Hymn to Isis

By Isidorus

Hymn II from "The Four Greek Hymns of Isidorus and the Cult of Isis" by Vera Frederika Vanderlip, publisher, A. M. Hakkert, Ltd., Toronto, Canada, 1972


Hail, Agathetyche, greatly renowned Isis, mightiest
   Hermouthis, in you every city rejoices;
O Discoverer of Life and Cereal food wherein all
   mortals delight because of your blessing(s).
All who pray to you to assist their commerce,
   prosper in their piety forever;
All who are bound in mortal illnesses in the grip of death,
   if they (but) pray to you, quickly attain your (renewal) of Life.
How truly the Agathosdaimon, mighty Sokonopis,
   dwells as your temple-mate, that goodly Bestower of wealth,
Creator of both earth and the starry heaven,
   and of all rivers, and very swift streams;
and Anchoes your Son, who inhabits the height of heaven,
   is the rising Sun who shows forth the light.
All indeed who wish to beget offspring,
   if they (but) pray to you, attain fruitfulness.
Persuading the gold-flowing Nile, you lead it in season
   over the land of Egypt as a blessing for men.
Then all vegetation flourishes and you apportion to all
   whom you favour, a life of unspeakable blessing(s).
Remembering your gifts, men to whom you have granted wealth
   and great blessings (which you give them to possess all their lives),
All duly set aside for you one tenth of these blessings
   rejoicing each year at the time of your Panegyrie.
Thereafter you allow them, as the year rolls round (again),
   everyone to rejoice in the month of Pachon.
Joyful after your festival, they return home
   reverently (and are) filled with the sense of blessedness that comes
   only from you.
Grant a share of your gifts also to me, Lady Hermouthis,
   Your suppliant, happiness and especially the blessing of children.

Isidorus wrote (it).

Hearing my prayers and hymns, the gods
have rewarded me with the blessing of great happiness.