Warmly this argument with others oft Have I disputed, who assert that ill To mortal man assign'd outweighs the good. Far otherwise I deem, that good is dealt To man in larger portions: were it not, We could not bear the light of life. That Power, Whatever god he be, that called us forth From foul and savage life, hath my best thanks. Inspiring reason first, he gave the tongue Articulate sounds, the intercourse of language: The fruits of earth he gave, and to that growth The heaven-descending rain, that from the earth, Cheer'd by its kindly dews, they might arise, And bear their life-sustaining food mature: to this The warm defense against th' inclement storm He taught to raise, and the umbrageous roof The fiery sun excluding: the tall bark He gave to bound o'er the wide sea, and bear From realm to realm in grateful interchange The fruits each wants. Is aught obscure, aught hid? Doubts darkening on the mind the mounting blaze Removes; or from the entrail's panting fibres The seer divines, or from the flight of birds. Are we not then fastidious to repine At such a life so furnish'd by the gods? Euripides: _Suppliants_ 214. [Potter.] 3 _Specimen of Accelerated Rhythm in the exact metre_ AEGISTHUS How thy word and act shall issue thou shalt shortly understand. CHORUS Up to action, O my comrades! for the fight is hard at hand, Swift, your right hands to the sword hilt! bare the weapon as for strife. AEGISTHUS Lo! I too am standing ready, hilt to hilt, for death, or life! CHORUS 'Twas thy word and we accept it! onward to the chance of war! CLYTEMNESTRA Nay, enough, enough, my champion! we will smite and slay no more. Already we have heaped enough the harvest-field of guilt, Enough of wrong and murder, let no other blood be spilt! Peace, old men! and pass away into the homes by fate decreed, Lest ill valor meet our vengeance--'twas a necessary deed. But enough of toils and troubles--be the end, if ever, now, Ere the wrath of the Avenger deal another deadly blow. 'Tis a woman's word of warning, and let who will list thereto. AEGISTHUS But that these should loose and lavish reckless blossoms of the tongue, And in hazard of their fortune cast upon me words of wrong, And forget the law of subjects, and to heed their ruler's word-- CHORUS Ruler? but 'tis not for Argives, thus to own a dastard lord! AEGISTHUS I will follow to chastise thee in my coming days of sway. CHORUS Not if Fortune guide Orestes safely on his homeward way.