Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/416

360 I had grasped a spear, this fellow's yellow hair

I had dashed with blood, that, seeing with craven eyes

My lance, he had fled beyond the Atlantic bourn!

Lo, cannot brave men find occasion still

For speech, how slow soe'er one be of tongue?

Rail on at me with words up-piled as towers:

I will for words requite on thee ill deeds.

(To attendant) Ho! bid my woodmen go—to Helicon these,

Those to Parnassus' folds, and hew them logs

Of oak; and, when these into Thebes are brought,

On either side the altar billets pile,

And kindle; so the bodies of all these

Burn ye, that they may know that not the dead

Ruleth the land, but now am I king here.

And ye old men which set yourselves against

My purpose, not for Herakles' sons alone

Shall ye make moan, but for your homes' affliction,

Fast as blows fall, and so shall not forget

That ye are bondslaves of my princely power.

O brood of Earth, whom Arês sowed of yore,

What time he stripped the dragon's ravening jaws,

Will ye not lift the props of your right hands,

Your staves, and dash with blood the impious head

Of yon man, who, though no Kadmeian he,