Page:The Plays of Euripides Vol. 1- Edward P. Coleridge (1910).djvu/49

Rh. Ever unto this city and to me a kind friend art thou, and I am sure that decision I then made conferred upon this city the highest treasure life affords in thy person. I heard a vague report, and so I came, for there prevailed amongst the guard a rumour that Achæan spies are here. One man, that saw them not, saith so, while another, that saw them come, cannot describe them, and so I am on my way to Hector's tent.

. Fear naught; all is quiet in the host, and Hector is gone to assign a sleeping-place to the Thracian army.

. Thou dost persuade me, and I believe thy words, and will go to guard my post, free of fear.

. Go, for 'tis my pleasure ever to watch thy interests, that so I may see my allies prosperous. Yea, and thou too shalt recognize my zeal. [Exit. (To and .) O son of Laertes, I bid you sheathe your whetted swords, ye warriors all too keen; for dead before you lies the Thracian chief, his steeds are captured, but the foe have wind thereof, and are coming forth against you; fly with all speed to the ships' station. Why delay to save your lives when the foemen's storm is just bursting on you?

. On, on! strike, strike, lay on, lay on! deal death in every blow!


 * . Who goes there?
 * Look you, that man I mean. There are the thieves who in the gloom disturbed this host. Hither, come hither, every man of you! I have them—I have clutched them fast.
 * What is the watchword? Whence cam'st thou? Thy country?

. 'Tis not for thee to know.


 * . Speak, or thou diest as a vile traitor this day.