The Short Hymn to Aurora

Composed by: Steve C. Liu <admiral@access.digex.net>
Based upon: The Short Hymn to the Aten, translated by Miriam Lichtheim.
Author's note: Yup, I have this thing for ancient Egyptian stuff. That's why the Princess "Briar Rose" Aurora Fan Club, aka the Cult of the Light of Beauty, is loosely based on ancient Egyptian temple worship. Hetep-Aurora, by the way, would figuratively mean "Aurora is at peace". Note also that this piece is not attempting to fully recreate the hymn since all the Egyptian poetic form is virtually lost in the translation.

Adoration of Her Royal Highness the Princess Aurora whose name means light, given life forever, by her primary admirer, Pi Club President; High Priest of the Light of Beauty: Hetep-Aurora, whom Aurora is satisfied; President of Arielholics Anonymous: Steve Liu, given life like Aurora forever.


        Splendid you appear, O Aurora, eternal princess!
        You are radiant, beautiful, gracious,
        Your love is great, immense,
        Your smile lights up your face,
        Your bright eyes gives life to hearts,
        When you enter the room with your beauty.
        Sweet Princess enchanted at birth,
        Who sung with the birds, raising their harmony,
        Bluebirds, cardinals, and robins,
        All the song birds in the forest;
        They sang for you in the forest,
        You are an inspiration to all the birds.

        When you enter our eyes observe you,
        As your grace fills the whole room;
        Every heart acclaims your beauty,
        When you appear as our lord.
        When you withdraw from our view,
        We sit down as if to die,
        Our heads bowed, our voice silent,
        Until you reappear to our view.
        Our arms salute your grace,
        As you nourish our hearts by your beauty;
        One lives when you show your smile,
        Every heart is in festivity.

        Singers, musicians, shout with joy,
        In the court of thy father,
        And throughout the kingdom,
        The realm that you will inherit.
        Jewels are offered from all within,
        Your chosen one performs your praises,
        O Aurora who awakes the land,
        And all your servants bow before you.
        Your chief priest exults in joy,
        O Aurora living daily content with all,
        Your champion, your chief priest, Hetep-Aurora;
        Thy Primary Admirer does not cease to extol your beauty, 
        Hetep-Aurora, whom Aurora is satisfied.

        I am your chief servant, who exalts your name,
        Your grace, your beauty are firm in my heart;
        You are the royal Princess whose image endures,
        Your life has been shone through decades,
        To inspire all who adore you.
        You are the One with two names given to you,
        To shame have you put the rose compared to your lips; 
        By the sound of your voice all birds will sing,
        What lives and breaths from the forest emerge when you appear. 
        Drinking deep of your sight all animals frisk,
        The rabbits in their burrow hop out in joy;
        Their flat ears rise up in praise
        Of the royal Princess, their friend.

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