Page:The Art of Nijinsky.djvu/129

THE NEW PHASE we of to-day can never know. For not always was nature unkind. At certain times and seasons, how, why, man knew not, she would take to herself the aspect of a most kindly goddess, and then would man feel himself to be so near to her and so grateful that nothing it seemed could be too great or too fearful a sacrifice if only he might attain again to that delight. And it was found that the favour of the goddess could indeed be gained, were she propitiated with fitting rites, so that after cruellest winter, from every shoot and tendril the sap would rise, and the brown earth bring forth its secrets, and man once more be warm, and the children play in the sun.

This is the holy rite of prayer and sacrifice which is celebrated in Le Sacre du Printemps. There is no other plot, and we need only sit and watch with a 91