loudroarings

गते गते पारगते पारसंगते बोधि स्वाहा


El


From Eleusis we bring gifts—
gifts for Kore and Demeter,
leaves of laurel, yellow-green honey
barley-bales, flower of mentha,
some goat victim
for the sacrifice
and so passes the night.

With Eos we rise and
then in Phaleron water we bathe
each together,
setting aside garment, giving
ourselves to the sea-foam;
we do this to make ourselves
ready.

Standing then,
we at the doorway,
into the krater
with part of barley
with part of wine
with part of goat's cheese
the kykeon is poured.

Here is my oblation,
Aoide, Melete, Mneme, et al. :

and there the door opened
and there I entered
and found myself alone.
And there the fog rolled back
or else it rolled in; couldn’t tell
you then or now,
but it lifted, or fell,
on me.