93. 
’Him will I not deceive, but will assist;
But he who comes relying on such birds
As chatter vainly, who would strain and twist
The purpose of the Gods with idle words,
And deems their knowledge light, he shall have missed 735
His road—­whilst I among my other hoards
His gifts deposit.  Yet, O son of May,
I have another wondrous thing to say.

96. 
’There are three Fates, three virgin Sisters, who
Rejoicing in their wind-outspeeding wings, 740
Their heads with flour snowed over white and new,
Sit in a vale round which Parnassus flings
Its circling skirts—­from these I have learned true
Vaticinations of remotest things. 
My father cared not.  Whilst they search out dooms, 745
They sit apart and feed on honeycombs.

95. 
’They, having eaten the fresh honey, grow
Drunk with divine enthusiasm, and utter
With earnest willingness the truth they know;
But if deprived of that sweet food, they mutter 750
All plausible delusions;—­these to you
I give;—­if you inquire, they will not stutter;
Delight your own soul with them:—­any man
You would instruct may profit if he can.

96. 
’Take these and the fierce oxen, Maia’s child—­ 755
O’er many a horse and toil-enduring mule,
O’er jagged-jawed lions, and the wild
White-tusked boars, o’er all, by field or pool,
Of cattle which the mighty Mother mild
Nourishes in her bosom, thou shalt rule—­ 760
Thou dost alone the veil from death uplift—­
Thou givest not—­yet this is a great gift.’

97. 
Thus King Apollo loved the child of May
In truth, and Jove covered their love with joy. 
Hermes with Gods and Men even from that day 765
Mingled, and wrought the latter much annoy,
And little profit, going far astray
Through the dun night.  Farewell, delightful Boy,
Of Jove and Maia sprung,—­never by me,
Nor thou, nor other songs, shall unremembered be. 770

NOTES:  13 cow-stealing]qy. cattle-stealing? 57 stony Boscombe manuscript.  Harvard manuscript; strong edition 1824. 252 neighbouring]neighbour Harvard manuscript. 336 hurl Harvard manuscript, editions 1839; haul edition 1824. 402 Round]Roused edition 1824 only. 488 wrath]ruth Harvard manuscript. 580 heifer-stealing]heifer-killing Harvard manuscript. 673 and like 1839, 1st edition; as of edition 1824, Harvard manuscript. 713 loving]living cj.  Rossetti. 761 from Harvard manuscript; of editions 1824, 1839. 764 their love with joy Harvard manuscript; them with love and joy,
     editions 1824, 1839.
767 going]wandering Harvard manuscript.

***

HOMER’S HYMN TO CASTOR AND POLLUX.