Translated by Catherine Proppe
January 24, 2015


47. Περικιονίου, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα[1]

To Surrounded by Pillars

Divine connection: aromatics

 

Κικλήσκω Βάκχον περικιόνιον, μεθυδώτην,

I call Bacchian[2] surrounded by pillars, intoxication giving,

 

Καδμείοισι δόμοις ὃς ἑλισσόμενος πέρι πάντη

Kadmean[3]-dwelling whirling power, surrounding all,

 

ἔστησε κρατερῶς βρασμοὺς γαίης ἀποπέμψας,

Standing mighty power; quaking Gaia[4] dispatch!

 

ἡνίκα πυρφόρος αὐγὴ ἐκίνησε χθόνα πᾶσαν

When fire-bearing Dawn[5] sets in motion all of earth

 

πρηστῆρος ῥοίζοις· ὃ δ' ἀνέδραμε δεσμὸς ἁπάντων.

And tornado’s roar, then arising drama binds all,

 

ἐλθέ, μάκαρ, βακχευτά, γεγηθυίαις πραπίδεσσιν.

Come, blessed Bacchian, with joy and understanding.


[1] This hymn is likely a dedication to the Bacchian hearth fire and a plea to keep all safe from natural calamities such as earthquakes and tornados.


[2] Bacchos is the immortal God of wine and its effects; also, the central altar fire of the temple is often dedicated to Bacchos/Dionysos.


[3] Kadmeia is the citadel of ancient Greek Thebes.


[4] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative earth.


[5] Auge is the immortal Goddess of dawn.

Translated by Catherine Proppe
January 23, 2015


11. Πανός, θυμίαμα ποικίλα.

To Pan

Divine connection: various incense and aromas

 

Πᾶνα καλῶ κρατερόν, νόμιον, κόσμοιο τὸ σύμπαν,

Pan[1] I call, mighty law-giver of the cosmos together as one

 

οὐρανὸν ἠδὲ θάλασσαν ἰδὲ χθόνα παμβασίλειαν

Ouranos[2] and Thalassa[3] and Earth all-ruling

 

καὶ πῦρ ἀθάνατον· τάδε γὰρ μέλη ἐστὶ τὰ Πανός.

And Fire eternal too here given limb in Hestia[4] to Pan.

 

ἐλθέ, μάκαρ, σκιρτητά, περίδρομε, σύνθρονε Ὥραις,

Come blessed one on your skipping encircling course enthroned with the Horai[5]

 

αἰγομελές, βακχευτά, φιλένθεε, ἀστροδίαιτε,

Goat-limbed[6] Bacchian[7] loving enthusiastically the starry lifestyle[8]

 

ἁρμονίαν κόσμοιο κρέκων φιλοπαίγμονι μολπῆι,

Harmonious cosmic strummer loving playful solo song and dance

 

φαντασιῶν ἐπαρωγέ, φόβων ἔκπαγλε βροτείων,

When fantasies promote sustained phobic wonders in humans

 

αἰγονόμοις χαίρων ἀνὰ πίδακας ἠδέ τε βούταις,

Goatherd charmer giving rise to springs and ox-herds[9], too

 

εὔσκοπε, θηρητήρ, Ἠχοῦς φίλε, σύγχορε νυμφῶν,

Keen-sighted hunter of Echo’s[10] love together with the chorus of Nymphs[11],

 

παντοφυής, γενέτωρ πάντων, πολυώνυμε δαῖμον,

All-nature’s[12] parent of all, many-realmed power,

 

κοσμοκράτωρ, αὐξητά, φαεσφόρε, κάρπιμε Παιάν,

Cosmos’ ruler giving rise to enlightening fruitful Paians[13]!

 

ἀντροχαρές, βαρύμηνις, ἀληθὴς Ζεὺς ὁ κεράστης.

