Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa ("of a hundred paths") 3.9.3.8

3.9.3.8

atha samidhamabhyādadhadāha | devebhyaḥ prātaryāvabhyo 'nubrūhīti candāṃsi vai devāḥ prātaryāvāṇaścandāṃsyanuyājā devebhyaḥ preṣya devānyajeti vā anuyājaiścaranti

Then, while putting a kindling-stick (on the fire), he (the Adhvaryu) says, 'Recite to the gods the early-coming!' Now the early-coming gods are the metres, as the after-offerings are the metres; and the after-offerings are performed with, 'Prompt (the Hotri to recite) to the gods! Recite (the offering-prayer) to the gods!'