His brother's children dragging in his train.
The sacrificial altars are adorned—
Oh, who can worthily describe the deed?
Behind their backs the noble captives' hands685
Are bound, and purple fillets wreathe their brows.
All things are ready, incense, sacred wine,
The sacrificial meal, and fatal knife.
The last detail is properly observed,
That this outrageous murder may be done
In strict observance of the ritual!