Translated by Catherine Proppe, August 26, 2015
69. Ἐρινύων, θυμίαμα στύρακα καὶ μάνναν.
To the Erinys[1]
Divine connection/incense: styrax and manna[2]
Κλῦτε, θεαὶ πάντιμοι, ἐρίβρομοι, εὐάστειραι,
I call the Goddesses of retribution, mighty raging fair stars,
Τισιφόνη τε καὶ Ἀλληκτὼ καὶ δῖα Μέγαιρα·
Tisiphonee[3], who avenges murder,
Alleekto[4], who punishes thieves,
and divine Megaira[5], who redresses greed.
νυκτέριαι, μύχιαι, ὑπὸ κεύθεσιν οἰκί’ ἔχουσαι
In Night’s[6] innermost realm concealed below, housed in foundational
ἄντρωι ἐν ἠερόεντι παρὰ Στυγὸς ἱερὸν ὕδωρ,
Caves hovering in midair by Stygos’[7] holy water,
οὐχ ὁσίαις βουλαῖσι βροτῶν κεκοτημέναι αἰεί,
Fixating righteous counselors’ mortal outrage, eternally
λυσσήρεις, ἀγέρωχοι, ἐπευάζουσαι ἀνάγκαις,
Tormenting the arrogant, with applause from Ananke[8], Goddess of Necessity,
θηρόπεπλοι, τιμωροί, ἐρισθενέες, βαρυαλγεῖς,
Beast-robed Avengers, strong-willed, profoundly vengeful,
Ἀίδεω χθόνιαι, φοβεραὶ κόραι, αἰολόμορφοι,
The afterlife’s[9] foundational divinities, terrifying children, nimbly changing form,
ἠέριαι, ἀφανεῖς, ὠκυδρόμοι ὥστε νόημα·
Aerial, invisible, quick-coursing, tormenting the mind.
οὔτε γὰρ ἠελίου ταχιναὶ φλόγες οὔτε σελήνης
Unseen by Helios’[10] swift blazing light nor Selene’s[11],
καὶ σοφίης ἀρετῆς τε καὶ ἐργασίμου θρασύτητος
Or by Wisdom[12], nor Merit[13], nor hard work’s pride,
εὔχαρι οὔτε βίου λιπαρᾶς περικαλλέος ἥβης
Charmed not by a life of riches surrounded by beautiful Youth[14].
ὑμῶν χωρὶς ἐγείρει ἐυφροσύνας βιότοιο·
Let the hymnal chorus arouse right-intentions and long life.
ἀλλ’ αἰεὶ θνητῶν πάντων ἐπ’ ἀπείρονα φῦλα
For all eternity, mortals’ everywhere in unbroken generations
ὄμμα Δίκης ἐφορᾶτε, δικασπόλοι αἰὲν ἐοῦσαι.
The eye of Dike[15] observes, Judge eternal She is.
ἀλλά, θεαὶ Μοῖραι, ὀφιοπλόκαμοι, πολύμορφοι,
Yet, Goddesses of Fate[16], serpent-haired, many-shaped,
πραΰνοον μετάθεσθε βίου μαλακόφρονα δόξαν.
Soften, transfer your position in our lives, melt the intent of judgment.
[1] The Erinys are the immortal Goddesses who give what is due: Essence (ε) + outflow-of (ρ) + divine power (ι) + prevailing (ν).
[2] The Manna ash tree, Fraxinus Ornus.
[3] Tisiphone is the immortal Goddess of payment of what is due (Τισι) + to those who shed blood (φόνη): avenging murder.
[4] Allekto is the immortal Goddess who punishes those who possess another’s (Ἀλλη) + property, possession (κτὼ): punishing thieves.
[5] Megaira is the immortal Goddess who punishes those who greatly (Μέγ) + take (αιρα) more than is their due: redressing greed.
[6] Night is the immortal Goddess of Night.
[7] Stygos (Styx) is the dreaded river of the afterlife. Oaths sworn on Stygos/Styx are unbreakable. http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/PotamosStyx.html
[8] Ananke is the immortal Goddess of Necessity, of what must be.
[9] Aideo is Hades, the afterlife.
[10] Helios is the immortal God of the Sun.
[11] Selene is the immortal Goddess of the Moon.
[12] Sophia is the immortal Goddess of Wisdom.
[13] Arete is the immortal Goddess of Earned Merit.
[14] Hebe is the immortal Goddess of Puberty/the prime of life/youthful vigor.
[15] Dike is the immortal Goddess of Justice.
[16] The Moirai are the immortal Goddesses of Fate.
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