Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/189

Up, mother, join thou the revel:—with paces
Woven with mine through the sweet measure flee;
Hitherward, thitherward, thrid the dance-mazes:
Sing ever "Marriage-king!—Hymen!" sing ye.
Bliss ever chime through the notes of your singing,
Hail ye the bride with glad voices outringing.
Daughters of Phrygia, arrayed like the Graces,
Hymn ye my bridal, the bridegroom for me
Destined by fate's everlasting decree. 340

Queen, wilt thou not restrain this Maenad maid,
Lest with light step she trip to Argos' host?

Fire-god, in spousal-rites thou light'st the torch;
But O, a piteous flame thou kindlest now,
Far from mine high hopes, far!—ah me, my child, 345
How little of such marriage dreamed I ever
For thee,—a captive, thrall of Argos' spear!
Give me the torch, it fits not that thou bear it
In Maenad frenzy. Thy misfortunes, child,
Healed not thy mind, but thou remain'st possessed. 350
Daughters of Troy, bear in the torches: give
Tears in exchange for these her marriage-hymns.

Mother, with wreaths of triumph crown mine head.
Rejoice thou o'er my marriage with a king.
Escort me to him: if thou find me loth, 355
With violence thrust me: for, if Loxias lives,
Deadlier than Helen's shall my spousals be