I call Einodian Hecate, lovely dame,
Of earthly, watery, and celestial frame,
Sepulchral, in a saffron veil array'd,
Pleased with dark ghosts that wander thro' the shade;
Persian, unconquerable huntress, hail!
The world's key-bearer, never doom'd to fail;
On the rough rock to wander thee delights,
Leader and nurse be present to our rites;
Propitious grant our just desires success,
Accept our homage, and the offering bless.
Apostolos N. Athanassakis, 1977
I call Hekate of the crossroads, wayside goddess, lovely one,
of earth, of sky, and of the sea, O saffron-robed one,
tomb-dwelling one, reveling in the souls of the dead,
daughter of Perses, lover of solitude, joying in deer,
nocturnal one, lady of dogs, unconquerable one,
beast-roarer, cloaked one, of irresistible purpose,
oxherd, key-bearer, mistress of the whole world,
leader, nymph, mountain-roamer, nurse of youths,
maiden, I pray to you, to my sacred rites
come ever with a gracious heart and joyful mind,
you who delight in the fragrance of offerings.
Lovely Hekate of the roads and crossroads I invoke;
In heaven, on earth, and in the sea, saffron-cloaked,
Tomb spirit, reveling in the souls of the dead,
Daughter of Perses, haunting lonely places, joying in deer,
Night-wandering, dog-loving, unconquerable queen,
Roaring beasts, wrapped darkly, of unbreakable will,
Keeper of herds, key-bearer, mistress of all the world,
Leader, nymph, mountain-wanderer, nurturer of youth,
Maiden, I call to you at my sacred rites,
Come ever with kindness in your heart and joy in your mind,
You who love the sweet breath of offerings.
