Читать книгу The Greatest German Classics (Vol. 1-14) - Various - Страница 160

The woe,

Whose hateful presence ever dogs our steps,

I can with ease relate. Oh, would that thou

Couldst with like ease, divine one, shed on us

One ray of cheering hope! We are from Crete,

Adrastus' sons, and I, the youngest born,

Named Cephalus; my eldest brother, he,

Laodamas. Between us stood a youth

Savage and wild, who severed e'en in sport

The joy and concord of our early youth.

Long as our father led his powers at Troy,

Passive our mother's mandate we obey'd;

But when, enrich'd with booty, he return'd,

And shortly after died, a contest fierce

Both for the kingdom and their father's wealth,

His children parted. I the eldest joined;

He slew our brother; and the Furies hence

For kindred murder dog his restless steps.

But to this savage shore the Delphian god

Hath sent us, cheer'd by hope. He bade us wait

Within his sister's consecrated fane

The blessed hand of aid. Captives we are,

And, hither brought, before thee now we stand

Ordain'd for sacrifice. My tale is told.