The Hymns of Orpheus · 57 of 91

To Amphietus Bacchus.

LII. To AMPHIETUS BACCHUS. The FUMIGATION from every AROMATIC except FRANKINCENSE. TERRESTRIAL Dionysius, hear my pray’r,

Awak’ned rise with nymphs of lovely hair:

Great Amphietus Bacchus, annual God,

Who laid asleep in Proserpine’s abode,

Did’st lull to drowsy and oblivious rest,

The rites triennial, and the sacred feast;

Which rous’d again by thee, in graceful ring,

Thy nurses round thee mystic anthems sing;

When briskly dancing with rejoicing pow’rs,

Thou mov’st in concert with the circling hours. 10

Come, blessed, fruitful, horned, and divine,

And on these rites with joyful aspect shine;

Accept the general incense and the pray’r,

And make prolific holy fruits thy care.