Celtic Cross

Hymns of Orpheus


Hymn To The Earth

The Fumigation from every kind of Seed, except Beans and Aromatics.

O Goddess, Earth, of Gods and men the source,
Endued with fertile, all destroying force;
All-parent, bounding, whose prolific powers,
Produce a store of beauteous fruits and flowers,
All-various maid, the eternal world's strong base
Immortal, blessed, crowned with every grace;
from whose wide womb, as from an endless root,
Fruits, many-formed, mature and grateful shoot.
Deep bosomed, blessed, pleased with grassy plains,
Sweet to the smell, and with prolific rains.
All flowery daemon, center of the world,
Around thy orb, the beauteous stars are hurled
with rapid whirl, eternal and divine,
Whose frames with matchless skill and wisdom shine.
Come, blessed Goddess, listen to my prayer,
And make increase of fruits thy constant care;
With fertile Seasons in thy train, draw near,
And with propitious mind thy suppliant hear.

Translated by Thomas Taylor.