Читать книгу The Greatest German Classics (Vol. 1-14) - Various - Страница 1287

Forthwith hath followed next this mandate of my lord:

"Now when in order thou all things hast duly seen,

As many tripods take, as needful thou may'st deem,

And vessels manifold, which he at hand requires,

Who duly would perform the sacrificial rite,

The caldrons, and the bowls, and shallow altar-plates;

Let purest water, too, from sacred fount be there,

In lofty pitchers; further, store of season'd wood,

Quick to accept the flame, hold thou in readiness;

A knife, of sharpest edge, let it not fail at last.

But I all other things to thy sole care resign."

So spake he, urging me at once to part; but naught,

Breathing the breath of life, the orderer appoints,

That, to the Olympians' honor, he to slaughter doom'd:

Suspicious seems it! yet, dismiss I further care;

To the high Gods' decree be everything referred,

Who evermore fulfil, what they in thought conceive;

It may, in sooth, by men, as evil or as good

Be counted, it by us, poor mortals, must be borne.

Full oft the ponderous axe on high the priest hath raised,

In consecration o'er the earth-bowed victim's neck.

Nor could achieve the rite, for he was hinderèd,

Or by approaching foe, or intervening God.