Page:Agamemnon (Murray 1920).djvu/57

vv. 914–934.

Daughter of Leda, watcher of my fold,

In sooth thy welcome, grave and amply told,

Fitteth mine absent years. Though it had been

Seemlier, methinks, some other, not my Queen,

Had spoke these honours. For the rest, I say,

Seek not to make me soft in woman's way;

Cry not thy praise to me wide-mouthed, nor fling

Thy body down, as to some barbarous king.

Nor yet with broidered hangings strew my path,

To awake the unseen ire. 'Tis God that hath

Such worship; and for mortal man to press

Rude feet upon this broidered loveliness

I vow there is danger in it. Let my road

Be honoured, surely; but as man, not god.

Rugs for the feet and yonder broidered pall

The names ring diverse! Aye, and not to fall

Suddenly blind is of all gifts the best

God giveth, for I reckon no man blest

Ere to the utmost goal his race be run.

So be it; and if, as this day I have done,

I shall do always, then I fear no ill.

Tell me but this, nowise against thy will

My will, be sure, shall falter not nor fade.

Was this a vow in some great peril made?

Enough! I have spoke my purpose, fixed and plain.