Translation of a Chorus from the Hippolytus of Euripides

h could I those deep Caverns reach, 2Where Me, a winged Bird, among 3The feather'd Race 3Some God might place! 2And rising could I soar along The Sea-wave of the Adrian Beach! And by the Po My Pinions spread, 2Where in Their Father's ruddy Wave Their Amber Tears His Daughters shed, 2Still weeping o'er a Brother's grave!

Or to those Gardens make my Way, 2Where carol the Hesperian Maids, 3And He, who rules 3The purple Pools, 2The Sailor's further Course impedes, The awful Limits of the Sky Fixing, which Atlas there sustains! 2And Springs Ambrosial near the Dome Of Jove still water those rich Plains, 2Whence to the Gods Their Blessings come.

White-wing'd Bark of Cretan Wood, 2Which across the Briny Main, Over the Sea-raging Flood, 2From Her happy Home our Queen Conveyed, a most unhappy Bride, In ill-starr'd Wedlock to be tied!

Dire both Omens; when Her Flight 2Left behind the Cretan Land; And when Athens came in Sight; 2Where on the Munychian Strand They tie the Hawser's twisted End, And on the Mainland strait descend.

For unhallowed Passion rent, 2Planted deep, Her lab'ring Breast, Dire Disease, which Venus sent. 2And, with sore Misfortune prest, The Chord suspended from the Dome Of Her ill-fated Bridal Room

Round Her Milk-white Neck she'll tie, 2Dreading much the adverse Frown Of the Goddess—prizing high 2Her unspotted chaste Renown— And from Her Heart resolv'd to move, This only Way, the Pain of Love.