And smite your Greeks, for all their bitter pride.CHORUS.The Trojan soldiers, who have been listening with delight, here break out in irrepressible applause.P. 25, 11. 454 ff. This little Chorus seems to represent—in due tragic convention—an irrepressible outburst of applause from the Trojans, interrupting Rhesus’s speech. In spite of the words about possible wrath
that may follow the Thracian’s boasting, the applause excites him at once to a yet bolder gab.All hail!Sweet words and faithful heart!Only may Zeus avertFrom those proud lips the Wrath that none may bear!Never a galleon bore,numeration out of sync: 459 omitted Now, nor in days of yore,Prince like to thee, so valiant and so fair.How shall Achilles, howShall Ajax bear him now,Or face thy lance? May I but stand that dayWatching to see him reelBroken beneath thy steel,And once in blood his many murders pay!RHESUS.Yea, more atonement thou shalt take from meFor this slow help.—May Adrasteia seeMy heart and pardon!—When we two have setTroy free from these who compass her with hate,Soon as the Gods have had their first-fruits, IWith thee will sail—so help me Zeus on high!—