Dedicatory to Athena Pallas

This chamber has a mosaic on its floor of Athens at its prime, a millennium-and-a-half ago. In its center stands a copy of the famous statue found in the temple there. On te walls, surrounded by various myths of Athens is the following inscription:

Athena

Pallas, you only-begotten One, born of mighty Zeus, awesome you are, and divine: Goddess so blessed, lifting high the turmoil of the fray, Mighty One unspeakable yet so well spoken of! Great-named One at home in a vault of stone, Caught up in haughty hills and wandering the shaded mountain's ridge, You who put a dance in the heart and glory in embattlements, You can put the sting of mania into a mortal soul! Athletic Maiden with a heart sublime, Slayer of the Gorgon, fugitive of the bridal bed, Mother of Art in all your abundance, catalyst of progress! You bring folly to the corrupt and a sense of purpose to the pure! Indeed, you are male and female in one, Patron of war and wisdom, You are fluid of form, a dragon, Infused with inspiration of the Gods! Rightly-honored One, who brought Phlegran giants down to defeat, You driver of steeds, Tritogeneia, save us from evil, bearing Victory in your arms! Day and night, eternally, in even the loneliest hours, Hear my prayer, and grant us an abundant peace, fulfillment, good health. Make prosperous the hour, gray-eyed One, inventor of Art, The object of the people's ceaseless prayers-- My Queen!

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Last modified: Wed Nov 18, 1998 / Jeremiah Genest