Page:Sophocles (Storr 1919) v2.djvu/143

 Report, confirming with an oath the tale,

How that Orestes by a fatal chance

Hath perished, from his speeding chariot hurled

(So let thy tale run) at the Pythian games.

And we meanwhile, as the god ordered us,

First having crowned my father’s sepulchre

With pure libations and rich offerings

Of new-shorn tresses, will return anon,

An urn of well-wrought brasswork in our hands,

The same we hid in the brush-wood, as thou know’st.

This will confirm the feigned tale we bring,

That I am dead and to the pyre consigned,

Naught left of me but ashes and grey dust:

Little reck I by rumour to be dead,

So I live on to win me deathless fame.

The end, methinks, gives any fraud excuse.

Oft have I heard of men, reputed wise,

Who spread the rumour of their death, and so

Returning home a heartier welcome found.

Thus by my bruited death I too aspire

To blaze a sudden meteor on my foes.

But O my country and my country’s gods,

Give me fair welcome, prosper my emprise!

And greet me too, thou palace of my sires;

A heaven-sent purger of thy stain I come.

Send me not forth again to banishment,

But O! restore to me its ancient wealth,

May I refound its old prosperity!

Enough of words; go presently, old friend,

Attend thy business; and we two will go,

And watch the time, for opportunity

Is the best captain of all enterprise. 131