{"id":124,"date":"2021-06-15T16:51:26","date_gmt":"2021-06-15T20:51:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca\/myths\/?post_type=chapter&p=124"},"modified":"2022-02-03T10:24:50","modified_gmt":"2022-02-03T15:24:50","slug":"l7newguided-homeric-hymn-to-aphrodite-part1","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/chapter\/l7newguided-homeric-hymn-to-aphrodite-part1\/","title":{"raw":"L7 Hypothesis-Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, Part 1","rendered":"L7 Hypothesis-Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, Part 1"},"content":{"raw":"

The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite<\/h1>\r\nTranslated by S. Ahmed, E. Bodner, R. Nickel, A. Rappold\r\n

Invocation: the Universal Power of Aphrodite<\/h1>\r\n
Muse, tell me the deeds of gold-adorned<\/div>\r\n
Aphrodite, Cyprus-born<\/div>\r\n
She rouses sweet desire in the gods,<\/div>\r\n
overpowers all men and women,<\/div>\r\n
as well as birds who soar in the sky<\/div>\r\n
and all creatures land and sea nurture.5<\/span><\/div>\r\n
All beings take pleasure in the deeds of garland-crowned<\/div>\r\n
Aphrodite of Kythera.<\/div>\r\n

The Three Exceptions<\/h1>\r\nThere are three exceptions \u2014\r\n
only three whose minds she can\u2019t persuade or deceive.<\/div>\r\nOne: the daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, owl-eyed Athena.\r\nShe finds no pleasure in the deeds of gold-adorned Aphrodite\r\nInstead, wars and the deeds of Ares bring her joy \u201310<\/span>\r\ncombat and battle \u2014 and inspiring deeds that bring glory:\r\nShe was the first to teach craftsmen on the Earth\r\nhow to make carriages and chariots elaborately fitted with bronze.\r\nSoft-skinned girls still at home \u2013\r\nthese too she taught glorious works, implanting this knowledge in each woman\u2019s mind.15<\/span>\r\n\r\nTwo: Artemis, golden-arrowed, loud-crying.\r\nLaughter-loving Aphrodite was never able to overpower her with love\u2019s delights.\r\nInstead, she takes pleasure in the bow and slaying wild animals on mountain tops.\r\nIn her rites: lyres and dances with piercing loud cries,\r\nIn her domains: shady groves, and the city of just men.20<\/span>\r\n\r\nThree: Hestia \u2013 in no way did the deeds of Aphrodite please her: modest, revered eternal maiden.\r\nCrooked-counselling Kronos fathered her first,\r\nbut also last of all, through the plans of aegis-bearing Zeus.\r\nA queen:\r\n

Poseidon and Apollo both tried to marry her.\r\nBut she was absolutely unwilling and refused, unable to be moved.25<\/span>\r\nShe swore a great oath, which in fact has been accomplished,\r\ntouching the head of father Zeus the aegis-bearer,\r\nswearing that she \u2013 shining among goddesses \u2013 would be a virgin for all eternity.\r\nTo her, father Zeus granted this noble gift, in place of marriage:\r\nShe sits in the middle of every household, holding the richest prize.30<\/span>\r\nIn all the gods\u2019 temples she too has her portion of honour.\r\nAnd by all mortals she is revered as the eldest of the gods.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Not even Zeus is exempt<\/h1>\r\nThese goddesses only are exempt from her persuasion and deception.\r\nNo one else is able to escape Aphrodite --\r\n
Not among the gods, who live carefree, and\r\nNot among men, haunted by death.35<\/span><\/div>\r\n
She even twisted the divine plan and intentions of Zeus, who delights in thunder,\r\nthough he is the greatest god and, in the distribution of honours, he received the greatest portion.<\/div>\r\nWhenever she wanted, she misled his most carefully held intentions.\r\nShe did so easily -- forcing him to have sex with lowly mortal women.\r\nAny thought of Hera, she erased from his mind \u2013\r\n
despite the respect owed to a sister and a wife.40<\/span><\/div>\r\n
Even though Hera was the most attractive of all the immortal gods\r\nAnd from a noble family: descended from crooked-counseling Kronos and\r\nRhea, the mother. Zeus, the steadfast counselor,\r\nmade Hera his respected wife and within his household, his trusted confidant.<\/div>\r\n

