FullReads

CH.
If any ground of confidence approve
Thine act, we cannot check thy counsel here.

DE.
My confidence is grounded on belief,
Though unconfirmed as yet by actual proof.

CH.
Well, do it and try. Assurance cannot come
Till action bring experience after it.

DE.
The truth will soon be known. The man e’en now
Is coming forth, and quickly will be there.
Screen ye but well my counsel. Doubtful deeds,
Wrapt close, will not deliver us to shame.

[Enter LICHAS.]

LICH.
Daughter of Oeneus, tell me thy commands.
Already time rebukes our tardiness.

DE.
Even that hath been my care, Lichas, while thou
Wert talking to the stranger-maids within,
That thou shouldst take for me this finewoven web,
A present from these fingers to my lord.
And when thou giv’st it, say that none of men
Must wear it on his shoulders before him;
And neither light of sun may look upon it,
Nor holy temple-court, nor household flame,
Till he in open station ‘fore the Gods
Display it on a day when bulls are slaughtered.
So once I vowed, that should I ever see
Or hear his safe return, I would enfold
His glorious person in this robe, and show
To all the Gods in doing sacrifice
Him a fresh worshipper in fresh array.–
The truth hereof he will with ease descry
Betokened on this treasure-guarding seal.–
Now go, and be advised, of this in chief,
To act within thine office; then of this,
To bear thee so, that from his thanks and mine
Meeting in one, a twofold grace may spring.

LICH.
If this my Hermes-craft be firm and sure,
Then never will I fail thee, O my Queen!
But I will show the casket as it is
To whom I bear it, and in faithfulness
Add all the words thou sendest in fit place.

DE.
Go, then, at once. Thou hast full cognizance
How things within the palace are preserved?

LICH.
I know, and will declare. There is no flaw.

DE.
Methinks thou knowest too, for thou hast seen,
My kind reception of the stranger-maid?

LICH.
I saw, and was amazed with heart-struck joy.

DE.
What more is there to tell?–Too rash, I fear,
Were thy report of longing on my part,
Till we can learn if we be longed for there.

[Exeunt severally]

CHORUS.
O ye that haunt the strand
Where ships in quiet land
Near Oeta’s height and the warm rock-drawn well,
And ye round Melis’ inland gulf who dwell,
Worshipping her who wields the golden wand,–
(There Hellas’ wisest meet in council strong):
Soon shall the flute arise
With sound of glad surprise,
Thrilling your sense with no unwelcome song,
But tones that to the harp of Heavenly Muse belong.

Zeus’ and Alcmena’s son,–
All deeds of glory done,–
Speeds now triumphant to his home, whom we
Twelve weary months of blind expectancy
Lost in vast distance, from our country gone.
While, sadly languishing, his loving wife,
Still flowing down with tears,
Pined with unnumbered fears.
But Ares, lately stung to furious strife,
Frees him for ever[3] from the toilsome life.

O let him come to-day!
Ne’er may his vessel stay,
But glide with feathery sweep of many an oar,
Till from his altar by yon island shore
Even to our town he wind his prosperous way,
In mien returning mild,
And inly reconciled,
With that anointing in his heart ingrained,
Which the dark Centaur’s wizard lips ordained.