Orphic Hymn 71

To Melinoe

THE FUMIGATION FROM AROMATICS. I call, Melinoe, saffron-veil’d, terrene, Who from dread Pluto’s venerable queen, Mixt with Saturnian Jupiter, arose, Near where Cocytus’ mournful river flows; When, under Pluto’s semblance, Jove divine Deceiv’d with guileful arts dark Proserpine. Hence, partly black thy limbs and partly white, From Pluto dark, from Jove etherial bright. Thy colour’d members, men by night inspire When seen in spectred forms, with terrors dire; Now darkly visible, involv’d in night, Perspicuous now they meet the fearful sight. Terrestrial queen, expel wherever found The soul’s mad fears to earth’s remotest bound; With holy aspect on our incense shine, And bless thy mystics, and the rites divine.