CLYTEMNESTRA. I lifted first the shout of jubilee, Then when the midnight sign of the courier fire Told the deep downfall of the captured Troy; But one then mocked my faith, that I believed The fire-sped message in so true a tale. 'Tis a light thing to buoy a woman's heart With hopeful news, they cried; and with these words They wildered my weak wit. And yet I sped The sacrifice, and raised the welcoming shout In woman's wise, and at a woman's word Forthwith from street to street uprose to the gods Well-omened salutations, and glad hymns, Lulling the fragrant incense-feeding flame. What needs there more? The event has proved me right, {60} Himself--my lord--with his own lips shall speak The weighty tale; myself will go make ready With well-earned honour to receive the honoured. What brighter bliss on woman's lot may beam, Than when a god gives back her spouse from war, To ope the gates of welcome. Tell my husband, To his loved home, desired of all, to haste. A faithful wife, even as he left her, here He'll find expectant, like a watch-dog, gentle To him and his, to all that hate him harsh. The seals that knew his stamp, when hence he sailed, Unharmed remain, untouched: and for myself Nor praise nor blame from other man I know, No more than dyer's art can tincture brass.[n51] HERALD. A boast like this, instinct with very truth, Comes from a noble lady without blame. CHORUS. Wise words she spake, and words that need no comment To ears that understand. But say, good Herald, Comes Menelaus safe back from the wars, His kindly sway in Argos to resume? HERALD. I cannot gloss a lie with fair pretence; The best told lie bears but a short-lived fruit. CHORUS. Speak the truth plainly, if thou canst not pleasantly; These twain be seldom wedded; and here, alas! They stand out sundered with too clear a mark. HERALD. The man is vanished from the Achæan host, He and his vessel. Thou hast heard the truth. CHORUS. Sailed he from Ilium separate from the fleet? Or did the tempest part him from his friends! HERALD. Like a good marksman thou hast hit the mark, In one short sentence summing many sorrows. CHORUS. Alive is he or dead? What word hath reached you? What wandering rumour from sea-faring men? HERALD. This none can tell, save yon bright sun aloft, That cherishes all things with his friendly light. CHORUS. How came the storm on the fleet? or how was ended The wrath of the gods?