8. To Helios

Hear me, blessed god with the eternal
eye, all-seeing; golden shining Titan;
Hyperion, heavenly light; natural,
enduring, sweet sight to all living things:
on the right hand, the father of the dawn;
on the left, the night. You hold the mixture
of the seasons, and your four-hoofed steeds dance
swift of foot, with a rushing noise. Fiery,
cheerful charioteer, you ceaselessly
drive the endless, turning path through the sky.
You guide the worshipful ones to goodness,
and give your rage to evil. Your golden
lyre holds up the harmonic cosmic course.
Leader of good works, youthful attendant
to the seasons’ turning, the world’s ruler,
you play the pipes, trailing fire in your wake,
revolving in a circle, bringing light,
all-shining, life-bringing, fruitful Paian.
Always young, undefiled, father of time,
deathless Zeus, clear, shining on all, the eye
that runs around the world, quenching the light,
and then shining forth your beautiful rays.
You guide us to justice, water-loving
lord of the world, guardian of the truth,
ever the very highest aid of all.
Eye of justice, light of life, o horseman,
with cracking whip your drive the four horses
of your chariot. Hear my words and show
a pleasant life to the initiates.