[231] “ὁδμ́η κτλ.”: the “pleasant smell” may be a reminiscence of Od. 5.59 f. (the scent of Calypso's fire); but the hymnwriter leaves it doubtful whether he refers (1) to Maia's fire, or (2) to a miraculous scent betokening a deity (cf. on h. Dem. 277), or (3) to the fresh smell of natural earth; cf. Mosch.i. 92“λειμῶνος ἐκαίνυτο λαρὸν ἀϋτμήν” (of a flowery meadow); Mart.iii. 65. 4gramina quod redolent quae modo carpsit ovis and 7 gleba quod aestivo leviter cum spargitur imbre), and may be correct, although parallels from early poetry appear to be wanting. Atalanta's cave ( V. H. xiii. 1) is fragrant with flowers. The analogy of “θυωδέος Οὐλύμποιο” (322), and perhaps “ἄντρῳ ἐν εὐώδει” (xxvi. 6), rather supports the second explanation.
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The Homeric Hymns, edited, with preface, apparatus criticus, notes, and appendices. Thomas W. Allen. E. E. Sikes. London. Macmillan. 1904.
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