Page:Modern Greek folklore and ancient Greek religion - a study in survivals.djvu/151

 their worst cruel. Their presence is suspected everywhere; grim forest-depth and laughing valley, babbling stream and wind-swept ridge, tree and cave and pool, each may be their chosen haunt, the charmed scene of their dance and song and godlike revelry. The old distinctions between the nymphs according to their habitations still to some extent hold good; there are nymphs of the sea and nymphs of the streams, tree-nymphs and mountain-nymphs; but in characteristics these several classes are alike, in grace, in frolic, in wantonness. Of all that is light and mirthful they are the ideal; of all that is lovely the exquisite embodiment; and their hearts beneath are ever swayed by fierce gusts of love and of hate.

The beauty of the Nereids, the sweetness of their voices, and the grace and litheness of their movements have given rise to many familiar phrases which are eloquent of feelings other than awe in the people's minds. 'She is fair as a Nereid' ([Greek: eine ômorphê sa neraïda]), 'she has the eyes, the arms, the bosom of a Nereid' ([Greek: echei matia, cheria, byzia neraïdas]), 'she sings, she dances, like a Nereid' ([Greek: tragoudaei, choreuei, sa neraïda]),—such are the compliments time and again passed upon a bride, whose white dress and ornaments of gold seem to complete the resemblance. Possibly the twofold usage in antiquity of the word [Greek: nymphê] is responsible for a still surviving association of bridal dress with the Nereids; it is at any rate to the peasants' mind an incontestable fact that white and gold are the colours chiefly affected by Nereids in their dress.

Only in one particular is the beauty of the Nereids ever thought to be marred; in some localities they are said to have the feet of goats or of asses ; as for instance the three Nereids who are believed to dance together without pause on the heights of Taÿgetus. But this is a somewhat rare and local trait, and must have been transferred to them, it would seem, from Pan and his attendant satyrs, with whom of old they were wont to consort; in general they are held to be of beauty unblemished.

Their accomplishments include, besides singing and dancing, the humbler arts of the good housewife. 'She cooks like a Nereid' ([Greek: mageireuei sa neraïda]) and 'she does house-cleaning like a, p. 566; Bern. Schmidt, Das Volksleben, p. 104.]