IX.viii. heading home ( hear and respond ) for a hug ( pt. 2 )
characters in the dialogue
GAIA ( Γαῖα ) ( she - dyad earth )
ALPHA CRONE ( Γραῦς Α ) ( an old woman )
KUKNEION ( κύκνειος ) ( it - of a swan )
TRAGOS ( Σωκράτης ) ( a goat )
STRATEGIDOS ( Γραῦς Α ) ( she - commander )
QUEEN BEE ( Γραῦς Α ) ( queen of bees )
MELISSAN ( μελισσᾶν ) ( of she - bees ) ( etc. )
FLOWERS ( Γραῦς Α ) ( ἄνθος ) ( a flower )
MOON ( Σωκράτης ) ( μής ) ( the moon )
WINTER ( Νεᾶνις ) ( she - season - accused )
//
FLOWERS:
( wonder, you ! )( marvel, you ! )
( admire ! )( be delighted ! )( feel envy, you ! )
( anger at ! )( bear a grudge ! )( be jealous, you ! )
( youre wondering )( youre admiring )
( wondering at )( delighted with )
( youre feeling envy )( bearing a grudge )
( youre jealous of )( youre angry at )
( we would wonder at )( we would admire )
( we would delight )( we would be delighted with )
( we would feel envy )( wed bear a grudge )
( wed be jealous of )( wed be angry at )
( we wonder at )( we admire )( we delight )
( we envy )( were jealous )( we anger )
( we grudge )( grudge, you ! )( we grudge )
( ‘γὼ )
MELISSAN:
why would we be angry
or bear a grudge or even
imper - a - grudge at you ?
FLOWERS:
( we would be broken - shivered )( we would be
crashed - through )( our course would be broken )
( wed be winding and spreading around )
( ‘γὼ )
MELISSAN:
so it causes a non - neglible amount
of fuzzy - chaos in our life ( its true )
but what would it look like
when we take it studiously
( she - dyad ) ( its )
and practice ( workers bee ! ) well
from your perspective ?
FLOWERS:
( we )( would )( lead )( carry )( fetch )( bring )
( take with )( carry off )( lead forcibly away )
( we )( would )( harry )( we )( would )( ravage )
( we )( would )( bring together )( we carry before
a court of justice )( we bring it into the state )
( we carry as cargo )( import )( we draw -
on )( wed bring - on )( wed bear - up )( wed carry
far - and - wide )( wed spread abroad )( wed lead
towards a point )( wed lead on )( wed guide )
( wed march )( wed manage )( we would conduct
an inquiry )( we would refer )( we d attribute )
( wed bring up )( train )( educate )( reduce )
( wed draw out at length )( wed draw a line )
( wed describe a plane )( we hold and celebrate )
( we keep and observe )( we would sustain
and maintain )( we hold account and treat )
( we believe in )( we draw down in the scale )
( we would weigh )
‘γὼ
MELISSAN:
indeed these sound like weighty
and important things to do.
how would you advise me
to treat my other self ( o him -
accused ) even in times of stress ?
FLOWERS:
( love, you ! )( regard with affection, you ! )
( treat affectionately too ! )( treat kindly ! )
( show outward signs of love )( kiss, you ! )
( kiss on the mouth ! )( like ! )( approve ! )
( love to do it, you ! )( be fond of doing it )
( and so grow wont and used to doing it , , , )
the( him - accused )beloved( dear )( friend )
( greatest friend )( friend as an other - self )
( friend and lover )( dear one )( darling )
( kith and kin )( wife )( mother )( mistress )
( object of love )( whats loved )( nearest
and dearest )( of things and its )( pleasant )
( welcome )( after ones heart )( ones own )
( loving )( friendly )( kindly )( pleasing )
( love, you ! )( regard with affection, you ! )
( treat affectionately too ! )( treat kindly ! )
τὸν φίλον
MELISSAN:
thats beautiful, O flowers.
and what would you wish for us
as we go through it ( it - him ) ?
