Page:Foreign Tales and Traditions (Volume 1).djvu/166

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THE MAGICIAN

self, and streams of perspiration flowed down their limbs at every saut perilleux.

The torch-bearers also approached dancing, their leader incessantly calling out:

“Lack-a-day Lack-a-day Did not I say:
“‘Let not the rogue take his whistle away!’”

“Bravo! Bravo!” shouted the Magician, making a short pause in his playing-welcome relief to the feet of the dancers-when he saw the van approaching with the torches intended to light the pile: “Bravo! Bravo! Now comes the torch-dance.^[1] Courage! Courage! The torch-bearers first; and after them every one of you according to his dignity! Only a few hours more of it! But you must sing also.”

Instantly all the thousands who were dancing around the Magician began to sing:

“Lack-a-day! Lack-a-day! Did not I say:
“‘Let not the rogue take his whistle away!’”

“Da Capo! Da Capo!” exclaimed the remorseless Magician; and every body screamed and danced, and danced

↑ The Torch-dance seems to have had its origin in a custom of the Greeks—afterwards adopted by the Romans—who had a torch carried before the bride, at their weddings, by a youth representing the god Hymen. Constantine introduced the Torch-dance at his own court, when he transferred his residence from Rome to Byzantium. It was consequently known in the 14th century as a court and ceremonious dance. In later times it became a part of the merriments with which emperors and kings celebrated their weddings; and when tournaments had ceased, the Torch-dance yet remained as a memorial of ancient times. The Torch-dance was solemnly danced at Berlin on the recent occasion of an illustrious marriage.

[1] The Torch-dance seems to have had its origin in a custom of the Greeks—afterwards adopted by the Romans—who had a torch carried before the bride, at their weddings, by a youth representing the god Hymen. Constantine introduced the Torch-dance at his own court, when he transferred his residence from Rome to Byzantium. It was consequently known in the 14th century as a court and ceremonious dance. In later times it became a part of the merriments with which emperors and kings celebrated their weddings; and when tournaments had ceased, the Torch-dance yet remained as a memorial of ancient times. The Torch-dance was solemnly danced at Berlin on the recent occasion of an illustrious marriage.

[1]