Page:Sophocles (Storr 1919) v2.djvu/141

 For lo, already the bright beams of day

Waken to melody the pipe of birds,

And black night with her glimmering stars has waned.

So ere a soul be stirring in the streets

Confer together and resolve yourselves.

No time for longer pause; now must we act.

Dearest of followers, how well thou show’st

The constant service of thy loyalty!

For as the high-bred steed, though he be old,

Pricks up his ears and champs the bit for joy

When battle rages, even so dost thou

Both urge us on and follow with the first.

Therefore I will unfold our plans, and thou

Note well my words, and if in aught I seem

To miss the mark, admonish and correct.

Know then that when I left thee to consult

The Pythian oracle and learn how best

To execute just vengeance for my sire

On those that slew him, Phoebus answered thus:

Trust not to shields or armed hosts, but steal

The chance thyself the avenging blow to deal.

Since then the Pythian god hath thus advised,

Go thou and watch thine opportunity

To enter in the palace and observe

What happens there and bring us full report.

And fear not to be recognised; long years

And thy white locks, the blossom of old age,

Have changed thee wholly. Forge some specious tale:

Thou art a Phocian stranger hither sent

By Phanoteus their doughtiest ally. 129