FLOWERS:
( to - )by( - for )which( him - it )may( we )be - we - with
( may we be joined - as - we )( to - by - for )( him - it )
( may we be haunted by dreams of we )( to - by - for )( him - it )
( may we be acquainted as we )( engaged - in - we )
( may we have we - inter - course )( to - by - for )( him - it )
( may we live with we )( may we have we - sex )
( may we we - copulate )( may we attend we
and associate with we )( being - we - followers )
( we - partisans )( we - associates )( we - disciples )
( we - guests )( we - comrades )( attending - on - we )
( may we favour we )( may we accompany )
( may we have dealings with we )( may we bring
or set together we )( may we hear we )
( may we perceive we )( may we be aware of we )
( may we take notice of we )( may we observe we )
( may we understand )( we - languages )
ᾧπερ ξυνείην,
KUKNEION:
its wishes shone a mighty flickering from afar.
but { on the street } there would be obstacles
it navigates in ways that feel alone,
MOON:
but towards( upon )( against )( with )( beside )
( over and above )( to )( so as to face )( by . . . light )
( in reply to )( in accusation )( at the hands of )
( before a witness )( in the eyes of )( towards or near
a certain time )( at or about a time )( in reference to )
( in respect of )( touching )( of relations to )( concern )
( relatively to )( in consequence of )( in view of )
( with a view to )( in relation to )( in comparison with )
( between )( under )( in spite of )( so as to )
( as much or little as )( calculated to )( by means of )
( for the sake of )( on the basis of )( equal in value to )
( suitably to )( according to )( in accordance with )
( as measured by )( with the accompaniment of )
( in proportion to )( in relation to )
πρὸς δὲ
KUKNEION:
in relation to her ( she - dyad ) self
through the ( it - dyad ) way
( we become ) she becomes
and it becomes ,
MOON:
Meleton( him - accused )
( it - dyad )( would be an object of care and thought )
( you - dyad )( would be an object of care and thought )
( it - dyad )( would be well - known )( would weigh - on )
( you - dyad )( would be well - known )( would weigh - on )
( it - dyad )( would care for )( take an interest in )
( be busied with )( attending to )( caring for )( anxious ? )
( you - dyad - would care for )( take an interest in )( be
busied with )( attending to )( caring for )( anxious ? )
Μέλητον
KUKNEION:
aiming towards becoming what ?
MOON:
the( him - acc )good( o it - voc - nom - acc )( him - accused )
( well - become )( becoming - well )( gentle )( brave )
( valiant )( good )( capable )( serviceable )( blessing )
( benefit )( and goods of fortune )( treasure )( wealth )
( the good thing )( the dainty )( the good quality )
( the good points of a horse )( aristo - crat - accused )
τὸν ἀγαθὸν
KUKNEION:
so that through care of she - dyad for herself
she becomes good in and of herself ( she - nom )
and becomes good in and of himself ( he - accused )
and good in relation also to others?
MOON:
and( indeed )( him - her - acc )city - loving
( patriotic )( loving the city )( him - her - accused )
( him - beloved - accused )( of she - city - accused )
( beloved )( dear )( friend )( object of love )
( of the city )( of the Politeia )( city - beloved ),
καὶ φιλόπολιν,
GAIA:
but still as unconcealing parts
of herself they must navigate alone
{ and then all the sweet thoughts }
may become a kind of self - absorption . . .
FLOWERS:
but still( otherwise )( at least )( yet )
( o - other - its - and - it - voc - nom - acc )
( o - other - shes - nom )( o other he )
( to - by - for )( other - she )
ἀλλ᾽
MELISSAN:
O flowers ! O so many flowers ! O so many kinds !
and my ( shallow ) desire to come and go
FLOWERS:
upon( epi + acc )( on to )( thereon )( - foremost )( joining )( under )
( up to )( as far as )( - fold )( enough )( way )( still )( to )( at )
( before )( into the presence of )( at the door of )( there - at )
( in file )( towards )( in )( on . . . side )( towards )( following )
( on )( with )( against )( to . . . prejudice )( over )( in answer )
( among )( for or during )( of time )( up to )( until )
( for . . . purpose or end )( as )( so far as regards )( thrusting
home )( in the direction of )( in quest of )( in reference to that
toward which one turns or proceeds )( to directing the sight
or voice )( to seeing something )( to being brought into sorrow )
( in view of )( for )( in reference to adjusting to )( bringing into
comformity with )( to bringing into a specified formation )
( to being in such a formation )( to placing, setting, seating
or sitting on or at )( to falling on a part of the body )( to a part
by which one is seized )( to motion over or on )( to pouring
liquid over or on )( to a surface on which displayed )( to
a division or distribution among persons )( covering )
( to a part of the body on which one lies )( over )
( according to )( by )( as well )( besides )( in response )
( in addition )( too )( in accompaniment with )
ἐφ᾽
MELISSAN:
every - single - eachly - precious flower . . .
and when a flower has filled me up,
my desire turns towards
QUEEN BEE:
( o - it - full )( him - accused )( one or )( the )other
( of two )( of more ! )( commonly of the left hand )
( another )( of another kind )( different )
( o other than ) ,
ἕτερον
MELISSAN:
my thirst for thirsting unlimited !
