midday
After a pleasant drive , they came to the place where stood a row of cisterns on the river 's bank . There they unharnessed the mules , and left them to crop the sweet clover in the water-meadows . Then they unloaded the waggon , threw the garments into washing-troughs , and trod them with their feet until they were thoroughly cleansed , and having wrung them out , they spread them on the white pebbly beach to dry . While the garments were bleaching in the wholesome sun and air , they took their bath , and afterwards sat down to the midday meal . When that was ended , they threw off their veils , and stood up to play at ball . It was a pretty and graceful sight ; they were all comely maidens , glowing with youth and health . Their sport was accompanied by dance and song , and as they chased the flying ball , keeping time with hand and foot and voice , they seemed like a choir of mountain nymphs , led by Artemis , when she goes forth to the chase , in the wild valleys of Arcady or Lacedæmon .