Stasimon 1
[Choral 1]
O famous ships, you that once with countless oars went to Troy, conducting dances with the Nereids,
Chorus
where the music-loving dolphin leapt and rolled at your dark-blue prows, bringing Achilles, the son of Thetis, light in the leap of his foot,
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with Agamemnon to the banks of Trojan Simois.
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The Nereids, leaving Euboea’s headlands, brought from Hephaestus’ anvil his shield-work of golden armor,
up to Pelion and the glens at the foot of holy Ossa, the Nymphs’ watch-tower . . . where his father, the horseman, was training the son of Thetis as a light for Hellas,
445
sea-born, swift-footed for the sons of Atreus.
450
[Choral 2]
I heard, from someone who had arrived at the harbor of Nauplia from Ilium, that
Chorus
on the circle of your famous shield, O son of Thetis, were wrought these signs, a terror to the Phrygians: on the surrounding base of the shield’s rim, Perseus the throat-cutter, over
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the sea with winged sandals, was holding the Gorgon’s body, with Hermes, Zeus’ messenger, the rustic son of Maia.
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In the center of the shield the sun’s bright circle
was shining on winged horses, and the heavenly chorus of stars, Pleiades, Hyades, bringing defeat to the eyes of Hector;
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and upon his gold-forged helmet were sphinxes, bearing in their talons prey from singing. On his breast-plate a lioness, breathing flame, was eager in flight, with her claws,
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seeing the colt of Pirene.
475
[Choral]
On the bloody hilt four-footed horses were prancing, while over their backs black dust rose up. But your adultery killed the lord of such mighty warriors,
Chorus
evil-minded daughter of Tyndareus! For this the gods of heaven will one day send you to death;
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truly the day will come when I shall see, under your red throat, blood gushing forth at the sword.
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