Cave-delighting deepest power, truly Zeus with horns

 

σοὶ γὰρ ἀπειρέσιον γαίης πέδον ἐστήρικται,

Thou gives impenetrable Gaia[14] ground firmly set

 

εἴκει δ' ἀκαμάτου πόντου τὸ βαθύρροον ὕδωρ

Giving way to unwearying Pontos’[15] deepflowing water

 

Ὠκεανός τε πέριξ ἐν ὕδασι γαῖαν ἑλίσσων,

Oceanos’[16] surrounding waters against Gaia whirling,

 

ἀέριόν τε μέρισμα τροφῆς, ζωοῖσιν ἔναυσμα,

Aerial too, assigning nurturing life’s spark

 

καὶ κορυφῆς ἐφύπερθεν ἐλαφροτάτου πυρὸς ὄμμα.

And the summit of the upper highest lightest fire visible

 

βαίνει γὰρ τάδε θεῖα πολύκριτα σαῖσιν ἐφετμαῖς

Your dancing gives to here divine many critical synchronized commands

 

ἀλλάσσεις δὲ φύσεις πάντων ταῖς σαῖσι προνοίαις

Exchanging with Phusis all extended synchronized Forethought[17]

 

βόσκων ἀνθρώπων γενεὴν κατ' ἀπείρονα κόσμον.

Nourishing human genesis pure, impenetrable, cosmic.

 

ἀλλά, μάκαρ, βακχευτά, φιλένθεε, βαῖν' ἐπὶ λοιβαῖς

Yet blessed Bacchian, loving enthusiasm, dancing with libations[18],

 

εὐιέροις, ἀγαθὴν δ' ὄπασον βιότοιο τελευτὴν

Let holy goodness accompany life-extending completion

 

Πανικὸν ἐκπέμπων οἶστρον ἐπὶ τέρματα γαίης.

Pan come, dispatch madness to the ends of the earth.


[1] Pan is the immortal God of “all” of nature. The term “panic” is derived from the sense of being surrounded by danger on “all” sides.


[2] Ouranos is the immortal God of the heavens.


[3] Thalassa is the immortal Goddess of the sea.


[4] Hestia is the immortal Goddess of the altar/hearth fire.


[5] The Horai are the immortal Goddesses of the Seasons and the Hours, the proper time for events of nature.


[6] Pan is often depicted as a goat-limbed, music playing shepherd.


[7] Bacchos is the immortal God of wine and its effects.


[8] Living under the stars, in the great outdoors.


[9] Probably a joke about Pan’s randiness.


[10] Echo is the immortal Goddess of the echo to Pan’s music.


[11] Nymphs are beautiful young Goddesses who prevail over a particular location in nature.


[12] Phusis is the immortal Goddess of nature.


[13] A paian is a song of triumph or thanksgiving that unites “all” in a community, literally “under the same roof  (Π) + give rise to (α) + divine power (ι) + arise and (ά) + prevail (ν).”


[14] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative earth.


[15] Pontos is the primordial immortal God of the sea with this name emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of the ocean, literally “under the same roof (π) + entity (ό) + prevailing (ν) + stretches/extends (του).”


[16] Oceanos is another name for Pontos, the sea or ocean emphasizing the generative aspect of the ocean, literally “bring-forth (Ὠ) + core (κ) + essence (ε) + arising (α) + prevailing (ν) + entity (ό).” The salty sea water is poetically compared to divine semen with the earth its partner, thus the comparison of the sea God Poseidon with horses, that is, “hung like a horse” and the epithet “Gaia’s ox (γαιήοχε).”


[17] Pronoia is the immortal Goddess of forethought or foresight. http://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NymphePronoia.html


[18] Libations are drink offerings.

