in heart gazing at the men and well-girded women with their swift ships and great wealth.  And there is this great wonder besides —­ and its renown shall never perish —­ the girls of Delos, hand-maidens of the Far-shooter; for when they have praised Apollo first, and also Leto and Artemis who delights in arrows, they sing a strain telling of men and women of past days, and charm the tribes of men.  Also they can imitate the tongues of all men and their clattering speech:  each would say that he himself were singing, so close to truth is their sweet song.

(ll. 165-178) And now may Apollo be favourable and Artemis; and farewell all you maidens.  Remember me in after time whenever any one of men on earth, a stranger who has seen and suffered much, comes here and asks of you:  `Whom think ye, girls, is the sweetest singer that comes here, and in whom do you most delight?’ Then answer, each and all, with one voice:  `He is a blind man, and dwells in rocky Chios:  his lays are evermore supreme.’  As for me, I will carry your renown as far as I roam over the earth to the well-placed this thing is true.  And I will never cease to praise far-shooting Apollo, god of the silver bow, whom rich-haired Leto bare.

TO PYTHIAN APOLLO —­

(ll. 179-181) O Lord, Lycia is yours and lovely Maeonia and Miletus, charming city by the sea, but over wave-girt Delos you greatly reign your own self.

(ll. 182-206) Leto’s all-glorious son goes to rocky Pytho, playing upon his hollow lyre, clad in divine, perfumed garments; and at the touch of the golden key his lyre sings sweet.  Thence, swift as thought, he speeds from earth to Olympus, to the house of Zeus, to join the gathering of the other gods:  then straightway the undying gods think only of the lyre and song, and all the Muses together, voice sweetly answering voice, hymn the unending gifts the gods enjoy and the sufferings of men, all that they endure at the hands of the deathless gods, and how they live witless and helpless and cannot find healing for death or defence against old age.  Meanwhile the rich-tressed Graces and cheerful Seasons dance with Harmonia and Hebe and Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus, holding each other by the wrist.  And among them sings one, not mean nor puny, but tall to look upon and enviable in mien, Artemis who delights in arrows, sister of Apollo.  Among them sport Ares and the keen-eyed Slayer of Argus, while Apollo plays his lyre stepping high and featly and a radiance shines around him, the gleaming of his feet and close-woven vest.  And they, even gold-tressed Leto and wise Zeus, rejoice in their great hearts as they watch their dear son playing among the undying gods.