Page:Statius (Mozley 1928) v2.djvu/21

faithful spouse. Straightway fled ye from Lemnos, ye tender Loves: Hymen fell mute and turned his torch to earth; chill neglect came o’er the lawful couch, no nightly return of joy was there, no slumber in the beloved embrace, everywhere reigned bitter Hatred and Frenzy and Discord sundering the partners of the bed. For the men were bent on overthrowing the boastful Thracians across the strait, and warring down the savage tribe. And in despite of home and their children standing on the shore, sweeter it was to them to bear Edonian winters and the brunt of the cold North, or, when at last still night followed a day of battle, to hear the sudden outburst of the crashing mountain torrent. But the women—for I at that time was sheltered by care-free maidenhood and tender years—sad and sick at heart sought tearful solace in converse day and night, or gazed out across the sea to cruel Thrace.

“The sun in the midst of his labours was poising his shining chariot on Olympus’ height, as though at halt; four times came thunder from a serene sky, four times did the smoky caverns of the god^[1] open their panting summits, and Aegon, though the winds were hushed, was stirred and flung a mighty sea against the shores: when suddenly the crone Polyxo is caught up in a dire frenzy, and deserting unwontedly her chamber flies abroad. Like a Teumesian^[2] Thyiad rapt to madness by the god, when the sacred rites are calling and the boxwood pipe of Ida^[3] stirs her blood, and the voice of Euhan is heard upon the high hills: even so with head erect and quivering bloodshot eyes she ranges up and down the lonely city wildly clamouring, and beating at closed doors