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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 69, lines 7–9 · Swift as thought
69.7
The Orphic Hymns 69.7 · Swift as thought
What the Erinyes are like: wild, strong, changing in shape, invisible and fast.
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θηρόπεπλοι1
thērópeploi
clad in beast-skins
, τιμωροί2
timōroí
avengers
, ἐρισθενέες3
eristhenées
mighty
, βαρυαλγεῖς4
baryalgeîs
heavy with pain
, χθόνιαι5
chthóniai
of the underworld
Ἀίδεω6
Aídeō
of Hades
, φοβεραὶ7
phoberaì
fearful
κόραι8
kórai
maidens
, αἰολόμορφοι9
aiolómorphoi
changing in form
, ἠέριαι10
ēériai
of the air
, ἀφανεῖς11
aphaneîs
unseen
, ὠκύδρομοι12
ōkýdromoi
swift-running
ὥστε13
hṓste
as
νόημα14
nóēma
thought
, clad in beast-skins, avengers, mighty, heavy with pain, of the underworld of Hades, fearful maidens, changing in form, of the air, unseen, swift-running as thought,
clad in beast-skins, avengers, mighty, heavy with pain, of the underworld of Hades, fearful maidens, changing in form, of the air, unseen, swift-running as thought,
Interpretation
clad in the skins of beasts, avengers, mighty, heavy with pain, goddesses of the underworld of Hades, fearful maidens, changing in form, moving through the air, unseen, swift as thought,
"Swift as thought" is an old Greek measure of speed: in the Odyssey the ships of the Phaeacians are "swift as a wing or a thought," and for goddesses who hunt the guilty the comparison fits. Thēropeploi, "clad in beast-skins," most likely pictures them in the fawnskins of Bacchic revelers, the picture the first lines drew with euasteirai.
69.10
The Orphic Hymns 69.10 · The eye of Justice
Their task: to watch all humankind with the eye of Justice, as judges who never rest.
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who always watch with the eye of Justice over the countless races of all mortals, being judges forever.