Rhesus
Euripides
Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906.
- I thank you; in receiving then, I assert that I am taking a fairer gift than any other Phrygian for my bravery. Yet you should not be envious; you have other things to gladden your heart, in your kingship over this land.
- Great the enterprise, and great the reward you design to receive. Happy, yes, happy will you be, if you succeed; fair the fame your toil shall win. Yet it is a great thing to become the brother-in-law of princes. On the gods’ decrees let Justice keep her eye!
- what man can give you have, it seems, in full.
- I will set forth; but going within my house I will clothe myself in fitting attire, and then I will hasten to the Argive fleet.
- Why, what dress in place of this will you assume?
- One that fits my task and furtive steps.
- One should ever learn wisdom from the wise; tell me, what will be your equipment?
- I will fasten a wolf-skin about my back, and over my head put the brute’s gaping jaws;
- then fitting its fore-feet to ny hands and its hind-feet to my legs, I will go on all-fours in imitation of a wolf’s gait to puzzle the enemy, when I approach their trenches and barriers round the ships. Rut whenever I come to a deserted spot,
- I will walk on two feet; such is the ruse I have decided on.
- May Hermes, Maia’s child, escort you safely there and back, prince of tricksters as he is! You know what you have to do; good luck is all you need now.
- I shall return in safety, and bring to you the head of Odysseus
- when I have slain him, or the son of Tydeus, and with this clear proof before you you shall assert that Dolon went to the Argive fleet; for, before the dawn, I will come back home with bloodstained hand. Exit Dolon.
- Lord of Thymbra and of Delos, who haunt