38. For the Kouretes

Kouretes, beating bronze with the weapons
of Ares, dwelling in sky, sea and earth,
much blessed life-giving breath and glorious
saviors of the world, dwelling in the land
of holy Samothrace, ward off danger
to the mortals who roam the sea. And you
were the first to set up the rituals
for articulate humans. Immortal
Kouretes, with the weapons of Ares,
you rule the ocean, and you rule the sea,
and the forests as well. When you advance,
your nimble footsteps resound on the earth,
in flashing armor, and all the wild beasts
flee in fear, and the noise and battlecries
reach to the heavens, and when you come
by the twirling of your feet, dust rises up
to the clouds. And then, every flower blooms.

Deathless daimons, who nurture and destroy,
whenever you grow angry at mankind,
you destroy life, wealth, and people themselves
by burning. The great, deep-swirl­ing sea groans,
and high trees fall, uprooted, to the earth,
and the whirling rush of their leaves reaches
the heavens. Kouretes, Korybantes,
truly mighty lords, lords of Samothrace,
the same as the Dioskouroi themselves,
ever-blowing cloudy winds, nourishing
the soul. And on Olympos, you are called
the celestial twins, sweet breathed and kind
saviors who make calm weather, nourishing
the seasons, bringing fruits, inspire us, lords.