Areia Daphnaia's Lost Homeric Hymns Lost Homeric Hymns (c) 1995, Areia Daphnaia * To Artemis (I) * To Iris (I) * To Hebe (I) * To Hebe (II) * To Selene (I) * To Ares (III) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lost Homeric Hymn to Artemis (I) Great Goddess Artemis, Maiden Huntress, Magnetic sharer of the crescent moon, Grant me understanding of all that is Wild and Natural, Grant me the power of chastity, Grant me the loving force of the Mother, Grant me transcendation from the ordinary. You are She who Roams the Woods Alone, Never afraid to face the dangers of the unknown, Instill in me this sense of pride In the naked face of the God Phobos. I revel in the silvery shafts of your bow and arrow, O Kynthia, Phoebe, Daphnaia, Korythalia, Member of the true Holy Trinity, Spread Your Wisdom to those who will not listen, Or let me continue your legacy for You, O Howling Huntress, O Moon Maiden. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lost Homeric Hymn to Iris (I) Sing, Muse, of the Great Goddess Iris the fleet-footed, Protectress of the Rainbow, guardian of secrets. Sing of her magnificent wings of many colours, And Her radiant, all-encompassing beauty. Good, gracious Goddess, grant me Temperance, sensitivity, and understanding, O swift messenger. I will be sure to remember You in another song, Whether or not You remember me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lost Homeric Hymn to Hebe (I) Note: I don't see Hebe in the traditional fashion. She has always struck me as an underappreciated, dissatisfied Goddess--the Goddess of Annoyed Adolescence, not carefree youth. The following hymns reflect this. Sing to me, Muse, of the rosy Goddess Hebe, Crowned with blooming violets and daffodils, And other buds of Spring. She of the Lovely Ankles, Bringer of Youth, Sympathiser to adolescents, She never ages, but stays forever a teenager. Light-footed Hebe, Who carries the golden plates Through the halls of mighty Olympos. Skilled waitress, devoted Lady in Waiting, Patroness of petty household chores galore. Her golden hair bounces As She crosses the fields of the sky, Hebe, who has a heavy heart, Daughter of Hera and Zeus, Sister to skilled Hephaistos, Eris, Eileithyia, and violent Ares. She has had to do the dishes For over 2,000 years, Still Her complaints go unanswered, But I shall remember you, O Great Goddess Hebe, I shall sing of you in another song. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lost Homeric Hymn to Hebe (II) Remind me, O Muse, of the Goddess Hebe, Keeper of the sacred nail file! Hebe, who has many jeebies, Makes Her way amongst the Proud Twelve, Muttering and sighing as She picks up debris. Hebe, who married strong Herakles, Yet who was not even mentioned In His A&E television biography last week. Hebe, who possessed great ingenuity, Yet reads the Olympian Enquirer cover to cover. Hebe, whose Nordic golden hair Frames Her annoyed, lovely face And reminds all who look upon Her That She is still the Goddess of Eternal Youth, And needs to be appreciated. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lost Homeric Hymn to Selene (I) I'll start the singing By invoking the Bright Goddess the beautifully tressed Selene Hyperion's child Daughter of brightness I praise you infinitely, She of the Lovely Hair That streams behind you as you ride Your four milky-white mares through the stream of the sky Divine patroness of becoming a full and complete nymph a recognised woman Divine ruler of Night Puller of the silver strings Of Poseidon's mighty tides Magnet of all life Surveyor of Gaia's fertility Whose green grass Grows wild and free Under my maiden's feet Goddess to whom I'm singing this song to whom I shall always be singing For though you are not of the Twelve there you ride nontheless I bid thee safe journey, Bright One And I will remember you in another song -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lost Homeric Hymn to Ares (III) Note: For this one, first look at the real Homeric Hymn to Ares, because this is a direct parody of it. Ares, raging force, Ares, chariot breaker, Ares wears tarnished helmet, Ares has broken heart, Ares, shield-stabber, Ares, destroyer of city, Ares has armour of hate, Ares has blood-covered arms, Ares is always tired of life, Ares, cruel with spear, Ares, outcast of Olympos, Ares, distant from Nike, Who Herself is distant from Him, Ares, devoid of Justice, Ares is hated by both sides, Ares, leader of most angry men, Ares abuses staff of manhood, Ares twists His fiery death cycle Among the seven-sgned tracks Of the aether, where bloodthirsty chargers Bear Him with passion Over the forgotten Third Orbit! Hear me, Bane of mankind, Dispenser of youth's unbridled energy, Scream down from up there Your crimson light Into our peaceful lives, And your martial ardour, So that I can embrace in Cruel cowardice In my head, And encourage the delicious rush Of my spirit, and incite That shrill voice in my heart That provokes me To enter the chilling din of battle You, ferocious God, Give me mercilessness, Let me linger In the fierce dance of war, And thus embrace The battles with enemies And the fate of a violent death.