Translated by Catherine Proppe, October 15, 2015
22. Θαλάσσης, θυμίαμα λιβανομάνναν.
To Thalassa[1]
Divine connection: libano manna (frankincense and manna)
Ὠκεανοῦ καλέω νύμφην, γλαυκώπιδα Τηθύν,
I call Ocean’s[2] grey-eyed Nymph[3], Tethys[4],
κυανόπεπλον ἄνασσαν, εὔτροχα κυμαίνουσαν,
Cyan-robed Queen, whirling, undulating,
αὔραις ἡδυπνόοισι πατασσομένην περὶ γαῖαν,
Exhaling sweet breaths, striking powerfully all ‘round Gaia[5]
θραύουσ' αἰγιαλοῖσι πέτρηισί τε κύματα μακρά,
Fracturing the rocky shoreline with mighty waves;
εὐδίνοις ἁπαλοῖσι γαληνιόωσα δρόμοισι,
In calm weather, a gentle, serene course
ναυσὶν ἀγαλλομένη, θηροτρόφε, ὑγροκέλευθε,
For glorious, mighty ships. Nurturing marine life’s watery journey,
μήτηρ μὲν Κύπριδος, μήτηρ νεφέων ἐρεβεννῶν
Mother of Aphrodite[6], Mother of woolly clouds,
καὶ πάσης πηγῆς νυμφῶν νασμοῖσι βρυούσης·
And of all Nymphs of fresh water’s flowing abundance.
κλῦθί μου, ὦ πολύσεμνε, καὶ εὐμενέουσ' ἐπαρήγοις,
I call O greatly revered and kindly Savior,
εὐθυδρόμοις οὖρον ναυσὶν πέμπουσα, μάκαιρα.
A straight course and fair wind for seafarers, send forth with blessings.
[1] Thalassa, the immortal Goddess of the sea, is the actual body of the sea; literally “divine (Θ) + sea (αλς).” http://www.theoi.com/Protogenos/Thalassa.html
[2] Ocean is the immortal God of the ocean.
[3] A Nymph is a young, beautiful Goddess who prevails over a particular location in nature.
[4] Tethys, immortal Goddess of the sea, is equated with Thalassa. http://www.theoi.com/Titan/TitanisTethys.html
[5] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative earth.
[6] The Cyprian is another name for Aphrodite, the immortal Goddess of sexual passion.
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