CHORAL HYMN.[n55] STROPHE I. SEMI-CHORUS 1. Lift ye the solemn hymn! High let your pæans brim! Praise in your strain Gods that in glory reign High o'er the Argive plain, High o'er each castled hold, Where Erasinus old[f24] Winds to the main! SEMI-CHORUS 2. (_to the attendant maids_) Sing, happy maids, with me! Loud with responsive glee Voice ye the strain! Praise ye the Argive shore, Praise holy Nile no more, Wide where his waters roar, Mixed with the main! ANTISTROPHE I. SEMI-CHORUS 1. Lift ye the solemn hymn! High let your pæans brim! Praise in your strain Torrents that bravely swell Fresh through each Argive dell, Broad streams that lazily Wander, and mazily Fatten the plain. SEMI-CHORUS 2. Sing, sisters, sing with me Artemis chaste! may she List to the strain! Never, O never may Marriage with fearful sway Bind me; nor I obey Hatefullest chain! STROPHE II. SEMI-CHORUS 1. Yet, mighty praise be thine[n56] Cyprian queen divine! Hera, with thee I join, {252} Nearest to Jove. Subtly conceiving all, Wiseliest weaving all, Thy will achieving all Nobly by love! SEMI-CHORUS 2. With thee Desire doth go; Peitho,[f25] with suasive flow Bending the willing foe, Marches with thee. Lovely Harmonia[n57] Knows thee; and, smote with awe, Strong kings obey the law Whispered by thee. STROPHE IV. SEMI-CHORUS 1. Yet must I fear the chase,[n58] Sail spread in evil race, War with a bloody pace Spurred after me. Why to this Argive shore Came they with plashing oar, If not with sorrow's store Treasured for me? SEMI-CHORUS 2. Comes fated good or ill, Wait we in patience still! No power may thwart his will Jove, mighty Jove. Laden with sorrow's store Virgins in days of yore Praised, when their grief was o'er, Jove, mighty Jove. SEMI-CHORUS 1. Jove, mighty Jove, may he From wedded force for me Rescue prepare! SEMI-CHORUS 2. Fair fall our maiden lot! But mighty Jove may not Yield to thy prayer. SEMI-CHORUS 1. Know'st thou what woes may be Stored yet by Fate for me? SEMI-CHORUS 2. Jove and his hidden plan Sight of the sharpest man Searcheth in vain; Thou in thy narrow span Wisely remain! {253} SEMI-CHORUS 1. Wisely my thought may fare Tell me, O tell me where? SEMI-CHORUS 2. 'Gainst what the gods ordain Fret not thy heart in vain!