Sexual life in ancient Greece : with thirty-two full-page plates

MaRRIAGE CusTOMS

the joyful meal, the singing of Skolia (drinkingsongs) and the ringing sound of goblets. Already it is night, already the glow of torches flames from afar, and already is heard the sound of the old and yet eternally young song ‘Hymen, O Hymenzus!’ The noisy, excited procession, as we know of it from Homer and Hesiod, moves on, brings the bride home, high up in the carriage, to the bridegroom’s house, before which young men and women have already arranged themselves in two separate choirs and are drawn up to contend in a zealous and joyful contest of song, while above in the heavens shines peaceful Hesperus, the star of love, which long ago the bridegroom’s impatient, yearning desire has conjured up, while the bride quivers in sweet anxiety before its appearance. To him the maidens at first turn with their complaint :* ‘ Hesperus, worst of all the stars that shine forth in heaven, Hesperus, thou robbest all that loving care doth not protect; therefore, when thou appearest, loving care is ever on the watch; by night thieves skulk around and do not depart until thou returnest as the morning star at rosy dawn. Hymen, O Hymenzus, O Hymen, come, Hymenezeus !’

“ But the young men, although they have thought of other things at the drinking-bout, have not jumped up to no purpose and are resolved not to allow the palm of victory to escape them so cheaply. Immediately the counter-song resounds: ‘ Hesperus, most beautiful of all the stars that shine in heaven, Hesperus, thou bringest all, which the dawn hath driven afar ; thou bringest the sheep and bringest the goat, and the little son to the mother; thou bringest the maid to the man. Indeed, the maidens say: I remain always a maiden. Yet they think insilence: Ah! if I were only a little wife! Hymen, O Hymenzus, Hymen, come O Hymenzus !’

* This and the two following pieces of verse are after Catullus, 62.

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