Hymn to Nemesis #HymnsOfOrpheus

Translated by Catherine Proppe
January 5, 2015


61. Νεμέσεως ὕμνος. 
To Nemesis

A Hymn
 

Ὦ Νέμεσι, κλήιζω σε, θεά, βασίλεια μεγίστη,

O Nemesis[1], I call, thou, Goddess Basileia[2] majestic

 

πανδερκής, ἐσορῶσα βίον θνητῶν πολυφύλων·

All-seeing, gazing on living mortals’ many tribes.

 

ἀιδία, πολύσεμνε, μόνη χαίρουσα δικαίοις,

Eternal, much-revered, alone gladdened by Justice[3],

 

ἀλλάσσουσα λόγον πολυποίκιλον, ἄστατον αἰεί,

But reason’s many variations standing above eternally

 

ἣν πάντες δεδίασι βροτοὶ ζυγὸν αὐχένι θέντες·

Bridling all fearful humanity yoked by the throat immortally

 

σοὶ γὰρ ἀεὶ γνώμη πάντων μέλει, οὐδέ σε λήθει

Thou grows eternal knowledge of all cares without forgetting[4]

 

ψυχὴ ὑπερφρονέουσα λόγων ἀδιακρίτωι ὁρμῆι.

Psyche’s[5] overarching wise reason, without discrimination

 

πάντ’ ἐσορᾶις καὶ πάντ’ ἐπακούεις, καὶ πάντα βραβεύεις·

All-seeing and all hearing and all arbitrating

 

ἐν σοὶ δ’ εἰσὶ δίκαι θνητῶν, πανυπέρτατε δαῖμον.

In thou the equal of Dike’s mortal all over-stretching power

 

ἐλθέ, μάκαιρ’, ἁγνή, μύσταις ἐπιτάρροθος αἰεί·

Come, blessed, pure, upon mystae extend eternally

 

δὸς δ’ ἀγαθὴν διάνοιαν ἔχειν, παύουσα πανεχθεῖς

Give beneficial intention, hold off all hostility

 

γνώμας οὐχ ὁσίας, πανυπέρφρονας, ἀλλοπροσάλλας.

Bestow knowledge not only of divine law, but overarching wisdom also in the face of turmoil.


[1] Nemesis is the immortal Goddess who bestows what is due, be it good or bad. She prevails (Νε) + over measuring out (μέσεως) what is due.


[2] Basileia means ruler.


[3] Dike is the all-seeing Goddess of justice.


[4] Lethe is the river of forgetting.


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