Apollo

Prayer giving thanks to Apollo for his blessing

Shining Apollo, bright-haired son of Zeus

and tender-hearted Leto who bore you on the shores

of free-floating Delos, brother of Artemis

of the silver shafts, lover of truth who knows

what will be, who grants the gift of foreknowledge

to those who seek, patron of the wise Pythia

who sits at the center of the world. Apollo,

friend of the lovely Muses, player of sweet songs

upon the lyre, healer of plagues, defender

against all evil, ever-youthful one whose hands

are deft, whose arm is strong, whose bow-string taut and thick

looses a rain of arrows, enough to dim the sun.

Fairest of gods, long of lock and smooth of cheek,

laurel-crowned one, I thank you for your blessings.