University of Virginia Library

Now in this space Demeter, wandering o'er
The desert lands, and daily growing more
Wasted with grief and angered with the Gods,
Came to Olympus, where its grey head nods
Peace on the clustered fields about its feet.
Her cheeks were furrowed, and her hair with sleet
Was knotted, while her garments, loosely hung,
In draggled folds about her figure clung:
Whereat in heaven some flakes of laughter fell.
But she, beholding Zeus, said: ‘Is it well,
O Father of the Gods, that ye, who have
The earth in keeping, should create a grave?
For such the world is now. The King of death
Holds cavern-bound my child, and with her breath
All beauty is departed from the land;
Whereat, while tempests score and scorch and brand
The blackened world, ye in your high-built towers
Laugh at your ease, and lead the careless hours
In rounds of revel and dishonest mirth.
Give ear, O mighty Zeus, and, for this dearth
Dulls your high glory, grant Earth's fruit again,
Lest ye be nameless in the homes of men.’
Whose angry suit he heeded not at first,
But, later, when the wretched land was curst
With ruin of high rivers, rot, and blight,
For shame and pity of its mournful plight
He heard, and rendered answer to her prayer.
For Zeus had promised, in the days that were,
The child to Hades, by a secret pact
Hid from the mother, lest she should distract
His politic design thereby to bind
His brother subject by the tie of kind;
Which purpose now in part frustrated was;
For when the land fell desolate, because
This was a scandal and a crying shame
To all Olympus, and pretext of blame
To discontented mortals who forsook
Their punctual sacrifices and betook
Themselves to other gods, he broke his word,
And on quick Hermes his commands conferred.