Page:The Plays of Euripides Vol. 1- Edward P. Coleridge (1910).djvu/51

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RHESUS.
23
Dost think so really? Why, of course.
He is a bold foe for us.
Who is? whom art thou praising for valiancy?
Odysseus.
Praise not the crafty weapons that a robber uses.

Cho. Once before he came into this city, with swimming bleary eyes, in rags and tatters clad, his sword hidden in his cloak. And like some vagrant menial he slunk about begging his board, his hair all tousled and matted with filth, and many a bitter curse he uttered against the royal house of the Atreidæ, as though forsooth he were to those chiefs opposed. Would, oh! would he had perished, as was his due, or ever he set foot on Phrygia's soil!

Semicho. Whether it were really Odysseus or not, I am afeard.
Aye surely, for Hector will blame us sentinels.
What can he allege?
He will suspect.
What have we done? why art afeard?
By us did pass—
Well, who?
They who this night came to the Phrygian host.

Cha. O cruel stroke of fate. Woe, woe!

Cho. Hush! be silent all! Crouch low, for maybe there cometh someone into the snare.

Cha. Oh, oh! dire mishap to the Thracian allies.

Cho. Who is he that groans?

Cha. Alack, alack! woe is me and woe is thee, O king of Thrace! How curst the sight of Troy to thee! how sad the blow that closed thy life!

Cho. Who art thou? an ally? which? night's gloom hath dulled these eyes, I cannot clearly recognize thee.

Cha. Where can I find some Trojan chief? Where doth Hector take his rest under arms? Alack and well-a-day!