urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0013.tlg002.perseus-eng2
until careful Iambe placed a jointed seat for her and threw over it a silvery fleece. Then she sat down and held her veil in her hands before her face. A long time she sat upon the stoolDemeter chooses the lowlier seat, supposedly as being more suitable to her assumed condition, but really because in her sorrow she refuses all comforts. without speaking because of her sorrow, and greeted no one by word or by sign, but rested,
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0013.tlg002.perseus-eng2
never smiling, and tasting neither food nor drink, because she pined with longing for her deep-bosomed daughter, until careful Iambe —who pleased her moods in aftertime also —moved the holy lady with many a quip and jest to smile and laugh and cheer her heart.
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0013.tlg002.perseus-eng2
Then Metaneira filled a cup with sweet wine and offered it to her; but she refused it, for she said it was not lawful for her to drink red wine, but bade them mix meal and water with soft mint and give her to drink.
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0013.tlg002.perseus-eng2
And Metaneira mixed the draught and gave it to the goddess as she bade. So the great queen Deo received it to observe the sacramentAn act of communion —the drinking of the potion (κυκεών) here described— was one of the most important pieces of ritual in the Eleusinian mysteries, as commemorating the sorrows of the goddess. And of them all, well-girded Metaneira first began to speak: “Hail, lady! For I think you are not meanly but nobly born; truly dignity and
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0013.tlg002.perseus-eng2
grace are conspicuous upon your eyes as in the eyes of kings that deal justice. Yet we mortals bear perforce what the gods send us, though we be grieved; for a yoke is set upon our necks. But now, since you are come here, you shall have what I can bestow: and nurse me this child whom the gods gave me in my old age and beyond my hope,
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0013.tlg002.perseus-eng2
a son much prayed for. If you should bring him up until he reach the full measure of youth, any one of woman-kind that sees you will straightway envy you, so great reward would I give for his upbringing.” Then rich-haired Demeter answered her:
