BIRDS ftND NftTURE. 



ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY. 



Vol. XIII. MAY, 1903. No. 5 



HOMER^S HYMN TO THE EARTH, MOTHER OF ALL. 



O universal Mother, who dost keep 



From everlasting thy foundations deep, 



Eldest of things, Great Earth, I sing of thee! 



All shapes that have their dwelling in the sea. 



All things that fly, or on the ground divine 



Live, move, and there are nourished — these are thine ; 



These from thy wealth thou dost sustain; from thee 



Fair babes are born, and fruits on every tree 



Hang ripe and large, revered Divinity ! 



The life of mortal men beneath thy sway '> " 



Is held; thy power both gives and takes away."' 



Happy are they whom thy mild favors nourish ; 



All things unstinted round them grow and flourish. 



For them endures the life-sustaining field ■ X a) c 



Its load of harvest, and their cattle yield . 



Large increase, and their home with wealth is filled. 



Such honored dwell in cities fair and free. 



The homes of lovely women, prosperously; 



Their sons exult in youth's new budding gladness, 



And their fresh daughters, free from care or sadness, 



With bloom-inwoven dance and happy song. 



On the soft flowers the meadow-grass among. 



Leap round them sporting ; such delights by thee 



Are given, rich Power, revered Divinity. 



Mother of gods, thou wife of starry Heaven, 



Farewell ! be thou propitious, and be given 



A happy life for this brief melody. 



Nor thou nor other songs shall unremembered be. 



— Translated by Percy Bysshe Shelley, 



193 



