Orphic-Hymns, Segunda Traducción

7/23/2019 Orphic-Hymns, Segunda Traducción

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The Orphic Hymns

Translation by Apostolos N. Athanassakis

Orpheus to Mousaios

Friend, use it to good fortune

Learn now, Mousaios, a rite mystic and most holy;

A prayer which surely ecels all others.!ind "eus and #aia, hea$enly and pure flames of the %un,

%acred light of the Moon and all the %tars;

&oseidon too, dark'maned holder of the earth,&ure &ersephone and (emeter of the splendid fruit,

Artemis, the arrow'pouring maiden,

And kindly &hoibos, who dwells on the sacred ground of (elphoi.And (ionysos, the dancer, whose honors among the blessed gods are the highest.

%trong'spirited Ares, holy and mighty )ephaistos,

And the goddess foam'born to whose lot fell sublime gifts;

And you, di$inity ecellent, who is king of the *nderworld.+ call upon )ebe, and ileithyia, and the noble ardor of )erakles,

The great blessings of -ustice and &iety,

The glorious Nymphs and &an the greatest,And upon )era, buom wife of aegis'bearing "eus.

+ also call upon lo$ely Mnemosyne and the holy Muses, all nine,

As well as upon the #races, the %easons, the ear;Fair'tressed Leto, di$ine and re$ered (ione,

The armed !ouretes, the !orybantes, the !ubeiroi,

#reat sa$iors, "eus/ ageless scion,

The +daian gods, and upon )ermes, messenger and herald of those in hea$en;*pon Themis too, di$iner of men + call,

And on Night, oldest of all, and light'bringing (ay0

Then upon Faith, (ike, blameless Thesmodoteira,1hea, !ronos, dark'dwelling Tethys,

The great 2keanos together with his daughters,

The might of preeminent Atlas and Aion,

3hronos the e$er'flowing, the splendid water of the %ty,All these gentle gods and also &ronoia,

And the holy (aimon as well as the one baneful to mortals;Then upon the di$inities dwelling in hea$en, air, water,

2n earth, under the earth and in the fiery element.

+no, Leukothea, &alaimon gi$er of bliss,

%weet'speaking Nike, 4ueenly Adresteia,The great king Asklepios who grants soothing,



The battle'stirring maiden &allas, all the 5inds,

Thunder, and the parts of the four'pillared 3osmos.

And + in$oke the Mother of the immortals, Attis and Men,And the goddess 2urania, immortal and holy Adonis, beginning and end, too

5hich is the most important,

And ask them to come in a spirit of 6oyous mercyTo this holy rite and libation of re$erence.

1. To Hecate

Lo$ely )ecate of the roads and crossroads + in$oke;

+n hea$en, on earth, and in the sea, saffron'cloaked,Tomb spirit, re$eling in the souls of the dead,

(aughter of &erses, haunting deserted places, delighting in dear,

Nocturnal, dog'lo$ing, monstrous 4ueen,

(e$ouring wild beasts, ungirt, of repelling countenance.ou, herder of bulls, 4ueen and mistress of the whole world,

Leader, nymph, mountain'roaming nurturer of youth, maiden,+ beseech you to come to these holy rites,

$er with 6oyous heart and e$er fa$oring the oherd.

2. To Prothyraia+ncense0 %tora

)ear me, re$ered goddess, many'named di$inity.ou aid in tra$ail, 2 sight sweet to women in labor;

ou sa$e women and you alone lo$e children,

2 kindly goddess of swift birth, e$er helpful to young women, 2 &rothyraia.Accessible to all, 2 mistress, you are gracious and fond of nurture,

ours is the power in e$ery house and you delight in festi$ities;

ou loosen girdles and, though in$isible, you are seen in e$ery deed.ou share pain, and re6oice in e$ery birth, 2 ileithyia,

Freeing from pain those in terrible distress.

*pon you alone pregnant women call, 2 comforter of souls,

And in you alone there is relief from pains of labor.Artemis, ileithyia, &rothyraia7

)earken, 2 blessed one, succor me, grant offspring,

And sa$e me, for it is your nature to be a sa$ior of all.

3. To Night

+ncense0 Firebrand

+ shall sing of Night, Mother of gods and men.

Night' and let us call her !ypris' ga$e birth to all.

)earken, 2 blessed goddess, 6et'black and star'lit,



5hose delight is in 4uiet and slumber'filled serenity.

3heerful and delightsome, 2 mother of dreams, you lo$e the nightlong re$el,

And your gentleness rids of cares, and offers respite from toil.#i$er of sleep, belo$ed of all you are, as you dri$e your steeds and gleam in darkness.

$er incomplete, now terrestrial and now again celestial,

ou circle around in pursuit of sprightly phantoms,ou force light into the nether world, and again you flee into )ades.

(readful Necessity go$erns all things.

8ut now, 2 blessed one, yea beatific and desired by all,+ call on you to grant a kind ear to my $oice of supplication,

And bene$olent, come to disperse fears that glisten in the dark.

4. To Ouranos+ncense0 Frankincense

2uranos, father of all, eternal cosmic element,

&rime$al, beginning of all and end of all,Lord of the uni$erse, mo$ing about the earth like a sphere, home of the blessed gods.

our motion is roaring whirl, and you en$elop all as their celestial and terrestrial guard.+n you breast lies nature/s in$incible dri$e;

(ark'blue, indomitable, shimmering, $eriform,

All'seeing father of !ronos, blessed and most sublime di$inity,)earken and bring a life of holiness to the newly initiated.

5. To Ether

+ncense0 3rocus

ours are "eus/ lofty dwellings and endless power,

And of the stars, the sun, and the moon you claim a share.2 tamer of all, fire'breather, life/s spark for e$ery creature,

%ublime ther, best cosmic element, radiant luminous, starlit offspring,

+ call upon you and beseech you to be temperate and clear.

6. To Protogonos

+ncense0 Myrrh

*pon two'natured, great and ether'tossed &rotogonos + call;

8orn of the egg, delighting in his golden wings he bellows like a bull,

This begetter of blessed gods and mortal men.rikepaios, seed unforgettable, attend to my rites,

+neffable, hidden, brilliant scion, whose motion is whirring,

ou scattered the dark mist that lay before your eyes, and, flapping your wings,ou whirled about and throughout this world, you brought pure light.

For this + call you &hanes and lord &riapos and bright'eyed Antauges.

8ut, 2 blessed one of many counsels and seeds,

3ome gladly to the celebrants of this holy and elaborate rite.



7. To the Stars

+ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

+ call forth the sacred light of the hea$enly stars,

and with de$otional prayers + summon the holy demons.)ea$enly stars, dear children of dark Night,

2n circles you march and whirl about , 2 brilliant and fiery begetters of all.

Fate; e$eryone/s fate, you re$eal and you determine the di$ine path for mortals,As, wandering in midair you ga9e upon the se$en luminous orbits.

+n hea$en and on earth e$er indestructible on your bla9ing trail,

ou shine upon night/s cloak of darkness.

3oruscating, gleaming, kindly and nocturnal, $isit the learned contents of this rite,Finishing a noble race for works of glory.

. To the Sun

+ncense0 &ounded Frankincense

)earken, 2 blessed one, whose eternal eyes are on all,Titan radiant as gold, )yperion, celestial light,

%elf'born untiring, sweet sight to li$ing creatures.

2n the right you beget dawn and on the left, night.ou temper the seasons as you ride your dancing horses,

And rushing swiftly, 2 fiery and bright'faces charioteer,

ou press on your course in endless whirl, and harsh to the impious,

ou teach good to the pious.ours the golden lyre and the harmony of cosmic motion,

And you command noble deeds and nurture the seasons.

&iping lord of the world, a fiery circle of light is your course,And, 2 &aian, your light gi$es li$e and fruits.

ternal, pure, father of time, 2 immortal "eus,

ou are the clear, brilliant, and all'encompassing cosmic eye,8oth when you set and when you shine your lo$ely radiant light.

