not sensual , not in the least , but aesthetic , weaving across the stage like water rippled by the music , fingers , arms , waists , thighs , knees , feet , all part of the constant flow , the weaving ; and here came the first cobra , and the second , and the third , each sliding out of its cage and onto the stage and up to and now rising among the girls , swaying to the rhythm of this fine music and these fine legs , and soon there were eight snakes , each a beautysome older and some taller than the others , but each as fine a cobra as i had ever seenand six legs , each a beauty , forming a small forest of dance , behind which no further preparations took place , for the preparers had stopped to watch as well , the mock prisoner included , each swaying to this airy , leggy , snaky rhythm .