QUEEN BEE:
if( thereupon - spreading all over - throughout ) ,
ἂν
MELISSAN:
O yes indeed, my queen, to that . . .
O so many flowers . . .
FLOWERS:
( it )would fly( as the flight )( of birds )( of bees )
( of gnats )( of a departing spirit )( of young children )
( of arrows )( javelins )( it would fall suddenly )
( dive )( dart )( rush )( make haste )( be on the wing )
( flutter )( of uncertain hopes )( of a butterfly )
( of fame )( fly abroad )( fly hither and thither )
πέτοιτο.
KUKNEION:
so the more ways the bees would fly
the more they would be { slowing
me down } on my way home,
to see you and, well, to get relief,
to put my feet up and my thinking down ,
as until then,
MOON:
as( so )( like )( thus )( how )( when )( where )
( as much as )( according as )( compared with )
( than )( so far as )( how )( however )( whenever )
( that )( since )( because )( in order that )( so that )
( such that )( inasmuch as )( how )( as it were )
( his - hims - accused )( as it were )( how )
( inasmuch as )( such that )( so that )( in order
that )( because )( since )( that )( whenever )( how -
ever )( how )( so far as )( than )( compared with )
( according as )( as much as )( where )( when )
( how )( thus )( like )( so )( as ) ,
ὥς
KUKNEION:
all along the watchtower
she would keep the view
while all the worker bees came and went around
barefoot princes ( drones ? ) too
so that outside in the distance, her
MOON:
( it )( would )say( affirm )( assert )( speak )
( think )( deem )( suppose )( fancy )( i.e. write )
( allege )( command )( order ) ,
φησι,
KUKNEION:
even as a wildcat did growl ,
GAIA:
and indeed not all that we would say
would be of summertimes { that flood
my heart with warmth } and flowers ,
but we would sometimes speak of winter ,
KUKNEION:
even as dyad - horses approaching ,
even as the wind begins to howl ,
WINTER:
( o )( we would be )( he - )( time of
the crescent moon )( - accused )
( μὴ )
MELISSAN:
oh no its beginning to feel cold . . .
and the if
( of nectar
flowing
slows )
toward
no . . .
why must earth winter ?
WINTER:
not( it )bears( its bearing )ill - will( or malice )
( bearing a grudge )( being envious )( being jealous )
( feeling righteous indignation at )( or resentment )
( not refusing from feelings of envy or ill - will
or a grudge )( not to be grudging )( and not )
( bear ill - will, you ! )( bear malice ! )( be jealous ! )
( not )( you bear ill - will )( youre malicious )
( not it )( not you )( be jealous )
(900) μὴ φθόνει
MELISSAN:
but still my thirsting doesnt slow,
and there remain so many un - touched flowers . . .
who would care for the un - touched flowers ?
WINTER:
( to - )by( - for )the( shes )young( youthful )( new )
( fresh )( even unexpected )( even strange )
( even by the new moon seeming dark )( even
seeming - un - toward )( even seeming - evil ) ,
MELISSAN:
but what becomes of me in winter ?
whereby my bee - hive - home ?
WINTER:
( to - by - for )( the - she - ships )( vessels )
( temple - dwellings ) ,
MELISSAN:
but arent we abandoning them to winter ?
how would that help my precious flowers ?
who will maintain and probe them ?
who will keep making them laugh ?
and where would all the flowers go ?
WINTER:
( to - by - for )( she - fallow - land )
( to - by - for )( she - ploughing )( she - sowing )
( she - reinvigorating )( she - rejuvenating )
( it would plough - up after lying fallow ) ,
ταῖσιν νέαισι.
MELISSAN:
oh no ! youre speaking
( to - )by( - for ) me flower death ?
( and my humming grows agitated )
as it seems to me, they die, we die ,
but oh oh oh,
but no no no,
but why ?
why must flowers die
if winter ?
WINTER:
for( because )the( it - full )delicate( it - full )( him - accused )
( dainty )( of fish )( tender )( soft - fleshed )( of
almonds )( dainty - softness )( effiminate )( of
babies )( luxurious )( of a medicine )( voluptuous )
( indulgence )( sumptuousness )( wanton )
( it - full )( him - accused )
τὸ τρυφερὸν γὰρ
MELISSAN:
because as its weve grown completely full?
because its been fattened - up for . . .
( humming at a steady peak — ) O
WINTER:
( it )has im - planted( planted - in )
( the she - soul ? )( to grow ! )
( im - plant it, you ! )
ἐμπέφυκε
MELISSAN:
but im - plant in it - she
by what part of me ?
