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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 39, lines 1–3 · King of the everlasting earth
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Hymn 39 · Korybas
ΚΟΡΥΒΑΝΤΟΣ, θυμίαμα λίβανον
Of Korybas · incense: frankincense
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.
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ΚΟΡΥΒΑΝΤΟΣ1
Korýbantos
Of Korybas
. θυμίαμα2
thymíama
Incense
λίβανον3
líbanon
frankincense
. Κικλήσκω4
Kiklḗskō
I call
μέγιστον5
mégiston
the greatest
βασιλῆα6
basilêa
king
ἀενάου7
aenáou
of the everlastingever-flowing
χθονὸς8
chthonòs
earth
, Κύρβαντʼ9
Kýrbant’
Kyrbas
, ὀλβιόμοιρον10
olbiómoiron
blessed in his lot
, Ἀρήιον11
Arḗion
warlike
, ἀπροσόρατον12
aprosóraton
fearful to beholdnot to be looked on
, νυκτερινὸν13
nykterinòn
the nightly
Κουρῆτα14
Kourêta
Kourete
, ἀποπαύστορα15
apopaústora
who endsone who makes cease
δεινῶν16
deinôn
dread
φόβων17
phóbōn
fears
, 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,
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,
Interpretation
Of Korybas. Incense: frankincense. I call the greatest king of the everlasting earth, Kyrbas, blessed in his lot, warlike, fearful to look on, the Kourete of the night, who puts an end to dread fears,
Elsewhere the Korybantes are a band, the armed dancers who beat drums and clashed weapons for the Mother of the Gods in Phrygia, and Hymn 38, just before this one, gives their name to the Kouretes. Here one of them stands alone as a god. Kyrbas is a shorter form of the same name. The first title makes him king of the earth, and the rest make him a power of the night: fearful to look at, and yet the one who ends fear.
39.4
The Orphic Hymns 39.4 · Korybas of many shapes
More titles: Korybas comes to people in visions, wanders alone, and keeps changing his shape.
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helper in visions, Korybas, wandering alone, lord of changing form, god of double nature, of many forms,