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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/8714-0.txt b/8714-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6f77c13 --- /dev/null +++ b/8714-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7055 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of Four Plays of Aeschylus, by Aeschylus + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you +will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before +using this eBook. + +Title: Four Plays of Aeschylus + +Author: Aeschylus + +Release Date: August 3, 2003 [eBook #8714] +[Most recently updated: June 19, 2023] + +Language: English + +Produced by: Ted Garvin, Robert Prince, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOUR PLAYS OF AESCHYLUS *** + + + + +[Illustration] + + +_Hera and Prometheus +From a red figure vase. No 78 in the British Museum_ + + + + +Four Plays of Aeschylus + +The Suppliant Maidens +The Persians +The Seven Against Thebes +The Prometheus Bound + +by Aeschylus + +Translated Into English Verse By E.D.A. Morshead, MA. + +Contents + + INTRODUCTION + THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS + THE PERSIANS + THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES + PROMETHEUS BOUND + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +The surviving dramas of Aeschylus are seven in number, though he is +believed to have written nearly a hundred during his life of sixty-nine +years, from 525 B.C. to 456 B.C. That he fought at Marathon in 490, and +at Salamis in 480 B.C. is a strongly accredited tradition, rendered +almost certain by the vivid references to both battles in his play of +_The Persians_, which was produced in 472. But his earliest extant play +was, probably, not _The Persians_ but _The Suppliant Maidens_—a +mythical drama, the fame of which has been largely eclipsed by the +historic interest of _The Persians_, and is undoubtedly the least known +and least regarded of the seven. Its topic—the flight of the daughters +of Danaus from Egypt to Argos, in order to escape from a forced bridal +with their first-cousins, the sons of Aegyptus—is legendary, and the +lyric element predominates in the play as a whole. We must keep +ourselves reminded that the ancient Athenian custom of presenting +dramas in _Trilogies_—that is, in three consecutive plays dealing with +different stages of one legend—was probably not uniform: it survives, +for us, in one instance only, viz. the Orestean Trilogy, comprising the +_Agamemnon_, the _Libation-Bearers_, and the _Eumenides_, or _Furies_. +This Trilogy is the masterpiece of the Aeschylean Drama: the four +remaining plays of the poet, which are translated in this volume, are +all fragments of lost Trilogies—that is to say, the plays are complete +as _poems_, but in regard to the poet’s larger design they are +fragments; they once had predecessors, or sequels, of which only a few +words, or lines, or short paragraphs, survive. It is not certain, but +seems probable, that the earliest of these single completed plays is +_The Suppliant Maidens_, and on that supposition it has been placed +first in the present volume. The maidens, accompanied by their father +Danaes, have fled from Egypt and arrived at Argos, to take sanctuary +there and to avoid capture by their pursuing kinsmen and suitors. In +the course of the play, the pursuers’ ship arrives to reclaim the +maidens for a forced wedlock in Egypt. The action of the drama turns on +the attitude of the king and people of Argos, in view of this intended +abduction. The king puts the question to the popular vote, and the +demand of the suitors is unanimously rejected: the play closes with +thanks and gratitude on the part of the fugitives, who, in lyrical +strains of quiet beauty, seem to refer the whole question of their +marriage to the subsequent decision of the gods, and, in particular, of +Aphrodite. + +Of the second portion of the Trilogy we can only speak conjecturally. +There is a passage in the _Prometheus Bound_ (ll. 860-69), in which we +learn that the maidens were somehow reclaimed by the suitors, and that +all, except one, slew their bridegrooms on the wedding night. There is +a faint trace, among the Fragments of Aeschylus, of