To Spring's West Wind: Zephyros #HymnsOfOrpheus

Translated by Catherine Proppe,  May 12, 2014




81. Ζεφύρου, θυμίαμα λίβανον.

Zephyros
Divine connection/incense: libanon (frankincense)

Αὖραι παντογενεῖς Ζεφυριτίδες, ἠεροφοῖται,

Auras’[1] all-generative Zephyros[2], air-roaming,


ἡδύπνοοι ψιθυραί, θανάτου ἀνάπαυσιν ἔχουσαι,

Sweet-breathed, whispering, death’s relaxation[3], founding


εἰαριναί, λειμωνιάδες, πεποθημέναι ὅρμοις,

Spring-time meadows, ripening strings


σύρουσαι ναυσὶ τρυφερὸν ὅρμον, ἠέρα κοῦφον·

Of reeds nautical, gently moored, Hera’s[4] nimble


ἔλθοιτ’ εὐμενέουσαι, ἐπιπνείουσαι ἀμεμφεῖς,

Plant-loosening power, exhaling flawless


ἠέριαι, ἀφανεῖς, κουφόπτεροι, ἀερόμορφοι.

Mornings, invisible, light-winged, air-formed.



[1] In this sense, an aura is a breeze, the wind.


[2] Zephyros is the immortal God of the generative springtime West Wind, also, an epithet for the month of March, literally “spark essence (Ζε) + mix (φυρ).”   


[3] Death’s relaxation is spring renewal.


[4] Hera is the immortal Goddess of Air.