Translated by Catherine Proppe
January 20, 2015


75. Παλαίμονος, θυμίαμα μάνναν.
To Palaimon
Divine connection: manna

Σύντροφε βακχεχόροιο Διωνύσου πολυγηθοῦς,

Together fostered in the Bacchian chorus of Dionysos’[1] with many of Ge’s[2] blessings

 

ὃς ναίεις πόντοιο βυθοὺς ἁλικύμονας, ἁγνούς,

He dwells in Pontos’[3] deep pregnant waves pure

 

κικλήσκω σε, Παλαῖμον, ἐπ’ εὐιέροις τελεταῖσιν

I call Palaimon[4] upon holy completion

 

ἐλθεῖν εὐμενέοντα, νέωι γήθοντα προσώπωι,

Come kind power, nautical earth’s divine facade

 

καὶ σώζειν μύστας κατά τε χθόνα καὶ κατὰ πόντον·

And keep safe the mystae on earth and sea

 

ποντοπλάνοις γὰρ ἀεὶ ναυσὶν χειμῶνος ἐναργὴς

When Pontos’ plane gives eternal nautical winter’s storms palpable

 

φαινομένου σωτὴρ μοῦνος θνητοῖς ἀναφαίνηι,

Appear! powerful savior alone to mortals’ arise and appear

 

ῥυόμενος μῆνιν χαλεπὴν κατὰ πόντιον οἶδμα.

Saving power from manic wrathful pure Pontos’ swells.



[1] Dionysos is the immortal God of wine and its effects. Dionysos was fostered by Palaimon’s parents.


[2] Ge is the immortal Goddess of generative earth.


[3] Pontos is an immortal God of the sea.


[4] Palaimon and his mother, Ino Leukothea, are marine deities who aid sailors in distress.

Translated by Catherine Proppe
January 19, 2015


4. Οὐρανοῦ, θυμίαμα λίβανον.

To Ouranos

Divine connection: libanon (frankincense)

 

Οὐρανὲ παγγενέτωρ, κόσμου μέρος αἰὲν ἀτειρές,

Ouranos![1] All-parent of the cosmos apportioning eternal portents

 

πρεσβυγένεθλ', ἀρχὴ πάντων πάντων τε τελευτή,

Elder born foundation of all, all complete

 

κόσμε πατήρ, σφαιρηδὸν ἑλισσόμενος περὶ γαῖαν,

Father of the cosmos, spherical whirling force surrounding Gaia[2]

 

οἶκε θεῶν μακάρων, ῥόμβου δίνῃσιν ὁδεύων,

Home to divinely blessed whirling dynamic voyage

 

οὐράνιος χθόνιός τε φύλαξ πάντων περιβληθείς,

Heaven Earth sentinel all around hurled

 

ἐν στέρνοισιν ἔχων φύσεως ἄτλητον ἀνάγκην,

In your heart holding Phusis’[3] steadfast necessity[4]

 

κυανόχρως, ἀδάμαστε, παναίολε, αἰολόμορφε,

Cyan foundation unconquerable all changeful changing form

 

πανδερκές, Κρονότεκνε, μάκαρ, πανυπέρτατε δαῖμον,

All seeing Kronos’[5] creator blessed all underlying power

 

κλῦθ' ἐπάγων ζωὴν ὁσίαν μύστηι νεοφάντηι.

I call emerging eternal life’s divine mysterious new light.


[1] Ouranos is the immortal God of the heavens.


[2] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative earth.


[3] Phusis is the immortal Goddess of physics, of nature.


[4] Ananke is the immortal Goddess of necessity, of what must be.


[5] Kronos is the immortal God of time.

Translated by Catherine Proppe
January 19, 2015


86. Ὀνείρου, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα. 
To Dreams
Divine connection: aromatics

 
Κικλήσκω σε, μάκαρ, τανυσίπτερε, οὖλε Ὄνειρε,

I call blessed broad-winged Dreams[1]

 

ἄγγελε μελλόντων, θνητοῖς χρησμωιδὲ μέγιστε·

Angels[2] of the future, mortals’ chrees-conveying[3] majesty.

