Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/490

462 For the thoughts to mine heart that are nighest

Shall ring through my pæan-strain.

Thou hast come, O River-god's son, to our land!

Welcome to Phrygia's palace-gate,

Whom thy mother Pierian hath sent so late

From the river with goodly bridges spanned,

Even Strymon, whose waterbreaks eddied

'Twixt the breasts of the Queen of Song,

That the maid with the River-god wedded

Bare thee, young champion and strong.

Thou art come to me, manifest Zeus, borne high

O'er thy silver-flecked horses! O fatherland mine,

Lo, Phrygia, a saviour!—acclaim him for thine

By the Gods' grace:—"Zeus my deliverer!" cry.

Shall she ever again, our ancient Troy,

See the sun go down on the revel's joy,

While the songs that extol sweet love are pealing,

While feaster to feaster the wine-challenge crieth,

As circles the cup, and the brain is reeling,

While the Atreïds' sail o'er the dark sea flieth

From Troy low down in the offing that lieth?

O friend, mayest thou with thine arm and thy spear

To help me in this my need appear,

And return safe home from thy glory here!

Come thou, appear, thy buckler upraise:

Be its gold-sheen flashed in Achilles' face

As it gleameth athwart the chariot-railing,

As thou speedest thy steeds on thunderous-prancing

At the foe from thy spear's forked lightning quailing.

None, who hath braved thee in fury advancing,