Religion

Hymn LXIII: To Equity

by Orpheus (Orphic Hymns) hymns c. 2nd–3rd c. AD (ascribed to the legendary Orpheus)

Translated by Thomas Taylor (1824) · From The Mystical Hymns of Orpheus (1824)

Religion

O blessed Equity, mankind's delight,
Th' eternal friend of conduct just and right :
Abundant, venerable, honour'd maid,
To judgments pure dispensing constant aid,
And conscience stable, and an upright mind ;
For men unjust by thee are undermin'd,
Whose souls perverse thy bondage ne'er desire,
But more untam'd decline thy scourges dire.
Harmonious, friendly pow'r, averse to strife,
In peace rejoicing, and a stable life :
Lovely, convivial, of a gentle mind,
Hating excess, to equal deeds inclind :
Wisdom and virtue, of whate'er degree,
Receive their proper bound alone in thee.
Hear, Goddess Equity, the deeds destroy
Of evil men, which human life annoy ;
That all may yield to thee of mortal birth,
Whether supported by the fruits of earth,
Or in her kindly fertile bosom found,
Or in the realms of marine Jove profound.

✦ ✦ ✦

The fumigation from frankincense.

MLA

Orpheus (Orphic Hymns). “Hymn LXIII: To Equity.” Translated by Thomas Taylor. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/orpheus/63/.

Chicago

Orpheus (Orphic Hymns). “Hymn LXIII: To Equity.” Translated by Thomas Taylor. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/orpheus/63/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Orpheus (Orphic Hymns)