O universal Mother, who dost keep <br />From everlasting thy foundations deep, <br />Eldest of things, Great Earth, I sing of thee! <br />All shapes that have their dwelling in the sea, <br />All things that fly, or on the ground divine <br />Live, move, and there are nourished—these are thine; <br />These from thy wealth thou dost sustain; from thee <br />Fair babes are born, and fruits on every tree <br />Hang ripe and large, revered Divinity! <br /> <br />The life of mortal men beneath thy sway <br />Is held; thy power both gives and takes away! <br />Happy are they whom thy mild favours nourish; <br />All things unstinted round them grow and flourish. <br />For them, endures the life-sustaining field <br />Its load of harvest, and their cattle yield <br />Large increase, and their house with wealth is filled. <br />Such honoured dwell in cities fair and free, <br />The homes of lovely women, prosperously; <br />Their sons exult in youth’s new budding gladness, <br />And their fresh daughters free from care or sadness, <br />With bloom-inwoven dance and happy song, <br />On the soft flowers the meadow-grass among, <br />Leap round them sporting--such delights by thee <br />Are given, rich Power, revered Divinity. <br /> <br />Mother of gods, thou Wife of starry Heaven, <br />Farewell! be thou propitious, and be given <br />A happy life for this brief melody, <br />Nor thou nor other songs shall unremembered be.<br /><br />Percy Bysshe Shelley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/homer-s-hymn-to-the-earth-mother-of-all/
