Translated by Catherine Proppe, August 20, 2015
53. Ἀμφιετοῦς, θυμίαμα πάντα πλὴν λιβάνου καὶ σπένδε γάλα.
To Amphietous (of Dionysos)
Divine connection: All except libanon (frankincense) and sponde (libations) of milk
Ἀμφιετῆ καλέω Βάκχον, χθόνιον Διόνυσον,
In every direction in every year we call on Bacchians[1], earthly Dionysians[2]
ἐγρόμενον κούραις ἅμα νύμφαις εὐπλοκάμοισιν,
Awaken, children, as one with fair-haired Nymphs[3]
ὃς παρὰ Περσεφόνης ἱεροῖσι δόμοισιν ἰαύων
Who nearby Persephone’s[4] sacred home slumber
κοιμίζει τριετῆρα χρόνον, Βακχήιον ἁγνόν.
Put to sleep triennially in time, Bacchians pure.
αὐτὸς δ' ἡνίκα τὸν τριετῆ πάλι κῶμον ἐγείρηι,
Only when triennially[5] all who sleep awaken
εἰς ὕμνον τρέπεται σὺν ἐυζώνοισι τιθήναις
To hymns, turning with fair-girdled nurses
εὐνάζων κινῶν τε χρόνους ἐνὶ κυκλάσιν ὥραις.
Lulled to sleep with motion in time in the cycling Horai[6].
ἀλλά, μάκαρ, χλοόκαρπε, κερασφόρε, κάρπιμε Βάκχε,
Now, blessed green fruit, horn-borne[7] fruit of Bacchos,
βαῖν' ἐπὶ πάνθειον τελετὴν γανόωντι προσώπωι
Dance upon the pantheon, made perfect, with rejoicing faces
εὐιέροις καρποῖσι τελεσσιγόνοισι βρυάζων.
Holy fruits, perfect offspring, emerge.
[1] Bacchians are those inspired by Bacchos, the immortal God of wine.
[2] Dionysos is another name for Bacchos.
[3] Nymphs are beautiful young Goddesses who prevail over a particular location in nature, often fresh water springs, grottoes, and woodlands.
[4] Persephone is the immortal Goddess of new life in Springtime and the afterlife.
[5] Triennially may refer to the three annual feasts of Bacchos/Dionysos:
-The Lenaea, during the month of Gamelion (January-February), dramatic contests in tragedy and comedy
-The Anthesteria, during the month of Anthesterion (February-March), opening of the wine casks, honoring the deceased
-The Great Dionysia, during the month of Elaphebolion (March-April), dramatic contests in tragedy and comedy
[6] The Horai are the immortal Goddesses of the Seasons, the Hours, the natural time for things to occur.
[7] The “horn” may refer to drinking horns used as goblets. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_horn
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