Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/352

314 MEROPE.

She led the way of death.

And the plain of Tegea,

And the grave of Orestes—

Where, in secret seclusion

Of his unreveal'd tomb,

Sleeps Agamemnon's unhappy,

Matricidal, world-famed,

Seven-cubit-statured son—

Sent forth Echemus, the victor, the king,

By whose hand, at the Isthmus,

At the fate-denied straits,

Fell the eldest of the sons of Heracles,

Hyllus, the chief of his house.

Brother follow'd sister

The all-wept way.

THE CHORUS.

Yes; but his seed still, wiser-counsell'd,

Sail'd by the fate-meant Gulf to their conquest—

Slew their enemies' king, Tisamenus.

Wherefore accept that happier omen!

Yet shall restorer appear to the race.

MEROPE.

Three brothers won the field,

And to two did Destiny

Give the thrones that they conquer'd.

But the third, what delays him

From his unattain'd crown?...

Ah Pylades and Electra,

Ever faithful, untired,

Jealous, blood-exacting friends!