Book 1
27
But the Phæacians in Homer had a dance also uncon- nected with ball playing; and they danced very cleverly, alternating in figures with one another. That is what is meant by the expression, In frequent interchanges, while others stood by and made a clapping noise with their fore-fingers, which is called ληκεῖν. The poet was acquainted also with the art of dancing so as to keep time with singing. And while Demodocus was singing, youths just entering on manhood were dancing; and in the book which is called the Manufacture of the Arms, a boy played the harp, Danced round and sung in soft well measured tune. And in these passages the allusion is to that which is called the hyporchematic ὑπόρχημα, a hyporcheme or choral hymn to Apollo, near akin to the Pæan. It was of a very lively character, accompanied with dancing (whence the name) and pantomimic action; and is compared by Athenæus to the κόρδαξ (630 E). Pindar's Fragments, 71-82, are remains of hyporchemes.—Liddell & Scott, in voc. ὑπόρχημα. style, which flourished in the time of Xenodemus and Pindar. And this kind of dance is an imitation of actions which are explained by words, and is what the elegant Xenophon represents as having taken place, in his Anabasis, at the banquet given by Seuthes the Thracian. He says:
