The hierophant withdrew, and the sacred herald announced that a mystery play would be enacted.
Aeschylus had hinted to Zopyrus that the celebration consisted of “things said” and “things done.” The young man’s eyes were fixed in eager anticipation upon the clear space in the center of the Great Hall, around the sides of which were seated not less than three thousand spectators. The actors gained access to the pit by means of trap-doors which opened from below.
“The first scene,” whispered Cleodice, “will represent Persephone and some girl friends picking roses, lilies and hyacinths in the fields of Enna in Sicily.”
CHAPTER XVII.
Persephone.
“Yonder brook Demeter’s tears received,
That she wept for her Persephone.”
Schiller.
Scarcely had the words fallen from Cleodice’s lips than there appeared several maidens running, dancing and pirouetting. They seemed to be so many sylvan nymphs effusing the spirit of eternal spring among imaginary wooded hills, beside babbling brooks and amid fragrant meadows in search of flowers to wind in their long hair which streamed behind them or fell about their shoulders as they ran.
“The one with the richly broidered gown of pure white is Persephone,” explained Eumetis, observing that Zopyrus’ eyes were fastened upon that figure.
Seated between Cleodice and Eumetis, Zopyrus had not withdrawn his gaze from the girl in white, the Persephone. It was the maiden whom he had rescued on the Acropolis!