Xanthias.
Yes. And such a smell of torches
Floating towards us, all most Mystery-like!
Dionysus.
Crouch quietly down and let us hear the music.
[They crouch down at the left. Music is heard far off. Xanthias puts down the bundle.
Chorus (unseen).
Iacchus, O Iacchus!
Iacchus, O Iacchus!
Xanthias.
That's it, sir. These are the Initiated
Rejoicing somewhere here, just as he told us.
Why, it's the old Iacchus hymn that used
To warm the cockles of Diagoras!
Dionysus.
Yes, it must be. However, we'd best sit
Quite still and listen, till we're sure of it.
[There enters gradually the Chorus, consisting of Men Initiated in the Eleusinian Mysteries. They are led by a Hierophant or Initiating Priest, and accompanied by a throng of Worshipping Women. They have white robes, wreaths upon their brows, and torches in their hands. During their entrance the back scene again changes. The lake disappears and we find ourselves in front of the house of Pluto.
