Achilles to Hermes
I call upon the very-great son of Maia,
the watcher over flocks from Arcadia,
the slayer of Argos and father of Pan–
But, today, I do not call on you
as Hermes before-the-gates,
nor as Hermes the cattle-stealer;
I do not call upon you as Hermes of words,
nor of the caduceus, the herald’s rod,
nor as Hermes the guide of souls.
Today, Hermes, I call upon you
as the overseer of the palaestra,
as the god of wrestling and the pankration.
Though his intentions are pure,
Herodes wishes me to learn the javelin
and the sword and to ply the battle-feats of heroes.
I am called after the Myrmidons’ leader,
but in truth I am indifferent
to the arts of armored warfare and chariots.
I would rather throw off the chlamys
than fasten on the helmet and breastplate,
and good enough for me are caestus for battle.
I go to my bouts not covered in armor
but in the oil of pressed olives, gift of Athena,
a thin glistening film not of leather nor mail.
I may not have the might of Ares in my limbs,
but I have the speed of Zeus’ messenger,
of he who is guide, quick, among the dead.
Therefore, may your many gifts be mine,
in throwing and pinning my opponents
and in speed of speech before questioners.
Let me have words to guide me and to beguile
those who seek to do me harm, and if I fail,
then as you did before Apollon, let me exhale from my guts!
Though you are a god as old as the firmament,
let me be as young and fresh-faced as you
as the flawless quicksilver is dangerous…
And let me be the messenger between brothers,
the one standing between father and children,
no dumb herm merely pointing the way at crossroads.
To you, O Hermes, may I be as a hound
and you the leader and guide of hounds
as well as hound-slayer, full of fierce graces!
*****
Hail, Thanks, and Praise to Hermes!
Hail, Thanks, and Praise to Achilles!
Hail, Thanks, and Praise to the Trophimoi!
Hail, Thanks, and Praise to the Family of Herodes Attikos!