A paragon of 6ustice, 2 water'lo$ing lord of the cosmos,

ou guard pledges and, e$er the highest, you help all.

ye of 6ustice and light of life, 2 charioteer,5ith screaming whip you dri$e the four'horsed chariot on.

)ear my words and show life/s sweetness to the initiates.

!. To the Moon


)earken, 2 di$ine 4ueen, light'bringing and splendid %elene,

8ull'horned Moon tra$ersing the air in a race with night.

Nocturnal, torch'bearing, maiden of fair stars,

Moon waing and waning, feminine and masculine,



#littering lo$er of horses, mother of time, bearer of fruit.

Amber'colored, brooding, shining in the night, all'seeing, $igilant,

%urrounded by beautiful stars, you delight in 4uiet and in the richness of the night.%hining in the night, like a 6ewel, you grant fulfillment and fa$or.

Long'cloaked marshal of the stars, wise maiden whose motion is circular,

3ome7 8lessed and gentle lady of the stars,+n three ways shine your redeeming light upon your new initiates.

1". To Physis+ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

2 &hysis, resourceful mother of all, celestial and rich di$inity, oldest of all,

:ueen, all'taming and indomitable, lustrous ruler,$er honored mistress of all, highest goddess, imperishable, first'born,

Fabled glorifier of men, nocturnal, knowing, light'bringing, irrepressible,

%wift is the motion of your feet and your steps noiseless,

2 pure marshal of the gods, end that has no end.All partake of you but you alone partake of one;

%elf'fathered and hence fatherless, lo$ely, 6oyous, great and accessible,

ou nurse flowers, you lo$ingly comingle and twine,

And you lead, rule and bring life and nourishment to all.%elf'sufficient, many'named persuasion of the #races, (ike herself,

:ueen of hea$en and earth and sea,

ou are bitter to the $ulgar and sweet to those who obey you.

5ise in all, gi$er of all, nurturing 4ueen of all,Abundant nourishment is your as you dissol$e whate$er ripens.

Father and Mother of all, nurturer and nurse, you bring swift birth, 2 blessed one,

And a wealth of seeds and the fe$er of seasons are yours.An opulent and might di$inity, you gi$e shape and form to all things;

ternal, setting all in motion, skilled and discreet,

ou are e$er'turning the swift stream into an unceasing eddy.Flowing in all things, circular, e$er changing form,

Fair'throned, precious, you alone accomplish your designs

And, loud'roaring, you rule mightily o$er sceptered kings.

Fearless, all'taming, destined fate, fire'breathing,ou are life e$erlasting and immortal pro$idence.

%ince you fashion these things, you are e$erything.

ou are the all, for you alone do these things to bring peace, health and growth to all.

11. To Pan

+ncense0 et $aria

+ call upon &an, the pastoral god, and upon the uni$erse,

That is, upon sky and sea and land, 4ueen of all,

And the immortal fires; all these are &an/s realm.



3ome, 2 blessed, frolicsome and restless companion of the seasons7

#oat'limbed, re$eling, lo$er of fren9y, star'haunting,

ou wea$e your playful song into cosmic harmony,And you induce the phantasies of dread into the mind or mortals.

our delight is at %prings, among goatherds and oherds,

And you dance with the nymphs, you keen'eyed hunter and lo$er of cho.&resent in all growth, begetter of all, many'named di$inity,

Lord of the cosmos, light'bringing and fructifying &aian,

3a$e'lo$ing and wrathful, a $eritable "eus with horns7The earth/s endless plain is supported by you,

And to you yield the deep'flowing water of the untiring sea,

And 2keanos who girds the earth with his eddying stream,

And the air we breathe, which kindles all life,And, abo$e us, the sublime eye of weightless fire.

At your behest, all these things are kept wide apart.

our pro$idence alters the natures of all,

And on the boundless earth you offer nourishment to mankind.3ome, fren9y'lo$ing and gamboling god;

3ome to these sacred libations, bring my life to a good conclusion,And send &an/s madness to the ends of the earth.

12. To Hera#$es+ncense0 Frankincense

)erakles, stout'hearted and mighty, powerful Titan,

%trong'handed, indomitable, author of $aliant deeds,ou change your form, 2 e$erlasting and kindly father of time.

+neffable, wild, lord of all to whom many pray,

All'con4uering and meddlesome, archer and seer,2mni$orous begetter of all, and most sublime helper,

5ho, for the sake of men, subdued and tamed sa$ages races,

8ecause you desired peace, which brings da99ling honors and nurtures youths.%elf'grown, unwearying, bra$est child of earth.

ou hurled your prime$al thunderbolts, 2 illustrious &aian.

1ound your head dawn and dark night cling,

And your twel$e deeds of $alor stretch from east to west.+mmortal, world'wise, boundless and irrepressible,

3ome, 2 blessed, bringing all charms against disease;

5ith club in hand, dri$e e$il bane away,And with your poisonous darts ward off cruel death.

13. To %ronos+ncense0 %tora

$erlasting father of blessed gods and men,

1esourceful, pure, mighty and powerful Titan,



ou consume all things and replenish them too.

*nbreakable is the hold you ha$e on the boundless cosmos,

2 !ronos, begetter of time, !ronos of contrasting discourse,3hild of earth and starry sky.

+n you there is birth and decline, august and prudent lord of 1hea,

5ho, as progenitor, dwell in e$ery part of the world.)ear my supplicant $oice, 2 wily and bra$e one,

And bring an e$er blameless end to a good life.

14. To &hea


Mighty 1hea, daughter of many'faced &rotogonos,our sacred chariot is drawn by bull'slaying lions.

The sound of drums and cymbals, 2 fren9y'lo$ing maiden, is yours,

And you are the mother of the aegis'bearing 2lympian lord.

+llustrious and honored, you are !ronos/ blessed consort,And you delight in the mountains and in the horrid shrieks of mortals.

%trong'spirited 1hea, 4ueen of 4ueens, lo$er of the battle din,Liar, sa$ior, redeemer, first by birth, you are mother of gods and mortal men.

From you come the earth, the wide sky abo$e, the sea and the winds.

thereal and restless, come, 2 blessed goddess, as a gentle'minded sa$ior.8ring peace and a wealth of possessions,

And send death and mire to the ends of the earth.

15. To 'eus

+ncense0 %tora

Much'honored "eus, indestructible "eus,

5e lay before you this redeeming testimony and this prayer;

2 !ing, you ha$e brought to light di$ine works,And earth, goddess and mother, the hills swept by the shrill winds,

The sea, the host of stars marshaled by the sky.

!ronian "eus, whose scepter is the thunderbolt, strong'spirited,

Father of all, beginning and end of all,arth'shaker, increaser and purifier, indeed All'shaker,

#od of thunder and lightning, "eus the planter.

)ear me, 2 many'faced one,And grant me unblemished health, di$ine peace, and riches and glory without blame.

16. To Hera+ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

ou are ensconced in darksome hollows, and airy is your form, 2 )era,

:ueen of all and blessed consort of "eus.



ou send soft bree9es to mortals such as nourish the soul,

And, 2 mother of rains, you nurture the winds and gi$e birth to all.

5ithout you there is neither life nor growth;And, mied as you are in the air we $enerate, you partake of all,

And of all you are 4ueen and mistress.

ou toss and turn with the rushing wind.May you, 2 blessed goddess and many'named 4ueen of all,

3ome with kindness and 6oy on your lo$ely face.

17. To Posei(on

+ncense0 Myrrh

)earken, dark'maned &oseidon, holder of the earth, e4uestrian;3ar$ed in bron9e is the trident in your hand,

And you dwell in the foundations of the full'bosomed sea.

(eep'roaring ruler of the sea and shaker of the earth,

our blossoms are wa$es, 2 gracious one, as you urge horses and chariot on,1ushing on the sea and splashing through the rippling brine.

To your lot fell the third portion, the unfathomable sea,And you delight in wa$es and in their wild dwellers, 2 spirit of the deep.

%a$e the foundations of the earth and ships mo$ing at full tilt,

And bring peace, health and blameless prosperity.

