One
of the most interesting novels from Antiquity is Apuleius’ Metamorphoses. Apart
from it literary merits, it is also one of the few literary sources about the
cult of Isis. Mystery cults were highly popular from the Hellenistic time onwards,
as they promised a blessed existence after death and it was not uncommon to be
initiated in various cults: one never knows! Little is known about their ritual
practises and liturgy, but fortunately Apuleius reveals something in his novel
and even recites a litany for Isis. To what extend this litany is exemplary for
the hymns used is difficult to say, but its unusual structure with the use of
much rhyme may indeed point to the use of such hymns.
Wish
I – historian of religion – could go back to those times and return with a
wealth of information about mystery cults. May Isis grant me that favour!
Apuleius,
Metamorphoses, XI, 25.
Tu quidem sancta et humani generis
sospitatrix perpetua,
semper fovendis mortalibus
munifica,
dulcem matris adfectationem
miserorum casibus tribuis.
Nec dies nec quies nulla ac ne
momentum quidem tenue
tuis transcurrit
beneficiis otiosum,
quin mari terraque protegas
homines et depulsis
vitae procellis salutarem
porrigas dexteram,
qua fatorum etiam
inextricabiliter contorta
retractas licia
et Fortunae tempestates mitigas
et stellarum noxios meatus
cohibes.
Te superi colunt,
observant inferi,
tu rotas orbem,
luminas solem,
regis mundum,
calcas tartarum.
Tibi respondent sidera,
redeunt tempora,
gaudent numina,
serviunt elementa.
Tuo nutu spirant flamina,
nutriunt nubila,
germinant semina,
crescunt germina.
Tuam maiestatem perhorrescunt
aves caelo meantes,
ferae montibus errantes,
serpentes solo latentes,
beluae ponto natantes.
At ego referendis laudibus tuis
exilis ingenio
et adhibendis sacrificiis tenuis
patrimonio;
nec mihi vocis ubertas ad
dicenda, quae de tua maiestate
sentio, sufficit
nec ora mille linguaeque totidem
vel indefessi sermonis
aeterna series.
Ergo quod solum potest religiosus
quidem, sed pauper
alioquin, efficere
curabo:
divinos tuos vultus numenque
sanctissimum intra
pectoris mei secreta conditum perpetuo custodiens
imaginabor.
sospitatrix –icis (f.): she who saves
fovendis mortalibus munifica: generous for people needing support
miserorum casibus tribuis: you grant to the fates of those in
misery
quies: night
momentum tenue: a slight moment
otiosum (encompassing dies,
quies and momentum): free from, without (+ abl.)
quin: that not
mari terraque: locatives
depulsis vitae procellis: having driven away the storms of life
porrigo porrexi porrectum: to reach out
dexteram (manum), qua
inextricabiliter contorta licia: the inextricably twisted threads
retracto (-are):
(here) to disentangle
meatus –us (m.): movement
cohibeo cohibui: to stop
superi…inferi: the gods above and the gods of the underworld
roto: to turn around
calco: to trample
redeunt tempora: (by your will) the seasons return
numina: the lower gods and daemons
nutus –us (m.): nod
nutriunt nubile: the clouds give rain
germino: to sprout
perhorresco perhorrui: to shiver greatly
meo: to move, pass
fera: wild animal
solum: ground
belua: (sea) monster
ego exilis ingenio (sum): I am
(too) weak in talent
referendis laudibus tuis: for telling your praise
adhibeo sacrificia: to bring offers
patrimonium: inheritance,
wealth
vocis ubertas (sufficit):
richness in language
totidem: as many
indefessi sermonis: of an inexhaustible language
quidem: however
alioquin: for the rest
divinos tuos vultus: the plural
refers to various aspects of isis
intra
intra pectoris mei secreta conditum: hidden in the secrets of my heart
imaginor imaginatus: (here) to keep in mind
Translation
by William Adlington (1566, this text is from the edition of 1639 with the
original spelling.)
O
holy and blessed dame, the perpetuall comfort of humane kind, who by thy bounty
and grace nourishest all the world, and hearest a great affection to the
adversities of the miserable, as a loving mother thou takest no rest, neither
art thou idle at any time in giving thy benefits, and succoring all men, as
well on land as sea; thou art she that puttest away all stormes and dangers
from mans life by thy right hand, whereby likewise thou restrainest the fatall
dispositions, appeasest the great tempests of fortune and keepest backe the
course of the stars: the gods supernall doe honour thee: the gods infernall
have thee in reverence: thou environest all the world, thou givest light to the
Sunne, thou governest the world, thou treadest downe the power of hell: By thy
meane the times returne, the Planets rejoyce, the Elements serve: at thy
commandment the winds do blow, the clouds increase, the seeds prosper, and the
fruits prevaile, the birds of the aire, the beasts of the hill, the serpents of
the den, and the fishes of the sea, do tremble at thy majesty, but my spirit is
not able to give thee sufficient praise, my patrimonie is unable to satisfie
thy sacrifice, my voice hath no power to utter that which I thinke, no if I had
a thousand mouths and so many tongues: Howbeit as a good religious person, and
according to my estate, I will alwaies keepe thee in remembrance and close thee
within my breast.
