Orphic Hymn to the Oneiroi

Nyx and Winged Morpheus Johannes Schilling 1868 Dresden, Germany

"To the Oneiroi (Dreams),
Fumigation from Aromatics.
Thee I invoke,
blest power of Oneiroi (Dreams) divine,
messengers of future fates, swift wings are thine.

Great source of oracles to human kind,
when stealing soft, and whispering to the mind,
through sleep’s sweet silence, and the gloom of night,
thy power awakes the intellectual sight;
to silent souls the will of heaven relates, and silently reveals their future fates.

Forever friendly to the upright mind,
sacred and pure,
to holy rites inclined;
for these with pleasing hope thy dreams inspire:
bliss to anticipate, which all desire.

Thy visions manifest of fate disclose,
what methods best may mitigate our owes;
reveal what rites the Gods immortal please,
and what the means their anger to appease;
for ever tranquil is the good man’s end,
whose life thy dreams admonish and defend.

But from the wicked turned averse to bless,
thy form unseen, the angel of distress;
no means to check approaching ill they find,
pensive with fears,
and to the future blind.

Come, blessed power,
the signatures reveal which heaven’s decrees mysteriously conceal,
sings only present to the worthy mind,
nor omens ill disclose of monstrous kind."

Orphic Hymn 86 to the Oneiroi (trans. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. to 2nd A.D.)