Zeus\u2019s plan<\/h1>\r\nIn Aphrodite\u2019s own heart, Zeus cast sweet longing45<\/span>\r\nto have sex with a mortal man, so that, as soon as possible,\r\neven she could no longer refrain from a mortal\u2019s bed.\r\nIn case she ever again started boasting to the assembled gods\r\nwith a cruel-sweet laugh \u2014 Laughter-loving Aphrodite claiming\r\nthat she could make any god she wanted have sex with mortal women50<\/span>\r\nand give sons, subject to death, to deathless parents,\r\nand that she could make goddesses have sex with mortal men.\r\n\r\nAnchises was at that time grazing his cattle\r\nhigh up on Mount Ida with its many springs. Into Aphrodite\u2019s heart\r\nZeus now cast desire for him, a man in appearance like the gods.55<\/span>\r\nWhen laughter-loving Aphrodite saw him\r\nShe fell in love\r\n
and violent desire seized her mind.<\/div>\r\nArriving in Cyprus, she descended to her fragrant temple\r\nin Paphos, where her sacred precinct and fragrant altar lie.\r\nThere she entered and closed its gleaming doors.60<\/span>\r\nInside, the Graces bathed her and anointed her with oil,\r\ndivine oil which gleams on the gods who are forever,\r\nan ambrosial substance, made pleasantly fragrant for her.\r\nShe placed around her naked body beautiful clothing, and\r\nadorned in gold, laughter-loving Aphrodite65<\/span>\r\nwent quickly towards Troy, leaving behind sweet-smelling Cyprus.\r\n

Aphrodite arrives on Mount Ida<\/h1>\r\nHigh among the clouds, her journey was swift.\r\nShe came to Mount Ida of many springs, mother of beasts.\r\nShe went straight through the mountain to the shepherd\u2019s hut. Following behind\r\nand fawning around her, grey wolves, savage-eyed lions,70<\/span>\r\nbears, and swift leopards ever hungry for deer\r\nlept about. When she saw this the spirit within her breast rejoiced\r\nand she cast sweet desire in their hearts, and all of them at once\r\nlay down together in pairs in their shadowy dens.\r\n\r\nShe now arrived at the shepherd's well-built hut.75<\/span>\r\nShe found him alone at the cattle pens where he had been left by the others,\r\nAnchises, a hero who had beauty from the gods.\r\nAt that time all the others were following their cattle through grassy meadows.\r\nBut he, left alone at the cattle pens by the others\r\nwas wandering here and there, playing a clear-sounding song on his lyre.80<\/span>\r\n\r\nAphrodite, daughter of Zeus stood before him\r\nin stature and form, looking like an unmarried virgin,\r\nso as not to frighten him when he saw her with his eyes.\r\n\r\nSeeing her, Anchises observed and marveled at\r\nher beauty and stature and gleaming clothes.85<\/span>\r\nShe wore a dress more radiant than the bright light of fire,\r\ncurved bracelets and shining earrings;\r\naround her soft throat were exquisite necklaces,\r\nelegant, golden, intricate. And as the moon shines,\r\na glow radiated around her soft breasts, wondrous to behold.90<\/span>\r\n\r\nDesire seized Anchises and, coming close, he spoke:\r\n

