Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/362

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334
EURIPIDES.

In gold; for the Fire-king's crashing
Forges shall clothe him with flashing
Warrior-gear:
Of his mother the gift shall be given,
Of Thetis brought down."
So did the Dwellers in Heaven
With happiness crown
The espousals of Nereus' Daughter,
When a bride unto Peleus they brought her
Of the seed of the Lords of the Water
Chief in renown.
(Epode.)
But men shall wreathe thine head 1080
For death, thy golden hair,—
As heifer white and red
Down from the hill-caves led,
A victim pure,—shall stain
With blood thy throat snow-fair;
Though never thou wert bred
Where with the herdmen's strain
The reed-pipes thrill the air;
But at thy mother's side
Wast nursed, wast decked a bride
For a king's heir.
What might hath now 1090
Modesty's maiden face
Or virtue's brow?—
When godlessness bears sway,
And mortals thrust away
Virtue, and cry "Give place!"
When lawlessness hath law down-trod,
And none will to his brother say
"Let us beware the jealousy of God!"

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