⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 38, lines 23–25 · Breathe on us, lords
38.23
The Orphic Hymns 38.23 · Breathe on us, lords
They are also the heavenly twins, the Dioskouroi, who bring fair winds; the prayer asks them to breathe kindly on the crops.
· · ·
οἵτε1
hoíte
you who
κλῄζεσθʼ2
klḗizesth’
are called
the
οὐράνιοι3
ouránioi
heavenly
δίδυμοι4
dídymoi
twins
καὶ5
kaì
too
ἐν6
en
on
Ὀλύμπῳ7
Olýmpōi
Olympus
, εὔπνοοι8
eúpnooi
fair-breathingbreathing well
, εὔδιοι9
eúdioi
bringing fair weather
, σωτήριοι10
sōtḗrioi
saving
ἠδὲ11
ēdè
and
προσηνεῖς12
prosēneîs
gentlekind
; ὡροτρόφοι13
hōrotróphoi
nourishers of the seasons
, φερέκαρποι14
pherékarpoi
fruit-bearing
ἄνακτες15
ánaktes
lords
, ἐπιπνείοιτε16
epipneíoite
may you breathe on us
. you who are called the heavenly twins too on Olympus, fair-breathing, bringing fair weather, saving and gentle; nourishers of the seasons, fruit-bearing lords, may you breathe on us.
you who are called the heavenly twins too on Olympus, fair-breathing, bringing fair weather, saving and gentle; nourishers of the seasons, fruit-bearing lords, may you breathe on us.
Interpretation
you who are also called the heavenly twins on Olympus, fair-breathing, bringing fair weather, saving and gentle; nourishers of the seasons, bringers of fruit, breathe on us, lords.
The heavenly twins are the Dioskouroi, Castor and Polydeuces, who were believed to appear to sailors in a storm and bring calm; the short Homeric Hymn to them describes the winds dropping and the waves falling still when they arrive. That is why the Kouretes, now one with them, are "fair-breathing" and "bringing fair weather." The prayer ends by asking these winds to breathe on the worshippers and to nourish the seasons and the fruit.
39.1
The Orphic Hymns 39.1 · King of the everlasting earth
A hymn to Korybas, one of the Korybantes, the armed dancers of the Phrygian Mother of the Gods. Here he stands alone, as a god of the earth and of the night.
· · ·
Of Korybas. Incense: frankincense. I call the greatest king of the everlasting earth, Kyrbas, blessed in his lot, warlike, fearful to behold, the nightly Kourete, who ends dread fears,