Euripides' RHESUS Complete

Translated by E. Coleridge.

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Hector: In good season com'st thou, albeit thy tidings are fraught
with terror; for those cowards are bent on giving me the slip and
stealing away from this land in their ships by night; their midnight
signalling convinces me of this. Ah! Fortune, to rob me in my hour
of triumph, a lion of his prey, or ever this spear of mine with one
fell swoop had made an end for aye of yonder Argive host! Yea, had
not the sun's bright lamp withheld his light, I had not stayed my
victor's spear, ere I had fired their ships and made my way from tent
to tent, drenching this hand in Achaean gore. Right eager was I to
make a night attack and take advantage of the stroke of luck by heaven
sent, but those wise seers of mine, who have heaven's will so pat,
persuaded me to wait the dawn, and then leave not one Achaean in the
land. But those others await not the counsels of my soothsayers; darkness
turns runaways to heroes. Needs must we now without delay pass this
word along the line "Arm, arm! from slumber cease!" for many a man
of them, e'en as he leaps aboard his ship, shall be smitten through
the back and sprinkle the ladders with blood, and others shall be
fast bound with cords and learn to till our Phrygian glebe.

Chorus: Thou hastest, Hector, before thou knowest clearly what is
happening; for we do not know for certain whether our foes are flying.

Hector: What reason else had the Argive host to kindle fires?

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