e.
But on a wider scale for those who went
From Hellas' ancient shore,
A sore distress that causeth pain of heart
Is seen in every house.
Yea, many things there are that touch the quick:
For those whom each did send
He knoweth; but, instead
Of living men, there come to each man's home
Funereal urns alone,
And ashes of the dead. {425}
_Strophe III: change of rhythm, evolutions from Altar to Right._

War is a trafficker; in the rush of battle he holds scales, and for the
golden coin you spend on him he sends you back lifeless shapes of men;
they sent out men, the loving friends receive back well-smoothed ashes
from the funeral pyre. They sing the heroic fall of some--all for
another's wife; and some murmur discontent against the sons of Atreus,
and some have won a grave in the land they had conquered. {441}

_Antistrophe III: evolutions repeated, but from Right back to Altar._

So sullen discontent has been doing the work of a people's curse:
therefore it is that I am awaiting with dim forebodings the full news.
The Gods do not forget those who have shed much blood, and sooner or
later the dark-robed Deities of the Curse consign the evil-doer to
impassable, hopeless gloom. Away with the dazzling success that attracts
the thunderbolt! be mine the moderate lot that neither causes nor suffers
captivity. {458}

_Epode: change of rhythm and Chorus not moving from the Altar._

The courier flame has brought good news--but who knows whether it be
true?--Yet it is childish when the heart is all aglow with the message of
the flame to be turned round by everchanging rumour.--Yet it is the
nature of a woman to believe too soon. [Observe how the Chorus, setting
out on an ode of triumph, have come back to their persistent
forebodings.] {471}

_Suddenly at the Side-door on the extreme Left of the Stage (signifying
distance) appears a Herald, covered with dust, crowned with olive in
token of victory. The Chorus immediately fall into their Episode
position to receive him, the Foreman expressing their anticipations as
the Herald traverses the long stage to the point opposite the Chorus._

EPISODE II

_Foreman of Chorus_. Now we shall have a clearer message than that of
the beacon-fires: all is well or . . . but I cannot put the other
alternative. _The Herald_ (_arrived opposite the Chorus_) solem