Orphic Hymn 23

To Nereus

THE FUMIGATION FROM MYRRH. O Thou who dost the roots of Ocean keep In seats cerulean, dæmon of the deep, With fifty nymphs (attending in thy train, Fair virgin artists) glorying thro’ the main: The dark foundation of the rolling sea, And Earth’s wide bounds belong, much-fam’d, to thee. Great dæmon, source of all, whose pow’r can make The sacred basis of blest Ceres shake, When blust’ring winds in secret caverns pent, By thee excited, struggle hard for vent. Come, blessed Nereus, listen to my pray’r, And cease to shake the earth with wrath severe; Send to thy mystics necessary wealth, With, gentle peace, and ever tranquil health.