Aristophanes Lysistrata 1295

SPARTANS

Piper, gie us the music for a new sang.

SPARTANS.

Leaving again lovely lofty Taygetus

Hither O Spartan Muse, hither to greet us,

And wi' our choric voice to raise

1540

To Amyclean Apollo praise,

And Tyndareus' gallant sons whose days

Alang Eurotas' banks merrily pass,

An' Athene o' the House o' Brass.

Now the dance begin;

1545

Dance, making swirl your fringe o' woolly skin,

While we join voices

To hymn dear Sparta that rejoices

I' a beautifu' sang,

An' loves to see

1550

Dancers tangled beautifully;

For the girls i' tumbled ranks

Alang Eurotas' banks

Like wanton fillies thrang,

Frolicking there

1555

An' like Bacchantes shaking the wild air

To comb a giddy laughter through the hair,

Bacchantes that clench thyrsi as they sweep

To the ecstatic leap.

An' Helen, Child o' Leda, come

1560

Thou holy, nimble, gracefu' Queen,

Lead thou the dance, gather thy joyous tresses up i' bands

An' play like a fawn. To madden them, clap thy hands,

And sing praise to the warrior goddess templed i' our lands,

Her o' the House o' Brass.

1565