IV: Hermes Tells the Story (Within a Story) of Phaëthon

“Phaëthon’s story explains the omen,” says Hermes,

“and I will continue the tale, the romance, for you,

how Sun’s fires flamed for the beautiful Clymenê,

daughter of Oceanus. This virgin swam mornings

in ruddy-tinted waves, nude and lovely.

When hot-rayed Sun saw her, he burned with lust.

Their love child was Phaëthon, a boy marked

by Sun’s round face and curling yellow flares,

also loved by his grandfather Oceanus.”