The Orphic Collection, Volume I: The Hymns

Proteus I call, who holds the keys of the sea,

first-born, who revealed the beginnings of all nature

by changing sacred matter into forms of many shapes,

all-honoured, of many counsels, knowing what now is

5and whatever was before and whatever will be after;

for he himself, having all things, changes himself, nor does any other

of the immortals who hold the seat of snowy Olympos

and the sea and the earth, and who fly in the air;

for the first nature laid all things up in Proteus.

10But, father, come to the celebrants with pure providence

sending a good end of a blessed life upon their works.