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.
- or thieves perhaps, or spies.
- Courage! See, Cypris watches over you in gracious mood. Your warfare is my concern, for I do not forget the honor you once did me, and I thank you for your good service. And now, when the army of Troy is triumphant,
- I have come bringing to you a powerful friend, the Thracian child of the Muse, the heavenly singer; his father’s name is Strymon.
- Always to this city and to me you are a kind friend, and I am sure that decision I then made
- conferred you upon this city, the highest treasure life affords. I came when I heard a vague report—for a rumor prevailed amlng the guards—that Achaean spies are here. One man, that did not see them, says so, while another, that saw them come, cannot describe them;
- and so I am on my way to Hector’s tent.
- Fear nothing; all is quiet in the army, and Hector has gone to assign a sleeping-place to the Thracian army.
- You persuade me, and I believe your words, and will go to guard my post, free of fear.
- Go, for it is my pleasure ever to watch your interests, that so I may see my allies prosperous. Yes, and you too shall recognize my zeal. Exit Paris.
- In a loud voice, to Odysseus and Diomedes.Son of Laertes, I bid you sheath your whetted swords, you warriors all too keen.
- For the Thracian chief lies dead and his horses are captured, but the enemy know it, and are coming against you; fly with all speed to the ships’ station. Why delay saving your lives, when the enemy’s storm is just bursting on you?
- Oh, oh! At them, at them! Strike them, strike them!
- Who goes there?
- Look; I mean that man. There are the thieves who in the gloom disturbed this army.