How oft those halls of old, Wherein my sire high feast did hold, Rang to the virginal soft strain, When I, a stainless child, Sang from pure lips and undefiled, Sang of my sire, and all His honoured life, and how on him should fall Heaven's highest gift and gain!
antistrophe 6
And then-but I beheld not, nor can tell, What further fate befell:
But this is sure, that Calchas' boding strain Can ne'er be void or vain.
This wage from justice' hand do sufferers earn, The future to discern:
And yet-farewell, O secret of To-morrow!
Fore-knowledge is fore-sorrow.
Clear with the clear beams of the morrow's sun, The future presseth on.
Now, let the house's tale, how dark soe'er, Find yet an issue fair!-So prays the loyal, solitary band That guards the Apian land.
(They turn to CLYTEMNESTRA, who leaves the altars and comes forward.)LEADER OF THE CHORUS
O queen, I come in reverence of thy sway-For, while the ruler's kingly seat is void, The loyal heart before his consort bends.
Now-be it sure and certain news of good, Or the fair tidings of a flatt'ring hope, That bids thee spread the light from shrine to shrine, I, fain to hear, yet grudge not if thou hide.
CLYTEMNESTRA
As saith the adage, From the womb of Night Spring forth, with promise fair, the young child Light.
Ay-fairer even than all hope my news-
By Grecian hands is Priam's city ta'en!
LEADER
What say'st thou? doubtful heart makes treach'rous ear.
CLYTEMNESTRA
Hear then again, and plainly-Troy is ours!
LEADER
Thrills thro' heart such joy as wakens tears.
CLYTEMNESTRA
Ay, thro' those tears thine eye looks loyalty.
LEADER
But hast thou proof, to make assurance sure?
CLYTEMNESTRA
Go to; I have-unless the god has lied.
LEADER
Hath some night-vision won thee to belief?
CLYTEMNESTRA
Out on all presage of a slumb'rous soul!
LEADER
But wert thou cheered by Rumour's wingless word?
CLYTEMNESTRA
Peace-thou dost chide me as a credulous girl.