2. For Prothyraia

Hear me, much honored goddess, many named
spirit and helper of those in labor,
sweet sight to those who give birth, and only
savior of women, gentle-minded one
who loves children. You give quick birth, and guard
mortal young, Prothyraia, the gracious
key holder, delighting in child-rearing.
Kindly to all, you occupy every
household, and take great glee in festivals.
You untie the belts, invisible but
apparent in every action you take.
You share the pains of labor, and rejoice
in every healthy birth. You loosen pains,
Eileithyia, of all those who suffer
in terrible necessity; to you
alone, as a rest for the soul, women
in childbed cry out, for in you the pains
and trouble of childbirth end,