Hymn 3 — To Apollo

I will remember and not be unmindful of Apollo who shoots afar. As he goes through the house of Zeus, the gods tremble before him and all spring up from their seats when he draws near, as he bends his bright bow. But Leto alone stays by the side of Zeus who delights in thunder; and then she unstrings his bow, and closes his quiver.

Tell me how first Phoebus Apollo, god of the silver bow, shooting afar, came to rocky Pytho, with immortal purpose? He ranged over the earth seeking a place to set up an oracle for men. First he went to Pieria and passed from there across sandy Lectus and through the Enieni and across the land of the Perrhaebi.

There in Delphi the god slew the great she-dragon, a fierce monster wont to do great mischief to men upon earth, to men themselves and to their thin-shanked sheep; for she was a very bloody pest. Then in her honor Phoebus Apollo established his speaking shrine, to speak truth to those who come to consult the oracle, and there the Pythia prophesies from her laurel tripod.

And so, O lord of the silver bow, Far-worker, I praise you both in Delos and in rocky Pytho, and also on high Cynthus, where first your mother the dark-veiled goddess bore you. Be propitious to me, and remember this my song. Hail, lord! I pray thee be propitious with holy Leto and with Artemis who delights in arrows.