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be satiated and appeased, breaks out into a glorious burst, that shows how sin and wickedness can make a Poetess of the Highest Order.

She tells the Chorus that Troy has been taken, and they ask, 'How long ago? When was the city sacked?' She replies, ' 'Twas in the night that bore this rising light.' The Chorus, incredulous, asks again, 'But how? What messenger could come so fast?' And this is her glorious reply:" —

The Fire-God, kindling his bright light on Ida!

Beacon to beacon fast and forward flashed,

An estafette of fire, on to the rocks

Of Hermes-hallowed Lemnos: from that isle

Caught, thirdly, Jove-crowned Athos the red light,

That broader, skimming o'er the shimmering sea,

Went travelling in its strength. For our delight

The pine-torch, golden-glittering like the sun,

Spoke to the watchman on Macistus' height.

Nor he delaying, nor by careless sleep

Subdued, sent on the fiery messenger:

Far o'er Euripus' tide the beacon-blaze

Signalled to the Messapian sentinels.

Light answering light, they sent the tidings on,

Kindling into a blaze the old dry heath;

And mightier still, and waning not a whit,

The light leaped o'er Asopus' plain, most like

The crescent moon, on to Cithseron's peak,

And woke again another missive fire.

Nor did the guard disdain the far-seen light,

But kindled up at once a mightier flame.