A Hymn to the Mistress of Love and Desire
Homeric Hymn 6, “To Aphrodite” (author and date unknown)
I shall sing of venerable Aphrodite, beautiful goddess with a golden crown,
To whom belong the battlements of all sea-girt Cyprus,
The place to which the moist force of the blowing Zephyr
Carried her through the waves of the loud-roaring sea
Amidst soft foam. The Seasons with their golden headbands
Received her warmly and draped her in divine garments;
Upon her immortal head they placed a finely-wrought
Beautiful gold crown, and in her pierced earlobes
They placed flowers of orichalcum and valuable gold,
While around her delicate throat and white breast
They adorned her with gold necklaces, the sort that
The Seasons themselves wear whenever they set out
To the gods’ lovely dance and the home of their father.
Now when they had placed all the adornments around her body,
They led her to the immortal gods, who welcomed her
When they saw her and took her hand in greeting,
Each one praying that he would lead her to his house
As his wedded wife, as they admired the beauty
Of Kythereia who wears a crown of violets.
Hail, o quick-glancing, sweet and gentle lady; grant that I
May take the prize in this poetic contest,
And set my song in good order, I pray you.
But I shall remember both you and another song, too.
Mars Disarmed by Venus and the Three Graces, Jacques-Louis David, 1824
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