Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/351

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
MEROPE.
313

THE CHORUS.

Vengeance, O Queen, is his due, str. 2.
His most just prayer; yet his house—
If that might soothe him below—
Prosperous, mighty, came back
In the third generation, the way
Order'd by Fate, to their home;
And now, glorious, secure,
Fill the wealth-giving thrones
Of their heritage, Pelops' isle.


MEROPE.

Suffering sent them, Death ant. 1.
March'd with them. Hatred and Strife
Met them entering their halls.
For from the day when the first
Heracleidæ received
That Delphic hest to return,
What hath involved them, but blind
Error on error, and blood?


THE CHORUS.

Truly I hear of a Maid ant. 2.
Of that stock born, who bestow'd
Her blood that so she might make
Victory sure to her race,
When the fight hung in doubt! but she now,
Honor'd and sung of by all,
Far on Marathon plain,
Gives her name to the spring
Macaria, blessed Child.