Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica/Fragments

by Hesiod

 

FRAGMENTS OF UNKNOWN POSITION

1.

"So Urania bare Linus, a very lovely son: and him all men who are singers and harpers do bewail at feasts and dances, and as they begin and as they end they call on Linus * * * who was skilled in all manner of wisdom."

2.

"Unless Phoebus Apollo should save him from death, or Paean himself who knows the remedies for all things."

3.

"For he alone is king and lord of all the undying gods, and no other vies with him in power."

4.

"(To cause?) the gifts of the blessed gods to come near to earth."

5.

"Of the Muses who make a man very wise, marvellous in utterance."

6.

"But of them (sc. the daughters of Hecaterus) were born the divine mountain Nymphs and the tribe of worthless, helpless Satyrs, and the divine Curates, sportive dancers."

7.

"Beseeching the offspring of glorious Cleodaeus."

8.

"For the Olympian gave might to the sons of Aeacus, and wisdom to the sons of Amythaon, and wealth to the sons of Atreus."

9.

"For through this lack of wood the timber of the ships rotted."

10.

"No longer do they walk with delicate feet."

11.

"First of all they roasted (pieces of meat), and drew them carefully off the spits."

12.

"For his spirit increased in his dear breast."

13.

"With such heart-grieving anger in her breast."

14.

"He went to Dodona and the oak-grove, the dwelling place of the Pelasgi."

15.

"With the pitiless smoke of black pitch and of cedar."

16.

"But he himself in the swelling tide of the rain-swollen river."

17.

(The river) Parthenius

"Flowing as softly as a dainty maiden goes."

18.

"Foolish the man who leaves what he has, and follows after what he has not."

19.

"The deeds of the young, the counsels of the middle-aged, and the prayers of the aged."

20.

"Howsoever the city does sacrifice, the ancient custom is best."

21.

"But you should be gentle towards your father."

22.

"And if I said this, it would seem a poor thing and hard to understand."

23.

Thus spake the Boeotian, even Hesiod,^[1] servant of the sweet Muses: "whomsoever the immortals honour, the good report of mortals also followeth him."

1. cp. Hes. Theog. 81 ff. But Theognis 169, "Whomso the gods honour, even a man inclined to blame praiseth him," is much nearer.