Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/68

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. Go now to do it. Trust no second hand.

. Even as I am, I go. Come, come, my people,

Here or not here, with mattocks in your hands

Set forth immediately to yonder hill!

And, since I have ta’en this sudden turn, myself,

Who tied the knot, will hasten to unloose it.

For now the fear comes over me, ’tis best

To pass one’s life in the accustomed round.

O God of many a name!

Filling the heart of that Cadmeian bride

With deep delicious pride,

Offspring of him who wields the withering flame!

Thou for Italia’s good

Dost care, and ’midst the all-gathering bosom wide

Of Dêo dost preside;

Thou, Bacchus, by Ismenus’ winding waters

’Mongst Thebè’s frenzied daughters,

Keep’st haunt, commanding the fierce dragon’s brood.

Thee o’er the forkèd hill

The pinewood flame beholds, where Bacchai rove,

Nymphs of Corycian grove,

Hard by the flowing of Castalia’s rill.

To visit Theban ways,

By bloomy wine-cliffs flushing tender bright

’Neath far Nyseian height

Thou movest o’er the ivy-mantled mound,

While myriad voices sound

Loud strains of ‘Evoe!’ to thy deathless praise.

For Thebè thou dost still uphold,

First of cities manifold,

Thou and the nymph whom lightning made

Mother of thy radiant head.

Come then with healing for the violent woe

That o’er our peopled land doth largely flow,

Passing the high Parnassian steep

Or moaning narrows of the deep!