a play called +_Thalamopoioi_,—i.e. _The Preparers of the Chamber_,—which may well +have referred to this tragic scene. Its grim title will recall to all +classical readers the magnificent, though terrible, version of the +legend, in the final stanzas of the eleventh poem in the third book of +Horace’s _Odes_. The final play was probably called _The Danaides_, and +described the acquittal of the brides through some intervention of +Aphrodite: a fragment of it survives, in which the goddess appears to +be pleading her special prerogative. The legends which commit the +daughters of Danaus to an eternal penalty in Hades are, apparently, of +later origin. Homer is silent on any such penalty; and Pindar, +Aeschylus’ contemporary, actually describes the once suppliant maidens +as honourably enthroned (_Pyth_. ix. 112: _Nem_. x. ll. 1-10). The +Tartarean part of the story is, in fact, post-Aeschylean. + +_The Suppliant Maidens_ is full of charm, though the text of the part +which describes the arrival of the pursuers at Argos is full of +uncertainties. It remains a fine, though archaic, poem, with this +special claim on our interest, that it is, probably, the earliest +extant poetic drama. We see in it the _tendency_ to grandiose language, +not yet fully developed as in the _Prometheus_: the inclination of +youth to simplicity, and even platitude, in religious and general +speculation: and yet we recognize, as in the germ, the profound +theology of the _Agamemnon_, and a touch of the political vein which +appears more fully in the _Furies_. If the precedence in time here +ascribed to it is correct, the play is perhaps worth more recognition +than it has received from the countrymen of Shakespeare. + +_The Persians_ has been placed second in this volume, as the oldest +play whose date is certainly known. It was brought out in 472 B.C., +eight years after the sea-fight of Salamis which it commemorates, and +five years before the _Seven against Thebes_ (467 B.C.). It is thought +to be the second play of a Trilogy, standing between the _Phineus_ and +the _Glaucus_. Phineus was a legendary seer, of the Argonautic +era—“Tiresias and Phineus, prophets old”—and the play named after him +may have contained a prophecy of the great conflict which is actually +described in _The Persae_: the plot of the _Glaucus_ is unknown. In any +case, _The Persians_ was produced before the eyes of a generation which +had seen the struggles, West against East, at Marathon and Thermopylæ, +Salamis and Plataea. It is as though Shakespeare had commemorated, +through the lips of a Spanish survivor, in the ears of old councillors +of Philip the Second, the dispersal of the Armada. + +Against the piteous want of manliness on the part of the returning +Xerxes, we may well set the grave and dignified patriotism of Atossa, +the Queen-mother of the Persian kingdom; the loyalty, in spite of their +bewilderment, of the aged men who form the Chorus; and, above all, the +royal phantom of Darius, evoked from the shadowland by the libations of +Atossa and by the appealing cries of the Chorus. The latter, indeed, +hardly dare to address the kingly ghost: but Atossa bravely narrates to +him the catastrophe, of which, in the lower world, Darius has known +nothing, though he realizes that disaster, soon or late, is the lot of +mortal power. As the tale is unrolled, a spirit of prophecy possesses +him, and he foretells the coming slaughter of Plataea; then, with a +last royal admonition that the defeated Xerxes shall, on his return, be +received with all ceremony and observance, and with a characteristic +warning to the aged men, that they must take such pleasures as they +may, in their waning years, he returns to the shades. The play ends +with the undignified reappearance of Xerxes, and a melancholy +procession into the palace of Susa. It was, perhaps, inevitable that +this close of the great drama should verge on the farcical, and that +the poltroonery of Xerxes should, in a measure, obscure Aeschylus’ +generous portraiture of Atossa and Darius. But his magnificent picture +of the battle of Salamis is unequalled in the poetic annals of naval +war. No account of the flight of the Armada, no record of Lepanto or +Trafalgar, can be