Orphic Hymn 63

To Equity

THE FUMIGATION FROM FRANKINCENSE. O blessed Equity, mankind’s delight, Th’ eternal friend of conduct just and right: Abundant venerable, honour’d maid, To judgments pure dispensing constant aid, And conscience stable, and an upright mind; For men unjust by thee are undermin’d, Whose souls perverse thy bondage ne’er desire, But more untam’d decline thy scourges dire. Harmonious, friendly pow’r, averse to strife, In peace rejoicing, and a stable life: Lovely, convivial, of a gentle mind, Hating excess, to equal deeds inclin’d: Wisdom and virtue, of whate’er degree, Receive their proper bound alone in thee. Hear, Goddess Equity, the deeds destroy Of evil men, which human life annoy; That all may yield to thee of mortal birth, Whether supported by the fruits of earth, Or in her kindly fertile bosom found, Or in the realms of marine Jove profound.