To Silenos Satyr of Bacchos
Divine connection: manna
Κλῦθί μου, ὦ πολύσεμνε τροφεῦ, Βάκχοιο τιθηνέ,
Hear me O much-honored foster father, Bacchos’[1] nurse
Σιληνῶν ὄχ' ἄριστε, τετιμένε πᾶσι θεοῖσι
Silenos[2], ox[3] eminent, extending honor over all Deities
καὶ θνητοῖσι βροτοῖσιν ἐπὶ τριετηρίσιν ὥραις,
And mortal humans upon the tri-ennial Seasons[4]
ἁγνοτελής, γεραρός, θιάσου νομίου τελετάρχα,
Pure holy rites’ elder, religious guild prevailing first to complete holy rites
εὐαστής, φιλάγρυπνε σὺν εὐζώνοισι τιθήναις,
Crying “euai!”[5], fond of curves and well-girded nurses,
Ναΐσι καὶ Βάκχαις ἡγούμενε κισσοφόροισι·
Naiads’[6] and Bacchantes’[7] hegemonic leader ivy-bearing
δεῦρ' ἐπὶ πάνθειον τελετὴν Σατύροις ἅμα πᾶσι
Come forth upon all Deities’ completion rites, Satyr as one for all,
θηροτύποις, εὔασμα διδοὺς Βακχείου ἄνακτος,
Beastly shouts of “euai!” offer Bacchantes full circle
σὺν Βάκχαις Λήναια τελεσφόρα σεμνὰ προπέμπων,
Together Bacchian Lenaia[8] rites bear with honor, send forth
ὄργια νυκτιφαῆ τελεταῖς ἁγίαις ἀναφαίνων,
Orgia[9] nightlit completion rites, consecrate, bring to light
εὐάζων, φιλόθυρσε, γαληνιόων θιάσοισιν.
Euai zone, fond of the thyrsus, calming religious gatherings.
[1] Bacchos is the immortal God of wine and its effects.
[2] Silenos is an elder companion of Bacchos, the father of the “satyrs.” Satyrs are depicted as men with horns and a tail who live a drinking, carousing life in the wilds. Note that atyranneutos (άτῠράννευτος) means arising above tyrants, free from tyrants, so that Saturos (Σάτῠρος) could be translated as “synchronized above tyranny,” descriptive of the lifestyle of one who lives in the wilds and mocks the establishment. Sillos (σίλλος) is a “satirical” poem or lampoon, mockery, something silly. Sillographeo (σιλλογρᾰφέω) is satirical poetry. http://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/Seilenos.html
[3] The ox is the designated stud animal of the herd. Silenos is considered the father of the Satyrs.
[4] The Horai are the immortal Goddesses of the seasons, the natural time for things to occur, the Hours. Triennial may refer to the three seasons: Spring, Summer, Winter; or to a triennial festival that occurs every third (every other) year.
[5] Literally essence (e) + pure (u) + arising (a) + divine power (i).
[6] Naiads are beautiful young Goddesses who preside over particular locations in nature.
[7] Bacchantes are female devotees of Bacchos.
[8] The Lenaia was an Athenian and Rhodian festival held in the month Lenaion (Gamelion/January) in honor of Dionysos at which there were dramatic contests.
[9] Orgia means secret rites, secret worship, mysteries, literally entity (ὄ) + flow (ρ) + generative (γ) + divine power (ι) + arising (α).