Orphic Hymn To Aphrodite
Ouranía, of whom many sing, laughter-loving Aphrodíti,
Sea-born, birth-giving Goddess, friend of those romantic encounters which extend to dawn, holy one,
At night, causing mortals to mate, wily mother of Necessity;
For everything comes from you, and you have bound the Kózmos;
You are sovereign over the Three Realms and are the origin of everything,
That which is in the Sky, in the fruitful Earth,
And in the deep Sea, holy attendant of Vákkhos.
You delight in festivity, nuptial, mother of the Ǽrohtæs,
Oh Seductive-one who enjoys making love, secretive, joy-giving queen,
Obvious yet hidden, aristocratic daughter with the beautiful hair,
Bridal, dining companion, sceptered by Gods, wolven;
You give us our progeny, lover of man, desirable one, life-giver;
You couple mortals in unbridled necessity
And the many kinds of wild beasts, frenzied from your charms of love;
Come, daughter of Kýpros, whether you are in Ólymbos,
Royal Goddess, delighting in your beautiful countenance.
Or on your throne in Syria, rich in frankincense,
Or riding through the plain in your golden chariot,
Or flanked by your priests at the fruitful River of Egypt,
Or riding your swan-drawn carriage upon the waves of the Sea,
Rejoicing in the little ones as they dance about in circles;
Or you delight yourself with the dark-eyed Nymphs on the divine earth,
As they lightly leap upon the sandy beaches of the sea-shore.
Or when seated in Kýpros, oh queen, with your nurse, where your beautiful
maidens and virgin Nymphs through all the year
Sing of you, happy one, and immortal holy Ádônis.
Come, blessed Goddess, who possesses an exceedingly lovely form,
For I summon you with pure words and devout soul.
