Orphic Hymns

Nymphs, who from Ocean's [Okeanos'] stream derive your birth, who dwell in liquid caverns of the earth

Nurses of Bacchus [Bakkhos] secret-coursing pow'r, who fruits sustain, and nourish ev'ry flow'r:

Earthly, rejoicing, who in meadows dwell, and caves and dens, whose depths extend to hell:

Holy, oblique, who swiftly soar thro' air, fountains and dews, and mazy streams your care:

Seen and unseen, who joy with wand'rings wide and gentle course, thro' flow'ry vales to glide;

With Pan exulting on the mountains height, loud-founding, mad, whom rocks and woods delight:

Nymphs od'rous, rob'd in white, whose streams exhale the breeze refreshing, and the balmy gale;

With goats and pastures pleas'd, and beasts of prey, nurses of fruits, unconscious of decay:

In cold rejoicing, and to cattle kind, sportive thro' ocean wand'ring unconfin'd:

Nysian, fanatic Nymphs, whom oaks delight, lovers of Spring, Paeonian virgins bright.

With Bacchus, and with Ceres [Deo], hear my pray'r. And to mankind abundant favour bear;

Propitious listen to your suppliants voice, come, and benignant in these rites rejoice;

Give plenteous Seasons, and sufficient wealth, and pour; in lasting streams, continued Health.