Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/274

218 Of this strife's issue. I will keep good watch,

Holding the sword aye ready in my grasp:

For never, overmastered, to my foes

Will I for vengeance-outrage yield me up.

[''Retires within cottage. Exeunt Orestes, Pylades, and Old Man''.

In ancient song is the tale yet told

How Pan, the Master of forest and mead,

Unearthly sweet while the melody rolled

From his pipes of cunningly-linkèd reed,

Did of yore from the mountains of Argos lead,

From the midst of the tender ewes of the fold,

A lamb bright-fleeced with the splendour of gold.

From the steps of marble the herald then

Cried all the folk to the market-place—

To the gathering away, Mycenian men!

On the awesome portent press to gaze

Of the lords of the heaven-favoured race!"

And with blithe acclaim the dancers came, and with songs of praise.

And the gold-laid pavements in glorious wise

Were tapestry-spread: through street on street