Orphic Hymn 24

To The Nereids

THE FUMIGATION FROM AROMATICS. Daughters of Nereus, resident in caves Merg’d deep in ocean, sporting thro’ the waves; Fifty inspir’d Nymphs, who thro’ the main Delight to follow in the Triton’s train, Rejoicing close behind their cars to keep; Whose forms half wild are nourish’d by the deep, With other Nymphs of different degree, Leaping and wand’ring thro’ the liquid sea. Bright, wat’ry dolphins, sonorous and gay, Well pleas’d to sport with bacchanalian play; Nymphs beauteous-ey’d, whom sacrifice delights, Give plenteous wealth, and bless our mystic rites; For you at first disclosed the rites divine, Of holy Bacchus and of Proserpine Of fair Calliope, from whom I spring, And of Apollo bright, the Muses’ king.