⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 25, lines 4–5 · Knowing what is, what was, and what will be
25.4
The Orphic Hymns 25.4 · Knowing what is, what was, and what will be
Proteus knows the present, the past and the future.
· · ·
πάντιμος1
pántimos
all-honored
, πολύβουλος2
polýboulos
wise in counselmuch-counselling
, ἐπιστάμενος3
epistámenos
knowing
τʼ4
t’
both
τά5
tá
the things
ἐόντα6
eónta
that are
τε7
te
and
ὅσσα8
hóssa
all that
ἔην9
éēn
was
πρόσθεν10
prósthen
before
τʼ11
t’
and
ὅσα12
hósa
all that
ἔσσεται13
éssetai
will be
ὕστερον14
hýsteron
in time
αὖτις15
aûtis
to comehereafter
; all-honored, wise in counsel, knowing both the things that are and all that was before and all that will be in time to come;
all-honored, wise in counsel, knowing both the things that are and all that was before and all that will be in time to come;
Interpretation
all-honored, wise in counsel, knowing the things that are, and all that was before, and all that will be in time to come;
This is the formula Greek poetry used for a seer's knowledge. Homer introduces the prophet Calchas as the man "who knew the things that are, the things that will be, and the things that were before," and Hesiod's Muses sing the same three. Proteus has that knowledge in the Odyssey, and that is why Menelaus must catch him and hold him fast: only when he is mastered will the Old Man tell what he knows.
25.6
The Orphic Hymns 25.6 · All things were placed in Proteus
Proteus alone among the gods can change into anything, because Nature placed all things in him.
· · ·
for he himself, holding all things, changes, nor does any other of the immortals, who hold the seat of snowy Olympus and the sea and the earth, and fly in the air; for primal Nature placed all things in Proteus.