Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/332
Till I to Hades shall have sealed my child, 540
That mine affliction be with fewest tears.
And, stranger damsels, hold your peace hereof.
[Exit Menelaus.
Chorus.
(Str.)
O well for them for whom the Queen
Of Love shall temper passion's fire,
And bring fruition of desire
With gentle pace and sober mien,
Whose souls are seas at rest, are spared
The frenzy-thrill, the fever-pain,
The spells that charm the arrows twain,
The shafts of Love the golden-haired,
Whereof one flieth tipt with bliss, 550
And one with ruin of unrest:—
O Queen of Beauty, from my breast,
My bridal bower, avert thou this!
Let love's sweet spells in measure meet
Rest on me; pure desires be mine:
May Aphroditê's dayspring shine
On me—avaunt her midnoon heat!
(Ant.)
The hearts of men be diverse-wrought,
Diverse their lives: but, ever clear
Through all, true goodness shall appear; 560
And each high lesson throughly taught
Lends wings to soar to virtue's heaven:
For in self-reverence wisdom is;
And to discern the right—to this
An all-transforming charm is given.