I shall sing of the revered Aphrodite, the golden-crowned, the beautiful,
who hath for her portion the mountain crests of sea-girt Cyprus. Thither
the strength of the west wind moistly blowing carried her amid soft foam
over the wave of the resounding sea. Her did the golden-snooded Hours
gladly welcome, and clad her about in immortal raiment, and on her
deathless head set a well-wrought crown, fair and golden, and in her ears
put earrings of orichalcum and of precious gold. Her delicate neck and
white bosom they adorned with chains of gold, wherewith are bedecked the
golden-snooded Hours themselves, when they come to the glad dance of the
Gods in the dwelling of the Father. Anon when they had thus adorned her
in all goodliness they led her to the Immortals, who gave her greeting
when they beheld her, and welcomed her with their hands; and each God
prayed that he might lead her home to be his wedded wife, so much they
marvelled at the beauty of the fair-garlanded Cytherean. Hail, thou of
the glancing eyes, thou sweet winsome Goddess, and grant that I bear off
the victory in this contest, and lend thou grace to my song, while I
shall both remember thee and another singing.