Page:House of Atreus 2nd ed (1889).djvu/217

Rh O ye who sit by Zeus' right hand, nor fail

Of wisdom set among you and assured,

Loved of the well-loved Goddess-Maid! the King

Of gods doth reverence you, beneath her guarding wing.

All hail unto each honoured guest!

Whom to the chambers of your rest

'Tis mine to lead, and to provide

The hallowed torch, the guard and guide.

Pass down, the while these altars glow

With sacred fire, to earth below

And your appointed shrine.

There dwelling, from the land restrain

The force of fate, the breath of bane,

But waft on us the gift and gain

Of Victory divine!

And ye, the men of Cranaos' seed,

I bid ye now with reverence lead

These alien Powers that thus are made

Athenian evermore. To you

Fair be their will henceforth, to do

Whate'er may bless and aid!

Hail to you all! hail yet again,

All who love Athens, Gods and men,

Adoring her as Pallas' home!

And while ye reverence what ye grant—

My sacred shrine and hidden haunt—

Blameless and blissful be your doom!