Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/96

26 The city and the leaders of the host;

Also the consummating grace of Zeus

Due honour shall attain. My tale is told.

Ungrudged surrender yield I to thy words.

Age still is young enough for grateful lore.

But Atreus' halls and Clytemnestra most

These news concern; me also they enrich.

The shout of jubilee erewhile I raised,

When first by night the fiery herald came,

Telling of Ilion captured and o'erthrown.

Then some one spake and taunting asked, "Dost think,

Trusting the beacon-light, that Troy is sacked?

'Tis woman's way to be elate of heart."

By such bold utt'rance was my wit misprised:

Yet still I sacrificed: and through the town

With woman's note they tuned the joyous trill,

Pæans uplifting in the gods' abodes,

The while they lulled the fragrant incense-flames.

And now, what need that thou shouldst tell me more?

I from the king himself the tale shall hear.

With honour due, my venerated lord

To welcome home, myself will hasten: for—

What sight for woman sweeter than the day

Which to her spouse, Heaven-shielded from the fight,

Throws wide the gates? Thou hither bid my lord,

Beloved of Argos, to return with speed.