CLYTEMNESTRA. Hephæstus.[f15] He from Ida shot the spark;[n30] And flaming straightway leapt the courier fire From height to height; to the Hermæan rock Of Lemnos, first from Ida; from the isle The Athóan steep of mighty Jove received The beaming beacon; thence the forward strength Of the far-travelling lamp strode gallantly[n31] Athwart the broad sea's back. The flaming pine Rayed out a golden glory like the sun, And winged the message to Macistus' watch-tower. There the wise watchman, guiltless of delay, Lent to the sleepless courier further speed; And the Messapian station hailed the torch Far-beaming o'er the floods of the Eurípus. There the grey heath lit the responsive fire, Speeding the portioned message; waxing strong, And nothing dulled across Asopus' plain The flame swift darted like the twinkling moon, And on Cithæron's rocky heights awaked A new receiver of the wandering light. The far-sent ray, by the faithful watch not spurned, With bright addition journeying, bounded o'er Gorgópus' lake and Ægiplanctus' mount, Weaving the chain unbroken.[n32] Hence it spread Not scant in strength, a mighty beard of flame,[n33] Flaring across the headlands that look down On the Saronic gulf.[n34] Speeding its march, It reached the neighbour-station of our city, Arachne's rocky steep; and thence the halls Of the Atridæ recognised the signal, Light not unfathered by Idæan fire. Such the bright train of my torch-bearing heralds, Each from the other fired with happy news, And last and first was victor in the race.[n35] Such the fair tidings that my lord hath sent, A sign that Troy hath fallen. CHORUS. And for its fall Our voice shall hymn the gods anon: meanwhile I'm fain to drink more wonder from thy words.