Orphic Hymn 67

To Esculapius

THE FUMIGATION FROM MANNA. Great Esculapius, skill’d to heal mankind, All-ruling Pæan, and physician kind; Whose arts medic’nal can alone assuage Diseases dire, and stop their dreadful rage. Strong, lenient God, regard my suppliant pray’r, Bring gentle Health, adorn’d with lovely hair; Convey the means or mitigating pain, And raging deadly pestilence restrain. O pow’r all-flourishing, abundant, bright, Apollo’s honour’d offspring, God of light; Husband of blameless Health, the constant foe Of dread disease, the minister of woe: Come, blessed saviour, human health defend, And to the mortal life afford a prosp’rous end.