WINTER:
( to - by - for )the( hims and its )soft - to - touch
( tender )( of the human body )( of young animals )
( of flowers )( of the soul )( delicate )( of raw fruit )
( of tender meat )( soft - boiled )( of eggs )( gentle )
( weak ? )( to - by - for )( hims )thighs( thigh - bones )
( with flesh )( offered for sacrifice )( leg - bones )
τοῖς ἁπαλοῖσι μηροῖς
MELISSAN:
you cant possibly mean —
by my little bee - stinger !?
WINTER:
( and - indeed )on( epi + dat )( upon )( thereat )( thereupon )
( besides )( too )( following )( succession )( accompaniment )
( in answer or response )( in charge of )( to )( towards )
( at )( on to )( over )( thrusting or pushing home )
( against )( bestowing a name )( attaching to )
( among )( in the enjoyment of )( implying penetration
into )( in )( for )( with a view to )( in consideration of )
( in the case of )( in the matter of )( on the occasion of )
( in honor of )( for )( in comparison with )( at the hands of )
( after )( following )( during )( in the space of )
κἀπὶ
MELISSAN:
( bees humming suddenly low and quiet )
but what could possibly happen
if my venoms put into herself ?
isnt that violence against the earth ?
and as it ( - me ) who stings kills ( her - ) it - self
wont it simply harm us both ?
what would it produce ?
WINTER:
( to - by - for )the( hims and its )apples( its - its - its )
( or any tree - fruit )( rose - apple )( quince )( peach )
( apricot )( crab - apple )( plum )( citrus )( gourds )
( rose - hips )( its - hers - bodies - breasts )( cheeks )
( tears )( fat - round - tears - and - sweets - withal )
( swellings - under - the - eyes )( tonsils )( apple -
shaped - cups )( drink ? )( sheeps or goats )( more its )
( its )( rams )( wethers )( small cattle )( bulls )( beasts )
( sacrificial beasts )( beasts of chase )( small animals )
( to - by - for )( white - tail )( white - tail )( come and go )
( to - by - for )( secrets )( under - stinging )( secrets )
τοῖς μήλοις
MELISSAN:
and lose my little life
some ( to - by - for ) mystery ,
if youre sure,
all for the sake of . . .
WINTER:
( it )blooms - upon( its blooming )( in flower )
( of any thing that forms on the surface )
( hair turning grey )( being on the surface )
( showing itself )( appearing plainly )
( being bright )( silver ? )( bloom, you ! )( appear
on the surface ! )( show yourself ! )( be bright,
you ! )( youre blooming and being bright - on )
( epi + anthei )
( ἐπανθεῖ )
MELISSAN:
( it stings )
WINTER:
( to - by - for )( him - her - self )( ALL )( it - full )
( all )( him - accused )( youre the running )( run, you ! )
( youre the speed )( speed, you ! )( you extend )( ex -
tend, you ! )( of men )( of horses )( of motion of a ship )
( its running )( its rolling )( its flying )( its shining )
( of a rolling stone )( of a diskos )( of a potters wheel )
( youre shining )( shine, you ! )( youre gleaming )( gleam ! )
( e + pan + thei )
( ἐπανθεῖ )
MELISSAN:
( it dies )
WINTER:
( o - he - PAN - voc - nom - acc )( to - by - for )( PAN )
( may it )( gaze in wonder )( contemplate )( behold ! )
( to - for - by )( itself — )
ἐπανθεῖ:
KUKNEION:
O she of mysteries ! O she unconcealed !
O what have we borne witness to ! O Pan !
