The Rhesus of Euripides - LightNovelsOnl.com
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ANOTHER.
'Twas one Koroibos, called the Mygdon's Son.
THE GUARD.
And after?
THE OTHER.
The Mount Taurus men Had second watch: from them again The Mysians took it. We came then.
A GUARD.
'Tis surely time. Who will go tell The fifth watch? 'Tis the Lycians' spell By now; 'twas thus the portions fell.
ANOTHER. [vv. 546-561]
Nay, hearken! Again she is crying Where death-laden Simos falls, Of the face of dead Itys that stunned her, Of grief grown to music and wonder: Most changeful and old and undying The nightingale calls.
ANOTHER.
And on Ida the shepherds are waking Their flocks for the upland. I hear The skirl of a pipe very distant.
ANOTHER.
And sleep, it falls slow and insistent.
'Tis perilous sweet when the breaking Of dawn is so near.
DIVERS GUARDS (_talking_).
Why have we still no word nor sign Of that scout in the Argive line?
ANOTHER.
I know not; he is long delayed.
ANOTHER.
G.o.d send he trip not on the blade Of some Greek in an ambuscade!
ANOTHER.
It may be. I am half afraid.
LEADER. [vv. 562-572]
Our time is past! Up, men, and tell The fifth watch. 'Tis the Lycians' spell Now, as the portions fairly fell.
[_The Guards pa.s.s out to waken the Lycians. The stage is empty and dark except for the firelight, when a whisper is heard at the back. Presently enter_ ODYSSEUS _and_ DIOMEDE _in dull leather armour_, DIOMEDE _carrying at his belt_ DOLON's _wolf-skin and mask_.
ODYSSEUS.
Diomede, hist!--A little sound of arms Clanking. . . or am I full of void alarms?
DIOMEDE.
No. 'Tis some horse tied to the chariot rail That clanks his chain.--My heart began to fail A moment, till I heard the horse's champ.
[_They steal on further, keeping in the shadow._
ODYSSEUS.
Mind--in that shade--the watchers of the camp.
DIOMEDE.
I keep in shadow, but I am staring hard.
ODYSSEUS.
Thou know'st the watchword, if we stir some guard?
DIOMEDE. [vv. 573-584]
Phoebus. 'Twas the last sign that Dolon gave.
[_They creep forward in silence to the entrance of_ HECTOR's _tent_.
ODYSSEUS.
Now, forward!
[_They dash into the tent, swords drawn; then return._
G.o.d! All empty as the grave!
DIOMEDE.
Yet Dolon told us Hector's couch was made Just here. For none but him I drew this blade.
ODYSSEUS.
What means it? To some ambush is he gone?
DIOMEDE.
Maybe, to work some craft on us at dawn.