1. To P$outon

%ubterranean is your dwelling place, 2 strong'spirited one,A meadow in Tartaros, thick'shaded and dark.

3hthonic "eus, sceptered one, kindly accept this sacrifice,&louton, holder of the keys to the whole earth.

ou gi$e the wealth of the year/s fruits to mankind,

And to your lot fell the third portion, earth, 4ueen of all,%eat of the gods, mighty lap of mortals.

our throne rests on a tenebrous realm,

The distant, untiring, windless and impassi$e )ades,

And on dark Acheron that encompasses the roots of the earth.All'1ecei$er, with death at your command, you are the master of mortals.

uboulos, you once took pure (emeter/s daughter as your bride,

5hen you tore her away from the meadow and through the sea.*pon your steeds you carried her to an Attic ca$e, in the district of leusis,

5here the gates to )ades are.

ou alone were born to 6udge deeds obscure and conspicuous.)oliest and illustrious ruler of all, fren9ied god,

ou delight in the worshiper/s respect and re$erence.

3ome with fa$or and 6oy to the initiates. + summon you.



1!. to 'eus the Thun(er)o$t

+ncense0 %tora

Father "eus, sublime in the course of the bla9ing cosmos you dri$e on,

And ethereal and lofty the flash of your lightning,

As you shake the seat of the immortals with di$ine thunderbolts.5ith the fire of your lightening you embla9on the rain clouds.

%torms you bring and hurricanes and mighty thunder,

8la9ing and roaring thunder' like a shower of arrows'5hich with horrific might and strength sets all aflame,

This dreadful missile that makes hearts pound and hair bristle.

)oly and in$isible, it comes with a sudden crash, an endless spiral of noise,

*nbreakable, threatening and ineluctable.The gale/s sharp and smoke'filled shaft swoops down with a flash,

(readed by land and sea.

5ild beasts cringe when they hear the noise,

Faces reflect the brilliance of thunder roaring in the celestial hollows.ou tear the robe that cloaks hea$en and hurl the fiery thunderbolt.

8ut, 2 blessed one calm down<= the anger of sea wa$es and mountain peaks.5e all know your power. n6oy this libation and gi$e all things that please the heart,

A life of prosperity, 4ueenly health, di$ine peace that nurtures youth,

And is with honor crowned, and an eistence e$er blooming with cheerful thoughts.

2". To *strapaios 'eus

+ncense0 &owdered Frankincense

+ call upon great, pure, resounding, illustrious, ethereal and bla9ing "eus,

5hose racing fire shines though the air.

5ith an ear'splitting clap your light flashes through the clouds,

2 horrid, wrathful, pure, and in$incible god.

*pon you + call, lord of lightening, begetter of all and great king,To be kind and bring a sweet end to my life.

21. To the +$ou(s

+ncense0 Myrrh

Airy clouds that nourish fruits and ro$e the sky,

ou gi$e rain as you are dri$en e$erywhere by the wind.Filled with bla9ing thunder and water, you resound with awesome crashes

+n the air'filled $ault of hea$en when you are repelled by the onrush of raging winds.

To you + pray, you whose dewy cloaks are blown by fair bree9es,%end fruit'nourishing rains to mother earth.

22. To the Sea

+ncense0 &ounded Frankincense



+ call upon gray'eyed Tethys, bride of 2keanos, dark'$eiled 4ueen,

5hose wa$es dance as they are blown into the land by sweet bree9es.ou break your tall wa$es upon rocky beaches,

And you are calmed by races that are gentle and smooth.

ou delight in ships and your waters feed wild beasts, mother !ypris,Mother of dark clouds and of e$ery spring round which nymphs swarm.

)ear me, 2 holy one. !indly help, and blessed one, send a fair tall wind to ships.

23. To Nereus

+ncense0 Myrrh

The sea/s foundations are your realm, an abode of glossy blackness,And you eult in the beauty of your fifty daughters as they dance amid the wa$es.

2 Nereus, god of great renown, foundation of the sea, end of the earth,

8eginning of all; you make (emeter/s sacred throne tremble,

5hen you imprison the gusty winds dri$en to your gloomy depths.8ut, 2 blessed one, ward off earth4uakes, and send to the initiates peace,

&rosperity and gentle'handed health.

24. To the Nerei(s


2 lo$ely'faced and pure Nymphs, daughters of Nereus who li$e in the deep,

At the bottom of the sea you gambol and dance in the water.

Fifty maidens re$el in the wa$es, maidens riding on the backs of Tritons,(elighting in animal shapes and bodies nurtured by the sea,

And in other dwellers of the Triton/s billowy kingdom.

our home is the water, and you leap and whirl round the wa$es,Like glistening dolphins ro$ing the roaring seas.

+ call upon you to bring much prosperity to the initiates,

For you were first to know the holy rite of sacred 8acchos and of pure &ersephone.

ou and !alliope and Apollon, the lord.

25. To Proteus+ncense0 %tora

+ call upon &roteus, key'holding master of the sea, first'born,5ho showed the beginnings of all nature, changing matter into a great $ariety of forms.

)onored by all, he is wise and knows what is now, what was before, and what will be.

)e has all at his disposal and he is transformed far beyond the other immortals5ho dwell on snowy 2lympos and fly through the air and o$er land and sea,

For nature was the first to place e$erything in &roteus.

8ut, father, attended by holy pro$idence $isit the mystic initiates,

and bring a good end to a life of industry and prosperity.



26. To Earth

+ncense0 +ncense and #rain

(i$ine arth, mother of men and of the blessed gods, you nourish all, you gi$e all,

ou bring all to fruition and you destroy all.5hen the season is fair you are hea$y with fruit and growing blossoms,

And, 2 multi'formed maiden, you are the seat of the immortal cosmos,

And in the pains of labor you bring forth fruits of all kinds.ternal, re$erend, deep'bosomed, and blessed,

ou delight in the sweet breath of grass, 2 goddess bedecked with flowers.

ours is the 6oy of the rain, and round you the intricate realm stars re$ol$es in endless,

andawesome flow.

8ut, 2 blessed goddess, may you multiply the gladsome fruits,

And together with the beautiful seasons, grant me fa$or.

27. To the Mother o, the -o(s

+ncense0 et $aria

(i$ine are your honors, 2 mother of the gods and nurturer of all.

oke your swift chariot drawn by bull'slaying lions,And, 2 mighty goddess who brings things to pass, 6oin our prayers.

Many'named and re$erend, you are the 4ueen of the sky,

For in the cosmos yours is the throne in the middle because the earth is yours,

And you gi$e gentle nourishment to mortals.#ods and men were born of you, and you hold sway o$er the ri$ers and all the sea.

)estia is one of your names, and they call you gi$er of prosperity,

8ecause you bestow on men all manner of gifts.3ome to this rite, 4ueen whom the drum delights,

All'taming, sa$ior, honored and fren9y'lo$ing nurturer of life.

-oyously and graciously $isit our deeds of piety.

2. To Heres

+ncense0 Frankincense

)ere me, )ermes, messenger of "eus, son of Maia.

Almighty is your heart, 2 lord of the deceased and 6udge of contests.

#entle and cle$er, 2 Argeiphontes, you are a guide whose sandals fly,And a man'lo$ing prophet to mortals.

ou are $igorous and you delight in eercise and in deceit.

+nterpreter of all, you are a profiteer who frees us of cares,And who holds in his hands the blameless tool of peace.

Lord of !orykos, blessed, helpful and skilled in words, you assist in work,

ou are a friend of mortals in need,

And you wield the dreaded and respected weapon of speech.



)ear my prayer and grant a good end to a life of industry, gracious talk and mindfulness.

>?. )ymn to &ersephone

&ersephone, blessed daughter of great "eus, sole offspring of (emeter,

3ome and accept this gracious sacrifice.

