Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/494

466 Never the galleys of Argos, aforetime nor late, to our land

Brought mid the hosts of their heroes a champion so mighty of hand.

How shall Achilles or Aias thy battle-spear's lightning withstand?

O that I also may live to behold it, the on-coming day!

O to behold it, thy vengeance triumphant, when lifted to slay

Flasheth the lance in thine hand, spreading havoc through Hellas' array!

Such deeds will I, for my long absence' sake,

Perform for thee. So Nemesis say not nay,

When we have freed this city of foes, and thou

Hast chosen triumph's firstfruits for the Gods,

Then will I march with thee to Argive land,

Swoop down, and waste all Hellas with the spear,

That they in turn may learn what suffering means.

If I, delivered from this imminent curse,

Might sway a city as of old secure,

Then were my soul all thankfulness to heaven.

But, for thy talk of Argos and the meads

Of Hellas, these shall no spear lightly waste.

These that have come, are they not named her best?

Nor I misprize them, who can scarce repel.