Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/227

Rh Wherein I travailed, roving Hellas through.

Thou bad'st me go unto the Taurian coasts

Where Artemis thy sister hath her altars,

And take the Goddess' image, which, men say,

Here fell into this temple out of heaven,

And, winning it by craft or happy chance,

All danger braved, to the Athenians' land

To give it—nought beyond was bidden me;—

This done, should I have respite from my toils.

I come, thy words obeying, hitherward

To a strange land and cheerless. Thee I ask,

Pylades, thee mine helper in this toil, —

What shall we do? Thou seest the engirdling walls,

How high they be. Up yonder temple-steps

Shall we ascend? How then could we learn more,

Except our levers force the brazen bolts

Whereof we know nought? If we be surprised

Opening gates, and plotting entrance here,

Die shall we. Nay, ere dying, let us flee

Back to the ship wherein we hither sailed.

Flee?—'twere intolerable!—'twas ne'er our wont:

Nor cravens may we be to the oracle.

Withdraw we from the temple; let us hide

In caves by the dark sea-wash oversprayed,

Far from our ship, lest some one spy her hull,