Much'honored spouse of &louton, discreet and life'gi$ing,ou command the gates of )ades in the bowels of the earth,

Lo$ely'tressed, &raidike, pure bloom of (eo, mother of the Furies,

:ueen of the netherworld whom "eus sired in clandestine union.Mother of loud'roaring and many shaped ubouleus,

1adiant and luminous playmate of the %easons, august, almighty,

Maiden rich in fruits, you alone are belo$ed of mortals.

+n spring you re6oice in the meadow bree9es,And you show your holy figure in shoots and green fruits.

ou were made a kidnapper/s bride in the fall,

And you alone are life and death to toiling mortals,

2 &ersephone, for you always nourish all and kill them too.)earken, 2 blessed goddess, and send forth the earth/s fruits.

ou who blossom in peace, in soft'handed health,And in a life of plenty that ferries old age in comfort to your realm,

2 4ueen, and to that of mighty &louton.

3". To /ionysos+ncense0 %tora

+ call upon loud'roaring and re$eling (ionysos, prime$al, two'natured,Thrice'born, 8acchic lord, sa$age, ineffable, two'horned and two'shaped.

+$y'co$er, bull'faced, warlike, howling, pure, you take raw flesh,

ou ha$e triennial feasts, wrapt in foliage, decked with grape clusters.1esourceful ubouleus, immortal god sired by "eus,

5hen he mated with &ersephone in unspeakable union.

)earken to my $oice, 2 blessed one, and with your fair'girdled nurses,8reathe on me in spirit of perfect kindness.

31. Hyn to the %ouretes

Leaping !ouretes, stepping to the sound of arms, howling mountaineers,

5hose feet pound the ground, discordant is you lyre as you strike a pace,

Light of foot, 2 renowned marshals and arms'carrying guards,&riests of the train of a mother struck with mountain fren9y.

!indly $isit those whose words praise you,

And, with 6oyous heart, be gracious to the oherd.

32. To *thena




1e$ered &allas, you alone great "eus bore by himself,

Noble and blessed goddess, bra$e in the din of war.

1enowned and ca$e'haunting, you may and may not be spoken of.our domain is the wind'swept hilltops and shaded mountains, and dells charm your

heart.

Arms please you, and you strike men/s souls with fren9y,2 maiden $igorous and horrid'tempered.

%layer of #orgo, blessed mother of the arts, you shun the bed of lo$e,

And, 2 impetuous one, you bring madness to the wicked and prudence to the $irtuous.Male and female, begetter of war, counselor, she'dragon of many shapes,

Fren9y'lo$ing, illustrious, destroyer of the &hlegraian #iants, dri$er of horses,

Tritogeneia, you free us from suffering, 2 $ictorious goddess.

(ay and night, e$er into the small hours, hear my prayer,And gi$e a full measure of peace, of riches, and health accompanied by happy seasons,

2 gray'eyed and in$enti$e 4ueen to whom many pray.

33. To Ni#e+ncense0 &owdered Frankincense

+ call upon mighty Nike, belo$ed of mortals,

For she alone frees men from the eagerness of contest,

And from dissent when men face each other in battle.+n war you are the 6udge of deeds deser$ing pri9es,

And sweet is the boast you grant after the onslaught.

Nike, mistress of all, on you and your good name depends noble glory,

#lory that comes from strife and teams with festi$ities.8ut, 2 blessed and belo$ed one, come with 6oy in your eyes,

3ome for works of renown and bring me a noble end.

34. To *po$$on


3ome, 2 blessed &aian, 2 slayer of Tityos, 2 &hoibos, 2 Lykoreus.

A gi$er of riches are you and an illustrious dweller in Memphis,

2 god to whom one cries @ie@.

To you, 2 Titan and &ythian god belong the lyre and seeds and plows.#rynean, %minthian, slayer of &ytho, (elphic di$iner,

ou are a wild, light'bringing and lo$able god, 2 glorious youth.

ou shoot your arrows from afar, you lead the Muses into dance,

And, 2 holy one, you are 8acchos, (idymeus, and Loias too.

Lord of (elos, eye that sees all and brings light to mortals,#olden is your hair and clear your oracular utterances.

)ear me with kindly heart as + pray for people.

ou ga9e upon all the ethereal $astness,

And upon the rich earth you look through the twilight.



+n the 4uiet darkness of night lit with stars you see earth/s roots below,

And you hold the bounds of the whole world.

ours too are the beginning and the end to come.ou make e$erything bloom, and with your $ersatile lyre you harmoni9e the poles,

Now reaching the highest pitch, now the lowest and now again with the (oric mode,

8alancing the poles harmoniously, as you keep the li$ing races distinct.ou ha$e infused harmony into all men/s lot,

#i$ing them e4ual measure of summer and winter.

The lowest notes you strike in the winter, the highest in summer,And your mode is (oric for spring/s lo$ely and blooming season.

5herefore mortals call you lord, and &an, the two'horned god,

5ho sends the whistling winds.

For this too, you ha$e the master seal of the entire cosmos.2, blessed one, hear the supplicant $oice of the initiates and sa$e them.

35. To 0eto

+ncense0 Myrrh

(ark'$eiled Leto, re$ered goddess and mother of twins,#reat'souled daughter of !oios, 4ueen to whom many pray,

To your lot fell the birth pains for "eus/ fair child.

ou bore &hoibos and arrow'pouring Artemis, her on 2rtygia, and him on rocky (elos.)ear, lady goddess, and with fa$or in your heart,

3ome to this all'holy rite and bring sweet end.

36. *rteis+ncense0 &owdered Frankincense

)ear me, 2 4ueen, "eus/s daughter of many names, Titanic and 8acchic,1e$erend, renowned archer, torch'bearing goddess bringing light to all,

(iktynna, helper at childbirth.

ou aid women in labor, though you know not what labor is.2 fren9y'lo$ing huntress, you loosen girdles and dri$e cares away.

%wift, arrow'pouring, you lo$e the outdoors and you roam in the night.

Fame'bringing, affable, redeeming, nurturer of mortal youths.

+mmortal and yet of this earth, you slay wild beasts, 2 blessed one,And your realm is in mountain forests.

ou hunt deer, 2 august and mighty 4ueen of all, fair blossom,

ternal, syl$an, dog'lo$ing, many'shaped lady of !ydonia.3ome, dear goddess, as sa$ior, accessible to all the initiates,

And bring earth/s fair fruits and lo$ely &eace and well'tressed )ealth,

And do banish disease and pain to the mountain peaks.

37. To the Titans




Titans, glorious children of 2uranos and #aia, forebears of our fathers,

5ho dwell down below in Tartarean homes in the earth/s bowels.

From you stem all toiling mortals, the creatures of the sea and of the land,The birds, and all generations of this world come from you,

And upon you + call to banish harsh anger,

+f some earthly ancestor of mine stormed your homes.

3. To the %ouretes


8ron9e'beating !ouretes, with Ares/ armament, dwellers of hea$en, earth and sea,

Thrice'blessed, life'gi$ing bree9es, glorious sa$iors of the world,

5ho dwell in the land of %amothrace and who ward dangers for mortals roaming theseas.

ou were first to set up sacred rites for mortals, 2 immortal !ouretes with Ares/s

armament.

ou rule 2keanos, and likewise you rule the sea and the forests.The earth resounds with the pounding of you nimble feet,

As you come in your gleaming armor.All wild beasts cringe at your onrush, and the noise and shouts rise hea$enward,

5hile the dust from your briskly marching feet reaches the clouds.

Then e$ery flower is in bloom, +mmortal gods, you nurture, but you also destroy,5hen e$er angrily fretting o$er mankind,

ou ruin li$elihoods, possessions, and men themsel$es.

... the great, deep'eddying sea groans, lofty trees were uprooted,

and fall upon the earth and the tumult from the lea$es echoes in the sky.!ouretes' !orybantes' mighty lords, masters of %amothrace,

eritable (ioskouroi, airy, soul'nourishing and e$er'blowing bree9es,

ou are called celestial twins on 2lympos.And, gentle sa$iors who bring fair bree9es and clear weather,

And as nurturers of seasons and of fruits, breathe upon us, 2 lords.

