patron of the dance, and Dionysus, whose eye darts flame, as he
steps forward surrounded by the Maenad maids, and Zeus, who wields the
flashing
lightning, and his
august, thrice-blessed
spouse, the Queen
of Heaven! These let us
invoke, and all the other gods,
calling all
the inhabitants of the skies to
witness the noble Peace now
concluded under the fond auspices of Aphrodite. Io Paean! Io Paean!
dance, leap, as in honour of a
victory won. Euoi! Euoi! Euai! Euai!
MAGISTRATE
And you, our Laconian guests, sing us a new and inspiring strain!
LACONIAN (singing)
Leave once more, oh! leave once more the noble
height of Taygetus,
oh! Muse of Lacedaemon, and join us in singing the praises of Apollo
of Amyclae, and Athene of the Brazen House, and the
gallant twin
sons of Tyndareus, who
practise arms on the banks of the Eurotas
river. Haste, haste
hither with nimble-footed pace, let us sing
Sparta, the city that delights in choruses
divinely sweet and graceful
dances, when our maidens bound
lightly by the river side, like
frolicsome fillies,
beating the ground with rapid steps and shaking
their long locks in the wind, as Bacchantes wave their wands in the
wild revels of the Wine-god. At their head, oh!
chaste and beauteous
goddess, daughter of Leto, Artemis, do thou lead the song and dance.
With a fillet
binding thy waving tresses, appear in thy loveliness;
leap like a fawn, strike thy
divine hands together to
animate the
dance, and aid us to
renown the
valiantgoddess of battles, great
Athene of the Brazen House!
(All depart, singing and dancing.)
THE END
.