Hesiod and the Muses in the Proem of the Theogony

This article suggests a new syntactical interpretation of lines 25 and 26 of Hesiod's Theogony. Three infelicities are addressed: the awkward string of plurals in line 26, the unmotivated abuse of Hesiod, and a concern for logical sequence. I argue that, at lines 25 and 26, Hesiod creates a tableau vivant wherein the Muses juxtapose lowly shepherds with their own grandeur in preparation for Hesiod to move from shepherd to singer. Hesiod's proem develops a tighter logical thread when it is interpreted in this manner.