Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/513

Rh And new-shed blood hot-welling plashed on me

As by my murdered lord's death-throes I lay.

Upright I leapt, with never a spear in hand.

Then, as I peered and groped to find my lance,

From hard by 'neath my ribs a sword-thrust came

From some strong man—strong, for I felt the blade

Strike home, felt that deep furrow of the gash.

Face-down I fell: the chariot and the steeds

The robbers took, and fled into the night.

Ah me! Ah me!

Pain racketh me—O wretch! I cannot stand.

What ill befell I know—I saw it. How

The slain men perished, this I cannot tell,

Nor by what hand: but this do I divine—

Foully have they been dealt with by allies.

O charioteer of Thracia's lord ill-starred,

Never suspect of this deed thine allies.

Lo, Hector's self, who hath heard of your mischance,

Comes : in thine ills he sorroweth, as beseems.

Enter Hector.

How passed the men who wrought this direst scathe—

Spies from the foemen—passed unmarked of you,

For your shame, and for slaughter of the host,

Nor ye withstood them entering the camp,