The Crowne of All Homers Workes/To Vesta, and Mercurie

by Homer

 

To Vesta, and Mercurie.

esta I sing, who, in Bequest of Fate,
Art sorted out, an euerlasting State
In all th'Immortals high-built roofes, & all
Those of Earth-dwelling Men: As generall
And ancient honors, giuen thee for thy gift
Of free-liu'd Chastitie; and precious Thrift.
Nor can there amongst Mortalls, Banquets be;
In which, both first and last, they giue not Thee
Their endlesse Gratitudes, in pourd-out wine;
As gracious sacrifice, to thy diuine
And vsefull virtues; being inuok'd by All,
Before the least Taste of their Festiuall
In wine or foode, affect their appetities.
And thou, that of th'adorn'd with all Delights,
Art the most usefull Angell: borne a God
Of Ioue, and Maia; of Heauens golden Rodd
The sole Sustainer; and hast powre to blesse
With All good, All Men (great Argicides)
Inhabit all Good houses; see'ng no wants
Of mutuall mindes loue, in Th'inhabitants.
Ioine in kinde blessing with the bashfull Maid
And all-lou'd Virgin, Vesta; eithers aid
Combin'd in euery Hospitable House:
Both being best seene, in all the gracious
House-works of Mortalls. Jointly follow then
Euen from their youths, the mindes of dames and men.
 Haile then, ould Daughter of the ouldest God,
 And thou great bearer of Heauens golden Rodd?
 Yet not to you, alone, my vowes belong;
 Others as well, claime T'Homage of my song.

 

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