 

ἡσυχίαι γὰρ ὕπνου γλυκεροῦ σιγηλὸς ἐπελθών,

Rest brings Hypnos’[4] sweet silent arrival

 

προσφωνῶν ψυχαῖς θνητῶν νόον αὐτὸς ἐγείρεις,

Addressing Psyche’s[5] mortal mind autonomously awakened

 

καὶ γνώμας μακάρων αὐτὸς καθ’ ὕπνους ὑποπέμπεις,

And knowledge blessedly autonomous, pure Hypnos underlying

 

σιγῶν σιγώσαις ψυχαῖς μέλλοντα προφαίνων,

Silently silent Psyche’s future foreseen

 

οἷσιν ἐπ’ εὐσεβίηισι θεῶν νόος ἐσθλὸς ὁδεύει,

Thou upon revered deities’ thoughts safely travel

 

ὡς ἂν ἀεὶ τὸ καλὸν μᾶλλον, γνώμηισι προληφθέν,

Bring forth arising eternal solid certain knowledge to forestall ruin

 

τερπωλαῖς ὑπάγηι βίον ἀνθρώπων προχαρέντων,

Delightfully bring forth life’s mortal foretold joy

 

τῶν δὲ κακῶν ἀνάπαυλαν, ὅπως θεὸς αὐτὸς ἐνίσπηι

Then from evil give pause in such manner as deities autonomously claim

 

εὐχωλαῖς θυσίαις τε χόλον λύσαντες ἀνάκτων.

Prayer offerings to wrath’s release ruling

 

εὐσεβέσιν γὰρ ἀεὶ τὸ τέλος γλυκερώτερόν ἐστι,

Venerably give eternal completion to sweet flowing essence

 

τοῖς δὲ κακοῖς οὐδὲν φαίνει μέλλουσαν ἀνάγκην

Then of hate be free of, bring to light destined Ananke[6]

 

ὄψις ὀνειρήεσσα, κακῶν ἐξάγγελος ἔργων,

Show in dream’s essence dreaded messenger of tasks

 

ὄφρα ἂν εὕρωνται λύσιν ἄλγεος ἐρχομένοιο.

To give rise to strong release from suffering to come

 

ἀλλά, μάκαρ, λίτομαί σε θεῶν μηνύματα φράζειν,

Yet with these blessed simple prayers thou divine guide, show the way

 

ὡς ἂν ἀεὶ γνώμαις ὀρθαῖς κατὰ πάντα πελάζηις

Bring forth arising eternal knowledge upright and pure to all nearby

 

μηδὲν ἐπ’ ἀλλοκότοισι κακῶν σημεῖα προφαίνων.

And not strange hateful omens foresee.


[1] Oneire (Ὄνειρε) means dream: entity (Ὄ) + from the netherworld (νειρε).


[2] Aggele (ἄγγελε) are angels and/or birds of augury; indicators of divine intent.


[3] Chrees (χρήσ) is the ancient Greek word for the English term “oracle.” Chreestees (χρήστης) means one who conveys “chrees.”


[4] Hypnos is the immortal God of sleep.


[5] Psyche is the immortal Goddess of the soul.


[6] Ananke is the immortal Goddess of necessity, of what must be.

Translated by Catherine Proppe
January 15, 2015


51. Νυμφῶν, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.

To the Nymphs

Divine connection: aromatics

 

 

Νύμφαι, θυγατέρες μεγαλήτορος Ὠκεανοῖο,

Nymphs[1], daughters of great-hearted Ocean[2],

 

ὑγροπόροις γαίης ὑπὸ κεύθεσιν οἰκί' ἔχουσαι,

Water-porous Gaia[3] beneath concealed, dwelling in the foundation’s

 

κρυψίδρομοι, Βάκχοιο τροφοί, χθόνιαι, πολυγηθεῖς,

Hidden courses, Bacchos[4] nurturing, earth’s many generative divine

 

καρποτρόφοι, λειμωνιάδες, σκολιοδρόμοι, ἁγναί,

Fruits nurturing, meadow prevailing, twisting courses pure,

 

ἀντροχαρεῖς, σπήλυγξι κεχαρμέναι, ἠερόφοιτοι,

Grotto charming, cave charming, air-wandering

 

πηγαῖαι, δρομάδες, δροσοείμονες, ἴχνεσι κοῦφαι,

Upon all earth courses dewy footprints nimble,

 

