“O Isis, Goddess of Paraetonium,
the Mareotic fields, Pharos,
and Nile of seven horns divided—oh give help!
Goddess of nations! Heal us of our fears!
I saw you, Goddess, and Your symbols once,
and I adored them all,
the clashing sounds of sistra and the torches of your train,
and I took careful note of your commands,
for which my daughter lives to see the sun,
and also I have so escaped from harm;
—all this is of your counsel and your gift;
oh, pity both of us — and give us aid!” (Ovid, Metamorphoses 9: 764)
Translated by Brookes More
Found here: Ovid’s Metamorphoses Book 9
O Isis, You who love Paraetonium and Canopus’s genial fields,
Memphis and Pharos, Rich in Palms
and where the swift Nile glides down
and from His broad bed comes forth
to the waters of the sea through seven mouths,
by the sistra I beseech,
by the face of revered Anubis–
so may loyal Osiris ever love Your rites
and the sluggish serpent glide about Your altar-gifts,
and horned Apis be Your comrade in the pomp (Procession);
Turn hither Your countenance
and in one, spare us both!
For You will give life to my lady and she to me.
Often has she sat in ministration
to You on the days fixed for Your service,
where the Gallic squadron ride near Your laurel-trees (Ovid, Amores 2: 13, lines 7-18).
I changed the “thee and thou” to “You or Your” depending on the context. I also changed “Oft” to “Often”.
Ovid. Heroides and Amores. translated by Grant Showerman. (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1921-1924), 421-423.
Fiercely Bright One 