The wisps of smoke had already risen from the bonfire in front of the temple, the roasting meat sizzling and oozing with oil, its golden hues glistening in the firelight, while the boiling mushroom soup wafted a delicious aroma.
Inside the temple, nine graceful figures sat in two rows, as always, indulging in the post-hunt revelry, playing exquisite music and humming pleasant melodies.
To the left in the temple, there were four:
- Seated and holding a flute was Oute Erpe, her name meaning "joy," presiding over lyric poetry and music;
- Standing and holding a comedy mask was Thalia, her name meaning "prosperity," overseeing comedy and pastoral poetry;
- Beside her was Cleo, her name meaning "praise," in charge of history;
- The melancholic one snuggling up was Polinnia, her name meaning "hymn," responsible for hymns and rhetoric.
To the right in the temple, there were five:
- Seated with a lyre was Terpsichore, her name meaning "dance," governing choral music and dance;