Meanwhile with reverent heed the son 'gan rear On firm supporters the wide tent,whose sides No masonry require,yet framed to exclude The mid-day sun's hot beams,or his last rays When sinking in the west:the lengthen'd lines Equally distant comprehend a square Of twice five thousand feet (the skilful thus Compute it),space to feast (for so he will'd)All Delphi:from the treasures of the god He took the sacred tapestry,and around Hung the rich shade,on which the admiring eye Gazes with fix'd delight:first over head,Like a broad pennon spread the extended woof,Which from the Amazonian spoils the son Of Jove,Alcides,hallow'd to the god;In its bright texture interwov'n a sky Gathering the stars in its ethereal round,While downwards to the western wave the sun His steeds declines,and to his station high Draws up the radiant flame of Hesperus.
Meanwhile the Night robed in her sable stole,Her unreign'd car advances;on her state The stars attend;the Pleiads mounting high,And with his glittering sword Orion arm'd;Above,Arcturus to the golden pole Inclines;full-orb'd the month-dividing moon Takes her bright station,and the Hyades Marked by the sailor:distant in the rear,Aurora ready to relume the day,And put the stars to flight.The sides were graced With various textures of the historic woof,Barbaric arguments;in gallant trim Against the fleet of Greece the hostile fleet Rides proudly on.Here monstrous forms portray'd Human and brutal mix'd:the Thracian steeds Are seized,the hinds,and the adventurous chase Of savage lions:figured nigh the doors,Cecrops,attended by his daughter's,roll'd His serpent train:in the ample space within He spread the festal table,richly deck'd With golden goblets.Now the herald walk'd His round,each native that inclined to grace The feast inviting:to the crowded tent They hasten,crown'd with garlands,and partake The exquisite repast.The pleasured sense Now satiate,in the midst an old man stood,Officious in his ministry,which raised Much mirth among the guests;for from the urns He fill'd the lavers,and with fragrant myrrh Incensed the place;the golden bowls he claim'd His charge.When now the jocund pipes 'gan breathe Harmonious airs,and the fresh goblet stood Ready to walk its round,the old man said,"Away with these penurious cups,and bring Capacious bowls;so shall you quickly bathe Your spirits in delight."With speed were brought Goblets of gold and silver:one he took Of choicer frame;and,seemingly intent To do his young lord honour,the full vase Gave to his hands,but in the wine infused A drug of poisonous power,which,it is said,His queen supplied,that the new son no more Might view the light of heav'n;but unobserved He mix'd it.As the youth among the rest Pour'd the libation,'mid the attendant slaves Words of reproach one utter'd:he,as train'd Within the temple and with expert seers,Deem'd them of evil omen,and required Another goblet to be filled afresh-The former a libation to the god,He cast upon the ground,instructing all To pour,like him,the untasted liquor down.
Silence ensued:the sacred bowls we fill With wines of Byblos;when a troop of doves Came fluttering in,for undisturb'd they haunt The dome of Phoebus:in the floating wine They dipp'd their bills to drink,then raised their heads,Gurgling it down their beauteous-plumed throats.
Harmless to all the spilt wine,save to her That lighted where the youth had pour'd his bowl:
She drank,and straight convulsive shiverings seized Her beauteous plumes;around in giddy rings She whirl'd,and in a strange and mournful note Seem'd to lament:amazement seized the guests,Seeing the poor bird's pangs:her heart heaved thick,And stretching out her scarlet legs,she died.
Rending his robes,the son of Phoebus given Sprung from the table,and aloud exclaim'd,-"What wretch design'd to kill me?Speak,old man:
Officious was thy ministry;the bowl I from thy hand received."Then straight he seized His aged arm,and to the question held him,As in the fact discover'd:he thus caught,Reluctant and constrain'd,own'd the bold deed,The deadly goblet by Creusa drugg'd.
Forth from the tent,the guests attending,rush'd The youth announced by Phoebus,and amid The Pythian regents says,-"O hallow'd land!
This stranger dame,this daughter of Erechtheus Attempts my life by poison."Then decreed The Delphian lords (nor did one voice dissent)That she should die,my mistress,from the rock Cast headlong,as the deed was aim'd against A sacred life,and impiously presumed This hallow'd place with murder to profane.
Demanded by the state,she this way bends Her wretched steps.Unhappy to this shrine She came through fond desire of children;here,Together with her hopes,her life is lost.
CHORUS (singing)
None,there is none,from death no flight,To me no refuge;our dark deed Betray'd,betray'd to open light;The festive bowl,with sprightly wine that flow'd Mix'd with the Gorgon's viperous blood,An offering to the dead decreed,All is betray'd to light:and I,Cast headlong from the rock,must die.
What flight shall save me from this death,Borne on swift pinions through the air,Sunk to the darksome cave beneath,Or mounted on the rapid car?
Or shall the flying bark unfurl its sails?
Alas,my queen,no flight avails,Save when some god's auspicious power Shall snatch us from the dangerous hour.
Unhappy queen,what pangs shall rend thy heart!
Shall we,who plann'd the deathful deed,Be caught within the toils we spread,While justice claims severe her chast'ning part?
(CREUSA rushes in.)
CREUSA
I am pursued,ye faithful females,doom'd To death:the Pythian council hath decreed it:
My life is forfeited.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Unhappy lady,We know the dreadful ills that close thee round.
CREUSA
Ah,whither shall I fly?From instant death Scarce hath my foot sped hither,from my foes By stealth escaping.
LEADER
Whither wouldst thou fly,But to this altar?
CREUSA
What will that avail me?