3!. To %ory)as


+ call upon the greatest king of eternal earth, blessed !orybas,5ar'like, of forbidding countenance, nocturnal !oures, who sa$es from dreadful fear.

!orybas, you assist the imagination and you wader in deserted places.

Lord, many are the shapes of your two'fold di$inity,And the murder of the twin brothers has stained you with blood.

Following (eo/s scheme, you changed your holy form

+nto the shape of a sa$age and dark dragon.8lessed one, hear our $oices, banish harsh anger,

And free us from fantasies, a soul stunned by necessity.

4". To E$eusinian /eeter




(eo, di$ine mother of all, goddess of many names, august (emeter, Nurturer of youths, and gi$er of prosperity and wealth.

ou nourish the ears of corn, 2 gi$er of all, and you delight in peace and in toilsome

labor.&resent at sowing, reaping and threshing, 2 spirit of unripe fruit,

ou dwell in the sacred $alley of leusis.

3harming and lo$ely, you gi$e sustenance to all mortals,And you were the first to yoke the plowing o and to send up from below,

A rich and lo$ely har$est for mortals.

Through you there is growth and blooming, 2 illustrious companion of 8romios,

And, torch'bearing and pure one, you delight in the summer/s yield.From beneath the earth you appear and to all you are gentle,

2 holy and youth'nurturing lo$er of children and of fair offspring.

ou yoke your chariot to bridled dragons,

And round your throne you whirl and howl in ecstasy.2nly daughter with many children and many powers o$er mortals,

ou manifest your myriad faces to the $ariety of flowers and sacred blossoms.3ome, blessed and pure one, and, laden with the fruits of summer,

8ring peace, together with the welcome rule of law, riches too,

And prosperity, and health that go$erns all.

41. To Mother *ntaia


:ueen Antaia, goddess and many'named mother of immortal gods and mortal men,

5eary from searching and wandering far and wide,

2nce you ended your fast in the $alley of leusis and came to )ades for noble&ersephone.

our guide was the guileless child of (ysaules,

5ho brought the news of pure chthonic "eus/ holy union.ielding to human need you bore di$ine uboulos.

8ut, 2 goddess and 4ueen to whom many pray, + beseech you,

3ome graciously to your pious initiates.

42. To Mise

+ncense0 %tora

+ call upon law'gi$ing (ionysos who carries the fennel stalk,

*nforgettable and many'named seed of ubouleus,

And upon holy, sacred and ineffable 4ueen Mise,whose two'fold nature is male and female.

As redeeming +acchos, + summon you lord, whether you delight in your fragrant temple

At leusis, or with the Mother you partake of mystic rites in &hrygia,

2r you re6oice in 3yprus with fair'wreathed !ythereia,



2r yet you eult in hallowed wheat'bearing fields along gypt/s ri$er,

5ith your di$ine mother, the august black'robed +sis, and your triad of nurses.

Lady, kindheartedly come to those contesting for noble pri9es.

43. To the Horai


)orai, daughters of Themis and lord "eus, umonie and (ike and thrice'blessed irene,

&ure spirits of spring and of the blossoming meadow,ou are found in e$ery color and in all the scents wafted by the bree9es.

$er'blooming, re$ol$ing and sweet'faced, 2 )oria,

ou cloak yoursel$es with the dew of luuriant flowers.

ou are holy &ersephone/s companions at play, when the Fates and the #races,+n circling dances come forth to light, pleasing "eus and their fruit'gi$ing mother.

3ome to the new initiates and their re$erent and holy rites,

And bring seasons perfect for growth of goodly fruit.

44. To See$e

+ncense0 %tora

+ call upon the daughter of !admos, 4ueen of all,

Fair %emele of the lo$ely tresses and the full bosom,Mother of thyrsus'bearing and 6oyous (ionysos.

%he was dri$en to great pain by the bla9ing thunderbolt,

5hich, through the counsels of immortal !ronian "eus, burned her,

And by noble &ersephone she was granted honors among mortal men,)onors gi$en e$ery third year.

Then they reenact the tra$ail for your son 8acchos,

The sacred ritual of the table, and the holy mysteries. Now you, goddess, do + beseech, daughter of !admos, 4ueen,

Always to be gentle'minded towards the initiates.

45. Hyn to /ionysos assareus an( Triennia$

3ome, blessed (ionysos, bull'faced god concei$ed in fire,

8assareus and 8acchos, many'named master of all.ou delight in bloody swords and in the holy maenads,

As you howl throughout 2lympos, 2 roaring and fren9ied 8acchos.

Armed with the thyrsus and wrathful in etreme, you are honored8y all the gods and by all the men who dwell on earth.

3ome, blessed and leaping god, and bring much 6oy to all.

BC. To Liknites+ncense0 &owdered Frankincense

+ summon to these prayers (ionysos Liknites, born at Nysa,

8lossoming, belo$ed and kindly 8acchos,

Nursling of the nymphs and fair'wreathed Aphrodite.



The forest once felt your feet 4ui$er in the dance,

As fren9y dro$e you and the graceful nymphs on,

And the counsels of "eus brought you to noble &ersephone,5ho reared you to be lo$ed by the deathless gods.

!ind'heartedly come, 2 blessed one, and accept the gift of this sacrifice.

47. Peri#ionios


+ call upon 8acchos &erikionios, gi$er of wine,

5ho en$eloped all of !admos/ house and with his might,

3hecked and calmed the hea$ing earth when the bla9ing thunderbolt,

And the raging gale stirred all the land.Then e$eryone/s bonds sprang loose.

8lessed re$eler, come with 6oyous heart.

4. To Sa)aios+ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

)ear me, father %aba9ios, son of !ronos, illustrious god.

ou sewed into your thigh 8acchic (ionysos, the roaring iraphiotes,

That he might come whole to noble Tmolos, by the side of fair'cheeked )ipta.8ut, 2 blessed ruler of &hrygia and supreme king of all,

3ome kind'heartedly to the aid of the initiates.

4!. To Hipta+ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

+ call upon )ipta, nurse of 8acchos, maiden possessed.+n mystic rites she takes part, and she eults in pure %abos/ worship,

And in the night dances of roaring +acchos.

2 4ueen and chthonic mother, hear my prayer, whether you are on +da,&hrygia/s sacred mountain, or you take pleasure on Tholos, fair seat of the Lydians.

3ome to these rites, with 6oy on you holy face.

5". To 0ysios 0enaios

)ear, 2 blessed son of "eus and of two mothers,

8acchos of the $intage, unforgettable seed, many'named and redeeming demon,)oly offspring of the gods born in secrecy, re$eling 8acchos,

&lump gi$er of the many 6oys of fruits which grow well.

Mighty and many'shaped god, from the earth you burst forth to reach the wine'press,And there become a remedy for man/s pain, 2 sacred blossom7

A sorrow'hating 6oy to mortals, 2 lo$ely'haired paphian,

ou are a redeemer and a re$eler whose thyrsus dri$e to fren9y,

And who is kind hearted to all, gods and mortals, who see his light.



+ call upon you now to come, a sweet bringer of fruit.

51. To the Nyphs+ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

Nymphs, daughters of great'hearted 2keanos, you dwell inside the earth/s damp ca$es,And your paths are secret, 2 6oyous and chthonic ones, nurses of 8acchos.

ou nourish fruits and haunt meadows,

2 sprightly and pure tra$elers of winding roads who delight in ca$es and grottoes.%wift, light'footed, and clothed in dew, you fre4uent springs.

isible and in$isible, in the ra$ines and among flowers,

ou shout and frisk with &an upon mountain sides.

#liding down on rocks, you hum with clear $oice,

2 mountain'haunting, syl$an maidens of fields and streams.

2 sweet'smelling $irgins, clad in white, fresh as the bree9es,

5ith goat'herds, pastures and splendid fruits in your domain.ou are lo$ed by creatures of the wild.

Tender though you are, you re6oice in cold and you gi$e sustenance and growth to many,2 playful and water'lo$ing )amadryad maidens.

