Hymn 5 — To Aphrodite

Of the rich-crowned Cytherean, Aphrodite, I will sing, who bestows sweet gifts on mortals, and whose lovely face is ever wreathed in smiles, and lovely is the brightness that plays over it. Hail, goddess, queen of well-built Salamis and sea-girt Cyprus; grant me a pleasant song. And now I will remember you and another song also.

Tell me of the golden Aphrodite, and of her heart, who stirs up sweet longing in gods and subdues the tribes of mortal men and birds that fly in air and all the many creatures that the dry land rears, and all that the sea: all these love the deeds of rich-crowned Cytherea.

For Aphrodite herself is not immune from desire. One time she cast sweet longing into the heart of Zeus himself, who delights in thunder and is the greatest and has the highest seat — even his all-daring heart she beguiled. Then to deceive the mind of Zeus who holds the aegis, she put in his heart sweet desire to be joined in love with a mortal woman, so that not even he should be exempt from mortal love.

She went to the holy groves and mountain peaks where wild beasts lair, silver-footed Aphrodite, feeling sweet desire for Anchises, who at that time was tending cattle among the high mountains — a man like the immortal gods in form. On Ida, with its many springs, she took off all her bright ornaments of gold and placed them in the Trojan plain.

Hail, goddess, with your luxurious eyes! Grant me to win the victory in this contest, and order my song. And now I will remember you and another song also. Aphrodite, born of foam, whose realm is the soft laughter and the bright smiling face, and sweet desire — let your favor be upon all who honor you with garlands and with sacrifice.