A puberty ritual. Sparta, 7th cent. A chorus of young girls describe themselves and their ceremonial role in a special song. They appear to be offering a robe to a goddess, possibly Helen, who was worshipped in Sparta. Comparison to horses may suggest the imminence of marriage, which is often described in metaphors of taming and yoking.
Doves frequently represent women's vulnerability.
But in men's competition, success is ordinarily accompanied by strong expressions of envy and resentment. I sing of Agido's light. Hagesichora's hair blooms like unmixed gold. Here is Hagesichora. And she who is second to Agido in looks, runs like a Colaxian horse to an Ibenian.