ILLUSTRIOUS Themis, of celestial birth, 217:2 Ver. 2.] Young blossom of the earth. See the note to Hymn xi, to Hercules.TO THEMIS.
The FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE.
Thee I invoke, young blossom of the earth; 2
Beauteous-eyed virgin; first from thee alone,
Prophetic oracles to men were known,
Giv'n from the deep recesses of the fane 5
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: 10
Mankind from thee first learnt initial rites,
And Bacchus' nightly choirs thy soul delights;
For holy honours to disclose is thine,
With all the culture of the pow'rs divine.
Be present, Goddess, to my pray'r inclin'd,
And bless the mystic rites with fav'ring mind.
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