Of high, o'erflowing health There is no bound that stays the wish for more, For evermore disease, as neighbour close Whom but a wall divides, Upon it presses; and man's prosperous state *Moves on its course, and strikes Upon an unseen rock; But if his fear for safety of his freight, A part, from well-poised sling, shall sacrifice, 980 Then the whole house sinks not, O'erfilled with wretchedness, Nor does he swamp his boat: So, too, abundant gift From Zeus in bounteous fulness, and the fruit Of glebe at harvest tide Have caused to cease sore hunger's pestilence; ANTISTROPHE II But blood that once hath flowed In purple stains of death upon the ground At a man's feet, who then can bid it back By any charm of song? Else him who knew to call the dead to life[348] *Zeus had not sternly checked, 990 *As warning unto all; But unless Fate, firm-fixed, had barred our fate From any chance of succour from the Gods, Then had my heart poured forth Its thoughts, outstripping speech.[349] But now in gloom it wails Sore vexed, with little hope At any time hereafter fitting end 1000 To find, unravelling, My soul within me burning with hot thoughts. _Re-enter_ CLYTÆMNESTRA _Clytæm._ [_to_ CASSANDRA, _who has remained in the chariot during the choral ode_] Thou too—I mean Cassandra—go within; Since Zeus hath made it thine, and not in wrath, To share the lustral waters in our house, Standing with many a slave the altar nigh Of Zeus, who guards our goods.[350] Now get thee down From out this car, nor look so over proud. They say that e'en Alcmena's son endured[351] Being sold a slave, constrained to bear the yoke: And if the doom of this ill chance should come, Great boon it is to meet with lords who own Ancestral wealth. But whoso reap full crops 1010 They never dared to hope for, these in all, And beyond measure, to their slaves are harsh:[352] From us thou hast what usage doth prescribe. _Chor._ So ends she, speaking words full clear to thee: And seeing thou art in the toils of fate, If thou obey, thou wilt obey; and yet, Perchance, obey thou wilt not. _Clytæm._ Nay, but unless she, like a swallow, speaks A barbarous tongue unknown, I speaking now Within her apprehension, bid obey. 1020 _Chor._ [_to_ CASSANDRA, _still standing motionless_] Go with her. What she bids is now the best; Obey her: leave thy seat upon this car.