Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/363

Rh ÆPYTUS.

Might some one straight inform him he is sought?

THE CHORUS.

Inform him that thyself, for here he comes.

ÆPYTUS.

O King, all hail! I come with weighty news;

Most likely, grateful; but, in all case, sure.

POLYPHONTES.

Speak them, that I may judge their kind myself.

ÆPYTUS.

Accept them in one word, for good or bad:

Æpytus, the Messenian prince, is dead!

POLYPHONTES.

Dead!—and when died he? where? and by what hand?

And who art thou, who bringest me such news?

ÆPYTUS.

He perish'd in Arcadia, where he dwelt

With Cypselus; and two days since he died.

One of the train of Cypselus am I.

POLYPHONTES.

Instruct me of the manner of his death.

ÆPYTUS.

That will I do, and to this end I came.

For, being of like age, of birth not mean,