and had also set forth his purpose to order all things in a regular
assembly if anything had been done amiss in his absence, there came
forth the Queen to greet him, saying, "I am not ashamed, men of Argos,
to confess that with great gladness of heart I receive my husband. For
truly it is an evil lot for a woman when she sitteth alone in her house,
hearing continually rumours and tidings of misfortune. Verily, had my
lord here been wounded as oft as fame related this thing of him, these
same wounds had been more in number than the meshes of a net; and had he
died as often as men reported him dead, three bodies such as the story
telleth Geryon to have had, had not sufficed him. Hence it is, O King,
that our son Orestes is not here, for I sent him to Strophius the
Phocian, who is, as thou knowest, an ancient friend of our house,
fearing, if aught should befall thee at Troy, lest some tumult of the
people should work harm also unto him. Scant truly and light have been
my slumbers, and with many tears have I watched for thee. And now thou
art come, what shall I say? Truly this man is to me as the strong pillar
of a roof, as an only child to a father, as land seen beyond all hope by
sailors, after much toil at sea, as a clear shining after storm, as a
fountain springing forth to one that journeyeth in a thirsty land. And
now, my lord, I would that thou step from thy car, not setting thy foot
upon the earth, seeing that it hath trampled upon the great city of
Troy. Why linger ye, ye maids? Strew the pathway with carpeting of
purple!"

And King Agamemnon made answer, "Truly, daughter of Leda, thy speech
hath been even as my absence, exceeding long. But why dost thou pamper
me with luxury, or make my goings hateful to the Gods, strewing this
purple under my feet? It is not well, me thinks, that a man should
trample on such wealth."

[Illustration: THE RETURN OF AGAMEMNON]

"Nay," said the Queen, "be content. Thinkest thou that Priam would not
have walked on purple if perchance he had been the conqueror?"

And after they had talked awhile, she prevailed, only the King bade them
loose the sandals from under his feet, thinking it shame to waste the
substance of his house. Also he gave commandment that they should deal
very kindly with the strange woman that had ridden with him in his
chariot, for that the Gods have a favour unto them that use their
victory with mercy. And when he had said these things he went into the
palace,