the gods gave me in my old age her before, and led her to the house of their dear and beyond my hope, a son much prayed for. If father. And she walked behind, distressed in her you should bring him up until he reach the full dear heart, with her head veiled and wearing a dark measure of youth, any one of womankind that sees cloak which waved about the slender feet of the you will straightway envy you, so great reward goddess.
would I give for his upbringing.”
–
Soon they came to the house of heaven-nurtured Then rich-haired Demeter answered her: “And –
Celeus and went through the portico to where their to you, also, lady, all hail, and may the gods give queenly mother sat by a pillar of the close-fitted you good! Gladly will I take the boy to my breast, roof, holding her son, a tender scion, in her bosom.
as you bid me, and will nurse him. Never, I ween, And the girls ran to her. But the goddess walked to through any heedlessness of his nurse shall witch-the threshold: and her head reached the roof and she craft hurt him nor yet the Undercutter:4 for I know filled the doorway with a heavenly radiance. Then a charm far stronger than the Woodcutter, and I awe and reverence and pale fear took hold of Meta-know an excellent safeguard against woeful witch-neira, and she rose up from her couch before De-craft.”
meter, and bade her be seated. But Demeter, When she had so spoken, she took the child in –
bringer of seasons and giver of perfect gifts, would her fragrant bosom with her divine hands: and his not sit upon the bright couch, but stayed silent with mother was glad in her heart. So the goddess lovely eyes cast down until careful Iambe placed a nursed in the palace Demophoön, wise Celeus’
jointed seat for her and threw over it a silvery fleece.
goodly son whom well-girded Metaneira bare. And Then she sat down and held her veil in her hands the child grew like some immortal being, not fed before her face. A long time she sat upon the stool2
with food nor nourished at the breast: for by day without speaking because of her sorrow, and greeted rich-crowned Demeter would anoint him with am-no one by word or by sign, but rested, never smil-brosia as if he were the offspring of a god and ing, and tasting neither food nor drink, because she breathe sweetly upon him as she held him in her pined with longing for her deep-bosomed daughter, bosom. But at night she would hide him like a until careful Iambe—who pleased her moods in brand in the heard of the fire, unknown to his dear aftertime also—moved the holy lady with many a parents. And it wrought great wonder in these that quip and jest to smile and laugh and cheer her heart.