Orphic Scroll # 29

ΠΕΡΣΕΦΟΝΗ

To Persephone

Περσεφόνη, θυγάτερ μεγάλου Διός,

(Pehr-seh-foh-nee, thee-gah-teh-r meh-gah-loo Dee-oh-s)

O Persephone, daughter of Great Dias,

ελθέ μάκαιρα, μουνογένεια θεά,

(el-theh mah-keh-rah, moo-noh-geh-nee-ah theh-ah)

Come Blessed One, Monogenetic Goddess,

κεχαρισμένα δ'ιερά δέξαι,

(keh-ha-rees-meh-nah dee-eh-rah deh-kseh)

and accept this sacrifice with contentment,

Πλούτωνος πολύτιμε δάμαρ, κεδνή, βιοδώτι,

(Ploo-toh-noh-s poh-lee-tee-meh dah-mar, ked-nee, vee-oh-doh-tee)

Precious wife of Hades, Glorified, Giver of Life,

ή κατέχεις Αίδαο πύλας υπό κεύθεα γαίης,

(ee-kah-teh-hees Eh-dah-oh pee-lah-s ee-poh kev-theh-ah geh-ees)

who holds the Gate of Hades, that leads under the earth,

Πραξιδίκη, ερατοπλόκαμος, Δηούς θάλος αγνόν,

(Prah-ksee-dee-kee, eh-rah-toh-ploh-kah-moh-s, Dee-oos thah-loh-s ag-noh-n)

Enforcer of the Law, with lovely locks of hair, twin child of purity,

Ευμενίδων γενέτειρα, καταχθονίων βασίλεια,

(Ev-meh-nee-doh-n geh-neh-tee-rah, kah-tah-chthoh-nee-on vah-see-lee-ah)

Mother of the Eumenides, Queen of the Underworld,

ήν Ζεύς αρρήτοισι γοναίς τεκνώσατο κούρην.

(een Zevs ar-ree-tee-see goh-neh-s tek-noh-sah-toh koo-reen)

the ineffiable and secret daughter of Zeus.

Μήτερ εριβρεμέτου πολυμόρφου Ευβουλήος,

(Mee-teh-r eh-ree-vreh-meh-too poh-lee-mor-foo Ev-voo-lee-oh-s)

Mother of the loud sounding, many formed Euvouleos (Bacchus),

Ωρών συμπαίκτειρα, φαεσφόρος, αγλαόμορφε,

(oh-roh-n see-bek-tee-rah, fah-es-foh-roh-s, ag-lah-oh-mor-feh)

who celebrates the times, bringer of light, thee of beautiful form,

σεμνή, παντοκράτειρα, κόρη καρποίσι βρύουσα, ευφεγγής,

(sem-nee, pan-toh-krah-tee-rah, koh-ree kar-pee-see vree-oo-sah, ev-feh-gees)

much respected, absolute ruler, fruitful and bright shinning daughter,

κερόεσσα μόνη θνητοίσι ποθεινή,

(keh-roh-es-sah moh-nee thnee-tee-see poh-thee-nee)

Only and most desired among mortals, She who is Horned,

εαρινή, λειμωνιάσιν χαίρουσα πνοήσιν,

(eh-ah-ree-nee, lee-moh-nee-ah-seen heh-roo-sah pnoh-ee-seen)

bringer of the Spring, who rejoices with the breeze of the meadows,

ιερόν εκφαίνουσα δέμας βλαστοίς χλοοκάρποις,

(ee-eh-roh-n ek-feh-noo-sah deh-mas vlahs-tees hloh-oh-kar-pees)

who manifests her holy presence before buds that bring forth the pale fruit,

αρπαγιμαία λέχη μετοπωρινά νυμφευθείσα,

(ar-pah-gee-meh-ah leh-hee meh-toh-poh-ree-nah neem-fev-thee-sah)

kidnapped and wed after the Autumn season,

ζωή καί θάνατος μούνη θνητοίς πολυμάχθοις,

(zoh-ee keh thah-nah-toh-s moo-nee thnee-tees poh-lee-mah-chthees)

Thee who art the life and death of the much laboured mortals,

Φερσεφόνεια, φέρεις γάρ αεί καί πάντα φονεύεις.

(fehr-seh-foh-nee-ah, feh-rees gar ah-ee keh pan-tah foh-nev-ees)

Phersephone, who always brings life [the spring] and is death to all [winter]

Κλύθι μάκαιρα θεά, καρπούς δ'ανάπεμπ' από γαίης,

(klee-thee mah-keh-rah theh-ah, kar-poos dah-nah-pem-pah-poh geh-ees)

Hear me O Blessed Goddess and bring forth the fruit from the earth,

ειρήνη ευόλβω, καί ηπιόχειρ, υγιείη,

(ee-ree-nee ev-ol-voh, keh ee-pee-oh-heer ee-gee-ee-ee)

pleasant peace and with your gentle hands, bring good health,

καί βίω ευόλβω, λιπαρόν γήρας κατάγοντι

(keh vee-oh ev-ol-voh, lee-pah-roh-n gee-rah-s kah-tah-gohn-tee)

and pleasant life, who guides the elderly underneath

πρός σόν χώρον, άνασσα, καί ευδύνατον Πλούτωνα.

(pros soh-n hoh-roh-n, ah-nahs-sah, keh ev-dee-nah-toh-n Ploo-toh-nah)

into your abode and to the all powerful Hades.