Keen-minded Hermes, light-fingered one, light-footed one,
quick and cunning, bright and merry, ever watchful,
ever agile, ever sharp of wit. The wings
at your feet carry you to any landing-place,
in any realm; wearing the cap of Aidoneus,
you tarry, unseen by mortal men. Wielder
of the golden sword, player on the shepherd’s pipe,
god of herdsmen, god of thieves, god of cities
and of pastures, rustic and urbane, you walk
the line between contradictions. Hermes
of the borderland, Hermes of the threshold,
god of the uncertain, consistent and contrary,
you stand in the doorway, you stand at the edge;
the knife-sharp boundary between two worlds is yours.
Hermes, child of rich-tressed Maia and thundering Zeus,
I thank you for your many gifts, I praise your might.