Names full of stories

Oh heart of mine, recall the glorious names
of the child of flame-robed Thyone,
the great deeds he accomplished to win unending renown.
As ivy-crowned Dionysos he set out from the tree-shaded haunts of the nymphs
to bring wine to the world as a remedy for the cares of mortals
and to teach us the dances that set our souls free.
As bull-faced Bakchos he trampled the wolf-like king of the Edonians
who spurned the gods in his hateful arrogance
and as a result suffered madness more terrible than any before or since.
As Lusios, lovelier than the stars in heaven, he appeared to grieving Ariadne
and taught her to laugh and love once more.
As Bromios, whose voice never tires,
he praised the graciousness of Libyan Ammon with the ram’s horns
and built for him a fine oracular temple
in return for the kind hospitality he showed to the followers of the god.
As Agrios who hunts by night he revealed himself in terrible splendor
to the criminal Etruscans at sea, rending them apart
like a savage beast and transforming the rest into joyful dolphins,
the friends of sailors everywhere.
These and many others are known to me,
for many lands have named him well,
preserving the marvels he wrought there for all time.
I shall continue this song
when next I burn incense on his altar
and pour out the proper libations for him.
But now the feast awaits
and I cannot hold off any longer
this overwhelming urge to dance in his honor.