Orphic Hymn 51

To The Nymphs

THE FUMIGATION FROM AROMATICS. Nymphs, who from Ocean fam’d derive your birth, Who dwell in liquid caverns of the earth; Nurses of Bacchus, secret-coursing pow’rs, Fructiferous Goddesses, who nourish flow’rs: 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 winding 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, Inspir’d, and stridulous, whom 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. O Nysian nymphs, insane, whom oaks delight, Lovers of spring, Pæonian virgins bright; With Bacchus and with Ceres hear my pray’r, And to mankind abundant favour bear; Propitious listen to your suppliant’s voice, Come, and benignant in these rites rejoice; Give plenteous seasons and sufficient wealth, And pour in lastings streams, continued health.