A Dance in the Palace of Vulcan

Next to these, he cut a dancing place,

All full of turnings, that was like the admirable maze

For fair-hair'd Ariadne made, by cunning Daedalus;

And in it youths and virgins danc'd, all young and

       beauteous,

And glewed in another's palms. Weeds that the wind

       did toss

The virgins wore; the youths wov'n coats, that cast a

       faint dim gloss Like that of oil. Fresh garlands too, the virgins'

       temples bawdries bound.

Sometimes all wound close in a ring, to which as fast

       they spun

As any wheel a turner makes, being tried how it will

      run,

While he is set; and out again, as full of speed they

      wound,

Not one left fast, or breaking hands. A multitude

      stood round,

Delighted with their nimble sport; to end which two

      begun,

Mids all, a song, and turning sung the sports con­-

     clusión.

Homer