Orphic Hymn 79

To Themis

THE FUMIGATION FROM FRANKINCENSE. Illustrious Themis, of celestial birth, Thee I invoke, young blossom of the earth. All-beauteous virgin; first from thee alone Prophetic oracles to men were known, Giv’n from the deep recesses of the fane In sacred Pytho, where renown’d you reign. From thee Apollo’s oracles arose, And from thy pow’r his inspiration flows. Honour’d by all, of form divinely bright, Majestic virgin, wand’ring in the night. Mankind from thee first learnt perfective rites, And Bacchus’ nightly choirs thy soul delights; For the God’s honours to disclose is thine, And holy mysteries and rites divine. Be present, Goddess, to my pray’r inclin’d, And bless thy Teletæ with fav’ring mind.