Hymn to Thalassa #HymnsOfOrpheus

Translated by Catherine Proppe
March 12, 2015


22. Θαλάσσης, θυμίαμα λιβανομάνναν.

To Thalassa[1]

Divine connection: frankincense manna

 

Ὠκεανοῦ καλέω νύμφην, γλαυκώπιδα Τηθύν,

Ocean[2] call forth the Nymph of silver springs, Tethys[3],

 

κυανόπεπλον ἄνασσαν, εὔτροχα κυμαίνουσαν,

Cyan-robed Anassa[4], wheeling, swelling,

 

αὔραις ἡδυπνόοισι πατασσομένην περὶ γαῖαν,

Auras’ sweet breaths strike mightily around Gaia[5]

 

θραύουσ' αἰγιαλοῖσι πέτρηισί τε κύματα μακρά,

Breaking seashore’s rocks with waves enormous

 

εὐδίνοις ἁπαλοῖσι γαληνιόωσα δρόμοισι,

On a whirling swirling gentle peaceful course,

 

ναυσὶν ἀγαλλομένη, θηροτρόφε, ὑγροκέλευθε,

Nautical glorious beasts foster on their watery vogage

 

μήτηρ μὲν Κύπριδος, μήτηρ νεφέων ἐρεβεννῶν

Mother of the Kyprian[6], mother of clouds dark

 

καὶ πάσης πηγῆς νυμφῶν νασμοῖσι βρυούσης·

And all running water of Nymphs’[7] flowing abundance.

 

κλῦθί μου, ὦ πολύσεμνε, καὶ εὐμενέουσ' ἐπαρήγοις,

Be open to me, O much-honored and gracious power come to our aid

 

εὐθυδρόμοις οὖρον ναυσὶν πέμπουσα, μάκαιρα.

Coursing flow nautical, send essence of blessings.

 



[1] Thalassa means rich, plentiful, blooming (Θαλ) + in motion, gliding about (ἀΐσσω).


[2] Ocean is the primeval Titan God Okeanos, the font of all the earth's fresh-water. Tethys is his female counterpart.


[3] Tethys is the Titan Goddess of the sources of fresh water such as rivers, springs, streams, fountains, and clouds. Her name is very similar to the term for aunt: tethis (τηθίς) and grandmother, tethee (τήθη). Titheeneo (τῐθηνέω) means to tend, take care of, nurse, foster. Teeros (τηρός) means to guard, watch over, keep safe. These words all start with the letters τ (stretch, extend) and η (shared center) and convey the sense of nurturing and keeping safe something or someone mutually valued. As the Goddess of fresh water sources, Tethys nurtures humanity, plants, and animals.


[4] Anassa means Queen, Lady.


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


[6] The Kyprian is the Goddess of love, Aphrodite; “then Aphrodite emerged from Thalassa (τὴν Ἀφροδίτην ἐκδοῦναι τῆς θαλάσσης)"  Philostr. Im.2.1 [6]


[7] Nymphs are beautiful young Goddesses who prevail over particular locations in nature, often fresh water sources.