Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/371

Rh THE CHORUS.

Learn that from other lips, O Queen, than mine.

MEROPE.

He kept his tale, then, for the King alone?

THE CHORUS.

His tale was meeter for that ear than thine.

MEROPE.

Why dost thou falter, and make half reply?

THE CHORUS.

O thrice unhappy, how I groan thy fate!

MEROPE.

Thou frightenest and confound'st me by thy words.

O were but Arcas come, all would be well!

THE CHORUS.

If so, all's well: for look, the old man speeds

Up from the city tow'rd this gated hill.

MEROPE.

Not with the failing breath and foot of age

My faithful follower comes. Welcome, old friend!

ARCAS.

Faithful, not welcome, when my tale is told.

O that my over-speed and bursting grief

Had on the journey choked my laboring breath,

And lock'd my speech for ever in my breast!