Epeisodion 3
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
A triple-bodied Geruon the Second,
870
Plenty above — for loads below I count not —
Of earth a three-share cloak he’d boast of taking,
Once only dying in each several figure!
Because of suchlike rumours back-revenging,
Many the halters from my neck, above head,
875
Others than I loosed — loosed from neck by main force!
From this cause, sure, the boy stands not beside me —
Possessor of our troth-plights, thine and mine too —
As ought Orestes: be not thou astonished!
For, him brings up our well-disposed guest-captive
880
Strophios the Phokian — ills that told on both sides
To me predicting — both of thee ’neath Ilion
The danger, and if anarchy’s mob-uproar
Should overthrow thy council; since ’t is born with
Mortals, — whoe’er has fallen, the more to kick him.
885
Such an excuse, I think, no cunning carries!
As for myself — why, of my wails the rushing
Fountains are dried up: not in them a drop more!
And in my late-to-bed eyes I have damage,
Bewailing what concerned thee, those torch-holdings
890
For ever unattended to. In dreams — why,
Beneath the light wing-beats o’ the gnat, I woke up
As he went buzzing — sorrows that concerned thee
Seeing, that filled more than their fellow-sleep-time.
Now, all this having suffered, from soul grief-free
895
I would style this man here the dog o’ the stables,
The saviour forestay of the ship, the high roof’s
Ground-prop, son sole-begotten to his father,
— Ay, land appearing to the sailors past hope,