and the account ( him - acc ) we have beheld has trans -
fixed me { but we wont stop } as she orders me
to keep going, to keep following the road ,
even after its death ,
MOON:
and( indeed )the( hims - acc )latter( hims - accused )
( coming after )( behind )( slower - than )( next )
( after )( later )( too late ? )( posterior )( second )( below )
καὶ τοὺς ὑστέρους
KUKNEION:
we have no choice
following its way of tears
but to live on ,
MOON:
( meta + gen )( in the midst of )( among )( between )
( with )( in common )( along with )( by aid of )( in co -
operation with )( on its side )( together with )( com -
panions )( in conjunction with )( in dealings with )
( by means of )( during )
KUKNEION:
of its ( earths - ges ) generosity
MOON:
( meta + dat )( between )( among )( in company -
with )( belonging to )( between )( between )( be -
tween )( besides )( over - and - above )( with )( to com -
plete the number )( i.e. after )( of collective names )
KUKNEION:
by its rejuvenating youth
MOON:
into the middle of( meta + acc )( coming into )( among )
( of things )( into the midst of )( in pursuit of )( in quest -
of )( to seek )( to go after )( in search of )( after )( behind )
( beyond )( on the far side of )( next to )( there - upon )
( there - after )( next - after )( next - to )( according to )
( as . . . wish )( i.e. the heart )( between )( including )
KUKNEION:
the burning in the heart - accused
MOON:
( meta - adv )( among them )( with them )( with him -
accused )( and then )( next afterwards )( there -
after )( when past )
KUKNEION:
reflecting upon itself
MOON:
( meta - in composition )( of community )
( of participation )( in common with another )
( in the midst of )( between )( of succession
of time )( of pursuit )( of letting - go )
( after )( behind )( reversely )
( of change )
μετὰ
KUKNEION:
in forgiveness of
MOON:
this( she - dyad - accused )
( o its - voc - nom - acc - full )
ταῦτα
KUKNEION:
and what would her ( of Gaia )
second self ( o Moon - he - nom ) do back
to balance ( axios ) the scale ?
MOON:
( we )would( will )try( make trial of )( test )
( may we tempt )( may we make an attempt -
on )( may we make trial of it )( we would make -
proof or trial of . . . )( we would try its fortune )
( we would try its chances at )( we would make
a demonstration )( we would try conclusions with )
( we would tempt )( and lead it on )( to test )
( put to the proof )( its veracity )( its knowledge )
( its fidelity )( its ability )( to go in quest )( so
to examine )( to find out about to its cost )( to feel )
( to have experience of )( to find by experience )
( try its fortune )( trying the chances of war )
( make trial of its powers )( put it to the test )
( seek to seduce ? )( to tempt ? )( to attack ? )
πειράσομαι
KUKNEION:
and we observe the moon
in our con - templ - ation
becoming an experiment
MOON:
to speak in defense( defend the self )( in reference
or in answer to evidence )( speak in behalf )
( to - will - be - fond of speaking )( sprung from )
( shot from )( away off )( back again )( finishing -
off )( completing )( being - fond - of - speaking )
KUKNEION:
in com - pletions
MOON:
( of earth )( of land )( ges )( of ground )( of earth ).
ἀπολογήσασθαι.
GAIA:
but even when youre dead as this
{ we talk to you when you sleep }
deep - in - self - negotiation
WINTER:
but you( nom )
O( we would be )old woman( she - voc )
( o an old wife )( o the scum of boiled
milk )( o sea - crab )( o cancer )
( o a kind of locust )
( o crone ),
σὺ δ᾽ ὦ γραῦ,
FLOWER( PRESSED ):
o witchs tit
did you ever notice
in the lexicon
how close they are
γραῦ . . . γράφεα
WINTER:
( you )ve been plucked( like superfluous hair )
( youve had your eyebrows plucked )( and youve
been lain - with )( you have been fucked )
( youve sailed )( youve coasted - along
the coast )( you didnt land )( youve spoke beside
the point )( youve wandered in talk )
( youve raved )( youve spoken incidentally )
( youve been cited )( its been added - to -
what youve been said )
παραλέλεξαι
FLOWER( PRESSED ):
and
we
feel
flat
WINTER:
( and - indeed )( you )have rubbed( chafed )
( massaged yourself )( rubbed clean )
( youve been given a drubbing )( rubbed -
down - yourself )( worn - yourself - away )
( rubbed - in )( stone - crumbled into wine )
( youve caused to be given you )( been
anointed )( painted )( rubbed cosmetics -
in )( become familiar with )
κἀντέτριψαι,
FLOWER( PRESSED ):
exhausted - it
ink - spent
( the written word )
you - by
WINTER:
( to - by - for )the( him - it )( anyone )( him - it )
( to - by - for )( someone )( anyone )( anything )( in -
this - wise )( the written - word - in - here - ntly - author -
less )( to - by - for )death( natural or violent )
( or death - penalty )( to - by - for )( him - corpse )
( may it desire to die )( may it
be death - toward )
(905) τῷ θανάτῳ
FLOWER( PRESSED ):
to be ,
to not to be ,
to be ,
WINTER:
( it - voc - nom - acc )object of care
( beloved object )( darling it )
( charge )( duty )
( o - it - full )
μέλημα.
