Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/387

44—72. pathus, and Naxos, and Paros, and rocky Rhenea. Over so great [an extent of country] went Latona, about to bring forth the Far-Darter, [seeking] whether any one was willing to afford a dwelling to her, a child of the earth. But these [lands] trembled much, and dreaded, nor did any one dare to receive Phœbus, although being very fertile, until that venerable Latona came to Delos, and questioning her, spoke winged words:

"O Delos, if thou art not willing to be the dwelling of my son Phœbus Apollo, and to erect a wealthy temple, no other shall ever touch, nor entreat thee, nor do I think that thou wilt be rich in beeves, nor in sheep, nor wilt thou bear an harvest, nor produce countless plants. But if thou wilt possess a temple of far-darting Apollo, all men, assembling hither, shall escort to thee hecatombs, and to thee shall there ever be a mighty savour, [if thou wilt long cherish thy king, and the gods shall preserve thee from the hands of others, since thou hast not a fertile soil.]"

Thus she spoke, and Delos rejoiced, and answering addressed her: "Latona, most glorious, daughter of mighty Cronus, joyfully indeed would I receive the birth of the far-darting king, for I indeed have too ill a report among men, but thus I should become greatly honoured. But this thing I dread, O Latona, nor will I conceal it from thee. For they say that Apollo will be very haughty, and will lord it greatly over the immortals, and over mortal men upon the bounteous earth. Wherefore I greatly dread in my mind and soul, lest, when he first beholds the light of the sun, he will despise the