Homeric Hymn 21 to Apollo

Anonymous. Hesiod, The Homeric Hymns and Homerica. Evelyn-White, Hugh G., editor. London: William Heinmann; New York: The Macmillan Co., 1914.

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Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.

This work is a very short epic hymn praising Apollo (Phoebus), the Greek god of light and music. The setting of the poem features the gentle flow of the River Peneus in Thessaly. It describes a swan that, flapping its wings as it lands on the riverbank, sings a beautiful song to praise the god. At the same time, the human singer, who performs with a clear-toned lyre, is presented as one who always begins and ends their song with Apollo. In this way, the hymn illustrates how both the natural world and humanity unite in their praise of the deity. The poem concludes with a warm greeting to the god and a heartfelt plea for his favor and mercy.