justly set beside it. The Messenger might well, like +Prospero, announce a tragedy by one line— + +Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. + + +Five years after _The Persians_, in 467 B. C., the play which we call +the _Seven against Thebes_ was presented at Athens. It bears now a +title which Aeschylus can hardly have given to it for, though the scene +of the drama overlooks the region where the city of Thebes afterwards +came into being, yet, in the play itself, Thebes is _never_ mentioned. +The scene of action is the Cadmea, or Citadel of Cadmus, and we know +that, in Aeschylus’ lifetime, that citadel was no longer a mere +fastness, but had so grown outwards and enlarged itself that a new +name, Thebes, was applied to the collective city. (All this has been +made abundantly clear by Dr. Verrall in his Introduction to the _Seven +against Thebes_, to which every reader of the play itself will +naturally and most profitably refer.) In the time of Aeschylus, Thebes +was, of course, a notable city, his great contemporary Pindar was a +citizen of it. But the Thebes of Aeschylus’ date is one thing, the +fortress represented in Aeschylus’ play is quite another, and is never, +by him, called Thebes. That the play received, and retains, the name, +_The Seven against Thebes_, is believed to be due to two lines of +Aristophanes in his _Frogs_ (406 B.C.), where he describes Aeschylus’ +play as “the Seven against Thebes, a drama instinct with War, which any +one who beheld must have yearned to be a warrior.” This is rather an +excellent _description_ of the play than the title of it, and could not +be its Aeschylean name, for the very sufficient reason that Thebes is +not mentioned in the play at all. Aeschylus, in fact, was poetizing an +earlier legend of the fortress of Cadmus. This being premised, we may +adopt, under protest as it were, the Aristophanic name which has +accrued to the play. It is the third part of a Trilogy which might have +been called, collectively, _The House of Laius_. Sophocles and +Euripides give us _their_ versions of the legend, which we may +epitomize, without, however, affirming that they followed exactly the +lines of Aeschylus’ Trilogy—they, for instance, speak freely of +_Thebes_. Laius, King of Thebes, married Iokaste; he was warned by +Apollo that if he had any children ruin would befall his house. But a +child was born, and, to avoid the threatened catastrophe, without +actually killing the child he exposed it on Mount Cithaeron, that it +should die. Some herdsmen saved it and gave it over to the care of a +neighbouring king and queen, who reared it. Later on, learning that +there was a doubt of his parentage, this child, grown now to maturity, +left his foster parents and went to Delphi to consult the oracle, and +received a mysterious and terrible warning, that he was fated to slay +his father and wed his mother. To avoid this horror, he resolved never +to approach the home of his supposed parents. Meantime his real father, +Laius, on _his_ way to consult the god at Delphi, met his unknown son +returning from that shrine—a quarrel fell out, and the younger man slew +the elder. Followed by his evil destiny, he wandered on, and found the +now kingless Thebes in the grasp of the Sphinx monster, over whom he +triumphed, and was rewarded by the hand of Iokaste, his own mother! Not +till four children—two sons and two daughters—had been born to them, +was the secret of the lineage revealed. Iokaste slew herself in horror, +and the wretched king tore out his eyes, that he might never again see +the children of his awful union. The two sons quarrelled over the +succession, then agreed on a compromise; then fell at variance again, +and finally slew each other in single combat. These two sons, according +to one tradition, were twins: but the more usual view is that the elder +was called Eteocles, the younger, Polynices. + +To the point at which the internecine enmity between Eteocles and +Polynices arose, we have had to follow Sophocles and Euripides, the +first two parts of Aeschylus’ Trilogy being lost. But the third part, +as we have said, survives under the name given to it by Aristophanes, +the _Seven against Thebes_: it opens with an exhortation by