Hymns of Orpheus, 19. To Zeus, Thunderbolt
translated by Catherine Proppe
November 18, 2014
www.GreekAlphabeta.com
19. Κεραυνοῦ Διός, θυμίαμα στύρακα
Thunderbolt Divine
Divine medium: styrax
Ζεῦ πάτερ, ὑψίδρομον πυραυγέα κόσμον ἐλαύνων,
Zeus[1] Father, coursing above, fiery dawn of the cosmos driving
στράπτων αἰθερίου στεροπῆς πανυπέρτατον αἴγλην,
Lightning’s aetherial flash, extending panoramically above, radiant,
παμμακάρων ἕδρανον θείαις βρονταῖσι τινάσσων,
Encompassing, blest throne, divine thunder-wielder,
νάμασι παννεφέλοις στεροπὴν φλεγέθουσαν ἀναίθων·
Streaking all clouds, flashing, burnt-offerings ablaze
λαίλαπας, ὄμβρους, πρηστῆρας κρατερούς τε κεραυνούς,
Rain-torrents, mighty tornadoes, thunderbolt-
βάλλων ἐς ροθίους φλογερούς, βεφέεσσι καλύπτων
Hurling, roaring, inflamed mixed essence concealed,
παμφλέκτους, κρατερούς, φρικώδεας, ὀμβριμοθύμους,
All-fiery, mighty, horrifying soul of rain,
πτηνὸν ὅπλον δεινόν, κλονοκάρδιον, ὀρθοέθειρον,
Winged armaments fierce, heart-raging, hair-raising,
αἰφνίδιον, βρονταῖον, ἀνίκητον βέλος ἁγνόν
Irascible thunder, unconquerable, bolts pure,
ῥοίζου ἀπειρεσίου δινεύμασι παμφάγον ὁρμῆι,
Whirring, piercing, whirling, all-devouring, driving,
ἄρρηκτον, βαρύθυμον, ἀμαιμάκετον πρηστῆρος
Indestructible, ill-tempered, invulnerable fiery whirl,
οὐράνιον βέλος ὀξὺ καταιβάτου αἰθαλόεντος,
Ouranian[2] bolts piercing descent to smoky soot:
ὃν καὶ γαῖα πέφρικε θάλασσά τε παμφανόωντα,
Gaia[3] shudders, Thalassa,[4] too, all-radiant,
καὶ θῆρες πτήσσουσιν, ὅταν κτύπος οὖας ἐσέλθηι·
And wild beasts cower as lightning crashes, resounds,
μαρμαίρει δὲ πρόσωπ' αὐγαῖς, σμαραγεῖ δὲ κεραυνὸς
Flashing the face of dawn, roaring thunderbolts,
αἰθέρος ἐν γυάλοισι· διαρρήξας δὲ χιτῶνα
Aithereal vault, chiton[5] torn-asunder,
οὐράνιον προκάλυμμα βάλλεις ἀργῆτα κεραυνόν.
Heaven’s[6] veil hurling white thunderbolts!
ἀλλά, μάκαρ, θυμὸν κύμασι πόντου
But yet, blest soul of pregnant swollen seas,
ἠδ' ὀρέων κορυφαῖσι· τὸ σὸν κράτος ἴσμεν ἅπαντες.
And, too, mountain summits, equal power consumes,
ἀλλὰ χαρεὶς λοιβαῖσι δίδου φρεσὶν αἴσιμα πάντα
Yet cheer these libation[7] offerings heartfelt and meet, to all
ζωήν τ' ὀλβιόθυμον, ὁμοῦ θ' ὑγίειαν ἄνασσαν,
Life extend whole life’s spirit, with dear Queen Hygieia,[8]
εἰρήνην τε θεόν, κουροτρόφον, ἀγλαότιμον,
Divine Eirene[9], child-nurturing, gloriously honored,
καὶ βίον εὐθύμοισιν ἀεὶ θάλλοντα λογισμοῖς.
And let mortal life’s pure spirit eternally bloom—with reason.
[1] Zeus is the immortal God of Lightning Storms; the male fertility principle.
[2] Ouranos is the immortal God of the Heavens. Ourania is the immortal Goddess of the Heavens.
[3] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.
[4] Thalassa is the immortal Goddess of the Sea.
[5] A chiton is a robe or tunic worn next to the skin, a foundation garment.
[6] Ouranos is the immortal God of the Heavens. Ourania is the immortal Goddess of the Heavens.
[7] A libation is a poured drink offering.
[8] Hygieia is the immortal Goddess of Health.
[9] Eirene is the immortal Goddess of Peace.
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