Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/135

It is time to prepare, ere the Argive array
O'er our marches on-sweepeth;
For Mycenæ's war-spirit more hot for the fray 290
For these tidings upleapeth.
Yea, and after his kind will yon herald be swelling
His wrongs—such aye double a tale in the telling:—
In the ears of his lords, think ye, how will he cry
On the foulness of outrage "that brought him this day
Unto death well-nigh!"

No fairer honour-guerdon may sons win
Than this, to spring from noble sires and good,
And so wed noble wives. Who, passion's thrall,
Links him with base folk, ne'er shall have my praise, 300
Who, for his lust's sake, stamps his seed with shame.
For noble birth stands in the evil day
Better than base blood. We, to deepest depths
Of evil fallen, yet have found us friends
And kin in these: in all the peopled breadth 305
Of Hellas these alone have championed us.
Give, children, unto these the right hand give,
And to the children ye; draw near to them.
Boys, we have put our friends unto the test:—
If home-return shall ever dawn for you, 310
And your sires' halls and honours ye inherit,
Saviours and friends account them evermore,
And never against their land lift hostile spear,
Remembering this, but hold them of all states
Most dear. They are worthy of your reverence, 315
Who have ta'en our burden on them, enmity