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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 28, lines 5–7 · Interpreter of all things
28.5
The Orphic Hymns 28.5 · Interpreter of all things
Hermes the trickster and the trader, the interpreter, who holds the herald's staff of peace.
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ὃς1
hòs
you who
χαίρεις2
chaíreis
delight
γυμνάσιν3
gymnásin
in athletic exercise
τʼ4
t’
and
in
δολίαις5
dolíais
crafty
ἀπάταις6
apátais
tricksdeceits
, στροφιοῦχε7
strophioûche
wearer of the headband
, ἑρμηνεῦ8
hermēneû
interpreter
πάντων9
pántōn
of all things
, κερδέμπορε10
kerdémpore
lord of gainful tradegain-trader
, λυσιμέριμνε11
lysimérimne
freeing from care
, ὃς12
hòs
you who
ἔχεις13
écheis
hold
χείρεσσιν14
cheíressin
in your hands
ἀμεμφές15
amemphés
the blameless
ὅπλον16
hóplon
weapontool
εἰρήνης17
eirḗnēs
of peace
, you who delight in athletic exercise and in crafty tricks, wearer of the headband, interpreter of all things, lord of gainful trade, freeing from care, you who hold in your hands the blameless weapon of peace,
you who delight in athletic exercise and in crafty tricks, wearer of the headband, interpreter of all things, lord of gainful trade, freeing from care, you who hold in your hands the blameless weapon of peace,
Interpretation
you who delight in athletic exercise and in crafty tricks, wearer of the headband, interpreter of all things, lord of gainful trade, freeing us from care, you who hold in your hands the blameless weapon of peace,
Hermēneus, "interpreter," sounds like the god's own name, and the Greeks heard the link. In Plato's Cratylus Socrates explains the name Hermes from speech: Hermes is an interpreter and a messenger, a thief and a deceiver with words, and a god of buying and selling. The hymn gives him nearly the same list here: tricks, profit from trade, and the interpreting of all things. The "blameless weapon of peace" in his hands is most likely the herald's staff, the kērykeion, which let a herald pass safely between enemies.
28.8
The Orphic Hymns 28.8 · The dread weapon of the tongue
Hermes of Korykos, the helper in every kind of work, a friend in hard times, and the god of persuasive speech.
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Korykian, blessed, bringer of luck, of varied speech, helper in work, friend to mortals in their need, dread weapon of the tongue, revered by men;