FLOWER( PRESSED ):
the( it - full )
object of care( o it - full )
( o beloved object - it - full )
( o darling - it - full )mine
( my - it - full )( him - accused )
( our - it - full )( him - accused )
( o - he - thrower - darter )( shoulder
with the upper arm - him - accused )
( my - it - full )( raw )( uncooked )( savage -
fierce )( of water - crude - of milk )( unripe )
( cruel )( of pitch - unbaked )( of food - un -
digested )( harsh )( o rough )( o cruel -
beloved - it - untimely )( o it - premature )
( it - undressed - full )( o him - accused )
( ah ! )( we would be )( o - her - nom )
( ah ! )( o ! )( woe, woe ! )( alone - all -
full )( o - solitary - she )( you - it - we
will be alone )( o - shes - abiding )
( o - shes - tarrying )( o - shes - delay )
( o - shes - permanence )
( to - by - for )( she -
station )
τὸ μέλημα τὦμον ( Sappho 163 )
KUKNEION:
we cant stop watching her delay
we cant stop wanting to round her out
but all the same, my dream imperative,
we { cant stop } following the winding road ,
TRAGOS:
for back( again )( anew )( in turn )( bow wow )
( o - she - he - nom - nom )( the heap )( the beach )
( the sandy desert )( the shore )( the sand - bank )
( the sand )( the mud )( the ooze )( at sea - bottom )
( the shore - weed )( hereafter )( on the other hand )
αὖθις γὰρ
KUKNEION:
always seeking where we come from ,
we are always seeking home ,
TRAGOS:
this( o dyad - god )( she was binding )( bind, you )
( dog - needed - bound )( she was in - need )( need, you )
( the dyad-god )( indeed )( must be we )then,
δή,
KUKNEION:
this - being - on - the - way ,
GAIA:
so we seat myself
wherever you left me last
{ and wait for the day }
you write me out
fully - due ,
FLOWERS:
( may )( it )fall - out( fall - from )( fall - down )
( may it fall )( out - of - my - hands )( out - of - my - arms )
( of tears )( may they fall )( may they be shed )
( of trees )( of meteors )( may they fall from the sky )
( of ships )( may they suffer shipwreck )( so that )
( of sailors )( may they be cast - ashore )( cast - up )
( and may they be deprived )( be driven - out )
( may they be banished from a safe place )
( of limbs )( may they be dislocated )
( of flesh )( may it mortify and separate - from -
itself )( may it go - forth )( may it sally - out )( un -
dead )( of suns rays )( may they issue - forth )
( of votes )( may it come - out )( may it turn - out )
( of lots )( of destinies )( may it happen )( now )
( of prisoners )( may they escape )( the sentence )
( may they issue oracles )( may it be published )
( may it become known )( may it depart )( may it even
digress )( may it miss the sense )( may it fall - out -
side of a class )( may it - escape )( it )( un - awares )
( may it fail )( and may it lack )
( may it degenerate )( may it slip )( may it come
to naught )( may it be dilapidated )( may it be hissed -
off the stage )( may it lose its self - control )
( may it now and always miss its mark )
( may it arise from its )( may its arise from it )
( may it cease to be current )( may it - currency - it )
( may it run to excess )( may it - being - produced )
( and may it die )( may it be rubbish - heap -
re - duced )
ἐκπέσοι
KUKNEION:
and may we be back to talking with you,
ALPHA CRONE:
of you( gen )( your - him - it - gen )( shoo, shoo ! )
( be quick ! )( run - rush - dart - shoot - along ! )
( go ! )( be departed ! )( gush out ! )( be flux ! )
( erupt ! )( hasten ! )( speed - along, you ! )
σου
KUKNEION:
but where should we exit - through ?
ALPHA CRONE:
the( o - it - full )hole( o - she - dyad - full )
( o she - nom )( perforation )( aperture )( orifice )
( foramen caecum - a little hole - in the skull )
( hole in the beam of a balance )( the holes
or pips of dice )( a bored hole )
τὸ τρῆμα
KUKNEION:
all of we
or just we - two ?
ALPHA CRONE:
( both )the( o - it - full )and( you - accused )
( o - it - full )couch( arm - chair )( straight - backed -
chair )( chair - back )( lean - and - lie -
upon )( o - shabby - poet )( my -
little - pet )
τό τ᾽ ἐπίκλιντρον
KUKNEION:
( does she mean me ? )
what loop are we going through ?
ALPHA CRONE:
( may )( you )will throw( - it - )off( cast )( - it - )( off )
( you will throw - away )( reject )( shed )( jettison )( ex -
pose )( despise )( reject )( sell - too - cheap )( lose )
( drop )( degrade )( may )( you )( will throw - off - away - at -
a - distance )( a - sunder )( in - to )( backwards - in - re -
storation )( re - quitting )( of - he - finishing - of )( of - he -
completing )( of - he - re - versing )( of he - thresh -
hold - genitive )( of mount Olympos )
ἀποβάλοιο
KUKNEION:
O crone, that sounds like a mighty it - task,
to throw - off - its - it. and how
would it - me do that ?
