Hymn 4 — To Hermes

Sing of Hermes, the Muse, the son of Zeus and Maia, lord of Cyllene and Arcadia rich in flocks, the luck-bringing messenger of the immortals whom Maia bare, the rich-tressed nymph, when she was joined in love with Zeus — a shy goddess, for she avoided the company of the blessed gods, living within a deep, shady cave.

There, within the holy cave, Zeus used to lie with the rich-tressed nymph, unseen by deathless gods and mortal men, at dead of night while sweet sleep should hold white-armed Hera fast. And when the purpose of great Zeus was fulfilled, and the tenth moon with her was fixed in heaven, she was delivered, and a notable thing was come to pass.

For then she bare a son, of many shifts, blandly cunning, a robber, a cattle driver, a bringer of dreams, a watcher by night, a thief at the gates, one who was soon to show forth wonderful deeds among the deathless gods. Born in the dawn, by midday he was playing his lyre, and in the evening he stole the cattle of far-shooting Apollo.

Apollo laughed aloud and said to Hermes: O you shifty one, you cunning one, you little one! I think it very likely that with such powers you will often do service to many another immortal. But come, since you have plucked the lyre from its hiding place and given me music, I will give you my herald's staff of gold, and I will give you glory and good fortune.