Hestia's Hymn (Part 2)
Olympus was rarely in such chaos. Artemis had formally apologized to Zeus and bowed her head, which was all well and good, but afterward she had rampaged about like a reckless scoundrel in her search for Demeter, forcing Zeus to step in once more and cow her into submission. As a result, she was not only forbidden from descending to the mortal realm but also barred from contacting Perseus for a time. Zeus’s decree smoothed the matter over once the situation had been more or less understood.
Artemis departed for the moon. Apollo shook his head and cursed his foolish other half, though his eyes suggested he secretly hoped things would turn out for the best. Hera and Hermes, who had grasped that something was strangely amiss—including Zeus, who had been drawn into the affair—kept their mouths shut. The only one watching the unfolding story with pure, untroubled eyes was Hestia.
Hestia’s reddish hair glowed softly as she gazed down upon the earth with gently narrowed eyes. Beside her, Zeus swept back her abundant white hair and listened to her words.
“It seems everyone is hiding something. The tension between Lady Demeter and Lady Artemis, and the fact that Lord Poseidon has not shown himself since he harmed Lady Demeter…”
“He apologized, yet he has hidden himself away in the sea. Even when I went to him in person, he refused to speak with me.”
“It appears he is plotting something, does it not?”
“I know it even without being told. When we are together he smiles and behaves well enough, but he is always scheming beneath the surface. He is one of the gods most displeased with the current state of affairs. It would not surprise me if he were hatching some mischief.”
Yet it was the custom among the gods not to interfere too deeply in one another’s domains. Even Zeus could not simply storm into the sea and drag Poseidon out with thunderbolts. The thought of how troublesome things might become weighed on her, but there was nothing she could do.
“Perhaps he swore an unnecessary oath upon the waters of the Styx.”
“Let us speak no more of old matters. Would it not be better to discuss what can be resolved at once?”
“Ah… you are right. —Hm. I never dreamed Demeter and Artemis would come to this. From what Hermes hinted, she embraced the sleeping Perseus and conceived his child, and Artemis, learning of it, flew into a rage.”
“Artemis herself has touched a body already claimed by another…”
“She seems to understand that part. Still, since Demeter is another goddess, there are many accumulated grievances. To grow angry over someone else bearing the child of the one she loves—why, that is not like Hera at all…”
“And what of Lady Hera?”
“She had already been in secret communication with Demeter. Demeter came to her in person and bowed her head, saying there was no helping it. Even knowing it was improper for one in Hera’s position, she took Demeter’s side. It seems she still does not care for Artemis.”
“Because of the various troubles with their mother, Leto.”
“Something like that. When one lives as long as we gods do, one finds many reasons to dislike another.”
Zeus shook her head, claiming she was growing weary, and asked Ganymede (Γανυμήδης), Olympus’s other beloved youth, to bring her something to drink. He was the one in charge of the nectar and ambrosia that sustained the gods’ immortality. As always, eager to win Zeus’s favor, he hurried off and returned with the divine drink. Zeus swallowed it in a single gulp and, together with Hestia, turned her gaze once more toward the earth—paying the handsome youth she had once doted upon no further mind.
“Be that as it may, Demeter is a gentle-hearted goddess, much like you, Hestia. She will never come to open conflict with Artemis. As for Artemis, her vow of maidenhood prevents her from bearing children, so this outburst is only temporary…”
“Time will settle the matter, as it always does.”
“Mm.”
Mention of the maiden’s vow made Zeus curious about Hestia’s own situation. While gazing down at the earth, she shifted her attention there. Offerings were increasing daily, which meant Hestia’s workload had grown considerably, yet she had never once complained. Zeus was deeply grateful for that.
“How are things on your end?”
“What do you mean?”
“Offerings are rising, faith is flowing in, and I hear the nymphs are so busy they are grumbling to the other gods. Yet no one has ever heard you complain about anything, and that worries me. If you are too busy, it would be wise to ask someone for help.”
“There is no need. Compared to the days when no offerings arrived at all, these are lively and joyful times. I wish to savor this moment while it lasts.”
“While it lasts.”
“Is that not the truth?”
Once Perseus died, no one knew what would become of the faith he had gathered. That was why Hestia had spoken of “a moment,” yet Zeus recalled the Phoebus Museum Apollo had mentioned.
“Perhaps Perseus will manage well even after death.”
“You mean the Phoebus Museum Apollo spoke of? The one built to preserve the gods’ faith by collecting relics and displaying the greatness of the divine age…”
“I scolded Apollo in public because of the other gods’ eyes, but I believe it was necessary if we are to continue receiving worship even after his death. In that sense, Apollo sacrificed himself, and Perseus has conducted himself well for our sake.”
“It would be good to say a word to Apollo later. If he feels he did a fine thing only to be scolded, he might sulk, and that would be troublesome.”
“I have the other gods to consider, so may I leave that to you?”
“It is no difficult request. Ah, if there is anything else you wish to ask, please say so now.”
At that, color returned to Zeus’s face. She was one of those who cherished Perseus greatly and wished to approve of everything the boy did. Deciding this was perfect timing, she entrusted Hestia with a task.
