Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/293

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O marvel! What name stronger fitteth thee?

Take thou not thought for that, but list to me:

Mark clearly all, and as thou hear'st devise

By what pursuit to hunt the strangers down.

Say on: thou speakest well. By no near course

They needs must flee, that they should 'scape my spear.

Soon as unto the sea-beach we had come,

Where hidden was Orestes' galley moored,

Us, whom with those bound strangers thou didst send,

Agamemnon's child waved back, to stand aloof,

As one at point to light the inviolate fire

And do the cleansing for the which she came.

Herself took in her hands the strangers' bonds,

And paced behind. Somewhat mine heart misgave,

Yet were thy servants satisfied, O King.

Time passed: she chanted loud in alien hymns

Of wizardry,—with semblance of weird rites

To cozen us,—as one that cleansed blood-guilt.

But when we had been long time sitting thus,

It came into our minds that, breaking loose,

The strangers might have slain her, and have fled.

Yet, dreading to behold forfended things,