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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 8, lines 8–10 · Golden-lyred, drawing the harmony of the world
8.8
The Orphic Hymns 8.8 · Golden-lyred, drawing the harmony of the world
The Sun guides the pious toward good things and rages against the impious. With his golden lyre he leads the world along its harmonious course.
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καθοδηγὲ1
kathodēgè
guide
καλῶν2
kalôn
to good things
εὐσεβέσιν3
eusebésin
for the pious
, ζαμενὴς4
zamenḕs
fierce
ἀσεβοῦσι5
aseboûsi
to the impious
, χρυσολύρη6
chrysolýrē
golden-lyred
, ἕλκων7
hélkōn
drawing
τὸν8
tòn
the
ἐναρμόνιον9
enarmónion
harmoniousin tune
δρόμον10
drómon
course
κόσμου11
kósmou
of the world
, σημάντωρ12
sēmántōr
heraldwho gives the signal
ἀγαθῶν13
agathôn
of good
ἔργων14
érgōn
works
, κοῦρε15
koûre
youth
ὡροτρόφε16
hōrotróphe
who brings on the seasonsnurse of the seasons
. guide to good things for the pious, fierce to the impious, golden-lyred, drawing the harmonious course of the world, herald of good works, youth who brings on the seasons.
guide to good things for the pious, fierce to the impious, golden-lyred, drawing the harmonious course of the world, herald of good works, youth who brings on the seasons.
Interpretation
guide to good things for the pious, fierce to the impious, golden-lyred, drawing the world along its harmonious course, herald of good works, youth who brings on the seasons.
Chrysolyrēs, "with lyre of gold," is a title of Apollo, and by the time of the hymns the Sun and Apollo were often taken for one god. The lyre here plays the music of the cosmos. Pythagorean philosophers taught that the heavens make music as they turn, and Aristotle, reporting their view, uses the same word the hymn uses, enarmonios, "in tune." The Sun draws the whole world along that tuned course.
8.11
The Orphic Hymns 8.11 · Father of time, eye of the world
A rush of titles: ruler, piper, healer, father of time, even Zeus. The Sun is the circling eye of the world.
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ruler of the world, piper, running a fiery course, circling round, light-bringer, many-hued, life-giving, fruitful, Paian, ever-flourishing, undefiled, father of time, immortal Zeus, serene, shining on all, the circling eye of the world,