φαινόμεναι, ἀφανεῖς, αὐλωνιάδες, πολυανθεῖς,

Visible-powers, unseen conduit to many blooms

 

σὺν Πανὶ σκιρτῶσαι ἀν' οὔρεα, εὐάστειραι,

With Pan[5] skipping, arising fluid, starry,

 

πετρόρυτοι, λιγυραί, βομβήτριαι, οὐρεσίφοιτοι,

Stone-flowing clear, humming, water siphoning

 

ἀγρότεραι κοῦραι, κρουνίτιδες ὑλονόμοι τε,

Agrarian daughters, watersource of woodlands too

 

παρθένοι εὐώδεις, λευχείμονες, εὔπνοοι αὔραις,

Divinely fragrant, releasing winter’s breath of air,

 

αἰπολικαί, νόμιαι, θηρσὶν φίλαι, ἀγλαόκαρποι,

Hilltop roaming beasts’ friends, gloriously fruitful,

 

κρυμοχαρεῖς, ἁπαλαί, πολυθρέμμονες αὐξίτροφοί τε,

Frost-rejoicing, ageless, many creatures nursing, growth nurturing,

 

κοῦραι ἁμαδρυάδες, φιλοπαίγμονες, ὑγροκέλευθοι,

Daughters as one with Dryads[6], fond of playful watery paths,

 

Νύσιαι, μανικαί, παιωνίδες, εἰαροτερπεῖς,

Nysian inspired paeans of springtime joy

 

σὺν Βάκχωι Δηοῖ τε χάριν θνητοῖσι φέρουσαι·

With Bacchos,[7] Deo[8], too, gracious[9] mortal sustainers

 

ἔλθετ' ἐπ' εὐφήμοις ἱεροῖς κεχαρηότι θυμῶι

Come upon prophecies’ holy charming spirit

 

νᾶμα χέουσαι ὑγεινὸν ἀεξιτρόφοισιν ἐν ὥραις.

Let flow water, growth-fostering, in accordance with the Horai[10].


[1] Nymphs are beautiful young Goddesses who prevail over a particular location in nature, particularly caves, grottoes, and fresh water sources.


[2] Ocean is the immortal God of the oceans.


[3] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.


[4] Bacchos is the immortal God of wine and its effects.


[5] Pan is the immortal “all-nature” God.


[6] Dryads are the Nymphs of trees, groves, woods, and forests.


[7] Bacchos is the immortal God of wine.


[8] Deo is Demeter, the immortal Goddess of agriculture.


[9] The Charites are the immortal Goddesses of Grace and Charm.


[10] The Horai are the immortal Goddesses of the Seasons, of the natural time for events of nature to occur.

Translated by Catherine Proppe
January 14, 2015


3. Νυκτός, θυμίαμα δαλούς.

To Night

Divine connection: torch

 

Νύκτα θεῶν γενέτειραν ἀείσομαι ἠδὲ καὶ ἀνδρῶν.

Nykta[1] divine generator of all eternal ones and mankind

 

Νὺξ γένεσις πάντων, ἣν καὶ Κύπριν καλέσωμεν

Nyks[2] genesis of all and Kypros’[3] beauty emobodied

 

κλῦθι, μάκαιρα θεά, κυαναυγής, ἀστεροφεγγής,

I call, blessed Goddess, cyan-dawned[4] star-flamed[5]

 

ἡσυχίῃι χαίρουσα καὶ ἠρεμίῃι πολυύπνωι,

Stillness’ quiet charm and putting to rest many sleepers[6]

 

εὐφροσύνη, τερπνή, φιλοπάννυχε, μῆτερ ὀνείρων,

Attentive to delights enjoyed throughout the night, Mother of dreams

 

ληθομέριμν' ἀγαθή τε πόνων ἀνάπαυσιν ἔχουσα,

Releasing cares too, and toil pausing foundation

 

ὑπνοδότειρα, φίλη πάντων, ἐλάσιππε, νυχαυγής,

Sleep giving, loved by all, driving night’s dawn chariot

 

