Of this same mother Night — the dawn, I tell thee.CHOROS.And who of messengers could reach this swiftness? KLUTAIMNESTRA.Hephaistos — sending a bright blaze from Ide.Beacon did beacon send, from fire the poster,Hitherward: Ide to the rock HermaianOf Lemnos: and a third great torch o’ the islandZeus’ seat received in turn, the Athoan summit.And, — so upsoaring as to stride sea over,The strong lamp-voyager, and all for joyance —Did the gold-glorious splendour, any sun like,Pass on — the pine-tree — to Makistos’ watch-place;Who did not, — tardy, — caught, no wits about him,By sleep, — decline his portion of the missive.And far the beacon’s light, on stream EuriposArriving, made aware Messapios’ warders,And up they lit in turn, played herald onwards,Kindling with flame a heap of grey old heather.And, strengthening still, the lamp, decaying nowise,Springing o’er Plain Asopos, — full-moon-fashionEffulgent, — toward the crag of Mount Kithairon,Roused a new rendering-up of fire the escort —And light, far escort, lacked no recognitionO’ the guard — as burning more than burnings told you.And over Lake Gorgopis light went leaping,And, at Mount Aigiplanktos safe arriving,Enforced the law — to never stint the fire-stuff.And they send, lighting up with ungrudged vigour,Of flame a huge beard, ay, the very forelandSo as to strike above, in burning onward,The look-out which commands the Strait Saronic.