_The Ritual on the Stage being now concluded, Clytaemnestra advances to
the front. At the same moment the Choral Ode is finished and the Chorus
take up their usual position during the Episodes, drawn up in two lilies
in front of the Altar facing the Stage. They speak only by their Foreman
(or Corypliceus), and use the ordinary Iambic Metre (equivalent to our
Blank Verse)._
_The Foreman of the Chorus_ repeats his enquiries of Clytaemnestra as to
the meaning of this sudden rejoicing, guardedly adding that it is his
duty to pay respect to his lord's wife in his absence--_Clytaemnestra_
announces that Troy has been taken this last night--rapid interchange of
stichomuthic dialogue, the Chorus expressing their amazement as to how
the news could travel so fast.
_Cho._ What herald could arrive with speed like this?
_Clytaem._ Hephiestos flashing forth bright flames from Ida:
Beacon to beacon from that courier-fire
Sent on its tidings; Ida to the rock
Hermaean named, in Lemnos: from the isle
The height of Athos, dear to Zeus, received
A third great torch of flame, and lifted up,
So as on high to skim the broad sea's back,
The stalwart fire rejoicing went its way;
The pine wood, like a sun, sent forth its light
Of golden radiance to Makistos' watch;
And he, with no delay, nor unawares
Conquered by sleep, performed his courier's part.
Far off the torch-light to Euripos' straits
Advancing, tells it to Messapion's guard:
They, in their turn, lit up and passed it on,
Kindling a pile of dry and aged heath.
Still strong and fresh the torch, not yet grown dim,
Leaping across Asôpos' plain in guise
Like a bright moon, towards Kithaeron's rock,
Roused the next station of the courier flame.
And that far-travelled light the sentries there
Refused not, burning more than all yet named:
And then the light swooped o'er Gorgôpis' lake,
And passing on to Aegiplanctos' mount,
Bade the bright fire's due order tarry not;
And they, enkindling boundless store, send on
A mighty beard of flame, and then it passed
The headland e'en that looks on Saron's gulf
Still blazing. On it swept, until it came
To Arachnaean heights, the watch-tower near;
Then here on the Atreidae's roof it swoops,
This light, of Ida's fire no doubtful heir.
Such is the order of my torch-race games;
One from another taking up the course,
But here the winner is both first and last;
And this sure proof and token now I tell thee,
Seeing that my lord hath sent it me from Troïa. {307}
While the _Chorus_ are still overcome with amazement, _Clytaemnestra_
triumphs over the condition of Troy that morning: like a vessel
containing oil and vinegar, the conquered, bewailing their first day of
captivity over the corpses of husbands and sons, the victors enjoying
their first rest free from the chill dews of night and the sentry's
call--and all will be well, _if_ they remember the rights of the Gods in
their sack of the city: ah! may they not in their exultation commit some
sacrilegious deed of plunder, forgetting that they have only reached the
goal, and have the return to make! If they should, the curse of those
who have perished might still awake against them [_Cl._ thus darkly
harping upon her secret hope that vengeance may still overtake them for
the sacrifice of her daughter.] {345}
_Exit Clytaemnestra, with Attendants._
After a few words of triumph (_in marching rhythm_), that Zeus, protector
of host and guest, has visited the proud Trojans, and brought them into a
net of bondage that neither young nor full-grown can overleap, the Chorus
proceed to a more formal expression of their feelings in {357}