\u201cWelcome, lady! Whoever you are of the blessed gods who has come to this house,\r\neither Artemis or Leto or golden Aphrodite,\r\nnoble Themis or grey -eyed Athena,\r\nor maybe one of the Graces who has come here \u201495<\/span>\r\nwho dine with the gods and are called immortal,\r\nor one of the nymphs<\/p>\r\n\r\n

who inhabit beautiful groves\r\nor one of those who dwell on this lovely mountain\r\nand in the streams of its rivers and grassy meadows.<\/div>\r\n
On a mountain peak, visible all around.100<\/span>\r\nI will make an altar for you and perform noble sacrifices\r\nin every season. With a gracious spirit,\r\ngrant that I be preeminent among the Trojans,\r\nand make my offspring flourish in the time to come; grant that I too\r\nlive long and well, looking upon the light of the Sun,105<\/span>\r\nthat I prosper among my people and reach the threshold of old age.\u201d<\/div>\r\nThen Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus, answered him:\r\n

\u201cAnchises, most honoured of humans born on the Earth,\r\nI am in no way a god. Why do you compare me to the immortals?\r\nI am mortal, and a mortal mother bore me.110<\/span>\r\nOtreus is my father, a glorious name, if perhaps you\u2019ve heard it.\r\nHe rules over all the Phrygians who have well-built walls.<\/p>\r\n

I know both your language and my own well.\r\nFor a Trojan nurse brought me up in my house; she took me from my mother\r\nwhen I was a small child and for many years cared for me.115<\/span>\r\nSurprising as it seems \u2014 that is why I know your language so well.<\/p>\r\n

I was abducted by the Watchdog-Slayer, Hermes with the golden wand,\r\nfrom the dances to Artemis, golden-arrowed, loud-crying.<\/p>\r\n

There were many women in our chorus \u2014 some virgins, some near to womanhood,\r\nand some already marriageable, worth a high bride-price.\r\nWe were dancing. All around, a vast audience encircled us.120<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Right then, he abducted me: the golden-wanded Watchdog-Slayer.\r\nOver many farmsteads he took me \u2014 the works of men, mortal such as yourself \u2014\r\nand over many fields not yet divided and plowed,\r\nwhere wild beasts, eaters of flesh, prowl, slinking out from their shadowy dens.\r\nNot once did my feet seem to touch the ground: life-bearing and fertile.125<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Anchises\u2019 own, he kept saying: in his bed I would be called,\r\nHis lawful wife. And that I would bear you glorious children.\r\nBut after he showed me the way out and explained all this,\r\nHe flew back to the immortals, the powerful Watchdog-Slayer.\r\nNow I have come to you, compelled by powerful Necessity.130<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I beg you, calling on Zeus \u2014 as I kneel before you and touch your thigh \u2014 and your parents,\r\nwho must be exceptional. For ugly people could not produce one so perfect.\r\nSince I am a virgin and inexperienced in the ways of sex, take me\r\nand present me to your father and devoted mother,\r\nto your brothers \u2014 all those born from the same fruitful union.135<\/span>\r\nFor them, I will not be disreputable, an easy woman but a respectable daughter-in-law.<\/p>\r\n

But send a messenger right away to the swift-horsed Phrygians\r\nto inform my father and mother, who will be most anxious.\r\nGold in abundance and exquisitely woven garments,\r\nthey will send. I beg you, accept this great and noble bride price.140<\/span>\r\nAfterwards hold a feast for the wedding I desire so much,\r\none which will give you honour both among men<\/p>\r\n\r\n

and the immortal gods.\u201d<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\nSpeaking in this way, the goddess cast sweet desire into his heart.\r\nLust seized Anchises and he spoke, calling out to her:\r\n

