78
Orion.
[Book II.
Rhexergon ceased, while in the sunny air
His large eyes shone, and pleased with what he told—
For well he spake with deep-voiced cadences—
Looked like a monarch who hath made a verse.
Now Akinetos spake. "Your efforts done,
What good to ye is wrought? To him, what good?
Not long will Merope be his: if long,
What good, since both must tire. Œnopion,
The king of ships and armies, may reclaim
This Merope by force: perchance her own
Inconstant will may save these ships and men."
"If we defend the prize," Biastor said,
"Substantial good unto ourselves were due;
Wise are thy words; wherefore large terms of spoil
We with Orion will in future make,
That shall secure our constant revelry,
As in Dodona, once, ere driven thence,
By Zeus, for that Rhexergon burnt some oaks.
Thrust we the king from off his throne, or thrust
His throne from under him to some fresh place
Suiting our fancies, whereon we'll sleep crowned,
And feast, and order armies to march forth,
And ships to sail, and music, and more feast."
His large eyes shone, and pleased with what he told—
For well he spake with deep-voiced cadences—
Looked like a monarch who hath made a verse.
Now Akinetos spake. "Your efforts done,
What good to ye is wrought? To him, what good?
Not long will Merope be his: if long,
What good, since both must tire. Œnopion,
The king of ships and armies, may reclaim
This Merope by force: perchance her own
Inconstant will may save these ships and men."
"If we defend the prize," Biastor said,
"Substantial good unto ourselves were due;
Wise are thy words; wherefore large terms of spoil
We with Orion will in future make,
That shall secure our constant revelry,
As in Dodona, once, ere driven thence,
By Zeus, for that Rhexergon burnt some oaks.
Thrust we the king from off his throne, or thrust
His throne from under him to some fresh place
Suiting our fancies, whereon we'll sleep crowned,
And feast, and order armies to march forth,
And ships to sail, and music, and more feast."
