Orphic Hymn to the Daimon

"You, mighty-ruling, daimon dread, I call,

Mild Zeus, life-giving, and the source of all:

Great Zeus, much-wandering, terrible and strong,

To whom revenge and tortures dire belong.

Mankind from you, in plenteous wealth abound,

When in their dwellings joyful you are found;

Or pass through life afflicted and distressed,

The needful means of bliss by you suppressed.

It is yours alone endued with boundless might,

To keep the keys of sorrow and delight.

O holy, blessed father, hear my prayer,

Disperse the seeds of life-consuming care;

With favouring mind the sacred rites attend,

And grant my days a glorious, blessed end."

Extracted from the Hymns of Orpheus