ἡμιτελής, χθονία ἠδ' οὐρανία πάλιν αὐτή,

Across half the earth’s sky, circling alone

 

ἐγκυκλία, παίκτειρα διώγμασιν ἠεροφοίτοις,

The cycling playful wonder of the aereal chase[7]

 

ἣ φάος ἐκπέμπεις ὑπὸ νέρτερα καὶ πάλι φεύγεις

Sending light beneath the nether realm and its cycling flight

 

εἰς Ἀίδην δεινὴ γὰρ ἀνάγκη πάντα κρατύνει.

Aidons’[8] powerful generative Necessity[9] all-ruling

 

νῦν δε, μάκαιρα, (καλ)ῶ, πολυόλβιε, πᾶσι ποθεινή,

Here now bring forth many whole life blessings all desire

 

εὐάντητε, κλύουσα ἱκετηρίδα φωνὴν

Accept and hear supplications spoken

 

ἔλθοις εὐμενέουσα, φόβους δ' ἀπόπεμπε νυχαυγεῖς.

Come kindly power much feared, send forth night’s dawn.


[1] According to Hesiod’s Theogony 123-124, the immortal Goddess Night emerged from primordial Chaos alongside Earth and then Night created Day. Night is essentially the darkness that prevails in the absence of light/fire, literally Νύ (prevailing pure) + death (κτα (core stretch/extend)). The core/seed/fruit (κ) stretches/extends (τ) at death (κτα) because Kore’s descent into the realm of death is a necessary precursor to the renewal of life in Spring; human and plant death are also precursors to the subsequent renewal of life.


[2] Nyx (Νὺξ) is another name for night, literally Νὺ (prevailing pure) + detachment (ξ); detachment from light/fire/the spark of life.


[3] Kypros is Aphrodite, the immortal Goddess of the urge to merge, passionate love.


[4] Night’s dawn is arising darkness in the East (dawn=αυγής (arising pure from (αυ) + Ge/Earth (γής)).


[5] Starry flames are the emergence of visible stars, particularly Venus (Aphrodite), the Night/Morning Star.


[6] Hypnos is the immortal God of sleep, “purely (ύ) + all/under the same roof (π) + prevailing over (ν).”


[7] The “chase” because the constellations appear to “chase” one another across the sky.


[8] Aidon is Hades/Pluto, the immortal God of the afterlife.


[9] Ananke is the immortal Goddess of necessity, of what is necessary.

Translated by Catherine Proppe
January 7, 2015




64. Ὕμνος Νόμου.

Hymn to Nomos

 

Ἀθανάτων καλέω καὶ θνητῶν ἁγνὸν ἄνακτα,

Immortals I call and mortals’ pure ruler

 

οὐράνιον Νόμον, ἀστροθέτην, σφραγῖδα δικαίαν

Ouranian[1] Nomos[2], star placer, seal of Dike[3]

 

πόντου τ’ εἰναλίου καὶ γῆς, φύσεως τὸ βέβαιον

Pontos’[4] seas' and Ge’s physics' [5] firm foundation

 

ἀκλινὲς ἀστασίαστον ἀεὶ τηροῦντα νόμοισιν,

Unswerving without rest, eternal guardian of law

 

οἷσιν ἄνωθε φέρων μέγαν οὐρανὸν αὐτὸς ὁδεύει,

Bearing from on high majestic Ouranos’ solo journeys

 

καὶ φθόνον οὐ δίκαιον ῥοίζου τρόπον ἐκτὸς ἐλαύνει

And begrudging not Dike’s sudden turning external initiatives

 

ὃς καὶ θνητοῖσιν βιοτῆς τέλος ἐσθλὸν ἐγείρει·

And in mortals’ lives full goodness arousing

 

αὐτὸς γὰρ μοῦνος ζώιων οἴακα κρατύνει

Alone generating solely eternal life’s guiding rules

 

γνώμαις ὀρθοτάταισι συνών, ἀδιάστροφος αἰεί,

Wise upright impositions together with unturning eternity

 

ὠγύγιος, πολύπειρος, ἀβλάπτως πᾶσι συνοικῶν

From Ogygios’[6] many pierced unharmed community.

