Hymen

An excerpt from the beginning:

HYMEN

As from a temple service, tall and dignified, with slow pace, each a queen, the sixteen matrons from the temple of Hera pass before the curtain–a dark purple hung between Ionic columns–of the porch or open hall of a palace. Their hair is bound as the marble hair of the temple Hera. Each wears a crown or diadem of gold.

They sing–the music is temple music, deep, simple chanting notes:

From the closed garden
Where our feet pace
Back and forth each day,
Thi...