\u201cIf you are mortal, and a mortal woman bore you,145<\/span>\r\nand Otreus \u2013 a famous name \u2013 is your father, as you proclaim,\r\nand you have come here with the help of the immortal Guide,\r\nHermes, and you will be called my wife for all our days,\r\nthen no one, neither a god nor a mortal man,\r\nwill hold me back here and now before I mingle in love with you150<\/span>\r\nthis very moment, not even if the far-shooter himself, Apollo,\r\nsends forth painful arrows from his silver bow.\r\nThen I would be willing, lady like the goddesses,\r\nonce I have lain in your bed, to enter the house of Hades.\u201d<\/p>\r\nSpeaking so, he took her hand, and laughter-loving Aphrodite155<\/span>\r\nturned and went, casting her beautiful eyes downwards,\r\ninto the well-strewn bed, which earlier had been covered\r\nby its master with soft blankets. On top of these\r\nlay the hides of bears and loud-roaring lions,\r\nwhich he himself had slain high in the mountains.160<\/span>\r\n\r\nOnce they\u2019d mounted the well-crafted bed,\r\nAnchises first took the splendid jewelry from her skin,\r\nbrooches and spiral bracelets, earrings and necklaces.\r\nHe loosened her belt and removed her shining clothes,\r\nplacing them on a silver-studded chair.165<\/span>\r\n\r\nThen, by the will of the gods and by destiny,\r\na mortal man lay beside an immortal goddess, not knowing clearly what he did.\r\n\r\nWhen shepherds guide their cattle and fat sheep\r\nfrom flowery meadows back to the fold,\r\nthen the shining goddess poured a sweet, profound sleep over Anchises,170<\/span>\r\nand put back on her beautiful clothing.\r\nOnce all her clothes and jewelry were perfectly arranged,\r\nshe stood in the hut. Her head reached\r\nthe well-made roof beam, and from her cheeks immortal beauty\r\nshone forth, beauty such as belongs to the violet -garlanded goddess of Kythera.175<\/span>\r\n\r\nShe roused him from sleep and spoke, calling his name,\r\n

\u201cAwaken, son of Dardanus! Why do you sleep so deeply?\r\nConsider whether I appear the same to you\r\nas when you first perceived me with your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\r\nSo she spoke, and startled out of sleep, he obeyed.180<\/span>\r\nWhen he saw the beautiful throat and eyes of Aphrodite,\r\nhe was frightened and turned his eyes aside, looking elsewhere.\r\nOnce more he covered his handsome face with his cloak\r\nand, supplicating her, spoke with winged words:\r\n

\u201cImmediately, Goddess, when I first saw you with my eyes,185<\/span>\r\nI knew you were a god. But you did not speak the truth.\r\nI implore you, in the name of aegis-bearing Zeus,\r\ndo not allow me to live impotent among men and women.\r\nTake pity! No man\u2019s life flourishes\r\nonce he sleeps with immortal goddesses.\u201d190<\/span><\/p>","rendered":"

The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite<\/h1>\n

Translated by S. Ahmed, E. Bodner, R. Nickel, A. Rappold<\/p>\n

Invocation: the Universal Power of Aphrodite<\/h1>\n
Muse, tell me the deeds of gold-adorned<\/div>\n
Aphrodite, Cyprus-born<\/div>\n
She rouses sweet desire in the gods,<\/div>\n
overpowers all men and women,<\/div>\n
as well as birds who soar in the sky<\/div>\n
and all creatures land and sea nurture.5<\/span><\/div>\n
All beings take pleasure in the deeds of garland-crowned<\/div>\n
Aphrodite of Kythera.<\/div>\n

The Three Exceptions<\/h1>\n

There are three exceptions \u2014<\/p>\n

only three whose minds she can\u2019t persuade or deceive.<\/div>\n

One: the daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, owl-eyed Athena.
\nShe finds no pleasure in the deeds of gold-adorned Aphrodite
\nInstead, wars and the deeds of Ares bring her joy \u201310<\/span>
\ncombat and battle \u2014 and inspiring deeds that bring glory:
\nShe was the first to teach craftsmen on the Earth
\nhow to make carriages and chariots elaborately fitted with bronze.
\nSoft-skinned girls still at home \u2013
\nthese too she taught glorious works, implanting this knowledge in each woman\u2019s mind.15<\/span><\/p>\n