(wellers of Nysa, fren9ied and healing goddesses who 6oy in spring,

Together with 8acchos and (eo you bring grace t mortals.5ith 6oyful hearts come to this hallowed sacrifice,

And in the seasons of growth pour streams of salubrious rain.

52. To the -o( o, the Triennia$ east +ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

+ call upon you, blessed, many'named and fren9ied 8acchos,8ull'horned Nysian redeemer, god of the wine'press, concei$ed in fire.

Nourished in the thigh, 2 Lord of the 3radle,

ou marshal torch'lit processions in the night, 2 filleted and thyrsus'shaking ubouleus.Threefold is your nature and ineffable your rites, 2 secret offspring of "eus.

&rime$al, rikepaios, father and son of gods,

ou take raw flesh, and, sceptered, you lead into the madness of re$el and dance

+n the fren9y of triennial feasts that bestow calm on us.ou burst forth from the earth in a bla9e... 2 son of two mothers,

And, horned and clad in fawnskin, you roam the mountains,

2 lord worshiped in annual feasts.&aian of the golden spear, nursling, decked with grapes,

8assaros, eulting in i$y, followed by many maidens...

-oyous and all'abounding, come, 2 blessed one to the initiates.

53. To the -o( o, the *nnua$ east

+ncense0 all other things sa$e frankincense' a libation of milk too.



+ call upon the 8acchos we worship annually, chthonic (ionysos,

5ho, together with the fair'tressed nymphs, is roused.

+n the sacred halls of &ersephone he slumbers,And puts to sleep pure, 8acchic time e$ery third year.

5hen he himself stirs up the triennial re$el again he sings a hymn,

Accompanied by his fair'girdled nurses,And, as the seasons re$ol$e he puts to sleep and wakes up the years.

8ut, 2 blessed and fruit'gi$ing 8acchos, 2 horned spirit of the unripe fruit,

3ome to this most sacred rite with the glow of 6oy on your face,3ome all'abounding in fruit that is holy and perfect.

54. To Si$enos Satyros an( the acchia


)ear me 8acchos/ foster father and nurturer, by far the best of the %ilenoi,

)onored by all the gods and by mortal men in the same triennial feasts.

&ure and honored marshal of pastoral band,5akeful re$eler and companion of the fair'girt nurses,

Leader of the i$y'crowned Naiads and 8acchantes,Take all the %atyrs' half men, half beasts' and come howling to the 8acchic lord.

5ith the 8acchantes escort the holy Lenean procession,

+n sacred litanies re$ealing torch'lit rites,%houting, thyrsus'lo$ing, finding calm in the re$els.

55. To *phro(ite

)ea$enly, smiling Aphrodite, praised in many hymns,

%ea'born, re$ered goddess of generation, you like the night'long re$el,

And you couple lo$ers at night, 2 scheming mother of Necessity.$erything comes from you; you ha$e yoked the world and you control all three realms.

ou gi$e birth to all, to e$erything in hea$en, upon fruitful earth,

And in the depths of the sea, 2 $enerable companion of 8acchos.ou delight in festi$ities, 2 bride'like mother of the rotes,

2 persuasion whose 6oy is in the bed of lo$e, secreti$e gi$er of grace,

isible and in$isible, lo$ely'tressed daughter of a noble father.

8ridal feast companion of the gods, sceptered she'wolf,8elo$ed and man'lo$ing gi$er of birth and of life,

5ith your maddening lo$e'charms you yoke mortals,

And the many races of beasts to unbridled passion.3ome, 2 goddess born in 3yprus, whether you are on 2lympos, 2 4ueen,

ulting in the beauty of your face, or you wander in %yria, country of fine frankincense,

2r, yet, dri$ing your golden chariot in the plain,ou lord it o$er gypt/s fertile ri$er bed.

3ome, whether you ride your swan'drawn chariot o$er the sea/s billows,

-oying in the creatures of the deep as they dance in circles,

2r you delight in the company of the dark'faced nymphs on land,



As light'footed, they frisk o$er the sandy beaches.

3ome, lady, e$en if you are in 3yprus that cherishes you,

5here fair maidens and chaste nymphs throughout the year sing of you,2 blessed one, and of immortal, pure Adonis.

3ome 2 beautiful and comely goddess.

+ summon you with holy words and pious soul.

56. To *(onis


)ear my prayer, 2 best and many'named god.

Fine'haired, solitary and full of lo$ely song.

ubouleus, many'shaped and noble nurturer of all,Maiden and youth in one... withering bloom, 2 Adonis,

ou $anish and shine again in the fair seasons/ turn.

Two'horned spirit of growth and blooming, much lo$ed and wept for are you,

2 fair and 6oyful hunter of the luurious mane.(esire is in your mind, 2 sweet blossom and off'shoot of Aphrodite and ros,

3hild born on the bed of lo$ely'tressed &ersephone.

Now you dwell beneath murky Tartaros,

And now again toward 2lympos you bring your fruitful grown body.3ome, 2 blessed one, and bring earth/s fruits to the initiates

57. To +hthonic Heres

+ncense0 %tora

ou dwell in the compelling road of no return, by the !ytos.

ou guide the souls of mortals to the nether gloom.)ermes, off'spring of (ionysos who re$els in dance,

And Aphrodite, the &aphian maiden of the fluttering eyelids,

ou fre4uent the sacred house of &ersephone,As guide throughout the earth of ill'fated souls,

5hich you bring to their ha$en when their time has come,

3harming them with your sacred wand and gi$ing them sleep,

From which you rouse them again.To you indeed &ersephone ga$e the office, throughout wide Tartaros,

To lead the way for the eternal souls of men.

8ut, 2 blessed one, grant a good end for the initiate/s wok.

5. To Eros


+ call upon great, pure, lo$ely and sweet ros,

5inged archer who runs swiftly on a path of fire

And plays together with gods and mortal men.



+n$enti$e and two'natured, he is master of all, of hea$enly ether,

2f the sea, of the land of the all'begetting winds which for mortals

Are nurtured by the goddess of the green fruit,And of all that lies in Tartaros and in the roaring sea.

ou alone go$ern the course of all these.

8ut, blessed one, come to the initiates with pure thought,And banish from them $ile impulses.

5!. To the ates+ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

8oundless Fates, dear children of dark Night,

)ear my prayer, 2 many'named dwellers on the lake of hea$en,5here the fro9en water by night/s warmth is broken inside a sleek ca$e/s shady hollow;

From there you fly to the boundless earth, home of mortals,

And, thence, cloaked in purple you march towards men whose aims are as noble,

As their hopes are $ain, in the $ale of doom, where glory dri$es her chariot on,All o$er the earth, beyond the goal of 6ustice, of anious hope, of prime$al law,

And of the immeasurable principle of order.+n life Fate alone watches.

The other immortals who dwell on the peaks of snowy 2lympos do not,cept for "eus/ perfect eye.

8ut Fate and "eus/ mind know all things for all time.

+ pray to you to come, gently and kindly,

Atropos, Lachesis, and !lotho, scions of noble stock.Airy, in$isible, ineorable and e$er indestructible,

ou gi$e and take all, being to men the same as necessity.

Fates, hear my prayers and recei$e my libations.#ently come to the initiates to free them from pain.

This is the end of the Fate/s song, which 2rpheus composed.=

6". To the -races

+ncense0 %tora

)ear me, 2 illustrious and renowned #races,(aughters of "eus and full'bosomed unomia, Aglaia, Thalia and blessed uphrosyne.

Lo$ely, wise and pure mothers of 6oy, many'shaped, e$er'blooming, belo$ed of mortals,

5e pray that each in her turn, spell'binding and with petal'soft face,3ome, e$er accessible to the initiates, to confer prosperity.

CD. To Nemesis

Nemesis, + call upon you, goddess and greatest 4ueen,

5hose all'seeing eye looks upon the li$es of man/s many races.

ternal and re$ered, you alone re6oice in the 6ust,

And you change and $ary and shift your word.



