⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 85, lines 3–4 · Fetters no smith has forged
85.3
The Orphic Hymns 85.3 · Fetters no smith has forged
Sleep comes to everyone and binds their bodies, though his chains are not made of metal.
· · ·
γὰρ1
gàr
for
μοῦνος2
moûnos
you alone
κρατέεις3
kratéeis
rule
πάντων4
pántōn
all
καὶ5
kaì
and
προσέρχῃ6
prosérchēi
come
πᾶσι7
pâsi
to all
, δεσμεύων8
desmeúōn
binding
σώματα9
sṓmata
bodies
ἐν10
en
in
πέδῃσι11
pédēisi
fetters
ἀχαλκεύτοισι12
achalkeútoisi
not forged of bronze
. for you alone rule all and come to all, binding bodies in fetters not forged of bronze.
for you alone rule all and come to all, binding bodies in fetters not forged of bronze.
Interpretation
for you alone rule all and come to all, binding bodies in fetters that no smith has forged.
The fetters of Sleep are achalkeutoi, "not forged of bronze": they hold the body fast, though no smith ever made them. The phrase comes from tragedy. In Aeschylus' Libation Bearers, Orestes speaks of the robe in which his father Agamemnon was caught and killed as "fetters not forged of bronze." In the hymn the same phrase describes Sleep, who binds every body each night.
85.5
The Orphic Hymns 85.5 · Freeing from care, holy comfort
Sleep gives rest from labor and comfort in every grief.
· · ·
freeing from care, holding sweet rest from labors, and offering the holy comfort for every grief;