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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 11, lines 18–20 · You change the natures of all things
11.18
The Orphic Hymns 11.18 · You change the natures of all things
All these parts of the world move at Pan's command. He changes their natures and feeds the human race as a herdsman feeds his flock.
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γὰρ1
gàr
For
τάδε2
táde
these things
, πολύκριτα3
polýkrita
widely separate
, βαίνει4
baínei
move
ῥεῖα5
rheîa
easily
σῇσιν6
sêisin
at your
ἐφετμαῖς7
ephetmaîs
commands
; δὲ8
dè
and
ἀλλάσσεις9
allásseis
you change
φύσεις10
phýseis
the natures
πάντων11
pántōn
of all things
ταῖς12
taîs
—
σῇσι13
sêisi
by your
προνοίαις14
pronoíais
providence
, βόσκων15
bóskōn
feedingpasturing
γενεὴν16
geneḕn
the race
ἀνθρώπων17
anthrṓpōn
of men
κατʼ18
kat’
throughout
ἀπείρονα19
apeírona
the boundless
κόσμον20
kósmon
world
. For these things, widely separate, move easily at your commands; and you change the natures of all things by your providence, feeding the race of men throughout the boundless world.
For these things, widely separate, move easily at your commands; and you change the natures of all things by your providence, feeding the race of men throughout the boundless world.
Interpretation
For these things, so widely separate, move easily at your commands; and you change the natures of all things by your providence, feeding the race of men throughout the boundless world.
Boskō is a herdsman's verb: it means to pasture animals, to lead them to grazing and feed them. Pan, the god of goatherds, pastures the whole human race. The same lines use two words from philosophy, physeis, "natures," and pronoia, "providence," for the work of this herdsman god.
11.21
The Orphic Hymns 11.21 · Send Pan's frenzy to the ends of the earth
The prayer: come to the libations, grant a good end of life, and send away the madness that Pan can bring.
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But, blessed one, reveler, lover of inspired frenzy, come to the holy libations, and grant a good end of life, sending Pan's frenzy to the ends of the earth.