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As the messenger of Jupiter, he was entrusted with all his secrets and
permitted to make himself invisible whenever he pleased, or to assume any
shape he chose.
The invention of the lyre and seven strings is ascribed to him, which he
gave to Apollo, and received in exchange the celebrated caduceus, with
which the God of poetry used to drive the flocks of King Admetus. This
celebrated instrument was a rod entwined at one end by two serpents.
------------------------"Come take
The lyre--be mine the glory of giving it--
Strike the sweet chords, and sing aloud and wake
The joyous pleasure out of many a fit
Of tranced sound--and with fleet fingers make
Thy liquid voiced comrade talk with thee;
It can talk measured music eloquently.
Then bear it boldly to the revel loud,
Love wakening dance, or feast of solemn state,
A joy by night or day, for those endowed
With art and wisdom, who interrogate!
It teaches, bubbling in delightful mood
All things which make the spirit most elate,
Soothing the mind with sweet familiar play,
Chasing the heavy shadows of dismay."