TRANSLATIONS, &c.
127
"I perish'd not, my Friend! by Neptune's wrath,
"Whelm'd in the ocean wave; nor dy'd in arms, 461
"Heroic deeds attempting; but receiv'd,
"From base Ægysthus and my baser queen,
"Irreparable doom whilst I partook
"Refreshment, and at supper jovial sat, 465
"Slain like an ox that 's butcher'd at the crib,
"A death most lamentable! Round me lay
"An hideous carnage of my breathless friends,
"Like beasts new slaughter'd for the bridal board
"Of some luxurious noble, or devote 470
"To solemn festival. On well-fought fields
"You various scenes of slaughter have survey'd,
"And in fierce tournament; yet had it quell'd
"Your best of man to view us on the floor
"Rolling in death, with viands round us spread, 475
"And pond'rous vases bruis'd, while human gore
"Flooded the pavement wide. With shrilling cries
"Cassandra pierc'd my ear, whom at my side
"False Clytemnestra flew. T' avenge her wrong,
"I with a dying grasp my sabre seiz'd; 480
"But the curs'd assassin withdrew, nor clos'd
"My lips and eyes. O Woman! Woman! none
"Of Nature's savage train have less remorse
"In perpetrating crimes: to kill her mate
"What beast was e'er a complice? I return'd, 485
"Hopeful in affluence of domestic joy
"To reign, encircled with my offspring dear,
"Whelm'd in the ocean wave; nor dy'd in arms, 461
"Heroic deeds attempting; but receiv'd,
"From base Ægysthus and my baser queen,
"Irreparable doom whilst I partook
"Refreshment, and at supper jovial sat, 465
"Slain like an ox that 's butcher'd at the crib,
"A death most lamentable! Round me lay
"An hideous carnage of my breathless friends,
"Like beasts new slaughter'd for the bridal board
"Of some luxurious noble, or devote 470
"To solemn festival. On well-fought fields
"You various scenes of slaughter have survey'd,
"And in fierce tournament; yet had it quell'd
"Your best of man to view us on the floor
"Rolling in death, with viands round us spread, 475
"And pond'rous vases bruis'd, while human gore
"Flooded the pavement wide. With shrilling cries
"Cassandra pierc'd my ear, whom at my side
"False Clytemnestra flew. T' avenge her wrong,
"I with a dying grasp my sabre seiz'd; 480
"But the curs'd assassin withdrew, nor clos'd
"My lips and eyes. O Woman! Woman! none
"Of Nature's savage train have less remorse
"In perpetrating crimes: to kill her mate
"What beast was e'er a complice? I return'd, 485
"Hopeful in affluence of domestic joy
"To reign, encircled with my offspring dear,
