Hymn LXXI: To Melinoe

I call, Melinoe, saffron-veil'd, terrene,
Who from dread Pluto's venerable queen,
Mixt with Saturnian Jupiter, arose,
Near where Cocytus' mournful river flows ;
When, under Pluto's semblance, Jove divine
Deceiv'd with guileful arts dark Proserpine.
Hence, partly black thy limbs and partly white,
From Pluto dark, from Jove etherial bright.
Thy colour'd members, men by night inspire
When seen in spectred forms, with terrors dire ;
Now darkly visible, involv'd in night,
Perspicuous now they meet the fearful sight.
Terrestrial queen, expel wherever found
The soul's mad fears to earth's remotest bound ;
With holy aspect on our incense shine,
And bless thy mystics, and the rites divine.