n they took supper beside the fleet
black ship, and poured forth libations to the blessed Gods who hold
Olympus. But when they had dismissed the desire of meat and drink they
set forth on their way, and the Prince Apollo guided them, harp in hand,
and sweetly he harped, faring with high and goodly strides. Dancing in
his train the Cretans followed to Pytho, and the Paean they were
chanting, the paeans of the Cretans in whose breasts the Muse hath put
honey-sweet song. All unwearied they strode to the hill, and swiftly
were got to Parnassus and a winsome land, where they were to dwell,
honoured of many among men.

Apollo guided them, and showed his holy shrine and rich temple, and the
spirit was moved in their breasts, and the captain of the Cretans spake,
and asked the God, saying:

"Prince, since thou hast led us far from friends and our own country, for
so it pleases thee, how now shall we live, we pray thee tell us. This
fair land bears not vines, nor is rich in meadows, wherefrom we might
live well, and minister to men."

Then, smiling, Apollo, the son of Zeus, spoke to them:

"Foolish ones, enduring hearts, who desire cares, and sore toil, and all
straits! A light word will I speak to you, do ye consider it. Let each
one of you, knife in right hand, be ever slaughtering sheep that in
abundance shall ever be yours, all the flocks that the renowned tribes of
men bring hither to me. Yours it is to guard my temple, and receive the
tribes of men that gather hither, doing, above all, as my will enjoins.
But if any vain word be spoken, or vain deed wrought, or violence after
the manner of mortal men, then shall others be your masters, and hold you
in thraldom for ever. {133} I have spoken all, do thou keep it in thy
heart."

Even so, fare thou well, son of Zeus and Leto, but I shall remember both
thee and another song.

II. HERMES

Of Hermes sing, O Muse, the son of Zeus and Maia, Lord of Cyllene, and
Arcadia rich in sheep, the fortune-bearing Herald of the Gods, him whom
Maia bore, the fair-tressed nymph, that lay in the arms of Zeus; a
shamefaced nymph was she, shunning the assembly of the blessed Gods,
dwelling within a shadowy cave. Therein was Cronion wont to embrace the
fair-tressed nymph in the deep of night, when sweet sleep held
white-armed Hera, the immortal Gods knowing it not, nor mortal men.

But when the mind of great Zeus was fulfilled, and over _her_ the tenth
moon stood in the sk