Homeric Hymns

Apollo, god of music and medicine, enters Olympus. All the gods except Zeus, Apollo’s father, stand upon his arrival. Leto, the Titan mother of Apollo, takes her son’s bow and quiver. She presents Apollo to Zeus, who offers him “nectar in a gold cup” (19). The hymn praises Leto for her “shining children” (19).

The hymn flashes back to Leto’s pregnancy with Apollo. She travels to many lands in search of a birthplace for her son. When Leto reaches the island of Delos (which, in the story, is also a being who can speak), she attempts to convince the island to allow a shrine to Apollo. She states that Delos will never have ample sheep, cattle, or grain, but that Apollo’s temple will bring men from far and wide with offerings that will feed the people instead of them having to grow it themselves. Delos expresses fear that his barren, rocky land will not suit Apollo and that he will abandon the island, but Leto swears a divine oath that Delos will remain Apollo’s favorite place.

Leto goes into labor for “nine days and nine nights” (22). Many goddesses surround Leto, except for