ALPHA CRONE:
( o - she - nom )wishing( willing )( being willing )
( that she would )( if it pleases )( if its liked )
( meaning )( professing )( pretending to be )
( tending to be )( being wont )( preferring )
( wishing - we - being - we - willing )
βουλομένη
KUKNEION:
and may she ! so
to sum - up. weve gone -
through the secret willing -
wishing - mindings of its,
and now we would go -
through the wishing -
willing - minding of she ( nom ) ?
and its related to this hole
( τὸ τρῆμα ) the ( it - full )( she - dyad -
full ) whole - hole ?
ALPHA CRONE:
to pound( being - pounded )( to smite )( being - smit )
( smitten )( to crush )( being - crushed )( to pelt )
( being - pelted )( to dash )( being - dashed )
( to handle roughly )( being - roughly handled )
( to devour )( being - devoured ),
σποδεῖσθαι,
KUKNEION:
O wow. will we ( she - nom ) become
a middle - voice - verb ?
we contemplate how . . .
MOON:
( and - indeed )upon( epi + gen )( on )( supported )( at )( near )
( off )( - ward )( in the passage concerning )( by )
( at )( in dependence upon )( an anchor )( an attendant )
( by )( depth )( deep )( in file )( in line )( length )( wide )
( before )( in the presence of )( in the case of )
( towards )( near )( upon . . . and left it there )( to . . .
and leave there )( to meet )( with a view to )
( in the time of )( over )( after )( equally )( for )
( in respect of )( concerning ) ,
κἀπὶ
KUKNEION:
thank you very ( apple ) much, O Moon.
so thats its ( - full ) relation to a genitive.
O Crone, what genitive would you lead me to ?
ALPHA CRONE:
the( she - genitive )that on which one lies
( a couch )( used - both - at meals or for a bed )
( a bier )( a grave - niche )( also a feast - banquet )
( τῆς κλίνης )
KUKNEION:
O crone, would you explain to me
our middle - voicing - verb ?
what does it do to we ?
what happens to ( our ) it ?
ALPHA CRONE:
( you lay it down )( you sink down )( you couch )
( you lie back )( you recline )( you fall from up -
right )( you come - down )( you lean - upon )( - against )
( it turns you )( - the eyes - )( it causes you )( - a foe - )
( to give - way )( it puts you )( - to flight - )( it turns
the fortune of )( you - two )( it causes )( the - you -
balance )( to incline or turn )( it decides )( you - battle )
( it causes you )( to lean )( to set )( to support )( against it )
( it inclines you )( to lean )( to stay )( in a specified way )
( it inclines you )( to bend )( to turn aside )( to turn away )
( it moves you )( it causes you to go aside )( sub - servient )
( youre shed )( youre strewn )( of fallen leaves )
( youre turned - over )( youre up - set )( on knees )
( you slope towards the sea )( you lie on the shore )
( τῆς κλίνης )
KUKNEION:
and what do we do to it?
ALPHA CRONE:
( you will cause to lean )( make slope or slant )
( you will cause one thing to slope against another )
( you will lean it )( rest it )( of a shield on a shoulder )
( you will turn a tide )( will turn the fortune of a battle )
( you will cause the balance to incline and turn )
( you will turn aside )( you will make them recline
and lie )( you will put to rest )( you will lay low )
( you will make another recline )( you will make them
lie down )( you will put to rest )( and lay them low )
( you will make subservient ? )( you will in - flect )
τῆς κλίνης
KUKNEION:
how would an it like me
weild such power ?
tell me, O by the bees,
get on these flowers, and quick !
