Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/228

198 198 EURIPIDES

" Father ! Why sacrifice, before I slay

Eurustheus ? why have twice the lustral fire, looo

And double pains, w^hen 't is permitted me

To end, with one good hand-sweep, matters here ?

Then, — when I hither bring Eurustheus' head, —

Then for these just slain, wash hands once for all I

Now, — cast drink - offerings forth, throw baskets

down ! 1005

Who gives me bow and arrows, who my club ? I go to that Mukenai ! One must match Crowbars and mattocks, so that — those sunk stones The Kuklops squared with picks and plumb - line

red ^ — I, with my bent steel, may o'ertumble town I " loio

^V^hich said, he goes and — with no car to haΛ'^e — Affirms he has one ! mounts the chariot-board. And strikes, as having really goad in hand ! And two ways laughed the servants — laugh with

awe ; And one said, as each met the other's stare, lois

" Playing us boys' tricks ? or is master mad ? " But up he climbs, and down along the roof. And, dropping into the men's place, maintains He 's come to Nisos city,^ when he 's come Only inside his own house ! then reclines 1020

On floor, for couch, and, as arrived indeed. Makes himself supper ; goes through some brief stay, Then says he 's traversing the forest-flats Of Isthmos ; ^ thereupon lays body bare Of bucklings, and begins a contest with 1025

^ The mighty Cyclopean walls at Mycenae are still to be seen. ^ Megara, on the route to Mycenae.

^ Corinth, the seat of the tthmian Games, in which Heracles fan- cies himself to engage.