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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 43, lines 1–2 · Daughters of Themis and Zeus
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Hymn 43 · The Seasons
ΩΡΩΝ, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα
Of the Seasons · incense: aromatics
43.1
The Orphic Hymns 43.1 · Daughters of Themis and Zeus
The Seasons, the Horai, are three sisters named for the virtues of a city, daughters of Themis and Zeus.
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ΩΡΩΝ1
Hōrôn
Of the Seasons
. θυμίαμα2
thymíama
Incense
ἀρώματα3
arṓmata
aromatics
. Ὧραι4
Hôrai
Seasons
, θυγατέρες5
thygatéres
daughters
Θέμιδος6
Thémidos
of Themis
καὶ7
kaì
and
ἄνακτος8
ánaktos
of lord
Ζηνὸς9
Zēnòs
Zeus
, Εὐνομίη10
Eunomíē
EunomiaGood Order
τε11
te
—
Δίκη12
Díkē
DikeJustice
, τε13
te
—
καὶ14
kaì
and
Εἰρήνη15
Eirḗnē
EirenePeace
πολύολβε16
polýolbe
rich in blessings
, Of the Seasons. Incense: aromatics. Seasons, daughters of Themis and of lord Zeus, Eunomia, Dike, and Eirene, rich in blessings,
Of the Seasons. Incense: aromatics. Seasons, daughters of Themis and of lord Zeus, Eunomia, Dike, and Eirene, rich in blessings,
Interpretation
Of the Seasons. Incense: aromatics. Seasons, daughters of Themis and of lord Zeus, Eunomia, Dike, and Eirene rich in blessings,
"The Seasons" translates Hōrai, and the second line is almost word for word from Hesiod, who says that Zeus married Themis and she bore the Horai, Eunomia, Dike and blooming Eirene, "who watch over the works of mortal men". So the Seasons stand at once for the turning year and for the order of a city. In the Iliad they also keep the gates of heaven, opening and closing the cloud.
43.3
The Orphic Hymns 43.3 · Ever-blooming, circling, sweet-faced
The Seasons as spring: meadows, flowers of every color, scented breezes. They come round forever, dressed in robes of dewy flowers.
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of spring, of the meadows, rich in flowers, pure, of every color, full of scents in flowery breezes, ever-blooming Seasons, circling, sweet-faced, wearing dewy robes of flowers that grow in plenty,