364
மயிலை சீனி. வேங்கடசாமி ஆய்வுக்களஞ்சியம் - 20
'But life, as life, suffices youth for joy.
Young plants win sunbeams, shift them as we may.
So to the Nomad tribes
Lead thou their Queen. - O sa"ve, ye gods, my daughter!' 540
The king's proud head bowed o'er the hierarch's breast.
'Not unto me confide that precious charge,'
Replied the sweet voiced seer;
Thou hast a choice of flight, I none. Thou choosest
544
'To stand or fall, as stand or fall thy towers;
Priests may not choose; they stand or fall by shrines. Thus stand we both, or fall,
Thou by the throne, and I beside the altar.
548
But to thy child, ev'n in this funeral hour,
Give the sole lawful guardian failing thee;
Let her free will elect
From thy brave warriors him her heart most leans to;
552
'And pass with him along the secret way.
To lengthen yet the line of Scythian Kings, Meanwhile, since needs must be
We trust to others this long-guarded secret.
556
Choose one to whom I may impart the clue Of the dark labyrinth; for a guide it needs; Be he in war well tried,
And of high mark among the Nomad riders;
560
Such as may say unto the antique tribes
With voice of one reared up among themselves,
From walls of stone I bring
Your King's child to your tents; let Scythia guard her
564
'Well do thy counsels please me,' said the King.
'I will convene to such penurious feast,
As stint permits, the chiefs
Worthiest to be the sires of warlike monarchs:
568
