The Orphic Hymn to Eros




Eros from the Villa of the Mysteries, Pompeii.




"Eros is the helplessness of that which is sovereign: it is strength abandoning itself to something elusive, something that stings."

~~ Roberto Calasso



The Orphic Hymns are songs of praise to the Gods that were compiled around the third century A.D., possibly in the city of Pergamon in Asia Minor. Evidently they were used in the rites of a group devoted to Orpheus, a legendary figure who taught the care of the soul through music. Below is my translation from the Greek of the Hymn to Eros, God of Love (the original Greek is appended). Why not have a singalong with that special someone (or something)? You choose the tune. Don't hold me responsible for what would happen next. (For more Orphic Hymns, go to the Gallery of the Planets.)


 

Come, great Eros, pure, beloved and sweet,

The winged archer, nimble as fire, lively and keen,

Who toys with divinities and with mortal men,

Double-natured and deft, holder of all the keys,

Of ethereal sky, of ocean, of earth, of the spirits

All-nurturing that the verdant goddess feeds us

And of vast Tartarus and the murmuring sea.

For only you have in hand the rudder of the world.

O Blessed, grant your initiates hallowed purpose

And chase paltry longings far away.

 

Kiklhskw megan, agnon, erasmion, hdun Erwta,

toxalkh, pteroenta, puridromon, eudromon ormhi,

sumpaizonta qeoiV hde qnhtoiV anqrwpoiV,

eupalamon, dijuh, pantwn klhidaV econta,

aiqeroV ouraniou, pontou, cqonoV, hd osa qnhtoiV

pneumata pantogeneqla qea boskei clookarpoV,

hd osa TartaroV euruV ecei pontoV q alidoupoV.

mounoV gar toutwn pantwn oihka kratuneiV.

alla makar, kaqaraiV gnwmaiV mustaisi sunercou,

jaulouV d ektopiouV q ormaV apo twnd apopempe.
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