Orphic Scroll #3

ΝΥΚΤΟΣ

To Nyx

fumigation: various Woods

Νύκτα θεών γενέτειραν αείσομαι ηδέ καί ανδρών

(Neek-tah theh-oh-n geh-neh-teer-an ah-ee-soh-meh ee-deh keh an-droh-n)

To Night I sing, Mother of the Gods and of Man,

Νύξ γένεσις πάντων,

(Neex geh-neh-sees pan-toh-n)

Thou Nyx who gave birth to all,

ήν καί Κύπριν καλέσωμεν

(een keh Keep-reen kah-leh-soh-men)

For this let us call Thee by the name Kypris

Κλύθι μάκαιρα θεά,

(klee-thee mah-keh-rah theh-ah)

Hear me O Blessed Goddess,

κυαναυγής, αστεροφεγγής,

(kee-ah-nav-gees, ah-steh-roh-feh-gees)

Who has the brightness of darkness, giving light to the Stars,

ησυχίη χαίρουσα καί ηρεμίη πολυύπνω.

(ee-see-see-hee-ee heh-roo-sah keh ee-reh-mee-ee poh-lee-eep-no)

Thou art happy in silence and bring very peaceful sleep.

Ευφροσύνη, τερπνή, φιλοπάννυχε, μήτερ ονείρων,

(Εv-froh-see-nee, tehr-pnee, fee-loh-an-nee-heh, mee-tehr oh-nee-roh-n)

Thou art happiness, gracefulness, Who loves the over-night celebrations, Mother of Dreams.

Ληθομέριμν αγαθην τε πόνων ανάπαυσιν έχουσα

(lee-thoh-meh-reemn ah-gah-theen teh poh-non ah-nah-pahf-seen eh-hoo-sah)

Thee who makes man forget his everyday cares and gives him beautiful rest from his labours,

υπνοδότειρα, φίλη πάντων, ελάσιππε, νυχαυγής.

(eep-noh-doh-tee-rah, fee-lee pan-toh-n, eh-lah-seep-peh, nee-hav-gees)

For You give them sleep and are friend to all, and guides the horses and lightens the night.

ημιτελής, χθονίη, ήδ ουρανίη πάλιν αυτή,

(ee-mee-teh-less, chthoh-nee-ee, eed oo-rah-nee-ee pah-leen av-teen)

Thou art divided, terrestrial and still celestial,

εγκυκλίη, παίκτειρα διώγμασιν ηεροφοίτοις.

(eh-gee-klee-ee, pek-tee-rah dee-og-mah-seen ee-eh-roh-fee-tees)

You revolve round and play with the game that Wanders through the air.

Η φάος εκπέμπεις υπό νέρτερα, καί πάλιν φεύγεις είς Αίδην.

(Ee fah-ohs ek-pem-bees ee-poh nehr-teh-rah, keh pah-leen fev-gees ees Eh-deen)

You send light into the depths of the earth and even shine upon Hades

δεινή γάρ ανάγκη πάντα κρατύνει

(dee-nee gar ah-nah-gee pan-tah krah-tee-nee)

For You govern all, The Superior, the Invincible Power, that no-one can resist.

νύν δέ, μάκαιρ ω Νύξ πολυόλβει, πάσι ποθεινή

(neen deh, mah-kehr oh Neex poh-lee-ol-vee, pah-see poh-thee-nee)

But now, O Happy Blessed Nyx, Who art for all much desired and accessible,

ευάντητε, κλύοθσα λόγων ικετηρίδα φωνήν, έλθοις ευμενέουσα,

(ev-an-tee-teh, klee-oth-sah loh-goh-n ee-keh-tee-ree-dah foh-neen, el-thees ev-men-eh-oo-sah)

Hear my imploring words and come in kind spirit

φόβους δ'απόπεμπτε νυχαυγείς.

(foh-voos dah-poh-pem-pteh nee-hav-gees)

And banish the nightly fears.