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The Thracians go off in pursuit. Meantime the original Guards who form the Chorus have hastened back. The two Greeks are presently seen crossing at the back in a different direction.
CHORUS.
Who was the man that passed?
Who, that, so madly bold,
Even as I held him fast,
Laughed, and I loosed my hold?
Where shall I find him now?
695
What shall I deem of him,
To steal thro’ the guards a-row,
Quaking not, eye nor limb,
On thro’ the starlight dim?
Is he of
Thessaly
,
Born by the Locrian sea,
700
Or harvester of some starved island’s corn?
What man hath seen his face?
What was his name or race,
What the high God
1
by whom his sires have sworn?
Who was the man that passed?
Who, that, so madly bold,
Even as I held him fast,
Laughed, and I loosed my hold?
Where shall I find him now?
695
What shall I deem of him,
To steal thro’ the guards a-row,
Quaking not, eye nor limb,
On thro’ the starlight dim?
Is he of
Thessaly
,
Born by the Locrian sea,
700
Or harvester of some starved island’s corn?
What man hath seen his face?
What was his name or race,
What the high God
1
by whom his sires have sworn?
DIVERS GUARDS
(talking).
This night must be Odysseus’ work, or whose?—
Odysseus? Aye, to judge by ancient use.—
705
Odysseus surely!—That is thy belief?—
What else? It seems he hath no fear
Of such as we!—Whom praise ye there?
Whose prowess? Say!—Odysseus.—Nay,
Praise not the secret stabbing of a thief!
This night must be Odysseus’ work, or whose?—
Odysseus? Aye, to judge by ancient use.—
705
Odysseus surely!—That is thy belief?—
What else? It seems he hath no fear
Of such as we!—Whom praise ye there?
Whose prowess? Say!—Odysseus.—Nay,
Praise not the secret stabbing of a thief!
Rhesus. Euripides. Gilbert Murray (Translator). London. 1913.
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