Holy Hecate’s aid avail thee,[n40]

To thy mothers when in travail

Sending labours light!

STROPHE III.

May no wasting march of ruin

Work, O Argos, thine undoing!

Never may’st thou hear

Cries of Mars, the shrill, the lyreless!

Ne’er may tearful moans, and quireless,

Wake the sleeper’s ear!