Oh Venerable Zeus, grant Persephone’s petition to retain Adonis!
I, as Queen of the Underworld, can
Protect his charming body from vicious men
It is here where he found his safest den
Here I’ll protect his flesh from being stricken
Oh Venerable Zeus, grant Persephone’s petition to retain Adonis!
I, as keeper of this handsome lad since his childhood
Seeks for him nothing, but everything that’s good
It is his well-being that lights up my mood
I’ll badly be hurt when he’s hurt by someone shrewd
Oh Venerable Zeus, grant Persephone’s petition to retain Adonis!
Shrewd is his rival for the love of Aphrodite
He will be in great danger with her, can’t see?
Surely from Ares wrath, he’ll experience something nasty
And also with the god of fire, he’ll surely die violently!
Oh Venerable Zeus, grant Persephone’s petition to retain Adonis!
Have mercy! Have mercy! To this youth so fine!
Have mercy! Have mercy! To this youth of mine!
To deadly earth above, don’t allow him to incline
If this bad fate happens, my eyes will emit brine
Oh Venerable Zeus, grant Persephone’s petition to retain Adonis!
Witness me mourn for the loss of this lad!
Do you want the Queen of the Dead to feel bad?
If Adonis is gone, my brain will also be mad!
Oh Venerable Zeus, grant Persephone’s petition to retain Adonis!
From this sanctuary, do not take him away
Do not let my life be in disarray
To make him remain here, tell me the way
I bow, I kneel, I prostrate, I pray!
