Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/37

Rh Lest on the path some citizen appear,

And scandal light—for me, the thrall, 'twere nought,—

On thee, the princess. This known, will I tell

All that I saw, and heard from Argive men,

When, to thy brother on truce-mission sent,

I passed hence thither, and then back from him

Nay, not a citizen draws nigh the halls.

Climb with thy feet the ancient cedar-stair;

Gaze o'er the plain, along Ismenus' stream

And Dirkê's flow, on yon great host of foes.

Stretch it forth, stretch it forth, the old man's hand, unto me

The child, from the stair, and my feet upbear,

As upward I strain.

Lo, maiden, grasp it: in good time thou com'st,

For yon Pelasgian host is moving now.

Battalion from battalion sundering.

O Queen, O Child of Latona, Hekatê!

Lo, how the glare of the brass flashes there

Over all the plain!

Ay, for not feebly Polyneikes comes

With thunder of many a steed, with countless shields.