🏛️ Hymn 43 - SEMELE

Cadmean Goddess, universal queen, thee, Semele I call, of beauteous mien; Deep-bosom'd, lovely flowing locks are thine, mother of Bacchus [Dionysos], joyful and divine, The mighty offspring, whom love's thunder bright, forc'd immature, and fright'ned into light:

Born from the deathless counsels, secret, high, of Jove Saturnian [Zeus Kronion], regent of the sky Whom Proserpine [Persephone] permits to view the light, and visit mortals from the realms of night:

Constant attending on the sacred rites, and feast triennial, which thy soul delights; When thy son's wond'rous birth mankind relate, and secrets deep, and holy celebrate.

Now I invoke thee, great Cadmean queen, to bless these rites with countenance serene.