but Calchas' arts
Were found not fruitless. Justice turns the scale
For those to whom through pain
At last comes wisdom's gain.
But for our future fate,
Since help for it is none,
Good-bye to it before it comes, and this
Has the same end as wailing premature;
For with to-morrow's dawn
It will come clear; may good luck crown our fate!
So prays the one true guard,
Nearest and dearest found,
Of this our Apian land. {248}

EPISODE I

_The Ritual on the Stage being now concluded, Clytaemnestra advances to
the front. At the same moment the Choral Ode is finished and the Chorus
take up their usual position during the Episodes, drawn up in two lilies
in front of the Altar facing the Stage. They speak only by their Foreman
(or Corypliceus), and use the ordinary Iambic Metre (equivalent to our
Blank Verse)._

_The Foreman of the Chorus_ repeats his enquiries of Clytaemnestra as to
the meaning of this sudden rejoicing, guardedly adding that it is his
duty to pay respect to his lord's wife in his absence--_Clytaemnestra_
announces that Troy has been taken this last night--rapid interchange of
stichomuthic dialogue, the Chorus expressing their amazement as to how
the news could travel so fast.

_Cho._ What herald could arrive with speed like this?
_Clytaem._ Hephiestos flashing forth bright flames from Ida:
Beacon to beacon from that courier-fire
Sent on its tidings; Ida to the rock
Hermaean named, in Lemnos: from the isle
The height of Athos, dear to Zeus, received
A third great torch of flame, and lifted up,
So as on high to skim the broad sea's back,
The stalwart fire rejoicing went its way;
The pine wood, like a sun, sent forth its light
Of golden radiance to Makistos' watch;
And he, with no delay, nor unawares
Conquered by sleep, performed his courier's part.
Far off the torch-light to Euripos' straits
Advancing, tells it to Messapion's guard:
They, in their turn, lit up and passed it on,
Kindling a pile of dry and aged heath.
Still strong and fresh the torch, not yet grown dim,
Leaping across Asopos' plain in guise
Like a bright moon, towards Kithaeron's rock,