← Contents
Theme
31 / 31

Listen

Hymn XXXII: To Selene, read aloud

A one-minute preview. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

The Homeric Hymns · 31 of 31

Hymn XXXII: To Selene

XXXII. TO SELENE (20 lines)

(ll. 1-13) And next, sweet voiced Muses, daughters of Zeus, well- skilled in song, tell of the long-winged Moon. From her immortal head a radiance is shown from heaven and embraces earth; and great is the beauty that ariseth from her shining light. The air, unlit before, glows with the light of her golden crown, and her rays beam clear, whensoever bright Selene having bathed her lovely body in the waters of Ocean, and donned her far-gleaming, shining team, drives on her long-maned horses at full speed, at eventime in the mid-month: then her great orbit is full and then her beams shine brightest as she increases. So she is a sure token and a sign to mortal men.

(ll. 14-16) Once the Son of Cronos was joined with her in love; and she conceived and bare a daughter Pandia, exceeding lovely amongst the deathless gods.

(ll. 17-20) Hail, white-armed goddess, bright Selene, mild, bright-tressed queen! And now I will leave you and sing the glories of men half-divine, whose deeds minstrels, the servants of the Muses, celebrate with lovely lips.

Read next · also open, also free

The end · getgnosis.app

You’ve read The Homeric Hymns.

Gnosis holds hundreds of the world’s spiritual texts, each with commentary like this — plus every text narrated aloud, Sophia (a guide who has read every one), and your place kept. Read it all on iPhone — the web app is coming soon. No ads.

7-day trial · cancel anytime · 335+ texts · more open reads