Creon
407
But say, how discovered ?
Than, mindful of thy wrath, with careful hands
From off the putrid carcase we removed
The scattered dust ; then, to avoid the stench,
ExhaHng noisome, to a hill retired ;
There watched at distance, till the mid-day sun
Scorched o'er our heads. Sudden a storm arose,
vShook every leaf, and rattled through the grove,
Filling the troubled element. We closed
Our eyes, and patient bore the wrath of heaven.
At length the tempest ceased, when we beheld
This virgin issuing forth, and heard her cries
Distressful, like the plaintive bird who views
The plundered nest, and mourns her ravished young.
E'en thus the maid, when on the naked corse
She cast her eyes, loud shrieked, and cursed the hand
That did the impious deed, then sprinkled o'er
The crumbled earth, and from a brazen urn,
Of lichest work, to the levied relics thrice
Her due libations poured. We saw, and straight
Pursued her. XJnappalled she seemed, and still
As we did question her, confessed it all.
It pleased, and yet methought it grieved me too.
To find ourselves released from woe is bliss
Supreme, but thus to see our friends unhappy
Embitters all. I must be thankful still
For my own safety, which I hold most dear.