86
A HYMNE TO HERMES.
Within a Crooked Crannie, in a Dell
Beneath Parnassus; certaine sisters borne,
Call'd Parcæ; whom extreame swift wings adorne;
Their Number three; that haue upon their heads
White Barly floure still sprinckled; and are maids,
And these are schoole-Mistresses of things to come,
Without the gift of Prophecie: of whom
(Being but a boy, and keeping Oxen, nere)
I learn'd their skill; though my great Father were
Careles of it, or them. These flying from home,
To others roofes; and fedd with Hony-come,
Command all skill; and (being enraged then)
Will freely tell the Truths of things to Men.
But if they giue them not, that Gods sweete meat;
They then are apt, to vtter their deceit,
And leade Men from their way. And these will I
Giue thee hereafter; when their scrutinie
And truth; thou hast both made, and learn'd, and then;
Please thy selfe with them; and the Race of men
(Wilt thou know any) with thy skill endeare:
Who will, (be sure) afford it greedie eare;
And heare it often, it if proue sincere.
Take these (O Maia's Sonne) and in thy care,
Be Horse, and Oxen: all such Men as are
Patient of labour; Lyons; white-tooth'd Bores;
Mastifs, and flocks, that feede the flowrie shores;
And euery foure-foot Beast: all which shall stand
In awe of thy high Imperatory hand.
Beneath Parnassus; certaine sisters borne,
Call'd Parcæ; whom extreame swift wings adorne;
Their Number three; that haue upon their heads
White Barly floure still sprinckled; and are maids,
And these are schoole-Mistresses of things to come,
Without the gift of Prophecie: of whom
(Being but a boy, and keeping Oxen, nere)
I learn'd their skill; though my great Father were
Careles of it, or them. These flying from home,
To others roofes; and fedd with Hony-come,
Command all skill; and (being enraged then)
Will freely tell the Truths of things to Men.
But if they giue them not, that Gods sweete meat;
They then are apt, to vtter their deceit,
And leade Men from their way. And these will I
Giue thee hereafter; when their scrutinie
And truth; thou hast both made, and learn'd, and then;
Please thy selfe with them; and the Race of men
(Wilt thou know any) with thy skill endeare:
Who will, (be sure) afford it greedie eare;
And heare it often, it if proue sincere.
Take these (O Maia's Sonne) and in thy care,
Be Horse, and Oxen: all such Men as are
Patient of labour; Lyons; white-tooth'd Bores;
Mastifs, and flocks, that feede the flowrie shores;
And euery foure-foot Beast: all which shall stand
In awe of thy high Imperatory hand.