All who bear the yoke of mortality fear you, for you care about the thoughts of all,

And the soul that $aunts foolishly and without discretion, does not escape you.

ou see all, you hear all, and you arbitrate,2 sublime deity in whom resides 6ustice for men.

3ome, blessed and pure one, e$er helpful to initiates, and grant nobility of mind,

&utting an end to loathsome, unholy thoughts, such as are fickle and haughty.

62. To /i#e


+ sing of the all'seeing eye of comely and radiant (ike,

5ho sits upon the sacred throne of lord "eus.

From hea$en you look down on the li$es of the many human races,And crush the un6ust with 6ust retribution,

Matching things disparate with fairness and truth.

For whene$er base men consider matters that cannot be put to trial easily,

*n6ustly wishing more than is fair, you inter$ene and rouse 6ustice against the un6ust.An enemy to the un6ust, you are a gentle companion to the 6ust.

8ut, goddess come in 6ustice for thoughts that are noble,*ntil that fated day on my life descends.

63. To ustice+ncense0 Frankincense

2 paragon of 6ustice to mortals, blessed and belo$ed one,

ou take e4ual pleasure in all 6ust men.)onored by all and blissful, 2 bold and lofty -ustice.

ou are pure of thought and you reward propriety.

our own conscience is unbreakable, for you break all who do not submit to your yoke,8ut in their greed, upset the balance of your mighty scales.

(auntless, charming, lo$er of re$el lo$ed by all,

ou re6oice in peace and you stri$e for a life that is stable.ou loathe unfairness but fairness delights you,

And, in you knowledge of $irtue reaches its noble goal.

)ear, 2 goddess, and rightly shatter wicked men,

That mortals who eat of this earth/s fruits,And all the li$ing creatures nursed in the bosom of our di$ine mother arth,

And sea'dwelling "eus, may follow a path both balanced and noble.

64. Hyn to Noos

*pon the holy lord of men and gods + call, hea$enly Nomos,5ho arranges the stars and sets a fair limit between earth and sea/s waters,

And who, by his laws, e$er preser$es nature/s balance obedient and steady.

-ourneying on the hea$ens he brings the laws from abo$e,

And dri$es malicious en$y out with a roar.



Nomos summons and good end to mortal life,

And he alone steers the course of e$erything that breathes,

$er the steadfast companion of righteous thought.&rime$al and wise, in peace he shares the same house with all who abide by law,

5hile he $isits harsh $engeance upon the lawless.

8ut, 2 blessed bringer of prosperity, belo$ed of all and honored,)a$e kindness of heart and make me mindful of your lordship.

65. To *res+ncense0 Frankincense

*nbreakable, strong'spirited, mighty and powerful demon,

(elighting in arms, indomitable, man'slaying, wall'battering;Lord Ares, yours is the din of arms, and e$er be'spattered with blood,

ou find 6oy in killing and in the fray of battle, 2 horrid one,

5hose desire is for the rude clash of swords and spears.

%tay the raging strife, rela pain/s grip on my soul,And yield to the wish of !ypris and to the re$els of Lyaios,

changing the might of arms for the words of (eo,earning for peace that nurtures youths and brings wealth.

66. To Hephaistos+ncense0 &owdered Frankincense

&owerful and strong'spirited )ephaistos,

*nwearying fire that shines in the gleam of flames,#od, bringing light to mortals, mighty'handed and eternal artisan.

5orker, cosmic part and blameless element,

)ighest of all, all'eating, all'taming, all'haunting, ether, sun, stars, moon and pure light;For it is a part of )ephaistos all these re$eal to mortals.

All homes, all cities and all nations are yours,

And, 2 mighty gi$er of many blessings, you dwell in human bodies.)ear me, lord, as + summon you to this holy libation,

That you may always come, gentle, to make work a 6oy.

nd the sa$age rage of untiring fire,

%ince, through you, nature itself burns in our bodies.

67. To *s#$epios


Asklepios, lord &aian, healer of all, you charm away the suffering of men in pain.

3ome, mighty and soothing, bring health,And put an end to sickness and the harsh fate of death.

)elper, blessed spirit of growth and blossoming, you ward off e$il,

)onored and mighty scion of &hoibos Apollon.

nemy of disease, whose blameless consort is )ygeia,



3ome, 2 blessed one, as sa$ior and bring life to a good end.

6. To Hygeia+ncense0 Frankincense

:ueen of all, charming and lo$ely and blooming, blessed )ygeia,Mother of all, bringer of prosperity, hear me.

Through you $anish the diseases that afflict men,

And through you e$ery house blossoms to fullness of 6oy, and the arts thri$e.The world desires you, 2 4ueen, and only soul'destroying )ades e$er loathes you.

$er youthful, e$er belo$ed, you are a ha$en for mortals.

Apart from you all is without a$ail for men0

5ealth, sweet to those feast, and gi$er of abundance, fails,And man ne$er reaches the many pains of old age,

For you are sole mistress and 4ueen of all.

8ut, goddess, come, e$er helpful to the initiates,

And keep away the accursed distress of harsh disease.

6!. To the Erinyes+ncense0 %tora, &owdered Frankincense

)ear, Tisiphone, Allekto, and noble Megaira,August goddesses whose 8acchic cries resound.

Nocturnal and clandestine, you ha$e your house deep down in a dark ca$e,

8y the sacred waters of the %ty.

Men/s unholy designs incur your anger.

1abid and arrogant, you howl o$er Necessity/s dictates, and, clad in animal skins,

8y your power you bring the deep pains of retribution.our realm is in )ades, 2 dreaded maidens with the thousand faces,

&hantoms airy, in$isible and swift as thought.

Neither the speedy flames of the sun or the moon, Nor the radiance of wisdom and $irtue,

Nor e$en the 6oy in bold enterprise as in the sleekness of fair youth,

3an rouse life/s delights without your aid.

*pon the countless races of all men you ga9e with (ike/s eye, e$er occupied with 6ustice.2 snake'haired, many'shaped goddesses of Fate,

3hange my thoughts of life into gentle and soft ones.

7". To the Eueni(es


)ear me, renowned umenides, and be gracious.

&ure daughters of the great, chthonic "eus,

And of lo$ely, fair'tressed maiden, &ersephone.

ou keep a watch o$er the li$es of impious mortals,



And, in charge of Necessity, you punish the un6ust.

8lack'skinned 4ueens, your eyes flash forth awesome and flesh'eating darts of light.

$erlasting, of $isage repugnant and frightful, so$ereign,&araly9ing the limbs with madness, hideous, nocturnal, fateful,

%nake'haired and terrible maidens of the night,

+t is you + summon to bring me holiness of mind.

71. To Me$inoe


+ call upon Melinoe, saffron'cloaked nymph of the earth,

To whom august &ersephone ga$e birth by the mouth of the !okytos,

*pon the sacred bed of !ronian "eus.)e lied to &louton and through treachery mated with &ersephone,

5hose skin when she was pregnant he mangled in anger.

%he dri$es mortals to madness with her airy phantoms,

As she appears in weird shapes and forms, Now plain to the eye, now shadowy, now shining in the darkness,

And all this in hostile encounters in the gloom of night.8ut, goddess and 4ueen of those below, + beseech you,

To banish the soul/s fren9y to the ends of the earth,

And show a kindly and holy face to the initiates.

72. To Tyche


5ith prayer in mind, + summon you here, Tyche, noble ruler,

#entle goddess of the roads, for wealth and possessions,

As Artemis who guides, renowned, sprung from the loins of ubouleus.

our wish is irresistible.

Funereal and delusi$e, you are the theme of men/s songs.+n you lies the great $ariety of men/s li$elihood.

To some you grant a wealth of blessings and possessions,

5hile to others, against whom you harbor anger, you gi$e e$il po$erty.

8ut, 2 goddess, + beseech you to come in kindness to my life,And with abundance grant me happiness and riches.

73. To the /aion+ncense0 Frankincense

+ call upon (aimon, the grand and dreaded chieftain, gentle "eus,5ho gi$es birth and li$elihood to mortals.

