Читать книгу The Greatest German Classics (Vol. 1-14) - Various - Страница 273

The danger thickens; but let us be firm.

Nor with incautious haste betray ourselves;

Calmly await the messenger's return,

And then stand fast, whatever his reply:

For the appointment of such sacred rites

Doth to the priestess, not the king, belong.

Should he demand the stranger to behold,

Who is by madness heavily oppress'd,

Evasively pretend, that in the fane,

Well guarded, thou retainest him and me.

Thus you secure us time to fly with speed,

Bearing the sacred treasure from this race,

Unworthy its possession. Phoebus sends

Auspicious omens, and fulfils his word,

Ere we the first conditions have perform'd.

Free is Orestes, from the curse absolv'd!

Oh, with the freed one, to the rocky isle

Where dwells the god, waft us, propitious gales.

Thence to Mycene, that she may revive;

That from the ashes of the extinguish'd hearth,

The household gods may joyously arise,

And beauteous fire illumine their abode!

Thy hand from golden censers first shall strew

The fragrant incense. O'er that threshold thou

Shalt life and blessing once again dispense,

The curse atone, and all thy kindred grace

With the fresh bloom of renovated life.