To Silenus, Satyrus, and the Priestesses
of Bacchus
(The fumigation from manna)
Great nurse of Bacchus, to my pray'r incline,
Silenus, honor'd by thy pow'rs divine;
And by mankind at the triennial feast
Illustrious daemon, 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, who ivy bear.
With all thy Satyrs on our incense shine,
Daemons wild form'd, and bless the rites divine;
Come, rouse to sacred joy thy pupil king,
And Brumal Nymphs with rites Lenaean bring;
Our orgies shining thro' the night inspire,
And bless triumphant pow'r the sacred choir.