Byssa’s mother, Strybele, appeared in the doorway. Uttering a loud cry, she rushed with outstretched arms toward her daughter.
Ariston hastily stepped between them.
“Come!” he said, and with resolute authority led his wife out of the room.
“Ariston,” whispered the poor mother, “utter no curses, no evil words. Remember, she is your daughter.”
When Ariston returned he was clad in his priestly robes. A long white garment fell to his feet, and he wore around his brow a chaplet.
He approached Byssa. In the deep stillness of the house the mother was heard sobbing and praying within.
Ariston, raising his voice, said with great solemnity:
“Zeus was, Zeus is, and Zeus will be; oh, supreme god Zeus! In thy name, Catharsius, cleanser from all guilt, in thy name Meilichius, all-merciful one, I say to ... this woman....”
At the last word his voice trembled.
“This is thy command, oh Zeus. Purification shall be given to him who comes humbly to ask for purification. No one must ask his name, no one must inquire the name of him who is slain; for it is seemly to keep silence in the presence of the unclean. But no one, neither man nor woman, shall refuse to yield him the blessing of purification.”