I begin to sing of rich-haired Demeter, awful goddess, of her and of her daughter lovely Persephone. Hail, goddess! Keep this city safe, and govern my song.
Δημήτηρ’ Δημήτρ’ ἠύκομον, σεμνὴν θεάν, ἄρχομ’ ἀείδειν,αὐτὴν καὶ κούρην, περικαλλέα Περσεφόνειαν.χαῖρε, θεά, καὶ τήνδε σάου πόλιν· ἄρχε δ’ ἀοιδῆς.