Yea, o'er the fencing wall a lion sprang Ravening, and lapped his fill of blood of kings.
Such prelude spoken to the gods in full, To you I turn, and to the hidden thing Whereof ye spake but now: and in that thought I am as you, and what ye say, say I.
For few are they who have such inborn grace, As to look up with love, and envy not, When stands another on the height of weal.
Deep in his heart, whom jealousy hath seized, Her poison lurking doth enhance his load;For now beneath his proper woes he chafes, And sighs withal to see another's weal.
I speak not idly, but from knowledge sure-There be who vaunt an utter loyalty, That is but as the ghost of friendship dead, A shadow in a glass, of faith gone by.
One only-he who went reluctant forth Across the seas with me-Odysseus-he Was loyal unto me with strength and will, A trusty trace-horse bound unto my car.
Thus-be he yet beneath the light of day, Or dead, as well I fear-I speak his praise.
Lastly, whate'er be due to men or gods,With joint debate, in public council held, We will decide, and warily contrive That all which now is well may so abide:
For that which haply needs the healer's art, That will we medicine, discerning well If cautery or knife befit the time.
Now, to my palace and the shrines of home, I will pass in, and greet you first and fair, Ye gods, who bade me forth, and home again-And long may Victory tarry in my train!
(CLYTEMNESTRA enters from the palace, followed by maidens bearing crimson robes.)CLYTEMNESTRA
Old men of Argos, lieges of our realm, Shame shall not bid me shrink lest ye should see The love I bear my lord. Such blushing fear Dies at the last from hearts of human kind.
From mine own soul and from no alien lips, I know and will reveal the life I bore.
Reluctant, through the lingering livelong years, The while my lord beleaguered Ilion's wall.