Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/479

Rh Who will not suffer thee to fire the ships,

Nor take the Achaians captive, as thou hop'st—

That man of fire, in valour a very tower.

Nay, leave we sleeping under shield in peace

Our host, at rest from travail of the strife.

I counsel, send to spy upon the foe

Whoso will go, and, if they purpose flight,

Forth let us charge, and fall on Argos' host.

But if these beacons lure us to a snare,

We from the spy our foes' devices learn,

And so confer: this is my mind, O King.

Even such is my mind; be it thine, from thy mood be thou swayed;

For I love not behests of captains that bring but a snare.

Now what thing better than this shall our emprise aid

Than to send forth a scout who anigh to the galleys shall fare

Swift-footed, and learn why comes it that, where be arrayed

The prows of the galleys, the fires of the foemen glare?

So be it, since ye all be in one mind.

Go, still our allies: haply shall the host,

Hearing of our night-council, be aroused.

I will send one to spy upon the foe.

If aught we learn of any stratagem,

Thou shalt hear all, shalt know and share our counsel.

But if now flightward they be hastening,