#reat "eus, delusi$e and $engeful king of all,

5ho is gi$er of wealth when he enters the house, laden with goods,

And who in turn ruins the li$elihood of toiling mortals.



ou possess the keys to 6oy and sorrow as well.

%o, 2 pure and blessed one, dri$e painful cares away,

3ares that are life'destroying throughout the earth,And bring a glorious, sweet and noble end to life.

74. To 0eu#othea+ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

+ call upon Leukothea, daughter of !admos, re$erend goddess,Mighty nurturer of fair'wreathed (ionysos.

)earken, 2 goddess, mistress of the deep'bosomed sea,

ou who delight in wa$es and are to mortals the greatest sa$ior.

2n you depends the unsteady impetus of seafaring ships,And you alone sa$e men from wretched death at sea,

Men to whom you swiftly come as welcome sa$ior.

8ut, 2 di$ine lady, come to the aid of well'benched ships and kindly sa$e them,

8ringing upon the sea a fair tail wind to the initiates.

75. To Pa$aion+ncense0 &owdered Frankincense

3omrade of 6oyous (ionysos in the dance re$el,5ho dwells in the sea/s pure, turbulent depths,

+ call upon you, 2 &alaimon to come to these sacred rites, with kindness in your heart,

And 6oy on your youthful face, and to sa$e your initiates on land and at sea.

5hen in winter, storms come upon ships that e$er ro$e the seas,ou alone appear incarnate to sa$e the men,

And stay harsh anger o$er the briny swell.

76. To the Muses


(aughters of Mnemosyne and thundering "eus,

&ierian Muses, renowned, illustrious, many'shaped,

And belo$ed of the mortals you $isit.

ou gi$e birth to unblemished $irtue in e$ery discipline,ou nourish the soul and set thought aright,

As you become leaders and mistresses of the mind/s power.

%acred and mystic rites you taught to mortals,!leio, uterpe, Thaleia, Melpomene, Terpsichore,

rato, &olymnia, 2urania, mother !alliope, and mighty goddess Agne.

(o come to the initiates, 2 goddesses, in your manifold holiness,And bring glory and emulation that is lo$ely and sung by many.

77. To Mneosyne




+ call upon 4ueen Mnemosyne, "eus/ consort,

5ho ga$e birth to the holy, sacred and clear'$oiced Muses.$il obli$ion that harms the mind is alien to her,

5ho gi$es coherence to the mind and soul of mortals.

%he increases men/s ability and power to think,And, sweet and $igilant, she reminds us of all the thoughts

That we always store in our breasts,

Ne$er straying, and e$er rousing the mind to action.8ut, 2 blessed goddess, for the initiates, stir the memory of sacred rite,

And ward off obli$ion from them.

7. To /an+ncense0 &owdered Frankincense

)ear, 2 goddess who brings the light of day to mortals,

1esplendent (awn, whose blush is seen throughout the world,Messenger of the great and illustrious Titan.

Murky, dark and 6ourneying night you send below the earth when you rise.ou lead to work and minister to the li$es of mortals.

+n you the race of men delights, and no one escapes your sight,

As you look down from on high, when, from your eyelids, you shake off sweet sleep.There is 6oy for e$ery mortal, e$ery reptile, for animals and birds,

And for the broods the sea contains.

All li$elihood one gets from work is your gift.

%o, goddess blessed and pure, gi$e more sacred light to the initiates.

7!. To Theis


+ call upon pure Themis, daughter of noble 2uranos and #aia,

Themis the young and lo$ely'faced maiden,The first to show mortals the holy oracle as prophet of the gods,

+n her holy (elphic sanctuary, on &ythian ground where &ython was king.

ou taught lord &hoibos the art of gi$ing laws.Amid honor and re$erence, your beauty shines on nightly throngs,

For you were first to show mortals holy worship,

)owling to 8acchos in nights full of re$elry.From you come the honors of the gods and the holy mysteries.

8ut, 2 blessed maiden, come in a kindly and 6oyous spirit,

To your truly holy and mystic rites

". To oreas




Free9ing 8oreas, whose wintry bree9es make the world/s lofty air 4ui$er,

3ome away from snowy Thrace7

(issol$e the rebellious alliance of clouds and moist air,And turn the water to rushing drops of rain.

8ring fair weather e$erywhere, and gi$e ether it/s bright eye,

The sun, whose rays shine upon the earth.

1. To 'ephyros


5estern bree9es, ethereal begetters of all,

As you blow gently, your whisper brings deathlike rest.

ernal and meadow'haunting, you are lo$ed by ha$ens,8ecause to ships you bring... soft and light air.

3ome in a spirit of kindness and blow perfectly,

2 airy, in$isible and light'winged ones.

2. To Notos


:uickly leaping through the moist air,

And with both of your swift winged $ibrating,3ome, father of rain, with the southern clouds.

"eus did gi$e you this lofty prerogati$e,

To send the rain'gi$ing clouds from sky to earth.

)ence, we pray to you, 2 blessed one,To take delight in our sacrifice and send fruit'nourishing rains to mother earth.

3. To O#eanos+ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

+ summon 2keanos, ageless and eternal father,8egetter of immortal gods and mortal men,

2keanos who with his wa$es encircles the earth.

From him come e$ery sea, e$ery ri$er,

And so do the pure and flowing waters of earth/s springs.

)ear me, 2 blessed god and highest di$ine purifier, the earth/s own end,

The pole/s beginning, where the ships glide on,And come, kind and e$er gracious to the initiates.

4. To Hestia+ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

:ueen )estia, daughter of mighty !ronos,

Mistress of e$er burning and peerless fire, you dwell in the house center.



May you hallow the initiates of these rites and grant them unwithering youth,

1iches, prudence and purity.

ou are the home of the blessed gods and men/s mighty buttress,ternal, many'shaped, belo$ed and grass'yellow.

%mile, 2 blessed one, and kindly accept these offerings,

5afting upon us prosperity and gentle'handed health.

5. To S$eep

+ncense0 2pium &oppy

%leep, you are lord of all the blessed gods and mortal men,

And of e$ery li$ing creature the broad earth nurtures,

For you alone are master of all and you $isit all,8inding their bodies with fetters unforged.

ou free us of cares, and, offering sweet respite from toil,

ou grant holy solace to our e$ery sorrow.

ou sa$e souls by easing them into the thought of death,%ince to (eath and 2bli$ion you are a true brother.

8ut, 2 blessed one, + beseech you to come, sweet'tempered,And kindly sa$e the initiates that they may ser$e the gods.

6. To /rea+ncense0 Aromatic )erbs

+ call upon you, blessed, long'winged and baneful dream,

Messenger of things to come, greatest prophet to mortals.+n the 4uiet of sweet sleep you come silently, and, speaking to the soul,

ou rouse men/s minds and in their sleep you whisper to them

The will of the blessed ones.%ilent you come to show the future to silent souls,

That walk the noble path of piety to the gods,

%o that always good wins the race to people/s minds,And leads their li$es to pleasures en6oyed before e$il arri$es,

And to respite from suffering..................................

The end to which the pious come is always sweeter,

8ut to the impious ne$er does a dreamy phantom, a prophet of e$il deeds,1e$eal future necessity, so that they find deli$erance from pain to come.

8ut, blessed one, + beg you to show me the behests of the gods,

And in all things bring me close to the straight path.(o not show me e$il signs which conduce monstrous deeds.

7. To /eath+ncense0 &owdered Frankincense

)ear me you who steers the course of all mortals,

And gi$es holy time to all ahead of whom you lie.



our sleep tears the soul free from the body/s hold,

5hen you undo nature/s tenacious bonds,

8ringing long and eternal slumber to the li$ing.3ommon to all, you are un6ust to some,

5hen you bring a swift end to youthful life at its peak.

+n you alone is the $erdict common to all eecuted,For to prayers and entreaties you alone are deaf.

8ut, 2 blessed one, with sacrifices and pious $ows,

+ beg you to grant long life, that old age might be a noble pri9e among men.

Documents

Orphic-Hymns, Segunda Traducción