Translated by Catherine Proppe May 19, 2014
87. Θανάτου, θυμίαμα μάνναν.
To Thanos[1]
Divine connection/incense: manna (Fraxinus ornus)
Κλῦθί μευ, ὃς πάντων θνητῶν οἴηκα κρατύνεις
Be open to me, all mortals’ guiding ruler,
πᾶσι διδοὺς χρόνον ἁγνόν, ὅσων πόρρωθεν ὑπάρχεις·
All director of Chronos[2] pure, nostrils’ portal underlying[3].
σὸς γὰρ ὕπνος ψυχὴν θραύει καὶ σώματος ὁλκόν,
Putting to Sleep[4] Psyche’s[5] throes and body trailing
ἡνίκ’ ἂν ἐκλύηις φύσεως κεκρατημένα δεσμὰ
When arising out of Phusis’[6] hidden chains
τὸν μακρὸν ζώιοισι φέρων αἰώνιον ὕπνον,
Stretching the length of life, bearing eternal Sleeps’
κοινὸς μὲν πάντων, ἄδικος δ’ ἐνίοισιν ὑπάρχων,
Shared power over all, indifferent to Dike’s[7] power underlying,
ἐν ταχυτῆτι βίου παύων νεοήλικας ἀκμάς·
In swift extension arresting life newly in its prime.
ἐν σοὶ γὰρ μούνωι πάντων τὸ κριθὲν τελεοῦται·
Then thou alone gives all choices’ fulfillment[8]
οὔτε γὰρ εὐχαῖσιν πείθηι μόνος οὔτε λιταῖσιν.
Thou alone neither giving way to charming Peitho[9] nor prayer.
ἀλλά, μάκαρ, μακροῖσι χρόνοις ζωῆς σε πελάζειν
But, happily, extend our time of life, as we approach the
αἰτοῦμαι, θυσίαισι καὶ εὐχωλαῖς λιτανεύων,
Eternal tomb, may our sacrifices and votive entreaties
ὡς ἂν ἔοι γέρας ἐσθλὸν ἐν ἀνθρώποισι τὸ γῆρας.
Bring forth privileges beneficial in mortal old age.
[1] Thanos is the immortal God of Death, literally divinity/immortality (Θα) + prevailing (ν), that is, the tipping point between a mortal life and eternity.
[2] Chronos is the immortal God of Time. Death determines time in life.
[3] Death brings an end to the breath?
[4] Hypnos is the immortal God of Sleep.
[5] Psyche is the immortal Goddess of the Soul.
[6] Phusis is the immortal Goddess of Physics, of Nature.
[7] Dike is the immortal Goddess of Justice.
[8] At death life’s choices meet their fate.
[9] Peitho is the immortal Goddess of Persuasion. Death is not swayed by Persuasion or prayer.
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