lous is this new song in mine ears, such as,
methinks, none hath known, either of men, or of Immortals who have
mansions in Olympus, save thyself, thou reiver, thou Son of Zeus and
Maia! What art is this, what charm against the stress of cares? What a
path of song! for verily here is choice of all three things, joy, and
love, and sweet sleep. For truly though I be conversant with the
Olympian Muses, to whom dances are a charge, and the bright minstrel
hymn, and rich song, and the lovesome sound of flutes, yet never yet hath
aught else been so dear to my heart, dear as the skill in the festivals
of the Gods. I marvel, Son of Zeus, at this, the music of thy
minstrelsy. But now since, despite thy youth, thou hast such glorious
skill, to thee and to thy Mother I speak this word of sooth: verily, by
this shaft of cornel wood, I shall lead thee renowned and fortunate among
the Immortals, and give thee glorious gifts, nor in the end deceive
thee."

Then Hermes answered him with cunning words:

"Shrewdly thou questionest me, Far-darter, nor do I grudge thee to enter
upon mine art. This day shalt thou know it: and to thee would I fain be
kind in word and will: but within thyself thou well knowest all things,
for first among the Immortals, Son of Zeus, is thy place. Mighty art
thou and strong, and Zeus of wise counsels loves thee well with reverence
due, and hath given thee honour and goodly gifts. Nay, they tell that
thou knowest soothsaying, Far-darter, by the voice of Zeus: for from Zeus
are all oracles, wherein I myself now know thee to be all-wise. Thy
province it is to know what so thou wilt. Since, then, thy heart bids
thee play the lyre, harp thou and sing, and let joys be thy care, taking
this gift from me; and to me, friend, gain glory. Sweetly sing with my
shrill comrade in thy hands, that knoweth speech good and fair and in
order due. Freely do thou bear it hereafter into the glad feast, and the
winsome dance, and the glorious revel, a joy by night and day. Whatsoever
skilled hand shall inquire of it artfully and wisely, surely its voice
shall teach him all things joyous, being easily played by gentle
practice, fleeing dull toil. But if an unskilled hand first impetuously
inquires of it, vain and discordant shall the false notes sound. But
thine it is of nature to know what things thou wilt: so to thee will I
give this lyre, thou glorious son of Zeus. But we for our part will let
graze thy cattle of t