Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/388

Nay, but fain am I to tell,
Touching thy child, a strange and awesome thing.

Linger not then, but tell it with all speed.

Yea, all, dear mistress, clearly shalt thou learn, 1540
From the beginning told, except my tongue
Through my mind's turmoil falter in the tale.
When to the grove we came of Artemis,
Zeus' child, and to her meadows flower-bestarred,
The place of muster for Achaia's host, 1545
Leading thy child, straightway the Argive throng
Gathered. But when King Agamemnon saw
The maid for slaughter entering the grove,
He heaved a groan, he turned his head away
Weeping, and drew his robe before his eyes. 1550
But to her father's side she came, and stood,
And said, "My father, at thine hest I come,
And for my country's sake my body give,
And for all Hellas, to be led of you
Unto the Goddess' altar, willingly, 1555
And sacrificed, since this is Heaven's decree.
Prosper, so far as rests with me, and win
Victory, and return to fatherland.
Then let no Argive lay a hand on me:
Silent, unflinching, will I yield my neck." 1560
So spake she; and all marvelled when they heard
The maiden's courage and her heroism.
Forth stood Talthybius then, whose part it was,