ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 29 



ing down his back. This droll figure is their chief or leader. 

 He does not mingle in the dance. Like the frantic Bacchinalian 



Arufpex, - 



Nunc'iet Orgy a BACCHI. 

 This Chorus annatus is prettily, defcribed by Claudian. 



Armatos hie fccpe chores, certaque vagandi 

 Textas lege fugas, inconfufofque recurfus, 

 Et pulchros errorum artcs, jucundaque martis 

 Cernimus : infonuit cum verbere figna magifter. 

 Mutatofque edunt paritur tot pe<5tora raotus, 

 In lams allifis Clypeis, am rurfus in ahum 

 Vibratis. Grave parma fonat mucronis acuti 

 Murmure, ct umbonum pulfu modulante refuhans > 

 Ferreus alterno concentus clauditur enfe. 



Claud, de vi. Conful. Honor. : 



Here have I feen the armed rings revolve, 

 In artful nights, in order then advance, 

 Attack, retire, in all the forms of war, 

 Their eye ftill on the fignal of the chief. 

 Then face about, ringing their brazen fhields 

 Againft their corilets, or uplifted high 

 Threaten the echoings ikies, whilft fteely blades 

 Harm murmur, and the clanging trumpets found - 

 Alternate ftruck, the martial confort clofe. 



The unlettered Roman called this feftal chorus, The -Phyrrlc 

 dance; the better fort, The Trojan game ( 



(q) Saeton. in Tibcrio. C. 27. 

 Virg. JEn. v. 596. 

 Stut. Itin. Curios, p. 91-3. 



Some 



