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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 74, lines 3–4 · Ruler of the deep-chested sea
74.3
The Orphic Hymns 74.3 · Ruler of the deep-chested sea
Leukothea now rules the sea and delights in its waves; she is the great savior of those at sea.
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κλῦθι1
klŷthi
Hear
θεά2
theá
goddess
, μεδέουσα3
medéousa
ruling over
the
βαθυστέρνου4
bathystérnou
deep-chested
πόντοιο5
póntoio
sea
, τερπομένη6
terpoménē
delighting
κύμασι7
kýmasi
in the waves
, μεγίστη8
megístē
greatest
σώτειρα9
sṓteira
savior
θνητῶν10
thnētôn
of mortals
; Hear, goddess, ruling over the deep-chested sea, delighting in the waves, greatest savior of mortals;
Hear, goddess, ruling over the deep-chested sea, delighting in the waves, greatest savior of mortals;
Interpretation
Hear, goddess, ruler of the deep-chested sea, delighting in the waves, greatest savior of mortals;
Bathysternos, "deep-chested," is a word Pindar uses of a lion and of the broad earth; given to the sea, it pictures the open water as a vast chest rising and falling with the swell. The goddess who once leapt into that sea to die now "delights in the waves" and rules them.
74.5
The Orphic Hymns 74.5 · The restless course of ships
Why sailors call on her: the voyages of ships are in her power, and she alone can save the drowning.
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For in you is the restless, sea-running course of ships, and you alone undo the pitiful doom of mortals at sea, for those to whom you come rushing, a friendly savior.