CHORUS.

Well fares the land that bears such fruit, and well

The spirit that breeds such thought and speech in man.

ERECHTHEUS.

O woman, thou hast shamed my heart with thine,

[Pg 19]

To show so strong a patience; take then all;

For all shall break not nor bring down thy soul.

The word that journeying to the bright God's shrine

Who speaks askance and darkling, but his name

Hath in it slaying and ruin broad writ out,

I heard, hear thou: thus saith he; There shall die

340

One soul for all this people; from thy womb

Came forth the seed that here on dry bare ground

Death's hand must sow untimely, to bring forth

Nor blade nor shoot in season, being by name

To the under Gods made holy, who require

For this land's life her death and maiden blood

To save a maiden city. Thus I heard,

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