Orphic Hymn 56

To Adonis

THE FUMIGATION FROM AROMATICS. Much nam’d, and best of dæmons, bear my pray’r, The desert loving, deck’d with tender hair; Joy to diffuse, by all desir’d, is thine, Much form’d, Eubulus, aliment divine. Female and male, all-charming to the sight, Adonis, ever flourishing and bright; At stated periods doom’d to set and rise With splendid lamp, the glory of the skies, Two horn’d and lovely, reverenc’d with tears, Of splendid form, adorn’d with copious hairs. Rejoicing in the chase, all-graceful pow’r, Sweet plant of Venus, Love’s delightful flow’r: Descended from the secret bed divine Of Pluto’s queen, the fair-hair’d Proserpine. ‘Tis thine to sink in Tartarus profound, And shine again thro’ heav’ns illustrious round; Come, timely pow’r, with providential care, And to thy mystics earth’s productions bear.