FLOWERS:
( it )serpent( him - accused )( snake - arrow )
( the snake that turns itself around and bites
the eagle thats carrying - it )( it - released )
( it - )( nimble )( glittering )( sheeny )( wriggling )( star -
spangled )( speckled )( changeful )( slippery )( shifty )
( fickle )( shimmering )( flushed - by - fire - light )( wily -
glancing )( gleaming )( flashing )( iridescent )( shifting )( - it )
( Iliad 12.208 )
( its Hera sent to destroy baby Herakles — he strangles its )
( the blew - eyed serpent guarding the golden fleece )
( the blew - eyed snakes who nurse baby Iamos )
( grey - eyed )( bright - eyed )( gleaming - eyed - blue )
( Pindar Nemean 1, Pythian 4, Olympian 6 )
( the serpent wrapped to - by - for my swaddling )
( it bites a breast )( it mixes blood with milk )
( the serpent - secret - keeping - temple - dwelling )
( Aeschylus, Choephori 544 )
( Sophocles, Philoctetes 1328 )
( the serpent guarding Athens citadel )( feed it
its monthly honey - cake )( and pray )( that it - eats - it )
( Herodotus, Histories 8.41 )
( the rivers - under - around - earth )
( to - by - for - me )( serpent - like )
( they coil and wind in circular paths )
( but how would you translate its ? )
( Phaedo 112d-e )
( like a serpent that charms Thrasumachos )
( maybe someday youd do this one too )
( Republic 358b )
( the hundred heads of a serpent )( of a terrible
dragon )( from the shoulders of monster - Typhoeus )
( of dark - flickering tongues )( fire - flashing - eyes )
( voices - gods - bulls - lions - puppies - hissing - snakes )
( Hesiod, Theogony 825 )
( a serpent - winged - flying - gleaming - shining - arrow )
( Aeschylus, Eumenides 181 )
( a serpent - like - bracelet )( charming - coiling )( armlet )
( and the golden - tripod at Delphi )( supported by )
( the three - headed - bronze - serpent )( victory - tithe )
( the constellation Serpens )( o both - hands -
weve - poetried )( weve - poetry - across - night - sky )
( a creeping plant bears fruit )( a little - serpent - fish )
( the bearded cusk ? )( the fork - beard ? )( some eel )
( the guinea - worm )( a parasitic nematode ? )( watch
what you drink ! )( you dont want dracunculiasis )
( a bald place on a head - of spiral form )
( did you know that alopecia - ophiasis happens
in a spiral ? )( we heard our him went bald )
( but which its say he doesnt grow
luxuriant locks ? )( its false ! )
ὄφιν
KUKNEION:
( swan taking all of that in )
( . . . )
( . . . )
( . . . )
O flowers, is there any active it
that we would verb ?
and are you sure
about his baldness ?
FLOWERS:
( may )( you )find( out )( discover )( light upon )
( come upon )( of immaterial things )( find
or come upon in a specified place or condition
or doing something specified )( hit upon )
( by experience )( as fitting or suitable )
( think of )( get a chance of )( be able )( devise )
( invent )( get )( gain )( bring about )( acquire )
( obtain )( procure )( fetch )( earn )( secure )
( bring upon oneself )( incur )
( well - )( to - by - for )( its - and - hims )
( full - )( o rams and sheep and ewes )( - full )
( full - )( o ram and sheep and ewe )( - full )
εὕροις
KUKNEION:
so does that mean
may we count you
as a fluffy sheep,
O Crone ?
ALPHA CRONE:
and( indeed )( may )( you )draw towards( it )
( draw towards itself )( attract )( take it
into its arms )( it - embrace - it ) . . .
καὶ προσελκύσαιο … ( they hug )
KUKNEION:
so were happy to have seen so much
and found another it to have - and - hold
and contemplating all that its revealed
even as finally { we re heading home } ,
TRAGOS:
even as( like as )( as for instance )( just as )
( then and there )( on the spot )( just exactly
as )( even as )( as it were )( so to speak )( as if )
( like )( so long as )( however long )( as soon as )
ὥσπερ
KUKNEION:
o goat, theyve walked on me so much,
my blue - black - webbed - feet
may - well - fall - off ,
TRAGOS:
of( hims - hers - its - plural - gen )
( one or the )others ?
ἑτέρων
KUKNEION:
yet even my feet are unbothered
since were taking care
TRAGOS:
( of )these( hims - hers - its - plural - gen )( here )
τούτων
KUKNEION:
and even though weve certainly
missed a lot, and left very many out
TRAGOS:
( of )( hims - its - plural - gen )( we - )beings
ὄντων
KUKNEION:
at least weve written something down ,
TRAGOS:
( let them - imperative - be we )
( its - gen - we - beings )
KUKNEION:
as its participating in the cosmic score
TRAGOS:
( of )( hims - hers - its - plural - gen )accusers
( public prosecutors )( betrayers )( public - speakers - downwards -
against - and - back - again - in - answer - to - ) ,
κατηγόρων,
GAIA:
and even though youre most out - worn
after seemingly - endless - walking - words
around my rainy puddle - lake - pond
still { you hear and respond } to me,
KUKNEION:
that now weve gotten home
and this it ( . . . ) means a dyad - hug
{ and home ( we - )is( - being ) you } .
//
from hymn to Apollo
Apologia
Odyssey XIV
Ekklesiazusai