Khrysippos

Fragments from a Lost Tragedy of Euripides

Cosmogonic Hymn

(probably the parodos )

Chorus

Hail holy Earth and divine Sky!

He is the father
of men and gods;
She gathers into herself
the rain that falls,
gives birth to all
that is mortal:
the grass and the whole
tribe of beasts;
truly mother of all things.

Nothing that comes into being dies,
but parted one from the other
changes to another shape.
What is born of Earth
returns to Earth,
What is begotten
of ethereal seed
Returns to the vaults
of heaven.