Page:Sophocles (Storr 1912) v1.djvu/271

 Pallas their patron, or

Him whose wide floods enring

Earth, the great Ocean-king

Whom Rhea bore.

Fight they or now prepare

To fight? a vision rare

Tells me that soon again

I shall behold the twain

Maidens so ill bestead,

By their kin buffeted.

To-day, to-day Zeus worketh some great thing

This day shall victory bring.

O for the wings, the wings of a dove,

To be borne with the speed of the gale,

Up and still upwards to sail

And gaze on the fray from the clouds above.

All-seeing Zeus, O lord of heaven,

To our guardian host be given

Might triumphant to surprise

Flying foes and win their prize.

Hear us, Zeus, and hear us, child

Of Zeus, Athenè undefiled,

Hear, Apollo, hunter, hear,

Huntress, sister of Apollo,

Who the dappled swift-foot deer

O’er the wooded glade dost follow;

Help with your two-fold power

Athens in danger’s hour!

O wayfarer, thou wilt not have to tax

The friends who watch for thee with false presage,

For lo, an escort with the maids draws near. 249