Page:Choëphoroe (Murray 1923).djvu/26

Rh Aigisthos. I am like one chained alway;

Orestes wandering without house or stay;

But they are full of pride, and make turmoil

And banquet of the treasures of thy toil.

Guide thou Orestes homeward, let there be

Some chance to aid him:—Father, hark to me!

And, oh, give me a heart to understand

More than my mother, and a cleaner hand!

These prayers for us; but for our enemies

This also I speak: O Father, let there rise

Against them thine Avenger, and again

The slayer in just recompense be slain.—

Behold, I pray great evil, and I lay

These tokens down; yea, midmost as I pray

Against thine enemies I lay them—so.

Do thou to us send blessing from below

With Zeus, and Earth, and Right which conquereth all.

These be the prayers on which mine offerings fall.

Do ye set lamentation like a wreath

Round them, and cry the triumph-song of death.

Let fall the tear that plashes as it dies,

Where the dead lies,

Fall on this barrèd door,

Where Good nor Evil entereth any more,

This holy, abhorrèd thing,

We turn from, praying.—Lo, the milk and wine