A CEREALIA PUBLIC PRAYER
The Orphic Hymn to Ceres/Demeter
O Universal mother, Ceres fam'd
August,
the source of wealth, and various nam'd:
Great nurse, all-bounteous, blessed
and divine,
Who joy'st in peace, to nourish corn
is thine:
Goddess of seed, of fruits abundant,
fair,
Harvest and threshing, are thy
constant care;
Who dwell'st in Eleusina's seats retir'd,
Lovely, delightful queen, by all
desir'd.
Nurse of all mortals, whose benignant
mind,
First ploughing oxen to the yoke confin'd;
And gave to men, what nature's wants
require,
With plenteous means of bliss which
all desire.
In verdure flourishing in honor
bright,
Assessor of great Bacchus, bearing
light:
Rejoicing in the reapers sickles,
kind,
Whose nature lucid, earthly, pure, we
find.
Prolific, venerable, Nurse divine,
Thy daughter loving, holy Proserpine:
A car with dragons yok'd, 'tis thine
to guide,
And orgies singing round thy throne to
ride:
Only-begotten, much-producing queen,
All flowers are thine and fruits of
lovely green.
Bright Goddess, come, with Summer's
rich increase
Swelling and pregnant, leading smiling
Peace;
Come, with fair Concord and imperial
Health,
And join with these a needful store of
wealth
(http://www.geocities.com/gens_rutilia/Ceres_english.pdf)