Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/190

To Agamemnon, Achaia's glorious king.
Death shall I deal him, havoc of his home,
Avenging so my brethren and my sire:— 360
No more of that; I will not sing the axe
That on my neck, and others' necks, shall fall,—
The mother-murdering strife, my spousal's fruit,
Nor of the overthrow of Atreus' house.
But I will prove this city happier 365
Than yon Achaians,—yea, possessed am I,
Yet herein stand of bacchant ravings clear,—
Who for one woman, for one wanton's sake,
In quest of Helen wasted lives untold.
And this wise chief—for that he hated most 370
He hath lost what most he loved, home-joys of children
To his brother for a woman's sake resigned,—
And she a willing prey, no kidnapped victim!
And, when these came unto Skamander's banks.
Fast died they, not for marches foeman-harried, 375
Nor home-land stately-towered. Whom Ares slew
Saw not their children, nor by hands of wives
In robes were shrouded: but in a strange land
They lie. And in their homes the like befell:
Wives widowed died, sires linger in lone halls 380
Without sons, whom for nought they nurtured; none
Remains to spill earth's blood-gift at their tombs.
Sooth, well the host hath earned such praise as this!
Best left untold the deeds of shame—not mine
Be voice of song to chant that evil tale! 385
But, for the Trojans, first,—renown most fair,—
For fatherland they died. Whom Ares slew,
By friends their corpses to their homes were borne,
And in the home-land earth's arms cradled them