Eteocles to +his Cadmeans that they should “quit them like men” against the +onslaught of Polynices and his Argive allies: the Chorus is a bevy of +scared Cadmean maidens, to whom the very sound of war and tramp of +horsemen are new and terrific. It ends with the news of the death of +the two princes, and the lamentations of their two sisters, Antigone +and Ismene. The onslaught from without has been repulsed, but the male +line of the house of Laius is extinct. The Cadmeans resolve that +Eteocles shall be buried in honour, and Polynices flung to the dogs and +birds. Against the latter sentence Antigone protests, and defies the +decree: the Chorus, as is natural, are divided in their sentiments. + +It is interesting to note that, in combination with the _Laius_ and the +_Oedipus_, this play won the dramatic crown in 467 B.C. On the other +hand, so excellent a judge as Mr. Gilbert Murray thinks that it is +“perhaps among Aeschylus’ plays the one that bears least the stamp of +commanding genius.” Perhaps the daring, practically atheistic, +character of Eteocles; the battle-fever that burns and thrills through +the play; the pathetic terror of the Chorus—may have given it favour, +in Athenian eyes, as the work of a poet who—though recently (468 B.C.) +defeated in the dramatic contest by the young Sophocles—was yet present +to tell, not by mere report, the tale of Marathon and Salamis. Or the +preceding plays, the _Laius_ and the _Oedipus_, may have been of such +high merit as to make up for defects observable in the one that still +survives. In any case, we can hardly err in accepting Dr. Verral’s +judgment that “the story of Aeschylus may be, and in the outlines +probably is, the genuine epic legend of the Cadmean war.” + +There remains one Aeschylean play, the most famous—unless we except the +_Agamemnon_—in extant Greek literature, the _Prometheus Bound_. That it +was the first of a Trilogy, and that the second and third parts were +called the _Prometheus Freed_, and _Prometheus the Fire-Bearer_, +respectively, is accepted: but the date of its performance is unknown. + +The _Prometheus Bound_ is conspicuous for its gigantic and strictly +superhuman plot. The _Agamemnon_ is human, though legendary the +_Prometheus_ presents to us the gods of Olympus in the days when +mankind crept like emmets upon the earth or dwelt in caves, scorned by +Zeus and the other powers of heaven, and—still aided by Prometheus the +Titan—wholly without art or science, letters or handicrafts. For his +benevolence towards oppressed mankind, Prometheus is condemned by Zeus +to uncounted ages of pain and torment, shackled and impaled in a lonely +cleft of a Scythian precipice. The play opens with this act of divine +resentment enforced by the will of Zeus and by the handicraft of +Hephaestus, who is aided by two demons, impersonating Strength and +Violence. These agents of the ire of Zeus disappear after the first +scene, the rest of the play represents Prometheus in the mighty +solitude, but visited after a while by a Chorus of sea nymphs who, from +the distant depths of ocean, have heard the clang of the demons’ +hammers, and arrive, in a winged car, from the submarine palace of +their father Oceanus. To them Prometheus relates his penalty and its +cause: viz., his over tenderness to the luckless race of mankind. +Oceanus himself follows on a hippogriff, and counsels Prometheus to +submit to Zeus. But the Titan who has handled the sea nymphs with all +gentleness, receives the advice with scorn and contempt, and Oceanus +retires. But the courage which he lacks his daughters possess to the +full; they remain by Prometheus to the end, and share his fate, +literally in the crack of doom. But before the end, the strange half +human figure of Io, victim of the lust of Zeus and the jealousy of +Hera, comes wandering by, and tells Prometheus of her wrongs. He, by +his divine power, recounts to her not only the past but also the future +of her wanderings. Then, in a fresh access of frenzy, she drifts away +into the unknown world. Then Prometheus partly reveals to the sea +maidens his secret, and the mysterious cause of Zeus’ hatred against +him—a cause which would avail to hurl the tyrant from his power. So +deadly is this