Stasimon 1
[Episode]
On four feet by the trenches and around
DOLON.
The ship-screen. When it comes to empty ground
It stands on two.—That is the plan, my friend!
215
LEADER.
Now Maian Hermes guide thee to thy end
And home safe! Well he loves all counterfeit . . .
Good work is there; may good luck go with it!
DOLON
There, and then back! . . . And on this belt shall bleed
Odysseus’ head—or why not Diomede?—
220
To prove my truth. Ere dawn can touch the land
I shall be here, and blood upon my hand.
[Choral 1]
Thymbraean, Delian, Birth divine,
CHORUS.
That walkest Lycia’s inmost shrine,
225
Come, strong to guard, to guide, to follow,
Come, bow in hand and girt with night,
To help thy Dardans as of old,
When stone by stone thy music rolled—
O conquering Strength, O Sire Apollo!—
230
Young Ilion into towers of light.
Grant that he reach the shipyard, creep
Keen-eyed through all that host asleep,
Then back to home and hearth, yet living,
235
Where now his father prays alone:
Yea, grant that, when the Greeks are slain,
Our wolf shall mount with scourge and rein
Those coursers of the sea-god’s giving,
Whom Peleus drove in days foregone.
240
[Choral 2]
Alone in those Greek ships to stake
CHORUS.
His life, for home and country’s sake:
’Tis wondrous! Few be hearts so true
245
When seas across the bulwark break,
