He left, and thence to the Cadmean state,
Shield-bearing tribe, came supplicant: and there
Dwelt with his modest spouse; yet from the joys
Of love estranged: for he might not ascend
The couch of her, the beautiful of feet,
Till for the slaughter of her brethren brave,
His arm had wreak’d revenge; and burn’d with fire
The guilty cities of those warlike men
Taphians and Teloboans. This the task
Assign’d: the gods on high that solemn vow