Hast thou not heard how young Orestes, fired

With great revenge, immortal praise acquired?

His virgin-sword AEgysthus’ veins imbrued;

The murderer fell, and blood atoned for blood.

O greatly bless’d with every blooming grace!

With equal steps the paths of glory trace;

Join to that royal youth’s your rival name,

And shine eternal in the sphere of fame.

But my associates now my stay deplore,

Impatient on the hoarse-resounding shore.

Thou, heedful of advice, secure proceed;

My praise the precept is, be thine the deed.


“The counsel of my friend (the youth rejoin’d)

Imprints conviction on my grateful mind.

So fathers speak (persuasive speech and mild)

Their sage experience to the favourite child.

But, since to part, for sweet refection due,

The genial viands let my train renew;

And the rich pledge of plighted faith receive,

Worthy the heir of Ithaca to give.”


“Defer the promised boon (the goddess cries,

Celestial azure brightening in her eyes),

And let me now regain the Reithrian port;

From Temese return’d, your royal court

I shall revisit, and that pledge receive;

And gifts, memorial of our friendship, leave.”


Abrupt, with eagle-speed she cut the sky;

Instant invisible to mortal eye.

Then first he recognized the ethereal guest;

Wonder and joy alternate fire his breast;

Heroic thoughts, infused, his heart dilate;

Revolving much his father’s doubtful fate.

At length, composed, he join’d the suitor-throng;

Hush’d in attention to the warbled song.

His tender theme the charming lyrist chose.

Minerva’s anger, and the dreadful woes

Which voyaging from Troy the victors bore,

While storms vindictive intercept the store.

The shrilling airs the vaulted roof rebounds,

Reflecting to the queen the silver sounds.

With grief renew’d the weeping fair descends;

Their sovereign’s step a virgin train attends:

A veil, of richest texture wrought, she wears,

And silent to the joyous hall repairs.