secret, that Zeus will, in the lapse of ages, be forced +to reconcile himself with Prometheus, to escape dethronement. Finally, +Hermes, the messenger of Zeus, appears with fresh threats, that he may +extort the mystery from the Titan. But Prometheus is firm, defying both +the tyrant and his envoy, though already the lightning is flashing, the +thunder rolling, and sky and sea are mingling their fury. Hermes can +say no more; the sea nymphs resolutely refuse to retire, and wait their +doom. In this crash of the world, Prometheus flings his final defiance +against Zeus, and amid the lightnings and shattered rocks that are +overwhelming him and his companions, speaks his last word, “_It is +unjust!_” + +Any spectacular representation of this finale must, it is clear, have +roused intense sympathy with the Titan and the nymphs alike. If, +however, the sequel-plays had survived to us, we might conceivably have +found and realized another and less intolerable solution. The name +_Zeus_, in Greek, like that of _God_, in English, comprises very +diverse views of divine personality. The Zeus in the _Prometheus_ has +little but the name in common with the Zeus in the first chorus of the +_Agamemnon_, or in _The Suppliant Maidens_ (ll. 86-103): and parallel +reflections will give us much food for thought. But, in any case, let +us realize that the _Prometheus_ is not a human play: with the possible +exception of Io, every character in it is an immortal being. It is not +as a vaunt, but as a fact, that Prometheus declares, as against Zeus +(l. 1053), that “Me at least He shall never give to death.” + +A stupendous theological drama of which two-thirds has been lost has +left an aching void, which now can never be filled, in our minds. No +reader of poetry needs to be reminded of the glorious attempt of +Shelley to work out a possible and worthy sequel to the _Prometheus_. +Who will not echo the words of Mr. Gilbert Murray, when he says that +“no piece of lost literature has been more ardently longed for than the +_Prometheus Freed_”? + +But, at the end of a rather prolonged attempt to understand and +translate the surviving tragedies of Aeschylus, one feels inclined to +repeat the words used by a powerful critic about one of the greatest of +modern poets—“For man, it is a weary way to God, but a wearier far to +any demigod.” We shall not discover the full sequel of Aeschylus’ +mighty dramatic conception: we “know in part, and we prophesy in part.” +The Introduction (pp. xvi.-xviii.) prefixed by Mr. A. O. Prickard to +his edition of the _Prometheus_ is full of persuasive grace, on this +topic: to him, and to Dr. Verrall of Cambridge—_lucida sidera_ of help +and encouragement in the study of Aeschylus—the translator’s thanks are +due, and are gratefully and affectionately rendered. + + E. D. A. M. + + + + +THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS + +DEDICATION + + +Take thou this gift from out the grave of Time. +The urns of Greece lie shattered, and the cup +That for Athenian lips the Muses filled, +And flowery crowns that on Athenian hair +Hid the cicala, freedom’s golden sign, +Dust in the dust have fallen. Calmly sad, +The marble dead upon Athenian tombs +Speak from their eyes “Farewell”: and well have fared +They and the saddened friends, whose clasping hands +Win from the solemn stone eternity. +Yea, well they fared unto the evening god, +Passing beyond the limit of the world, +Where face to face the son his mother saw, +A living man a shadow, while she spake +Words that Odysseus and that Homer heard,— +_I too, O child, I reached the common doom, +The grave, the goal of fate, and passed away_. +—Such, Anticleia, as thy voice to him, +Across the dim gray gulf of death and time +Is that of Greece, a mother’s to a child,— +Mother of each whose dreams are grave and fair— +Who sees the Naiad where the streams are bright +And in the sunny ripple of the sea +Cymodoce with floating golden hair: +And in the whisper of the waving oak +Hears still the Dryad’s plaint, and, in the wind +That sighs through moonlit woodlands, knows the horn +Of Artemis, and silver shafts and bow. +Therefore if still around this broken vase, +Borne by rough hands, unworthy of their load, +Far from Cephisus and