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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 71, lines 10–12 · Send the frenzy away
71.10
The Orphic Hymns 71.10 · Send the frenzy away
The prayer: let her send madness far away and show her initiates a kind face.
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ἀλλά1
allá
But
θεά2
theá
goddess
, λίτομαί3
lítomaí
I pray
σε4
se
you
, βασίλεια5
basíleia
queen
καταχθονίων6
katachthoníōn
of those under the earth
, ἐκπέμποις7
ekpémpois
may you send away
οἶστρον8
oîstron
the frenzygadfly
ψυχῆς9
psychês
of the soul
ἐπὶ10
epì
to
τέρματα11
térmata
the ends
γαίης12
gaíēs
of the earth
, φαίνουσα13
phaínousa
showing
μύσταις14
mýstais
to the initiates
εὐμενὲς15
eumenès
a kindly
εὐίερον16
euíeron
holy
πρόσωπον17
prósōpon
face
. But, goddess, I pray you, queen of those under the earth, may you send away the frenzy of the soul to the ends of the earth, showing to the initiates a kindly, holy face.
But, goddess, I pray you, queen of those under the earth, may you send away the frenzy of the soul to the ends of the earth, showing to the initiates a kindly, holy face.
Interpretation
But, goddess, queen of those under the earth, I pray you: send the frenzy of the soul away to the ends of the earth, and show your initiates a kindly, holy face.
The request answers the fear. The goddess who drives people mad is asked to send the oistros, the gadfly-sting of frenzy, away "to the ends of the earth," where it can harm no one. The hymn to Pan (11) ends with almost the same words, sending the panic frenzy he causes to the ends of the earth. To the initiates, the mystai, Melinoe is asked to show the other side of her double nature, a kindly face.
72.1
The Orphic Hymns 72.1 · Come, Tyche
The hymn to Tyche, Fortune, calls her to come and fulfil prayers for prosperity.
· · ·
Of Tyche. Incense: frankincense. Come here, Tyche; I call you, good fulfiller of prayers, gentle, of the roads, for rich possessions,