Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/74

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They have passed 'neath the leaves of the glen: from the plashing

Of the mountain-spring radiant in rose-flush they rise.

To the King's Son they wended, while to and fro flashing

The gibes of their lips matched the scorn of their eyes.

But 'twas Kypris by promise of guile overcame—

Ah sweet to the ear, but for deathless shame

And confusion to Phrygia, when Troy's towers crashing

Ruinward toppled—her bitter prize!

Oh had she dealt him, that mother which bore him,

A death-blow cleaving his head in twain,

When shrieked Kassandra her prophecy o'er him,—

Ere his eyry on Ida o'erlooked Troy's plain,—

By the sacred bay shrieked "Slay without pity

The curse and the ruin of Priam's city!"

Unto prince, unto elder, she came, to implore him

To slay it, the infant foredoomed their bane.

Then had he never been made an occasion

Of thraldom to Ilium's daughters: O queen,

Thy suppliant seat were the throne of a nation;

Nor the ten years' agony then had ye seen,

With the war-cries of Hellas aye rolling their thunder

Round Troy, with spear-lightnings aye flashing thereunder;

Nor the couch of the bride were a desolation,

Nor bereft of their sons had the grey sires been.