"Io, &c.
"And the Horai began to be fruitful year by year, and Dike to possess
mankind and all wild living things were held about by wealth-loving
Peace.
"Io, &c.
"And the Horai began to be fruitful year by year, and Dike to possess
mankind and all wild living things were held about by wealth-loving
Peace.
"Io, &c.
"To us also leap for full jars, and leap for fleecy flocks, and leap
for fields of fruit, and for hives to bring increase.
"Io, &c.
"Leap for our cities, and leap for our sea-borne ships, and leap for
our young citizens, and for goodly Themis."
This hymn is most extraordinarily interesting; it places beyond all doubt
what was the root intention of this ceremonial dance; it was designed
to stimulate the reproductive energies of Nature, to bring into being
fruitful fields, and vineyards, plenteous increase in the flocks and
herds, and to people the cities with youthful citizens; and the god is
entreated not merely to accept the worship offered, but himself to
join in the action which shall produce such fair results, to leap for
full jars, and fleecy flocks, and for youthful citizens.
The importance of movement, notably of what we may call group
movement, as a stimulant to natural energies, is thoroughly recognized
among primitive peoples; with them Dance holds a position equivalent
to that which, in more advanced communities, is assigned to Prayer.
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