Part II:

Apollo As a Young Man, Pythia, and Northern Greece

Leto’s glorious son travels on from Delos

— playing his hollow lyre–

And goes on a young man’s quest,

[Seeking to accomplish deeds of great glory]

heading next to rocky Pythia.

Apollo Re-Enters Olympus

[But first,

[this happens now. Again.]

Make the moment present in your mind.]

He

wears the garments of a divine lord

— sweet-smelling-of-holy-incense —

wields the lyre

stirring the cry of deepest longing.

at each strum of your golden pick.

— so like a drawn bow in his hands–  185

ascends

from

Earth

swift-as-thought

to Olympus.

He enters the throne room of Zeus as if it is his own

standing before the Assembly of the immortals.

He marches towards the throne

all jump from their seats

even at his approach, the gods begin to shake

[but this time, not in fear…]

they move to and are moved by what they hear:

the skillful music pouring from his lyre.

The Dance of the gods

The Muses’ Choir

echo back;

responding all as one

beautiful voices in harmony

with his chords.

Listen — you can hear their song:

Of mortals,

all that they receive

—good and bad–

from the hands of the immortal gods: 190

first, the trials allotted to humankind

         to be lost and lacking comprehension

with no solace from pain

neither able to find a cure for death

nor protection from growing ever-older.

they also sing of the answer:

blessings and divine gifts

[which make life worth living]

The daughters of Zeus,

companions of the solace-bringing Muses

each, a gift from the gods

pick up the theme,

expanding it with their dance.

Look on them:

The Graces –[gifts-of-charm-given-to-all, flowing-hair-sparkling-in-the-light]

the pleasant-Seasons — [the-coming-of-spring, smiling-brightly-on-the-world;]

Harmonia — [peaceful-center, holding-all-together]

Hebe — [the-effortless-movements-of-youth]

Aphrodite [daughter of Zeus, inspiring-sweet-desire] 195

twirl in time —

hand clasped

on partner’s wrist.

The circle of their dance is joined

by one more goddess

[last but not least:]

impossible to call her

less-than any of the others or indeed

less than perfect

her appearance

strikingly tall

with the effortless grace of the truly noble

she-who-rains-down-arrows,

Artemis

sister to Apollo.

Alongside them,

even the most dangerous sons of Zeus

play children’s games:

Ares

of-bloody-war

Hermes

sharp-sighted Watchdog-slayer.200

They all play and dance

but with the music of his lyre

he leads all in the dance:

the purifying-light

Apollo

[A divine gift given to all]

See him move:

His dancing steps are elegant and defy gravity.

Radiance flashes about him,

light shining from the blurred motion of his feat and

gleams from the swirling twists of his elegant clothes.

He leads all in play

except two

Leto with-hair-like-a-golden-crown 

alongside

Zeus wise-and-clever-advisor  [1]

both smile, in a favourable mood,

because they look upon their most beloved child

full of joy, playing amidst the other gods.

[A natural leader who brings peace to all.]