the wandering rills, +There cling a fragrance as of things once sweet, +Of honey from Hymettus’ desert hill, +Take thou the gift and hold it close and dear; +For gifts that die have living memories— +Voices of unreturning days, that breathe +The spirit of a day that never dies. + + +ARGUMENT + +Io, the daughter of Inachus, King of Argos, was beloved of Zeus. But +Hera was jealous of that love, and by her ill will was Io given over to +frenzy, and her body took the semblance of a heifer: and Argus, a +many-eyed herdsman, was set by Hera to watch Io whithersoever she +strayed. Yet, in despite of Argus, did Zeus draw nigh unto her in the +shape of a bull. And by the will of Zeus and the craft of Hermes was +Argus slain. Then Io was driven over far lands and seas by her madness, +and came at length to the land of Egypt. There was she restored to +herself by a touch of the hand of Zeus, and bare a child called +Epaphus. And from Epaphus sprang Libya, and from Libya, Belus; and from +Belus, Aegyptus and Danaus. And the sons of Aegyptus willed to take the +daughters of Danaus in marriage. But the maidens held such wedlock in +horror, and fled with their father over the sea to Argos; and the king +and citizens of Argos gave them shelter and protection from their +pursuers. + + + + +THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + +DANAUS. +THE KING OF ARGOS. +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + +_Chorus of the Daughters of Danaus. +Attendants_. + +_Scene.—A sacred precinct near the gates of Argos: statue and shrines +of Zeus and other deities stand around_. + + +CHORUS. +Zeus! Lord and guard of suppliant hands! + Look down benign on us who crave + Thine aid—whom winds and waters drave +From where, through drifting shifting sands, + Pours Nilus to the wave. +From where the green land, god-possest, +Closes and fronts the Syrian waste, +We flee as exiles, yet unbanned +By murder’s sentence from our land; +But—since Aegyptus had decreed +His sons should wed his brother’s seed,— +Ourselves we tore from bonds abhorred, +From wedlock not of heart but hand, +Nor brooked to call a kinsman lord! + +And Danaus, our sire and guide, +The king of counsel, pond’ring well +The dice of fortune as they fell, +Out of two griefs the kindlier chose, +And bade us fly, with him beside, +Heedless what winds or waves arose, +And o’er the wide sea waters haste, +Until to Argos’ shore at last + Our wandering pinnace came— +Argos, the immemorial home +Of her from whom we boast to come— +Io, the ox-horned maiden, whom, +After long wandering, woe, and scathe, +Zeus with a touch, a mystic breath, + Made mother of our name. +Therefore, of all the lands of earth, +On this most gladly step we forth, +And in our hands aloft we bear— +Sole weapon for a suppliant’s wear— +The olive-shoot, with wool enwound! + City, and land, and waters wan +Of Inachus, and gods most high, +And ye who, deep beneath the ground, +Bring vengeance weird on mortal man, +Powers of the grave, on you we cry! +And unto Zeus the Saviour, guard +Of mortals’ holy purity! +Receive ye us—keep watch and ward +Above the suppliant maiden band! +Chaste be the heart of this your land +Towards the weak! but, ere the throng, +The wanton swarm, from Egypt sprung, +Leap forth upon the silted shore, +Thrust back their swift-rowed bark again, +Repel them, urge them to the main! +And there, ’mid storm and lightning’s shine, +And scudding drift and thunder’s roar, +Deep death be theirs, in stormy brine! +Before they foully grasp and win +Us, maiden-children of their kin, +And climb the couch by law denied, +And wrong each weak reluctant bride. + And now on her I call, + +Mine ancestress, who far on Egypt’s shore + A young cow’s semblance wore,— +A maiden once, by Hera’s malice changed! + And then on him withal, +Who, as amid the flowers the grazing creature ranged, +Was in her by a breath of Zeus conceived; + And, as the hour of birth drew nigh, +By fate fulfilled, unto the light he came; + And Epaphus for name, +Born from the touch of Zeus, the child received. + On him, on him I cry, + And him for patron hold— + While in this grassy vale I stand, + Where Io roamed of old! +And here, recounting all her toil and pain, +Signs will I show to those who