THE NYMPHS

We were, all of us, going along the lovely meadow, I and Leukippê, Phainô, Elektra, Ianthê, Melitê, Iakhê, Rhodeia, Kallirrhoê, Mêlobosis, Tychê, and flower-faced Okyrrhoê, Chryseis, Ianeira, Akastê, Admêtê, Rhodopê, Ploutô, and lovely Kalypsô, Styx, Ourania, and lovely Galaxaura. Also Pallas, the one who rouses to battle, and Artemis, who delights in arrows. We were playing and gathering lovely flowers in our hands, an assortment of delicate crocus, iris, and hyacinth, rosebuds and lilies, a wonder to behold, and the narcissus, which is grown, like the crocus, by the wide earth. I was joyfully gathering the flowers, and then the earth beneath me gave way, and there it was that he sprang out, the powerful lord who receives many guests.

(Hymn to Demeter, 416-430)