🏛️ Hymn 53 - SILENUS, SATYRUS, and the PRIESTESSES of BACCHUS

Great nurse of Bacchus [Bakkhos], to my pray'r incline, Silenus, honor'd by the pow'rs divine And by mankind at the triennial feast illustrious dæmon, reverenc'd as the best:

Holy, august, the source of lawful rites, rejoicing pow'r, whom vigilance delights With Sylvans dancing ever young and fair, head of the Bacchic Nymphs [Naiades and Bakkhai], who ivy bear.

With all thy Satyrs on our incense shine, Dæmons wild form'd, and bless the rites divine; Come, rouse to sacred Joy thy pupil kin, and Brumal Nymphs with rites Lenæan bring;

Our orgies shining thro' the night inspire, and bless triumphant pow'r the sacred choir.