Sophocles Trachiniae 101

CHORUS

CHORUS . 497

Victorious in her might,

The Queen of soft delight

Still ranges onward with triumphant sway.

What she from Kronos’ son

And strong Poseidon won,

And Pluto, King of Night, I durst not say.

But who, to earn this bride,

Came forth in sinewy pride

To strive, or e’er the nuptial might be known

With fearless heart I tell

What heroes wrestled well,

With showering blows, and dust in clouds upthrown.

One was a river bold,

Horn-crowned, with tramp fourfold,

Bull Achelôüs, Acarnania’s Fear;

And one from Bacchus’ town,

Own son of Zeus, came down,

With brandished mace, bent bow, and barbèd spear.

Who then in battle brunt,

Together, front to front,

Hurled, eager both to win the beauteous prize;

And Cypris ’mid the fray

Alone, that dreadful day,

Sate umpire, holding promise in her eyes.

Then clashed the fist, then clanged the bow;

Then horns gave crashing blow for blow,

Whilst, as they clung,

The twining hip throw both essay

And hurtling foreheads’ fearful play,

And groans from each were wrung.

But the tender fair one far away

Sate watching with an eye of piteous cheer

(A mother’s heart will heed the thing I say,)

Till won by him who freed her from her fear.

Sudden she leaves her mother’s gentle side,

Borne through the waste, our hero’s tender bride.