Two: Artemis, golden-arrowed, loud-crying.
\nLaughter-loving Aphrodite was never able to overpower her with love\u2019s delights.
\nInstead, she takes pleasure in the bow and slaying wild animals on mountain tops.
\nIn her rites: lyres and dances with piercing loud cries,
\nIn her domains: shady groves, and the city of just men.20<\/span><\/p>\n

Three: Hestia \u2013 in no way did the deeds of Aphrodite please her: modest, revered eternal maiden.
\nCrooked-counselling Kronos fathered her first,
\nbut also last of all, through the plans of aegis-bearing Zeus.
\nA queen:<\/p>\n

Poseidon and Apollo both tried to marry her.
\nBut she was absolutely unwilling and refused, unable to be moved.25<\/span>
\nShe swore a great oath, which in fact has been accomplished,
\ntouching the head of father Zeus the aegis-bearer,
\nswearing that she \u2013 shining among goddesses \u2013 would be a virgin for all eternity.
\nTo her, father Zeus granted this noble gift, in place of marriage:
\nShe sits in the middle of every household, holding the richest prize.30<\/span>
\nIn all the gods\u2019 temples she too has her portion of honour.
\nAnd by all mortals she is revered as the eldest of the gods.<\/p>\n

Not even Zeus is exempt<\/h1>\n

These goddesses only are exempt from her persuasion and deception.
\nNo one else is able to escape Aphrodite —<\/p>\n

Not among the gods, who live carefree, and
\nNot among men, haunted by death.35<\/span><\/div>\n
She even twisted the divine plan and intentions of Zeus, who delights in thunder,
\nthough he is the greatest god and, in the distribution of honours, he received the greatest portion.<\/div>\n

Whenever she wanted, she misled his most carefully held intentions.
\nShe did so easily — forcing him to have sex with lowly mortal women.
\nAny thought of Hera, she erased from his mind \u2013<\/p>\n

despite the respect owed to a sister and a wife.40<\/span><\/div>\n
Even though Hera was the most attractive of all the immortal gods
\nAnd from a noble family: descended from crooked-counseling Kronos and
\nRhea, the mother. Zeus, the steadfast counselor,
\nmade Hera his respected wife and within his household, his trusted confidant.<\/div>\n

Zeus\u2019s plan<\/h1>\n

In Aphrodite\u2019s own heart, Zeus cast sweet longing45<\/span>
\nto have sex with a mortal man, so that, as soon as possible,
\neven she could no longer refrain from a mortal\u2019s bed.
\nIn case she ever again started boasting to the assembled gods
\nwith a cruel-sweet laugh \u2014 Laughter-loving Aphrodite claiming
\nthat she could make any god she wanted have sex with mortal women50<\/span>
\nand give sons, subject to death, to deathless parents,
\nand that she could make goddesses have sex with mortal men.<\/p>\n

Anchises was at that time grazing his cattle
\nhigh up on Mount Ida with its many springs. Into Aphrodite\u2019s heart
\nZeus now cast desire for him, a man in appearance like the gods.55<\/span>
\nWhen laughter-loving Aphrodite saw him
\nShe fell in love<\/p>\n

and violent desire seized her mind.<\/div>\n

Arriving in Cyprus, she descended to her fragrant temple
\nin Paphos, where her sacred precinct and fragrant altar lie.
\nThere she entered and closed its gleaming doors.60<\/span>
\nInside, the Graces bathed her and anointed her with oil,
\ndivine oil which gleams on the gods who are forever,
\nan ambrosial substance, made pleasantly fragrant for her.
\nShe placed around her naked body beautiful clothing, and
\nadorned in gold, laughter-loving Aphrodite65<\/span>
\nwent quickly towards Troy, leaving behind sweet-smelling Cyprus.<\/p>\n

