Hymn to Dionysos XXVI

Homeric Hymns

I begin to sing of ivy-crowned Dionysos, the loud-crying god, splendid son of Zeus and glorious Semele.
The rich-haired Nymphs received him in their bosoms from the lord his father and fostered and nurtured him carefully in the dells of Nysa, where by the will of his father he grew up in a sweet-smelling cave, being reckoned among the Immortals.
But when the goddesses had brought him up, a god often hymned, then he began to wander continually through the woody valleys, thickly wreathed with ivy and laurel.
And the Nymphs followed in his train with him as their leader; and the boundless forest was filled with their outcry.
And so hail to you, Dionysos, god of abundant clusters!
Grant that we may come again rejoicing to this season, and from that season onwards for many a year.