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.
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