Thoas.
O marvel! What name stronger fitteth thee?
Messenger.
Take thou not thought for that, but list to me:
Mark clearly all, and as thou hear'st devise
By what pursuit to hunt the strangers down.
Thoas.
Say on: thou speakest well. By no near course 1325
They needs must flee, that they should 'scape my spear.[1]
Messenger.
Soon as unto the sea-beach we had come,
Where hidden was Orestes' galley moored,
Us, whom with those bound strangers thou didst send,
Agamemnon's child waved back, to stand aloof, 1330
As one at point to light the inviolate fire
And do the cleansing for the which she came.
Herself took in her hands the strangers' bonds,
And paced behind. Somewhat mine heart misgave,
Yet were thy servants satisfied, O King. 1335
Time passed: she chanted loud in alien hymns
Of wizardry,—with semblance of weird rites
To cozen us,—as one that cleansed blood-guilt.
But when we had been long time sitting thus,
It came into our minds that, breaking loose, 1340
The strangers might have slain her, and have fled.[2]
Yet, dreading to behold forfended things,
