{"product_id":"2940015977912","title":"Hymen","description":"An excerpt from the beginning:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHYMEN\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey sing–the music is temple music, deep, simple chanting notes:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e          From the closed garden \u003cbr\u003e          Where our feet pace \u003cbr\u003e          Back and forth each day, \u003cbr\u003e          This gladiolus white, \u003cbr\u003e          This red, this purple spray– \u003cbr\u003e          Gladiolus tall with dignity \u003cbr\u003e          As yours, lady–we lay \u003cbr\u003e          Before your feet and pray:           \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e          Of all the blessings– \u003cbr\u003e          Youth, joy, ecstasy– \u003cbr\u003e          May one gift last \u003cbr\u003e          (As the tall gladiolus may \u003cbr\u003e          Outlast the wind-flower, \u003cbr\u003e          Winter-rose or rose), \u003cbr\u003e          One gift above, \u003cbr\u003e          Encompassing all those;           \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e          For her, for him, \u003cbr\u003e          For all within these palace walls, \u003cbr\u003e          Beyond the feast, \u003cbr\u003e          Beyond the cry of Hymen and the torch, \u003cbr\u003e          Beyond the night and music \u003cbr\u003e          Echoing through the porch till day.           \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe music, with its deep chanting notes, dies away. The curtain hangs motionless in rich, full folds. Then from this background of darkness, dignity and solemn repose, a flute gradually detaches itself, becomes clearer and clearer, pipes alone one shrill, simple little melody.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom the distance, four children's voices blend with the flute, and four very little girls pass singly before the curtain, small maids or attendants of the sixteen matrons. Their hair is short and curls at the back of their heads like the hair of the chryselephantine Hermes. They sing:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e          Where the first crocus buds unfold\u003cbr\u003e          We found these petals near the cold\u003cbr\u003e              Swift river-bed...","brand":"OGB","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47157041004784,"sku":"2940015977912","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940015977912_p0.jpg?v=1763627020","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940015977912","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}