Translated by Catherine Proppe, May 9, 2014.
This is a Hymn requesting insight regarding the path to proper atonement.
70. Εὐμενίδων, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.
To the Eumenides
Divine connection/incense: aromatics
Κλῦτέ μου, Εὐμενίδες μεγαλώνυμοι, εὔφρονι βουλῆι,
Be open to me, Eumenides[1] of many realms, mind-filling counselors,
ἁγναὶ θυγατέρες μεγάλοιο Διὸς χθονίοιο
Pure daughters of majestic terrestrial Dios[2] and
Φερσεφόνης τ’, ἐρατῆς κούρης καλλιπλοκάμοιο,
Phersephone[3], too, lovely, youthful, beautifully-tressed,
αἳ πάντων καθορᾶτε βίον θνητῶν ἀσεβούντων,
Ever and always clearly observing lives of impious mortals,
τῶν ἀδίκων τιμωροί, ἐφεστηκυῖαι ἀνάγκηι,
Then, injustice avenging, upon Hestia’s[4] hearth conceived as necessary[5],
κυανόχρωτοι ἄνασσαι, ἀπαστράπτουσαι ἀπ’ ὄσσων
Cyan-tinted[6] Queens[7] flash forth, springing before the mind’s eye
δεινὴν ἀνταυγῆ φάεος σαρκοφθόρον αἴγλην·
Extraordinarily powerful antagonizing light, flesh-destroying, radiant.
ἀίδιοι, φοβερῶπες, ἀπόστροφοι, αὐτοκράτειραι,
Eternally terrifying to behold, apostrophic[8], autocratic,
λυσιμελεῖς οἴστρωι, βλοσυραί, νύχιαι, πολύποτμοι,
Loosen sweetly your maddening torments grim, Night’s[9] many destinies,
νυκτέριαι κοῦραι, ὀφιοπλόκαμοι, φοβερῶπες·
Daughters of Night, snaky-haired, terrifying to behold,
ὑμᾶς κικλήσκω γνώμαις ὁσίαισι πελάζειν.
Channel and unlock knowledge of divine law, draw near.
[1] The Eumenides are the immortal Goddesses of the Good (Εὐ) + Obsession (μενίδες). The Eumenides doggedly torment their object as punishment for wrongdoing. Their power is experienced by the wrongdoer as obsessive guilt, internal anguish. The Eumenides can only be pacified by completing tasks of purification and atonement.
[2] Terrestrial Dios is Pluto, the immortal God of the afterlife.
[3] Phersephone is Persephone, the immortal Goddess of the afterlife and Spring renewal.
[4] Hestia is the immortal Goddess of the Hearth and Altar fire.
[5] Ananke is the immortal Goddess of Necessity, of what is required.
[6] Cyan is lapis lazuli, a dark-blue stone historically considered holy.
[7] Anassa means Queen, Lady.
[8] Apostrophic means referred to obliquely, not named specifically out of respect or fear.
[9] Night is the immortal Goddess of Night.
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