Governor
[to the Governor.
For that I came, and I will tell thee all.
Know then, Orestes at the Pythian games,
Eager for glory, met assembled Greece.
Soon as the herald's far-resounding voice
Proclaimed the course, the p^racpfnt ynnth appeared^
And was by all admired. Successful soon
He reached the goal, and bore his prize away.
Ne'er did these eyes behold such feats performed
By mortal strength ; in every course superior,
He rose victorious. Theme of every tongue
Was the brave Argive, great Atrides' son,
Who led the Grecian host. But oh ! in vain
Doth human valour strive when power divine
Pursues vindictive ! The succeeding morn
Uprose the sun, and with him all the train
Of youthful rivals in the chariot race :
One from Achaia, one from Sparta came,
Of Afric's sons advanced a noble pair.
And joined the throng. With these Orestes drove
His swift Thessalian steeds ; ^tolia next,
For yellow coursers famed ; and next Magnesin ;
And Athens, built by hands divine, sent forth
Her skilful charioteer ; an .^nian next
Drove his white liorses through the field ; and last
A brave Bieotian closed the warrior train.
And now in order ran/^ed, as each by lot
Determined stood, forth at the trumpet's sound
They rushed together, shook their gUttering reins,
And lashed their foaming coursers o'er the plain.
Loud was the din of rattling cars involved
In dusty clouds ; close on each other pressed
Tlie rival youths, together stopped, and turned
Together all, the hapless ^nian first :
His fiery steeds impatient of subjection,
Entangled on the Lybian chariot hung.
Confusion soon and terror through the crowd
Disastrous spread ; the jarring axles rung ;
Wheel within wheel now cracked, till Chrysa's field
Was with the scattered ruins quite o'erspread.
Th' Athenian cautious viewed the distant danger,
Drew in the rein, and turned his car aside,
Then passed them all. Orestes, who, secure
Of conquest, lagged behind, with eager pace
Now urged his rapid course, and swift pursued.
Sharp was the contest : now th' Athenian first,
And now Orestes o'er his coursers hung.
Now side by tide they ran. When to the last
And fatal goal, they came, Atrides' son,
As chance with slackened rein he turned the car,
Full on the pillar struck, tore from the wheel
Its brittle spokes, and from his seat down dropped
Precipitate. Entangled in the reins
His fiery coursers dragged him o'er the field,
Whilst shrieking crowds with pity viewed the
Whose gallant deeds deserved a better fate.
Scarce could they stop the rapid car, or loose
His mangled corse, so drenched in blood, so changed,
That scarce a friend could say it was Orestes.
Straight on the pile they burnt his sad remains,
And, in an urn enclosed, a chosen few
From Phocis sent have brought his ashes home,
To reap due honours in his native land.
Thus have I told thee all, a dreadful tale !
But, oh ! how far more dreadful to behold it.
And be like me a witness of the scene !
