Lyre

"... they were dining delightedly, these neighbours and kinsmen of the famous , under his tall roof-tree. Of the party one was a who sang divinely to his lyre. As soon as his preluding chords were heard two clowns danced in among the guests and threw cartwheels upon the hall floor."

"As instruction in playing the lyre was a basic part of , men and women could employ the instrument for simple recreation, the accompaniment of dancing, music in wedding ceremonies, or singing at symposia. The lyre was also employed in contests, and boys are often pictured learning to play the lyre, face-to-face with their instructors. One of the most famous of these representations is the red-figure paining by on a of ca. 470 B.C.E. ... The lyre serves an emblematic function in mythological scenes or scenes of death. In the mythological scenes, the lyre may stand as a symbol for Apollo, Hermes, the Muses, , , , or youths pursued by Eos; in scenes of death, the lyre perhaps symbolizes the tranquility of Elysium."

"Thus the blest the genial day prolong, In feasts l, and celestial song. ' tun'd the lyre, the ' round With voice alternate aid the silver sound."