Go to:

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Mesomedes' hymn to Hēlios

Mesomedes of Krete (Μεσομήδης ὁ Κρής) was a Roman-era Hellenic lyric poet and composer of the early second century AD. He was a freedman and court musician to the emperor Hadrian (reigned 117-138 CE), and created  three hymns and fifteen poems which have survived to this day. The hymns to Nemesis, the muse Calliope, and the Sun can be read here and listened to here. Today, I would like to leave you with his 'Hymn to Hēlios' because I'm a little sick and very busy, regardless.


Let the heavens be silent, 
the earth, the sea, the winds.
Mountains, valleys, echoes 
and the sons of birds, keep silent!
Phoebus of the long and beauteous hair is coming.
Father of the dawn, with eye of dazzling white,
you, with the glorious golden tresses, 
lead your rosy chariot along the limitless roads of the sky, 
following the winged footprints of the steeds,
intertwining your curling rays, 
surrounding the whole earth with your resplendent light. 
Your rivers of immortal fire give life to the smiling day. 
For your, the imperturbable chorus of stars dances on Olympus
accompanying their free melody on Phoebus' lyre; 
and in front, the pale Moon leads the rhythmic times 
of the seasons by the cadenced movement of white calves. 
Your benevolent spirit rejoices in turning the myriad-robed earth.

No comments:

Post a Comment