rule the land +That I am child of hers; and all shall understand, +Hearing the doubtful tale of the dim past made plain. + And, ere the end shall be, +Each man the truth of what I tell shall see. + And if there dwell hard by +One skilled to read from bird-notes augury, +That man, when through his ears shall thrill our tearful wail, +Shall deem he hears the voice, the plaintive tale +Of her, the piteous spouse of Tereus, lord of guile— +Whom the hawk harries yet, the mourning nightingale. +She, from her happy home and fair streams scared away, + Wails wild and sad for haunts beloved erewhile. + Yea, and for Itylus—ah, well-a-day! + Slain by her own, his mother’s hand, +Maddened by lustful wrong, the deed by Tereus planned. +Like her I wail and wail, in soft Ionian tones, + And as she wastes, even so +Wastes my soft cheek, once ripe with Nilus’ suns +And all my heart dissolves in utter woe + Sad flowers of grief I cull, + +Fleeing from kinsmen’s love unmerciful— +Yea, from the clutching hands, the wanton crowd, +I sped across the waves, from Egypt’s land of cloud[1] + + Gods of the ancient cradle of my race, + Hear me, just gods! With righteous grace + On me, on me look down! + Grant not to youth its heart’s unchaste desire, + But, swiftly spurning lust’s unholy fire, + Bless only love and willing wedlock’s crown + The war-worn fliers from the battle’s wrack + Find refuge at the hallowed altar-side, + The sanctuary divine,— + Ye gods! such refuge unto me provide— + Such sanctuary be mine! + Though the deep will of Zeus be hard to track, + Yet doth it flame and glance, + A beacon in the dark, ’mid clouds of chance + That wrap mankind + Yea, though the counsel fall, undone it shall not be, + Whate’er be shaped and fixed within Zeus’ ruling mind— + Dark as a solemn grove, with sombre leafage shaded, + His paths of purpose wind, + A marvel to man’s eye + + Smitten by him, from towering hopes degraded, + Mortals lie low and still + Tireless and effortless, works forth its will + The arm divine! + God from His holy seat, in calm of unarmed power, + Brings forth the deed, at its appointed hour! + Let Him look down on mortal wantonness! + Lo! how the youthful stock of Belus’ line + Craves for me, uncontrolled— + With greed and madness bold— + Urged on by passion’s sunless stress— + And, cheated, learns too late the prey has ’scaped their hold! + Ah, listen, listen to my grievous tale, + My sorrow’s words, my shrill and tearful cries! + Ah woe, ah woe! + Loud with lament the accents use, + And from my living lips my own sad dirges flow! + O Apian land of hill and dale, + Thou kennest yet, O land, this faltered foreign wail— + Have mercy, hear my prayer! + Lo, how again, again, I rend and tear + My woven raiment, and from off my hair + Cast the Sidonian veil! + + Ah, but if fortune smile, if death be driven away, + Vowed rites, with eager haste, we to the gods will pay! + Alas, alas again! + O wither drift the waves? and who shall loose the pain? + + O Apian land of hill and dale, + Thou kennest yet, O land, this faltered foreign wail! + Have mercy, hear my prayer! + Lo, how again, again, I rend and tear + My woven raiment, and from off my hair + Cast the Sidonian veil! + + The wafting oar, the bark with woven sail, + From which the sea foamed back, + Sped me, unharmed of storms, along the breeze’s track— + Be it unblamed of me! + But ah, the end, the end of my emprise! + May He, the Father, with all-seeing eyes, + Grant me that end to see! + Grant that henceforth unstained as heretofore + I may escape the forced embrace + Of those proud children of the race + That sacred Io bore. + + And thou, O maiden-goddess chaste and pure— + Queen of the inner fane,— + Look of thy grace on me, O Artemis, + Thy willing suppliant—thine, thine it is, + Who from the lustful onslaught fled secure, + To grant that I too without stain + The shelter of thy purity may gain! + + Grant that henceforth unstained as heretofore + I may escape the forced embrace + Of those proud children of the race + That sacred Io bore! + + Yet if this may not be, + We, the dark race sun-smitten, we + Will speed with suppliant wands + To Zeus who rules below, with hospitable hands + Who welcomes all the dead from all the lands: + Yea by our own hands strangled, we will go, + Spurned by Olympian gods, unto the gods below! + + Zeus, hear and save! + The searching, poisonous hate, that Io vexed and drave, + Was of a goddess: well I know + The bitter ire, the wrathful woe + Of Hera, queen of heaven— + A storm, a storm her breath, whereby we yet are driven! + Bethink thee, what dispraise + Of Zeus himself mankind will raise, + If now he turn his face averted from our cries! + If now, dishonoured and alone, + The ox-horned maiden’s race shall be undone, + Children of Epaphus, his own begotten son— + Zeus, listen from on high!