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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 67, lines 7–8 · Come, savior, with Hygieia
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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ἐχθρὲ1
echthrè
enemy
νόσων2
nósōn
of diseases
, ἔχων3
échōn
who have
Ὑγίειαν4
Hygíeian
HygieiaHealth
as your
ἀμεμφῆ5
amemphê
blameless
σύλλεκτρον6
sýllektron
wifepartner of the bed
, ἐλθέ7
elthé
come
μάκαρ8
mákar
blessed one
, σωτήρ9
sōtḗr
savior
, ὀπάζων10
opázōn
granting
a
ἐσθλὸν11
esthlòn
good
τέλος12
télos
end
βιοτῆς13
biotês
of life
. enemy of diseases, who have Hygieia as your blameless wife, come, blessed one, savior, granting a good end of life.
enemy of diseases, who have Hygieia as your blameless wife, come, blessed one, savior, granting a good end of life.
Interpretation
enemy of diseases, who have Hygieia as your blameless wife: come, blessed one, savior, and grant a good end to life.
Most Greek writers made Hygieia the daughter of Asclepius; this hymn makes her his wife, and the next hymn is hers. The two were worshipped side by side, and the physicians' oath that goes under the name of Hippocrates opens by swearing "by Apollo the physician, and Asclepius, and Hygieia and Panacea." Sōtēr, "savior," was one of Asclepius' commonest titles in cult. The last words ask for biotēs telos esthlon, a good end of life; telos means both an end and a fulfilment.
68.1
The Orphic Hymns 68.1 · Hygieia, mother of all
The hymn to Hygieia, Health as a goddess, follows the hymn to Asclepius and calls her queen and mother of all.
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Of Hygieia. Incense: frankincense powder. Desirable, lovely, nourisher of many, queen of all, hear, blessed Hygieia, bringer of happiness, mother of all;