Hymn to Astarte

Mother inexhaustible, incorruptible, crea-

tress, born thy first, engendered by thyself and

by thyself conceived, issue of thyself alone and

seeking joy within thyself, Astarte!

Oh perpetually fecund, virgin

and nurse of all, chaste and desirous, pure

and reveling, ineffable, nocturnal, sweet,

breather of fire, foam of the sea!

You who accordest grace in secret, you

who unite, you who love, you who seize with

furious desire the multiplied races of savage

beasts and couple the sexes in the woods.

Oh, irresistible Astarte! so be it that you impose sadness,

so be it that you deliver joy, hear me,

take me, take from my blissful body the bloody libations!