Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/295

Rh Upon their heads, and others on their eyes.

Yet, rallying on the heights, more warily

We fought, and fell to hurling stones on them.

But archers, planted on her stern, with shafts

Back beat us, that we needs must draw aloof.

Meanwhile a great surge shoreward swung the ship;

And, for the maiden feared to wade the surf,

On his left shoulder Orestes lifted her,

Strode through the sea, upon the ladder leapt,

And in the good ship set his sister down,

With that heaven-fallen image of Zeus' child.

Then from the galley's midst rang loud and clear

A shout—"Ye seamen of this Hellene ship,

Grip oars, and churn the swirling breakers white;

For we have won the prize for which we sailed

The cheerless sea within the Clashing Rocks."

Then, with glad gasp loud-bursting from each breast,

Smote they the brine. The ship made way, while yet

Within the bay; but, as she cleared its mouth,

By fierce surge met, she laboured heavily;

For suddenly swooped a wild gust on the ship,

Stern-foremost thrusting her. With might and main

They strove with fate, but towards the land again

The back-sweep drave the ship: then stood and prayed

Agamemnon's daughter, "Leto's Child, O Maid,

Save me, thy priestess! Bring me unto Greece

From alien land; forgive my theft of thee!

Thy brother, Goddess, dost thou also love:

O then believe that I too love my kin!"

The mariners' pæan to the maiden's prayer

Answered, the while with shoulders bare they strained