Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/351

Rh THE CHORUS.

Vengeance, O Queen, is his due,

His most just prayer; yet his house—

If that might soothe him below—

Prosperous, mighty, came back

In the third generation, the way

Order'd by Fate, to their home;

And now, glorious, secure,

Fill the wealth-giving thrones

Of their heritage, Pelops' isle.

MEROPE.

Suffering sent them, Death

March'd with them. Hatred and Strife

Met them entering their halls.

For from the day when the first

Heracleidæ received

That Delphic hest to return,

What hath involved them, but blind

Error on error, and blood?

THE CHORUS.

Truly I hear of a Maid

Of that stock born, who bestow'd

Her blood that so she might make

Victory sure to her race,

When the fight hung in doubt! but she now,

Honor'd and sung of by all,

Far on Marathon plain,

Gives her name to the spring

Macaria, blessed Child.