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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 84, lines 7–8 · Receive these offerings, smiling
84.7
The Orphic Hymns 84.7 · Receive these offerings, smiling
The prayer: may Hestia smile, accept the offerings gladly, and breathe prosperity and health on the worshippers.
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μειδιόωσα1
meidióōsa
Smiling
, μάκαιρα2
mákaira
blessed one
, δέξο3
déxo
receive
τάδʼ4
tád’
these
ἱερὰ5
hierà
offerings
προθύμως6
prothýmōs
gladlyeagerly
, ἐπιπνείουσα7
epipneíousa
breathing on us
ὄλβον8
ólbon
prosperity
καὶ9
kaì
and
ἠπιόχειρʼ10
ēpiócheir’
gentle-handedwith soothing hand
ὑγίειαν11
hygíeian
health
. Smiling, blessed one, receive these offerings gladly, breathing on us prosperity and gentle-handed health.
Smiling, blessed one, receive these offerings gladly, breathing on us prosperity and gentle-handed health.
Interpretation
Smiling, blessed one, receive these offerings gladly, and breathe on us prosperity and gentle-handed health.
The prayer asks for what every household hopes for: olbos, prosperity, and hygieia, health, which is given a "soothing hand." Hestia stood at the start of Greek worship. Offerings and libations began with her, and "to begin from Hestia" was a proverb for starting at the proper place; here, near the end of the book, she is asked to receive the offerings with a smile.
85.1
The Orphic Hymns 85.1 · Sleep, lord of gods and men
The hymn to Sleep, sung over incense mixed with poppy. Sleep is lord of every living thing, gods and mortals alike.
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Of Sleep. Incense, with poppy. Sleep, lord of all the blessed and of mortal men, and of all living creatures that the broad earth feeds;