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1470—1496] it give birth? I am afraid, for never in vain doth it rush forth, or without grave issue. O thou dread sky! O Zeus!

. Daughters, his destined end hath come upon your sire; he can turn his face from it no more.

. How knowest thou? What sign hath told thee this?

. I know it well.—But let some one go, I pray you, with all speed, and bring hither the lord of this realm.

[Another peal.

. Ha! Listen! Once again that piercing thunder-voice is around us! Be merciful, O thou god, be merciful, if thou art bringing aught of gloom for the land our mother! Gracious may I find thee, nor, because I have looked on a man accurst, have some meed, not of blessing for my portion! O Zeus our lord, to thee I cry!

. Is the man near? Will he find me still alive, children, and master of my mind?

. And what is the pledge which thou wouldst have fixed in thy mind?

. In return for his benefits, I would duly give him the requital promised when I received them.

. What ho, my son, hither, come hither! Or if in the glade's inmost recess, for the honour of the sea-god Poseidon, thou art hallowing his altar with sacrifice,—come thence! Worthy art thou in the stranger's