Hercules and his Twelve Labors

The Riddle of Selene

And after year apart from man
On road to Tyrne the hero stands.
His shoulders bearing hallowed hind
He's caught by using magic binds.

For many days the hero walks
Then hears he mystic voice that talks.
"What defiance demi-god does show
To goddess claim on magic doe.

He takes the hind without a care
Though beast belongs to goddess fair.
And Heras Wrath does turn to see
The goddess stood on branch of tree.

Her bow was drawn at hero's heart
And moonlight makes her figure dark.
That's shone behind the goddess form
By branch and leaves its shimmer torn.

Like spotlamp broken light does shine
On hero holding stolen hind.
So godling quickly lays the doe
On grass beside the cobble road.

"A dozen task by gods I'm give
I ask you huntress please forgive.
The doe I took by kings decree
That bid the hero's hunting spree.

With careful patience hero tracked
The beast that roamed without a pack.
The only creature world does bear
With golden horns and silver hair.

To keep the beast from being harmed
And ease the goddess great alarm.
Unhurt the beast beside me's layed
And still in perfect form as made."

And goddess speaks her words are calm
That soothes his fears like healing balm.
"On council twelve I stood that day
And dozen chores to hero gave.

I'll slay not demi-god for task
He does as godlike jury ask.
But face the god of hunt must save
If deer without a word is gave

To demi-god then all will laugh
That god didn't try to stop his path
To Tyrne to give my precious dear
And none of men will goddess fear.

So riddle goddess came to give
If answers found then hero lives.
And takes the deer to king of Tyrne
And third of labors justly serve."

The hero nods accepting terms
In hopes he grizzly death might spurn.
"Not thick as string nor wide as pin
On top must balance all of men?

My values none but squares to much
And all who live are in my clutch?"
The hero stops and fails to speak
And all the answer thought are weak.

"I'll give to hero trio of days
On third I want the answer gave."
And goddess takes the hallowed hind
Then leaves in flash that all does blind.