 

τοῖς νομίμοις, ἀνόμοις δὲ φέρων κακότητα βαρεῖαν.

For Nomos’ inspiration arises above inspiration bearing evil basis.

 

ἀλλά, μάκαρ, πάντιμε, φερόλβιε, πᾶσι ποθεινέ,

So, blessed, all-honored, bearer of whole life’s all longings

 

εὐμενὲς ἦτορ ἔχων μνήμην σέο πέμπε, φέριστε.

Gracious counselor, heart’s foundation, remembering thou, send the best.

 

[1] Ouranos is the immortal God of the sky.


[2] Nomos is the immortal God of law. Nomos is the father of Dike (Justice).


[3] Dike is the immortal Goddess of justice.


[4] Pontos is the primordial God of the sea. http://www.theoi.com/Protogenos/Pontos.html


[5] Phusis is the immortal Goddess of physics/nature.


[6] Ogygios is called the first king of Attica (Thebes) whose people came from the earth itself, that is, did not move from elsewhere. Hence reference to Ogygios (“of the Earth/Ge”) implies primordial, primal, from earliest times.

 
Nonnos, Dionysiaca 3, translated by W.H.D. Rouse describes how Ogygos pierced through the surface of the first of three floods:

[205] Ogygos24 made proof of the first roaring deluge, as he cut the air through the highclimbing waters, when all the earth was hidden under the flood, when the tops of the Thessalian rocks were covered, when the summit of the Pythian rock near the clouds on high was bathed in the snow-cooled25 flood. There was a second deluge, when tempestuous waters covered the circuit of the round earth in a furious flood, when all mortal men [sic] perished, and Deucalion alone with his mate Pyrrha in a hollow ark cutting the swirling flood of infinite deluge went on his eddying voyage through the air turned water.

[215] When the third time rain from Zeus flooded the solid earth and covered the hills, and even the unwetted slopes of Sithonia with Mount Athos itself,26 then Dardanos, cutting through the stream of the uplifted flood, landed on the ancient mountain of Ida his neighbour.

http://www.theoi.com/Text/NonnusDionysiaca3.html

Translated by Catherine Proppe
January 6, 2015


33. Νίκης, θυμίαμα μάνναν.

To Nike

Divine connection: manna

 

Εὐδύνατον καλέω Νίκην, θνητοῖσι ποθεινήν,

Mighty power I call, Nike[1], of mortals desired

 

ἣ μούνη λύει θνητῶν ἐναγώνιον ὁρμὴν

Sole escape for mortals when cornered in an assault 

 

καὶ στάσιν ἀλγινόεσσαν ἐπ' ἀντιπάλοισι μάχαισιν,

And stationed grievously upon adversarial combat

 

ἐν πολέμοις κρίνουσα τροπαιούχοισιν ἐπ' ἔργοις,

In war deciding the turning point upon deeds

 

οἷς ἂν ἐφορμαίνουσα φέροις γλυκερώτατον εὖχος·

Arising guards’ rage, bearing sweet challenges prayed for

 

πάντων γὰρ κρατέεις, πάσης δ' ἔριδος κλέος ἐσθλὸν

All generative conqueror, all strife’s famed goodness

 

Νίκηι ἐπ' εὐδόξωι κεῖται θαλίαισι βρυάζον.

Nike’s good honors upon those cut down, abundantly revelling

 

ἀλλά, μάκαιρ', ἔλθοις πεποθημένη ὄμματι φαιδρῶι

But, blessedly, come, longed for, sight-giving light

 

αἰεὶ ἐπ' εὐδόξοις ἔργοις τέλος ἐσθλὸν ἄγουσα.

Eternally shine upon most honored deeds completed, goodly led.

 

 


[1] Nike is the immortal Goddess of victory who prevails over the turning point in a battle.