I praise Gaia, the ancient one

Firmly founded, she who nourishes

Everything alive on Earth; all that walks on the ground

And that swims in the sea or flies through the air.  Everything lives,

Oh Gaia, from you; children of humans originate from you

And so does the luscious fruit.  To give life to mortals

Or deprive them of it, depends only on you.

Blessed is the man whom you highly honor:

He abounds with everything, his orchards are replete with fruit,

Huge herds graze on his lands, and wealth settles in his house.

These are the men who, with just laws, rule nations,

And towns with beautiful women; so rich and lucky; their sons

Enjoy youthful happiness; their daughters, the virgins,

Form choirs in blossom, on soft-flowering prairies

Pleasingly dance.  Greatly blissful are, venerable,

Those whom you honor.  I hail you, mother of all gods, and wife

Of starry Uranus!  You heartily grant me, because of my praise,

The sweetest of lives.  I remember you  and your hymns.

- attributed to Homer