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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 46, lines 4–5 · Dancing in the woods with the Nymphs
46.4
The Orphic Hymns 46.4 · Dancing in the woods with the Nymphs
As a young god he danced in the woods with the Nymphs, driven by Bacchic frenzy.
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ὅς1
hós
you who
ποτʼ2
pot’
once
πάλλες3
pálles
shook
your
κεχορευμένα4
kechoreuména
dancingdanced
βήματα5
bḗmata
steps
ἀνὰ6
anà
through
δρυμοὺς7
drymoùs
the woods
σὺν8
sỳn
with
χαρίεσσιν9
charíessin
the graceful
νύμφαις10
nýmphais
Nymphs
, ἐλαυνόμενος11
elaunómenos
driven
μανίῃσι12
maníēisi
by frenzies
, you who once shook your dancing steps through the woods with the graceful Nymphs, driven by frenzies,
you who once shook your dancing steps through the woods with the graceful Nymphs, driven by frenzies,
Interpretation
you who once danced your swift steps through the woods with the graceful Nymphs, driven by frenzy,
The young god dances in the woods with the Nymphs, "driven by frenzies", maniai. That is the word Socrates uses in Plato's Phaedrus when he divides divine madness into four kinds and gives one of them, the madness of initiations and rites, to Dionysus.
46.6
The Orphic Hymns 46.6 · Raised by Persephone
By Zeus's plan the child was taken to Persephone and raised by her, dear to the gods, and the prayer asks him to come and accept the offerings.
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and by the plans of Zeus brought to noble Persephone, you were raised, dear to the immortal gods. Come kindly, blessed one, and receive the welcome offerings.