Page:Suppliant Maidens (Morshead) 1883.djvu/64

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Each passer looks, o'ercome with strong desire,

With eyes that waft the wistful dart of love.

Then be not such our hap, whose livelong toil

Did make our pinnace plough the mighty main:

Nor bring we shame upon ourselves, and joy

Unto my foes. Behold, a twofold home—

One of the king's and one the people's gift—

Unbought, 'tis yours to hold,—a gracious boon.

Go—but remember ye your sire's behest,

And hold your life less dear than chastity.

The gods above grant that all else be well.

But fear not thou, O sire, lest aught befall

Of ill unto our ripened maidenhood.

So long as Heaven have no new ill devised,

From its chaste path my spirit shall not swerve.

Pass and adore ye the Blessed, the gods of the city who dwell

Around Erasinus, the gush of the swift immemorial tide.

Chant ye, O maidens; aloud let the praise of Pelasgia swell;

Hymn we no longer the shores where Nilus to ocean doth glide.