Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/412

394 Her tears flow fresh forevermore. And now both men and women join In praise to the twin divinities. But thee, above all gods, we praise; Our father and our ruler thou, Lord of the hurtling thunderbolt, At whose dread nod the farthest poles Do quake and tremble. O Jove, thou founder of our race, Accept our gifts, and have regard Unto thy faithful progeny.

But lo, a warrior hither comes in haste, With wonted signs of victory displayed; For on his spear a laurel wreath he bears— Eurybates, our king's own messenger.

[Enter Eurybates with laurel-wreathed spear.] Eurybates: Ye shrines and altars of the heavenly gods, Ye Lares of my fathers, after long And weary wanderings, scarce trusting yet My longing eyes, I give ye grateful thanks. Pay now your vows which you have vowed to heaven, Ye Argive people; for behold, your king, The pride and glory of this land of Greece, Back to his father's house as victor comes.

Clytemnestra: Oh, joyful tidings that I long to hear! But where delays my lord, whom I with grief For ten long years have waited? Doth the sea Still stay his course, or hath he gained the land? Eurybates: Unharmed, by glory crowned, increased in praise, He hath set foot upon the long-sought shore. Clytemnestra: Then hail this day with joy, and thank the gods Who, though their favoring aid was late bestowed, At last have smiled propitious on our cause. But tell me thou, does yet my brother live? Say, too, how fares my sister Helena? Eurybates: If prayer and hope prevail, they yet survive;