O ALL ye Nereids crowned with golden hair
My brother bring, back home, I pray.
His heart’s true wish both good and fair
Accomplished, every way.
May he for former errors make amend —
If once to sin his feet did go —
Become a joy, again, to every friend,
A grief to every foe.
O may our house through no man come to shame,
O may he now be glad to bring
Some share of honor to his sister’s name.
Her heart with joy will sing.
Some bitter words there were that passed his lip, —
For me the wrath of love made fierce
And him resentful, — just as he took ship,
When to the quick did pierce
My song-shaft sharp. He sought to crush my
heart, —
Not distant be the feasting day
When civic welcome on his fellows’ part,
Shall laugh all wrath away!
And may a wife, if he desires, be found
In wedlock due, with worthy rite —
But as for thee, thou black-skinned female hound,
Baleful and evil sprite,
Set to the ground thy low malodorous snout
And let my brother go his way
Whilst thou, along thy low-lived paths, track out
The trail of meaner prey.