Aphrodite arrives on Mount Ida<\/h1>\n

High among the clouds, her journey was swift.
\nShe came to Mount Ida of many springs, mother of beasts.
\nShe went straight through the mountain to the shepherd\u2019s hut. Following behind
\nand fawning around her, grey wolves, savage-eyed lions,70<\/span>
\nbears, and swift leopards ever hungry for deer
\nlept about. When she saw this the spirit within her breast rejoiced
\nand she cast sweet desire in their hearts, and all of them at once
\nlay down together in pairs in their shadowy dens.<\/p>\n

She now arrived at the shepherd’s well-built hut.75<\/span>
\nShe found him alone at the cattle pens where he had been left by the others,
\nAnchises, a hero who had beauty from the gods.
\nAt that time all the others were following their cattle through grassy meadows.
\nBut he, left alone at the cattle pens by the others
\nwas wandering here and there, playing a clear-sounding song on his lyre.80<\/span><\/p>\n

Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus stood before him
\nin stature and form, looking like an unmarried virgin,
\nso as not to frighten him when he saw her with his eyes.<\/p>\n

Seeing her, Anchises observed and marveled at
\nher beauty and stature and gleaming clothes.85<\/span>
\nShe wore a dress more radiant than the bright light of fire,
\ncurved bracelets and shining earrings;
\naround her soft throat were exquisite necklaces,
\nelegant, golden, intricate. And as the moon shines,
\na glow radiated around her soft breasts, wondrous to behold.90<\/span><\/p>\n

Desire seized Anchises and, coming close, he spoke:<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome, lady! Whoever you are of the blessed gods who has come to this house,
\neither Artemis or Leto or golden Aphrodite,
\nnoble Themis or grey -eyed Athena,
\nor maybe one of the Graces who has come here \u201495<\/span>
\nwho dine with the gods and are called immortal,
\nor one of the nymphs<\/p>\n

who inhabit beautiful groves
\nor one of those who dwell on this lovely mountain
\nand in the streams of its rivers and grassy meadows.<\/div>\n
On a mountain peak, visible all around.100<\/span>
\nI will make an altar for you and perform noble sacrifices
\nin every season. With a gracious spirit,
\ngrant that I be preeminent among the Trojans,
\nand make my offspring flourish in the time to come; grant that I too
\nlive long and well, looking upon the light of the Sun,105<\/span>
\nthat I prosper among my people and reach the threshold of old age.\u201d<\/div>\n

Then Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus, answered him:<\/p>\n

\u201cAnchises, most honoured of humans born on the Earth,
\nI am in no way a god. Why do you compare me to the immortals?
\nI am mortal, and a mortal mother bore me.110<\/span>
\nOtreus is my father, a glorious name, if perhaps you\u2019ve heard it.
\nHe rules over all the Phrygians who have well-built walls.<\/p>\n

I know both your language and my own well.
\nFor a Trojan nurse brought me up in my house; she took me from my mother
\nwhen I was a small child and for many years cared for me.115<\/span>
\nSurprising as it seems \u2014 that is why I know your language so well.<\/p>\n

I was abducted by the Watchdog-Slayer, Hermes with the golden wand,
\nfrom the dances to Artemis, golden-arrowed, loud-crying.<\/p>\n

There were many women in our chorus \u2014 some virgins, some near to womanhood,
\nand some already marriageable, worth a high bride-price.
\nWe were dancing. All around, a vast audience encircled us.120<\/span><\/p>\n

Right then, he abducted me: the golden-wanded Watchdog-Slayer.
\nOver many farmsteads he took me \u2014 the works of men, mortal such as yourself \u2014
\nand over many fields not yet divided and plowed,
\nwhere wild beasts, eaters of flesh, prowl, slinking out from their shadowy dens.
\nNot once did my feet seem to touch the ground: life-bearing and fertile.125<\/span><\/p>\n

Anchises\u2019 own, he kept saying: in his bed I would be called,
\nHis lawful wife. And that I would bear you glorious children.
\nBut after he showed me the way out and explained all this,
\nHe flew back to the immortals, the powerful Watchdog-Slayer.
\nNow I have come to you, compelled by powerful Necessity.130<\/span><\/p>\n

