Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/228

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. Well, do it and try. Assurance cannot come

Till action bring experience after it.

. The truth will soon be known. The man e’en now

Is coming forth, and quickly will be there.

Screen ye but well my counsel. Doubtful deeds,

Wrapt close, will not deliver us to shame.

. Daughter of Oeneus, tell me thy commands.

Already time rebukes our tardiness.

. Even that hath been my care, Lichas, while thou

Wert talking to the stranger-maids within,

That thou shouldst take for me this finewoven web,

A present from these fingers to my lord.

And when thou giv’st it, say that none of men

Must wear it on his shoulders before him;

And neither light of sun may look upon it,

Nor holy temple-court, nor household flame,

Till he in open station ’fore the Gods

Display it on a day when bulls are slaughtered.

So once I vowed, that should I ever see

Or hear his safe return, I would enfold

His glorious person in this robe, and show

To all the Gods in doing sacrifice

Him a fresh worshipper in fresh array.—

The truth hereof he will with ease descry

Betokened on this treasure-guarding seal.—

Now go, and be advised, of this in chief,

To act within thine office; then of this,

To bear thee so, that from his thanks and mine

Meeting in one, a twofold grace may spring.

. If this my Hermes-craft be firm and sure,

Then never will I fail thee, O my Queen!

But I will show the casket as it is

To whom I bear it, and in faithfulness

Add all the words thou sendest in fit place.

. Go, then, at once. Thou hast full cognizance

How things within the palace are preserved?

. I know, and will declare. There is no flaw.