Translated by Catherine Proppe
January 4, 2015
24. Νηρηίδων, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.
To the Nereids[1]
Divine connection: aromatics
Νηρέος εἰναλίου νύμφαι καλυκώπιδες ἁγναί,
Nereos[2]-of-the-sea’s Nymphs[3], beautiful oceandwellers, fonts pure
σφράγιαι βύθιαι, χοροπαίγμονες, ὑγροκέλευθοι,
Imprinting deeply the choral dance, solely water journeying
πεντήκοντα κόραι περὶ κύμασι βακχεύουσαι,
Fifty daughters surround pregnant swells of Bacchic essence
Τριτώνων ἐπ' ὄχοισιν ἀγαλλόμεναι περὶ νῶτα
Upon Triton’s[4] chariot gloriously powered all-round surface
θηροτύποις μορφαῖς, ὧν βόσκει σώματα πόντος,
Beast-like forms bring forth nourishing sea bodies
ἄλλοις θ' οἳ ναίουσι βυθόν, Τριτώνιον οἶδμα,
But, divine dwellers, deep in Triton’s wavy
ὑδρόδομοι, σκιρτηταί, ἑλισσόμενοι περὶ κῦμα,
Watery domain, leap, whirl powerfully round pregnant swells of
ποντοπλάνοι δελφῖνες, ἁλιρρόθιοι, κυαναυγεῖς.
Pontos’ planes, dolphins breaking the dark dawn.
ὑμᾶς κικλήσκω πέμπειν μύσταις πολὺν ὄλβον·
With this hymn I call, send forth mystae with many blessings
ὑμεῖς γὰρ πρῶται τελετὴν ἀνεδείξατε σεμνὴν
With this hymn bestow initial completion declared solemnly:
εὐιέρου Βάκχοιο καὶ ἁγνῆς Φερσεφονείης,
Holy Bacchos and pure Phersephone[5]
Καλλιόπηι σὺν μητρὶ καὶ Ἀπόλλωνι ἄνακτι.
Kalliope[6] with Mother[7] and Apollon[8] ruling.
[1] Nereids are the immortal Goddesses of various aspects of the sea, such as the sea’s brine, foam, sand, rocky shores, waves, currents, sea rescues, and necessary naval skills. They “prevail (Νη) + over that which flows (ρη) + individually (ίδων).” See http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Nereides.html
[2] Nereos is the immortal God of the sea floor, the father of the Nereids, he “prevails (Νη) over that which flows (ρέος).”
[3] Nymphs are immortal Goddesses who prevail over a particular location or function.
[4] Triton is the immortal God who rides his chariot over the surface of the sea, half-humanlike and half-fishlike.
[5] Phersephone is the immortal Goddess of the afterlife and Spring rebirth.
[6] Kalliope is the immortal Muse of beauty.
[7] Mother Goddess Demeter.
[8] Apollo is the immortal God of inspiration.
January 4, 2015
24. Νηρηίδων, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.
To the Nereids[1]
Divine connection: aromatics
Νηρέος εἰναλίου νύμφαι καλυκώπιδες ἁγναί,
Nereos[2]-of-the-sea’s Nymphs[3], beautiful oceandwellers, fonts pure
σφράγιαι βύθιαι, χοροπαίγμονες, ὑγροκέλευθοι,
Imprinting deeply the choral dance, solely water journeying
πεντήκοντα κόραι περὶ κύμασι βακχεύουσαι,
Fifty daughters surround pregnant swells of Bacchic essence
Τριτώνων ἐπ' ὄχοισιν ἀγαλλόμεναι περὶ νῶτα
Upon Triton’s[4] chariot gloriously powered all-round surface
θηροτύποις μορφαῖς, ὧν βόσκει σώματα πόντος,
Beast-like forms bring forth nourishing sea bodies
ἄλλοις θ' οἳ ναίουσι βυθόν, Τριτώνιον οἶδμα,
But, divine dwellers, deep in Triton’s wavy
ὑδρόδομοι, σκιρτηταί, ἑλισσόμενοι περὶ κῦμα,
Watery domain, leap, whirl powerfully round pregnant swells of
ποντοπλάνοι δελφῖνες, ἁλιρρόθιοι, κυαναυγεῖς.
Pontos’ planes, dolphins breaking the dark dawn.
ὑμᾶς κικλήσκω πέμπειν μύσταις πολὺν ὄλβον·
With this hymn I call, send forth mystae with many blessings
ὑμεῖς γὰρ πρῶται τελετὴν ἀνεδείξατε σεμνὴν
With this hymn bestow initial completion declared solemnly:
εὐιέρου Βάκχοιο καὶ ἁγνῆς Φερσεφονείης,
Holy Bacchos and pure Phersephone[5]
Καλλιόπηι σὺν μητρὶ καὶ Ἀπόλλωνι ἄνακτι.
Kalliope[6] with Mother[7] and Apollon[8] ruling.
[1] Nereids are the immortal Goddesses of various aspects of the sea, such as the sea’s brine, foam, sand, rocky shores, waves, currents, sea rescues, and necessary naval skills. They “prevail (Νη) + over that which flows (ρη) + individually (ίδων).” See http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Nereides.html
[2] Nereos is the immortal God of the sea floor, the father of the Nereids, he “prevails (Νη) over that which flows (ρέος).”
[3] Nymphs are immortal Goddesses who prevail over a particular location or function.
[4] Triton is the immortal God who rides his chariot over the surface of the sea, half-humanlike and half-fishlike.
[5] Phersephone is the immortal Goddess of the afterlife and Spring rebirth.
[6] Kalliope is the immortal Muse of beauty.
[7] Mother Goddess Demeter.
[8] Apollo is the immortal God of inspiration.
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