I beg you, calling on Zeus \u2014 as I kneel before you and touch your thigh \u2014 and your parents,
\nwho must be exceptional. For ugly people could not produce one so perfect.
\nSince I am a virgin and inexperienced in the ways of sex, take me
\nand present me to your father and devoted mother,
\nto your brothers \u2014 all those born from the same fruitful union.135<\/span>
\nFor them, I will not be disreputable, an easy woman but a respectable daughter-in-law.<\/p>\n

But send a messenger right away to the swift-horsed Phrygians
\nto inform my father and mother, who will be most anxious.
\nGold in abundance and exquisitely woven garments,
\nthey will send. I beg you, accept this great and noble bride price.140<\/span>
\nAfterwards hold a feast for the wedding I desire so much,
\none which will give you honour both among men<\/p>\n

and the immortal gods.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Speaking in this way, the goddess cast sweet desire into his heart.
\nLust seized Anchises and he spoke, calling out to her:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are mortal, and a mortal woman bore you,145<\/span>
\nand Otreus \u2013 a famous name \u2013 is your father, as you proclaim,
\nand you have come here with the help of the immortal Guide,
\nHermes, and you will be called my wife for all our days,
\nthen no one, neither a god nor a mortal man,
\nwill hold me back here and now before I mingle in love with you150<\/span>
\nthis very moment, not even if the far-shooter himself, Apollo,
\nsends forth painful arrows from his silver bow.
\nThen I would be willing, lady like the goddesses,
\nonce I have lain in your bed, to enter the house of Hades.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking so, he took her hand, and laughter-loving Aphrodite155<\/span>
\nturned and went, casting her beautiful eyes downwards,
\ninto the well-strewn bed, which earlier had been covered
\nby its master with soft blankets. On top of these
\nlay the hides of bears and loud-roaring lions,
\nwhich he himself had slain high in the mountains.160<\/span><\/p>\n

Once they\u2019d mounted the well-crafted bed,
\nAnchises first took the splendid jewelry from her skin,
\nbrooches and spiral bracelets, earrings and necklaces.
\nHe loosened her belt and removed her shining clothes,
\nplacing them on a silver-studded chair.165<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, by the will of the gods and by destiny,
\na mortal man lay beside an immortal goddess, not knowing clearly what he did.<\/p>\n

When shepherds guide their cattle and fat sheep
\nfrom flowery meadows back to the fold,
\nthen the shining goddess poured a sweet, profound sleep over Anchises,170<\/span>
\nand put back on her beautiful clothing.
\nOnce all her clothes and jewelry were perfectly arranged,
\nshe stood in the hut. Her head reached
\nthe well-made roof beam, and from her cheeks immortal beauty
\nshone forth, beauty such as belongs to the violet -garlanded goddess of Kythera.175<\/span><\/p>\n

She roused him from sleep and spoke, calling his name,<\/p>\n

\u201cAwaken, son of Dardanus! Why do you sleep so deeply?
\nConsider whether I appear the same to you
\nas when you first perceived me with your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

So she spoke, and startled out of sleep, he obeyed.180<\/span>
\nWhen he saw the beautiful throat and eyes of Aphrodite,
\nhe was frightened and turned his eyes aside, looking elsewhere.
\nOnce more he covered his handsome face with his cloak
\nand, supplicating her, spoke with winged words:<\/p>\n

\u201cImmediately, Goddess, when I first saw you with my eyes,185<\/span>
\nI knew you were a god. But you did not speak the truth.
\nI implore you, in the name of aegis-bearing Zeus,
\ndo not allow me to live impotent among men and women.
\nTake pity! No man\u2019s life flourishes
\nonce he sleeps with immortal goddesses.\u201d190<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":299,"menu_order":12,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[48],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-124","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-numberless"],"part":3,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/299"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":254,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/124\/revisions\/254"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/124\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=124"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=124"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/myths\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}