Orphic Hymn 40

To Ceres

THE FUMIGATION FROM STORAX. O universal mother, Ceres fam’d, August, the source of wealth, and various nam’d: Great nurse, all-bounteous, blessed and divine, Who joy’st in peace; to nourish corn is thine. Goddess of seed, of fruits abundant, fair, Harvest and threshing are thy constant care. Lovely delightful queen, by all desir’d, Who dwell’st in Eleusina’s holy vales retir’d. Nurse of all mortals, whose benignant mind First ploughing oxen to the yoke confin’d; And gave to men what nature’s wants require, With plenteous means of bliss, which all desire. In verdure flourishing, in glory bright, Assessor of great Bacchus, bearing light: Rejoicing in the reapers’ sickles, kind, Whose nature lucid, earthly, pure, we find. Prolific, venerable, nurse divine, Thy daughter loving, holy Proserpine. A car with dragons yok’d ’tis thine to guide, And, orgies singing, round thy throne to ride. Only-begotten, much-producing queen, All flowers are thine, and fruits of lovely green. Bright Goddess, come, with summer’s rich increase Swelling and pregnant, leading smiling Peace; Come with fair Concord and imperial Health, And join with these a needful store of wealth.