ifted torch within the sacred
zone. The circle breaks and forms two lines and the centre figure passes
between, moving onward to the altar. The others in serpent form move
sinuously back to the Temple of Hecate.

The solitary figure, the haughty torch-bearer, draws nearer, until Chios
sees by the lurid glare the dark masses of hair floating on the wind,
and fancies he sees the mysterious eyes beneath the marble brow. He
could not mistake her--he knew her too well. It was Saronia, the
priestess, arrayed in her priestly robes.

She was standing by the statue of the great goddess with head thrown
back. The flame of the torch like a serpent of fire coiled and uncoiled
like a living thing, and lit up the band of gold which circled her head,
and shone on her mantle of sable hue.

Then, stretching out her hands towards the earth, she addressed the
goddess:

'Hail, Hecate!
Hail, Diana!
Luna, Hail!
Goddess of Heaven, the Earth, and the Underworld.
Thou rollest the heavens around the steady pole.
Thou illuminest the sun.
Thou governest the world.
Thou treadest on the dark realms of Tartarus.
The stars move responsive to thy command.
The gods rejoice in thy divinity.
The hours and the seasons return by thy appointment,
And the elements reverence thy decree.
Hear me, O Moon!
Hear me, great Saviour!
Listen, dread Hecate!
A black lamb I bring thee.'

Then, seizing the lamb, she raised it to the altar and slew it, and the
red blood danced o'er the marble shrine. And taking a golden vase filled
with baneful oblation, she poured it over the victim, at the same time
swinging the torch to and fro above her head, chanting:

'Come forth, thou moon, with propitious light.
Cold, silent goddess! at this witching hour
To thee I'll chant.

* * * * *

Hail, Hecate! prodigious demon, hail!
Come at the last, and make the work prevail,
That the strong brewage may perform its part,
No worse than that was made by Circe's art,
By bold Medea, terrible as fair,
Or Perimedea of the golden hair.'

Then the earth shook, and spiral columns of vapour rose around the
altar, and from each column came a spectre of fire and stood with
outstretched hands.

The priestess placed the resinous wood around the sacrifice, and
applying her torch, t