I sing of Cyllenian Hermes, the Slayer of Argus, lord of Cyllene and Arcadia rich in flocks, luck-bringing messenger of the deathless gods. He was born of Maia, the daughter of Atlas, when she had mated with Zeus,— a shy goddess she.
Ἑρμῆν ἀείδω Κυλλήνιον, Ἀργειφόντην,Κυλλήνης μεδέοντα καὶ Ἀρκαδίης πολυμήλου,ἄγγελον ἀθανάτων ἐριούνιον, ὃν τέκε Μαῖα,Ατλαντος Ἄτλαντος θυγάτηρ, Διὸς ἐν φιλότητι μιγεῖσα, αἰδοίη·
Ever she avoided the throng of the blessed gods and lived in a shadowy cave, and there the Son of Cronos used to lie with the rich-tressed nymph at dead of night, while white-armed Hera lay bound in sweet sleep: and neither deathless god nor mortal man knew it.
μακάρων δὲ θεῶν ἀλέεινεν ὅμιλον,ἄντρῳ ναιετάουσα παλισκίῳ· ἔνθα Κρονίωννύμφῃ ἐυπλοκάμῳ μισγέσκετο νυκτὸς ἀμολγῷ,εὖτε κατὰ γλυκὺς ὕπνος ἔχοι λευκώλενον Ἥρην·λάνθανε δ’ ἀθανάτους τε θεοὺς θνητούς τ’ ἀνθρώπους.
And so hail to you, Son of Zeus and Maia; with you I have begun: now I will turn to another song! Hail, Hermes, giver of grace, guide, and giver of good things!
καὶ σὺ μὲν οὕτω χαῖρε, Διὸς καὶ Μαιάδος υἱέ·σεῦ δ’ ἐγὼ ἀρξάμενος μεταβήσομαι ἄλλον ἐς ὕμνον.[χαῖρ’. Ἑρμῆ χαριδῶτα, διάκτορε, δῶτορ ἐάων.]