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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 1, lines 5–8 · Queen of the night, keeper of the keys
1.5
The Orphic Hymns 1.5 · Queen of the night, keeper of the keys
More titles: the night, the hounds, the wild beasts, the bull, and the keys of the whole world.
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νυκτερίην1
nykteríēn
of the night
, σκυλακῖτιν2
skylakîtin
lady of the houndsprotector of dogs
, ἀμαιμάκετον3
amaimáketon
invincibleirresistible
βασίλειαν4
basíleian
queen
, θηρόβρομον5
thēróbromon
heralded by roaring beasts
, ἄζωστον6
ázōston
unbeltedungirt
, ἔχουσαν7
échousan
withhaving
ἀπρόσμαχον8
aprósmachon
an irresistible
εἶδος9
eîdos
form
, ταυροπόλον10
tauropólon
driver of bulls
, κλῃδοῦχον11
klēidoûchon
key-holdingkeeper of the keys
ἄνασσαν12
ánassan
queen
παντὸς13
pantòs
of the whole
κόσμου14
kósmou
world
, ἡγεμόνην15
hēgemónēn
guideleader
, νύμφην16
nýmphēn
bride
, κουροτρόφον17
kourotróphon
nurse of the young
, οὐρεσιφοῖτιν18
ouresiphoîtin
who roams the mountains
, of the night, lady of the hounds, invincible queen, heralded by roaring beasts, unbelted, with an irresistible form, driver of bulls, key-holding queen of the whole world, guide, bride, nurse of the young, who roams the mountains,
of the night, lady of the hounds, invincible queen, heralded by roaring beasts, unbelted, with an irresistible form, driver of bulls, key-holding queen of the whole world, guide, bride, nurse of the young, who roams the mountains,
Interpretation
goddess of the night, lady of the hounds, invincible queen, heralded by roaring beasts, unbelted, with a form no one can resist; driver of bulls, key-holding queen of the whole world, guide, bride, nurse of the young, roamer of the mountains,
Dogs were Hekate's animals, and they were sacrificed to her. Skylakitis comes from skylax, a puppy or young dog; the hymn to Artemis (36) gives her the same title. The key is her other emblem: klēidouchos, "key-holder," was the title of a priestess who kept a temple's keys, and Hekate holds the keys of the whole world, the one who opens and shuts the ways between the living and the dead.
1.9
The Orphic Hymns 1.9 · Come to the rites
The prayer itself, in two lines: come to the holy rites, and be kind to the herdsman.
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I call the maiden to be present at the holy rites for those who pray, kindly to the herdsman, always with a rejoicing heart.