Prayer to Ceres

Before all else, worship the Gods, and to great Ceres pay Her annual due upon the happy sward with sacrifice, at the utmost end of winter, when spring begins to smile. Then are the lambs fat, and the wines most mellow, then is sleep sweet, and dark the shadows fall upon the mountains. Let your rustic youth do obedience to Ceres, one and all; and for Her pleasure mix honeycombs in milk, and offer Liber's ripe produce. Thrice for luck around the young grain let the offerings travel, and all the choir, a joyful company, attend it, and with shouts bid Ceres come to be their house-mate. Let no man dare put sickle to ripened ears until, with woven oak his temples wreath, he foot the rugged dance and chant the lay.