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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 67, lines 5–6 · Strong scion of Apollo
67.5
The Orphic Hymns 67.5 · Strong scion of Apollo
More titles: the healer makes things grow and keeps evil away, and he is the son of Apollo.
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αὐξιθαλὲς1
auxithalès
you who make things growpromoting growth
, κοῦρος2
koûros
youth
καὶ3
kaì
and
ἀλεξίκακʼ4
alexíkak’
averter of evilkeeping off harm
, ὀλβιόμοιρε5
olbiómoire
blessed in your lot
, κρατερὸν6
krateròn
strong
θάλος7
thálos
scionyoung shoot
Φοίβου8
Phoíbou
of Phoebus
Ἀπόλλωνος9
Apóllōnos
Apollo
, ἀγλαότιμον10
aglaótimon
splendidly honored
, you who make things grow, youth and averter of evil, blessed in your lot, strong scion of Phoebus Apollo, splendidly honored,
you who make things grow, youth and averter of evil, blessed in your lot, strong scion of Phoebus Apollo, splendidly honored,
Interpretation
you who make things grow, youth and averter of evil, blessed in your lot, strong scion of Phoebus Apollo, splendidly honored,
Two of these titles grow from one root, thallō, "to bloom": auxithalēs, "who makes things grow," and thalos, a young green shoot, which Homer uses for a child. So the healer is called a grower, and is himself Apollo's young shoot; his mother was the mortal Coronis. Alexikakos, "averter of evil," is older still. The Iliad uses it for a plan that might save the army, and later it was a title of Heracles, Hermes and Zeus, gods called on to keep harm away.
67.7
The Orphic Hymns 67.7 · Come, savior, with Hygieia
Asclepius is the enemy of disease and the husband of Hygieia, Health. The hymn ends: come, and grant a good end to life.
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enemy of diseases, who have Hygieia as your blameless wife, come, blessed one, savior, granting a good end of life.