Dionysos the Thunderer, who hurls spears of divine fire,
bull-horned God who dances with the Hyades
as unexpected rain falls from Heaven
bringing life back to the barren turf,
I call upon you descendant of heroic Kadmos
for I am facing spiritual assault, as once your beloved
city was attacked by a pack of headstrong brigands,
terrifying in their force and savagery.
Just as Eteoklēs feared the encroaching darkness
and the destruction it would bring upon his kingdom,
I dread this gloom that has hold of my heart,
and ask you to be my refuge and support,
as I seek to drive it out. Strengthen my faith
and fill me with your radiance, Dionysos who rules flower-rich Nysa;
surround me with your Furious Host, better protection than all seven
of the Theban walls, and may your grace be poured out on me
like a libation of sparkling wine upon the thirsty ground.
Guide my steps that I may walk in the peace and truth of the Gods,
and dispel the doubt that clouds my mind, the work of Kapaneus
the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself
above all that is called God or revered as holy.
First to climb the ladder to assail Thebes’ impregnable defenses,
he shook his giant fist and howled obscenities skyward,
reserving the worst of his blasphemies for Kronos’ son,
and the Gods gathered round the throne of almighty Zeus.
His hatred of the Gods was legendary, and survived his mortal frame,
which was consumed by the flames of your furious father.
His mocking voice hunts down the pious, and Kapaneus harasses
them until their belief becomes brittle and crumbles in the hand
like a clod of dry dirt. He lies, saying that the Gods don’t care,
or that you are powerless to stop bad things from happening,
that you Immortals are nothing more than old wives’ tales
told to frighten and instill proper morals in the young,
or worse that you are evil demons trying to deceive mankind
so that we’ll be thrown into the river of fire in the underworld
or suffer even greater punishments for doing what is right and holy.
So I ask that you silence his cursed voice, and shield my mind
from his vile atheism and impiety, and please stop him from flitting
to and fro spreading his filth among the masses.
When I am tested by Kapaneus and those like him,
I will remain loyal to you, my Lord, and serve you in whatever way
has been given to me, because love is action not just an ephemeral emotion,
and devotion a choice and commitment every bit as serious
as marriage or standing in defense of one’s homeland.
As for those who have been victimized by Kapaneus and his ilk,
I pray that the people are once again able to see clearly,
to recognize the true nature of the Gods, and to give their lives to you.
Remove all hindrances the enemy would use to distract them from divine truth,
open their eyes, Dionysos, that they might behold the mysteries that surround them,
and cause the soil of their souls to become moist and fertile
so that the bright flowers of faith may spring up there in abundance.