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34

Approach, O Queen of orgies pure,

And us, thy faithful band, ensure

From morn to eve to ply secure

Our mocking and our clowning:

To grace thy feast with many a hit

Of merry jest or serious wit,

And laugh, and earn the prize, and flit

Triumphant to the crowning.

Now call the God of blooming mien;

Raise the mystic chorus:

Our comrade he and guide unseen,

With us and before us.

Iacchus high in glory, thou whose day

Of all is merriest, hither, help our play;

Show, as we throne thee at thy Maiden's side,

How light to thee are our long leagues of way.

Iacchus, happy dancer, be our guide.

Thyself, that poorest men thy joy should share,

Didst rend thy robe, thy royal sandal tear,

That feet unshod might dance, and robes rent wide

Wave in thy revel with no after care.

Iacchus, happy dancer, be our guide.

Lo there! but now across the dance apace

A maiden tripped, a maiden fair of face,

Whose tattered smock and kerchief scarce could hide

The merry bosom peering from its place.

Iacchus, happy dancer, be our guide.