44. For Semele

I call the maiden daughter of Kadmos,
the queen of all, beautiful Semele,
with lovely hair and deep breasts, the mother
of joyful Dionysos, who carries
the thyrsus. She was struck with labor pain,
made immortal by the will of Kronian
Zeus, and brought to honors by the shining
Persephone every third year among
mortals, when they perform rites enacting
the fruitful birth pains for your son Bakchos,
the sacred table and holy secrets.

Now, to you, divine lady, and daughter
of Kadmos, I pray, to place a gentle,
fair mind, always, in the initiates.