⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 38, lines 8–11 · The earth rings under your feet
38.8
The Orphic Hymns 38.8 · The earth rings under your feet
Their dance becomes a storm that drives the sea and sways the trees.
· · ·
νωμᾶτʼ1
nōmât’
You swayyou steer
Ὠκεανόν2
Ōkeanón
Ocean
, νωμᾶθʼ3
nōmâth’
you sway
ἅλα4
hála
the sea
, θʼ5
th’
and
δένδρεά6
déndreá
the trees
αὕτως7
haútōs
likewisein the same way
; ἐρχόμενοι8
erchómenoi
as you come
, κοναβίζετε9
konabízete
you ringyou make resound
γαῖαν10
gaîan
the earth
with
ἐλαφροῖς11
elaphroîs
light
ποσσὶν12
possìn
feet
, μαρμαίροντες13
marmaírontes
flashing
ὅπλοις14
hóplois
with your weapons
; δὲ15
dè
and
ἅπαντες16
hápantes
all
θῆρες17
thêres
the wild beasts
πτήσσουσι18
ptḗssousi
cower
ὁρμώντων19
hormṓntōn
as you rush on
, δὲ20
dè
and
θόρυβος21
thórybos
the din
τʼ22
t’
and
βοή23
boḗ
the shout
ἵκει24
híkei
reach up
εἰς25
eis
to
οὐρανὸν26
ouranòn
the sky
, You sway Ocean, you sway the sea, and the trees likewise; as you come, you ring the earth with light feet, flashing with your weapons; and all the wild beasts cower as you rush on, and the din and the shout reach up to the sky,
You sway Ocean, you sway the sea, and the trees likewise; as you come, you ring the earth with light feet, flashing with your weapons; and all the wild beasts cower as you rush on, and the din and the shout reach up to the sky,
Interpretation
you sway Ocean, you sway the sea, and the trees as well; as you come you make the earth ring under your light feet, flashing in your armor; all the wild beasts cower as you rush on, and the din and the shouting reach up to the sky,
The dance of the Kouretes is now a force of nature. Their steps make the earth ring, their armor flashes, the beasts cower and the noise rises to heaven; at the same time they drive Ocean, the sea and the forests, the way a wind does. The verb nōmate, "you sway," is the word for a warrior handling his spear or a helmsman his steering oar, and here the Kouretes handle the sea and the trees.
38.12
The Orphic Hymns 38.12 · Then all the flowers bloom
The dust of their dancing reaches the clouds, and when they have passed, everything flowers.
· · ·
and from the whirling of your feet the dust reaches the clouds as you come; then indeed all the flowers bloom too.