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Ch. Just as wretched as men when their city is taken.

Ch.

Et. Again thou art yelping as thou claspest the statues!

Et.

Ch. Yes, for in my panic terror hurries away my tongue.

Ch.

Et. Would to heaven that you would grant me a trifling favor on my requesting it.

Et.

Ch. Tell me as quickly as you can, and I shall know at once.

Ch.

Et. Hold thy peace, wretched woman, alarm not thy friends.

Et.

Ch. I hold my peace—with others I will suffer what is destined.

Ch.

Et. I prefer this expression of thine rather than thy former words; and moreover, coming forth from the statues, pray thou for the best—that the gods may be our allies. And after thou hast listened to my prayers, then do thou raise the sacred auspicious shout of the Pæan, the Grecian rite of sacrificial acclamation, an encouragement to thy friends that removes the fear of the foe. And I, to the tutelary gods of our land, both those who haunt the plains, and those who watch over the forum, and to the fountains of Dirce, and I speak not without those of the Ismenus,112 if things turn out well and our city is preserved, do thus make my vows that we, dyeing the altars of the gods with the blood 

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