Rhesus

Euripides

Euripides. The Rhesus of Euripides. Translated into English rhyming verse with explanatory notes by Gilbert Murray. Murray, Gilbert, translator. London: George Allen and Company, Ltd., 1913.

  1. And challenge on challenge of circling wine?
  2. When the Greek is smitten that day shall be,
  3. And fled to Argolis over the sea:
  4. O mighty of hand, O leader of lances,
  5. Smite him, and heaven be good to thee!
[*](numeration out of sync: 368-369 omitted )
CHORUS.
  1. Thou Rider golden and swift and sheer,
  2. Achilles falters: appear! appear!
  3. The car like flame where the red shield leapeth,
  4. The fell white steeds and the burning spear!
  5. No Greek shall boast he hath seen thy face
  6. And danced again in the dancing place;
  7. And the land shall laugh for the sheaves she reapeth,
  8. Of spoilers dead by a sword from Thrace.
[*](numeration out of sync: 378 omitted )
Enter RHESUS in dazzling white armour, followed by his CHARIOTEER and Attendants. The CHARIOTEER carries his golden shield. The CHORUS break into a shout of All Hail!
LEADER.
  1. All hail, great King! A whelp indeed
  2. Is born in Thracia’s lion fold,
  3. Whose leap shall make strong cities bleed.
  4. Behold his body girt with gold,
  5. And hark the pride of bells along
  6. The frontlet of that targe’s hold.
CHORUS.
  1. A God, O Troy, a God and more!