The Orphic Hymns, Hymn 15: A testimony and a prayer
The singers address Zeus twice by name and say what they are offering him: a testimony and a prayer.
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ΔΙΟΣDiósOf Zeus,θυμίαμαthymíamaIncenseστύρακαstýrakastorax.ΖεῦZeûZeusπολυτίμητεpolytímētemuch-honored,ΖεῦZeûZeusἄφθιτεáphthiteundying,τήνδεtḗndethisτοιtoito youἡμεῖςhēmeîsweμαρτυρίηνmartyríēntestimonyτιθέμεσθαtithémesthaofferλυτήριονlytḗrionof releaseἠδὲēdèand
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Hymn 15, passage by passage
- 15.1 A testimony and a prayer. Of Zeus. Incense: storax. Much-honored Zeus, undying Zeus, we offer you this testimony of…
- 15.3 Through your head all these appeared. O king, through your head all these things came easily to light: Earth, the…
- 15.6 Beginning and end of all things. Zeus, son of Kronos, sceptered, you who come down in the lightning, strong of…
- 15.10 Grant health, peace and wealth. Hear me, god of changing form, and grant perfect health, and Peace the goddess,…
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