CASSANDRA'S WILD MARRIAGE SONG (from "Troades")
by: Euripides
- LIGHT!
a light! rise up, be swift;
- I seize, I worship, and I lift
- The bridal torches' festal rays,
- Till all the burning fane's ablaze!
- Hymen! Hymenæan king!
- Look there! look there! what blessings wait
- Upon the bridegroom's nuptial state!
- And I, how blest, who proudly ride
- Through Argos' streets, a queenly bride!
- Go thou, my mother! go!
- With many a gushing tear
- And frantic shriek of woe.
- Wail for thy sire, thy country dear!
- I the while, in bridal glee,
- Lif the glowing, glittering fire.
- Hymen! Hymen! all to thee
- Flames the torch and rings the lyre!
- Bless, O Hecate, the rite;
- Send thy soft and holy light
- To the virgin's nuptial bed.
- Lightly lift the airy tread!
- Evan! Evan! dance along!
- Holy are the dance and song.
- Meetest they to celebrate
- My father Priam's blissful fate.
- Dance, O Phoebus, dance and sing!
- Round thy laurel-shaded fane
- Still I lead the priestess' train.
- Hymen! Hymenæan king!
- Dance, my mother, lift thy feet!
- Here and there the cadence keep
- With thy light and frolic step!
- Sing the Hymenæan sweet,
- With many a gladsome melody
- And jocund nymph's exultant cry.
- Beauteous-vested maids of Troy,
- Sing my song of nuptial joy!
- Sing the fated husband led
- To my virgin bridal-bed.
This English translation, by Henry
Hart Milman, of 'Cassandra's Wild Marriage-song' is reprinted
from Greek Poets in English Verse. Ed. William Hyde Appleton.
Cambridge: The Riverside Press, 1893. |
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