“Help, you say! Hm, Olympus has kept many things since ancient times. I want them sent down to earth—whether they break or not, I want them gone from this realm.”
“You intend to fill the museum.”
“Exactly. They will never shine while they remain here; they will only gather dust and crumble. Send them to the lower world so they may vanish from the earth, broken or whole.”
“Will Lady Hera permit it? She would never part lightly with the household treasures…”
“The goddess of the hearth has already permitted Demeter’s infidelity. It was an act that should have drawn severe rebuke, yet I have decided to overlook it in light of this.”
“In that case, Lady Hera’s pride will be satisfied.”
“Something like that. She paid a painful price in her own way.”
As befitted the king of the gods, Zeus was skilled at such schemes. They discussed how best to support Perseus, but could offer nothing beyond what had already been mentioned. Zeus wished to back him more boldly, yet the present circumstances would not allow it.
“Tch.”
“Hee hee…”
Zeus clicked her tongue like a commoner, unable to hide her disappointment. The sight drew a long, gentle laugh from Hestia. If asked whether she liked the boy that much, Zeus would have answered at once, “Of course.” The two goddesses’ gazes, as they looked down upon the earth, were fixed mainly upon the great temple in Argos.
They wondered whether the museum, now that construction had begun, was already taking shape. Indeed, Argos was bustling with activity. So many hands were helping that, though work had only just started, splendid columns and sculptures were already rising, and the completed portions revealed the outline of what would surely become one of the grandest buildings in history.
“Oh?”
That alone was pleasing enough, yet Perseus’s schemes did not end there.
Once he began to suck, he never let go.
He never did anything that would earn the gods’ hatred.
“Oho~! The rascal has done it again~!”
The moment they looked down upon Argos, a clear, refreshing voice reached their ears, and their gazes naturally shifted from the construction site to the temple. The neat voices of children drew nearer, and they realized the sound was a song calling someone’s name.
『In the dark night—♪ In the embrace of pitch-black Nyx—♪ We set out to find Eos—♪』
『Even when the bell rings and Hermes’ rooster crows—♪ My eyes saw only Nyx—♪』
『When we first met—♪ It was in the cold embrace of Nyx—♪』
『Yet I could feel the love Zeus holds for us in his heart—♪』
『O Zeus, I give you thanks!』
『For granting me the flame to escape the night!』
『In eternal love!』
『Never let me part from you~!』
The children had gathered together, creating a joyful atmosphere. Boys and girls repeated the pleasant parts again and again under Perseus’s direction. All of them, dressed neatly in white, sang the hymn of praise before Zeus’s statue with great delight. When that song ended, they began another.
『Ooooooh… Ooooooh… Hestia… gentle Hestia…』
『Hear my plea…』
『Upon this rugged, rough rock… I offer my prayer to you…』
『That we may sleep in peace until morning…』
『Even if people still suffer…』
『Behold the care of gentle Hestia…』
『Hear our prayer…』
『Gentle Hestia…』
『Hestia, full of grace, rejoice…』
Hestia had never expected them to sing such a song precisely when she was watching. Zeus’s hymn had been lively, but the one for her was a plaintive melody layered over the children’s voices, as though begging for something. Being also the protector of orphans, Hestia’s expression grew sorrowful.
“There are more new faces than before. They look like orphans…”
“Where, where—oho! So Perseus composed this hymn of praise! The boy has many talents indeed! He knows that Hestia cannot bear to turn away orphans, so he has gathered the children and taught them our songs.”
“Oh my…”
“Does this not give you another reason to descend? Especially for you—such open praise is rare, and I have felt sorry about that. This is the perfect chance to go and say a word. Everyone will be delighted, so you will not refuse, will you?”
“You are right… Since I have already received something, shall I prepare various gifts for the children…?”
“Do as you please.”
With Zeus’s permission granted, Hestia moved away in good spirits. Left alone, Zeus gazed down at the earth once more, pointed at Perseus teaching the children music, and spoke in a tone that suggested she had made up her mind.
“I was deeply troubled, but in the end, you are the one I choose.”
It was the tone of someone who had made a choice.
Whether fortunate or not, that glorious and ominous single sentence never reached Perseus.
*
*1) The beautiful Trojan prince. When Hebe married the deified Heracles after his death and there was no one left to pour the wine, Zeus transformed into an eagle and abducted him. Hermes descended to earth and comforted Ganymede’s kin by telling them that, by Zeus’s will, the boy had become immortal and free from old age. Other accounts state that Zeus’s compensation to Tros was a golden vine. (Schol. ad Eurip. Orest. 1399; Eustath. ad Hom. p. 1697.)
Plato, Phaedrus 255 (trans. Fowler) (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.):
“[Plato on homosexual desire:] And when his feeling continues and he is nearer to him and embraces him, in gymnastic exercises and at other times of meeting, then the fountain of that stream, which Zeus when he was in love with Ganymede named Himeros (Desire), overflows upon the lover, and some enters into his soul, and some when he is filled flows out again.”
We know the constellation Aquarius symbolizes Ganymede, and Plato also described him as identical with Eros in certain passages. In other myths as well, Eros and Ganymede are frequently linked.