Ye first had need to appease the angry winds
With bloody sacrifice—a maiden’s death
E’en so, by blood must your return be sought;
Again must Grecian life atonement make.”
When this dire oracle among the crowd,
From ear to ear, from lip to lip was spread,
They stood with horror stunned, and chilling fear
Their inmost hearts with dire forebodings filled.
They trembling ask for whom the fates prepare,
Whom does Apollo seek in punishment?