Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 4.djvu/50

To all he sued, but chief implor'd for grace
The brother kings of Atreus' royal race.
Ye sons of Atreus, may your vows be crown'd, Kings and warriours
Your labours, by the God be all your labours crown'd;
So may the Gods your arms with conquest bless,
And Troy's proud walls lie level with the ground;
Till⁠laid
And crown your labours with deserv'd succes;
May Jove restore you, when your toils are o'er,
Safe to the pleasures of your native shore.

 

But, oh! relieve a wretched parent's pain,
And give Chryseis to these arms again;
If mercy fail, yet let my present move,
And dread avenging Phœbus, son of Jove.

 

But, oh! relieve a hapless parent's pain,
And give my daughter to these arms again;
Receive my gifts; if mercy fails, yet let my present move,
And fear the God that deals his darts around,
⁠avenging Phœbus, son of Jove.

 

The Greeks, in shouts, their joint assent declare
The priest to reverence, and release the fair.
Not so Atrides; he, with kingly pride,
Repuls'd the sacred Sire, and thus reply'd.

 

He said, the Greeks their joint assent declare,
The father said, the gen'rous Greeks relent,
T' accept the ransom, and release the fair:
Revere the priest, and speak their joint assent:
Not so the tyrant, he, with kingly pride,
⁠Atrides,
Repuls'd the sacred Sire, and thus reply'd.
⁠[Not so the tyrant. Dryden.]