Are we not then fastidious to repine
At such a life so furnish'd by the gods?
Euripides: _Suppliants_ 214. [Potter.]
3
_Specimen of Accelerated Rhythm in the exact metre_
AEGISTHUS
How thy word and act shall issue thou shalt shortly understand.
CHORUS
Up to action, O my comrades! for the fight is hard at hand,
Swift, your right hands to the sword hilt! bare the weapon as for strife.
AEGISTHUS
Lo! I too am standing ready, hilt to hilt, for death, or life!
CHORUS
'Twas thy word and we accept it! onward to the chance of war!
CLYTEMNESTRA
Nay, enough, enough, my champion! we will smite and slay no more.
Already we have heaped enough the harvest-field of guilt,
Enough of wrong and murder, let no other blood be spilt!
Peace, old men! and pass away into the homes by fate decreed,
Lest ill valor meet our vengeance--'twas a necessary deed.
But enough of toils and troubles--be the end, if ever, now,
Ere the wrath of the Avenger deal another deadly blow.
'Tis a woman's word of warning, and let who will list thereto.
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