LAODAMEIA. "WITH sacrifice, before the rising morn Performed, my slaughtered Lord have I required; Celestial pity I again implore : : Restore him to my sight-great Jove, restore !" So speaking, and by fervent love endowed Her countenance brightens—and her eye expands; O terror! what hath she perceived?—O joy! Mild Hermes spake-and touched her with his wand That calms all fear: "Such grace hath crowned thy prayer, Laodameia that at Jove's command Thy husband walks the paths of upper air: He comes to tarry with thee three hours' space : Accept the gift, behold him face to face!" Forth sprang the impassioned Queen her Lord to clasp: "Protesilaos, lo! thy guide is gone! "Great Jove, Laodameia! doth not leave And something also did my worth obtain ; "Thou knowest, the Delphic oracle foretold That the first Greek who touched the Trojan strand A self-devoted chief-by Hector slain." 66 Supreme of heroes-bravest, noblest, best! Thy matchless courage I bewail no more, Which then, when tens of thousands were deprest Thou found'st-and I forgive thee--here thou art— "But thou, though capable of sternest deed, As when their breath enriched Thessalian air. "No Spectre greets me-no vain Shadow this; "This visage tells thee that my doom is past : "Be taught, O faithful consort, to control "Ah, wherefore?---Did not Hercules by force Given back to dwell on earth in vernal bloom? |