From this report a light of rising dawn
We had not dared to hope for.
Chor. Let all within exult,
That wait their wedded joy,
With shouts on altar-hearth;
And with them let the stronger voice of men
Proclaim thy name, Apollo, guardian God,
Lord of the quiver bright,
And ye, Ο maidens. Pæan, Pæan raise;210
Shout out his Sister's name,
Ortygian[1] Artemis,
Who smites the fawn, torch-armed in either hand,
With all the neighbouring Nymphs.
I spring aloft, I can no more withstand
The flute's clear voice, Ο sovereign of my soul.
Behold, it stirs and works,
Evoi! Oh, Evoi!
The ivy-wreath that leads me back again
To hottest strife of Bacchic revelry.220
Io! Oh, Io!
Pæan! Oh, Pæan!
Look thou, dear lady, look;
Before thy face they come,
And thou may'st see them clear.
Enter Lichias, followed by Iole and a company of Captive Women.
Deian. I see it, Ο my friends, nor does it 'scape
Mine eye's keen watch that I should fail to note
This proud array. I welcome thee, Ο herald,
Though thou com'st late, if thou bring'st welcome news.
Lichas. Well are we come, and we are greeted well,
- ↑ The epithet was, in the first instance, applied to Artemis in her temple at Chalkis in Ætolia.
