🏛️ Hymn 23 - THE NEREIDS

Daughters of Nereus, resident in caves merg'd deep in Ocean, sporting thro' the waves; Fanatic fifty nymphs [Nymphai Einalioi], who thro' the main delight to follow in the Triton's train, Rejoicing close behind their cars to keep;

whose forms half wild, are nourish'd by the deep, With other nymphs of different degree leaping and wand'ring thro' the liquid sea:

Bright, wat'ry dolphins, sonorous and gay, well pleas'd to sport with bachanalian play; Nymphs beauteous-ey'd, whom sacrifice delights, send rich abundance on our mystic rites;

For you at first disclos'd the rites divine, of holy Bacchus [Bakkhos] and of Proserpine [Phersephoneia], Of fair Calliope from whom I spring, and of Apollo bright, the Muse's king.