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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 38, lines 18–19 · High-topped trees fall
38.18
The Orphic Hymns 38.18 · High-topped trees fall
Trees are torn from their roots, and the sky echoes with the rush of leaves.
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δʼ1
d’
and
ὑψικάρηνʼ2
hypsikárēn’
high-topped
δένδρεα3
déndrea
trees
πίπτει4
píptei
fall
ἐς5
es
to
χθόνα6
chthóna
the ground
ἐκ7
ek
from
ῥιζῶν8
rhizôn
their roots
, δʼ9
d’
and
ἠχὼ10
ēchṑ
the echo
οὐρανίη11
ouraníē
in the skyheavenly
κελαδεῖ12
keladeî
resounds
ῥοιζήμασι13
rhoizḗmasi
with the rushingwhirring
φύλλων14
phýllōn
of leaves
. and high-topped trees fall to the ground from their roots, and the echo in the sky resounds with the rushing of leaves.
and high-topped trees fall to the ground from their roots, and the echo in the sky resounds with the rushing of leaves.
Interpretation
and the high-topped trees fall from their roots to the ground, and the echo in the sky resounds with the rushing of leaves.
The storm is drawn with Homer's words. "High-topped," hypsikarēnos, is the Iliad's word for oaks on a mountainside that stand up to wind and rain every day, held fast by their great roots. Here the same trees come down roots and all, and even the sky echoes with the rush of the leaves.
38.20
The Orphic Hymns 38.20 · The very sons of Zeus
All their names together: Kouretes, Korybantes, lords of Samothrace, sons of Zeus, everlasting breaths.
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Kouretes, Korybantes, lords, and mighty lords in Samothrace, at once the very sons of Zeus, ever-flowing breaths, nourishers of the soul, misty,