Orphic Hymn 26

To Earth

THE FUMIGATION FROM EVERY KIND OF SEED, EXCEPT BEANS AND AROMATICS. O Mother Earth, of Gods and men the source, Endu’d with fertile, all-destroying force; All-parent, bounding, whose prolific pow’rs Produce a store of beauteous fruits and flow’rs. All-various maid, th’ immortal world’s strong base, Eternal, blessed, crown’d with ev’ry grace; From whose wide womb as from an endless root, Fruits many-form’d, mature, and grateful shoot. Deep-bosom’d, blessed, pleas’d with grassy plains, Sweet to the smell, and with prolific rains. All-flow’ry dæmon, centre of the world, Around thy orb the beauteous stars are hurl’d With rapid whirl, eternal and divine, Whose frames with matchless skill and wisdom shine. Come, blessed Goddess, listen to my pray’r, And make increase of fruits thy constant care; With fertile Seasons in thy train draw near, And with propitious mind thy suppliants hear.