—to thee our prayers arise. + + Zeus, hear and save! + The searching poisonous hate, that Io vexed and drave, + Was of a goddess: well I know + The bitter ire, the wrathful woe + Of Hera, queen of heaven— + A storm, a storm her breath, whereby we yet are driven! + +DANAUS. + Children, be wary—wary he with whom + Ye come, your trusty sire and steersman old: + And that same caution hold I here on land, + And bid you hoard my words, inscribing them + On memory’s tablets. Lo, I see afar + Dust, voiceless herald of a host, arise; + And hark, within their grinding sockets ring + Axles of hurrying wheels! I see approach, + Borne in curved cars, by speeding horses drawn, + A speared and shielded band. The chiefs, perchance, + Of this their land are hitherward intent + To look on us, of whom they yet have heard + By messengers alone. But come who may, + And come he peaceful or in ravening wrath + Spurred on his path, ’twere best, in any case, + Damsels, to cling unto this altar-mound + Made sacred to their gods of festival,— + A shrine is stronger than a tower to save, + A shield that none may cleave. Step swift thereto, + And in your left hands hold with reverence + The white-crowned wands of suppliance, the sign + Beloved of Zeus, compassion’s lord, and speak + To those that question you, words meek and low + And piteous, as beseems your stranger state, + Clearly avowing of this flight of yours + The bloodless cause; and on your utterance + See to it well that modesty attend; + From downcast eyes, from brows of pure control, + Let chastity look forth; nor, when ye speak, + Be voluble nor eager—they that dwell + Within this land are sternly swift to chide. + And be your words submissive: heed this well; + For weak ye are, outcasts on stranger lands, + And froward talk beseems not strengthless hands. + +CHORUS. + O father, warily to us aware + Thy words are spoken, and thy wisdom’s best + My mind shall hoard, with Zeus our sire to aid. + +DANAUS. + Even so—with gracious aspect let him aid. + +CHORUS. + Fain were I now to seat me by thy side. + +DANAUS. + Now dally not, but put our thought in act. + +CHORUS. + Zeus, pity our distress, or e’er we die. + +DANAUS. + If so he will, your toils to joy will turn. + +CHORUS. + Lo, on this shrine, the semblance of a bird.[2] + +DANAUS. + Zeus’ bird of dawn it is; invoke the sign. + +CHORUS. + Thus I invoke the saving rays of morn. + +DANAUS. + Next, bright Apollo, exiled once from heaven. + +CHORUS. + The exiled god will pity our exile. + +DANAUS. + Yea, may he pity, giving grace and aid. + +CHORUS. + Whom next invoke I, of these other gods? + +DANAUS. + Lo, here a trident, symbol of a god. + +CHORUS. + Who[3] gave sea-safety; may he bless on land! + +DANAUS. + This next is Hermes, carved in Grecian wise. + +CHORUS. + Then let him herald help to freedom won. + +DANAUS. + Lastly, adore this altar consecrate + To many lesser gods in one; then crouch + On holy ground, a flock of doves that flee, + Scared by no alien hawks, a kin not kind, + Hateful, and fain of love more hateful still. + Foul is the bird that rends another bird, + And foul the men who hale unwilling maids, + From sire unwilling, to the bridal bed. + Never on earth, nor in the lower world, + Shall lewdness such as theirs escape the ban: + There too, if men say right, a God there is + Who upon dead men turns their sin to doom, + To final doom. Take heed, draw hitherward, + That from this hap your safety ye may win. + + Enter the KING OF ARGOS. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Speak—of what land are ye? No Grecian band + Is this to whom I speak, with Eastern robes + And wrappings richly dight: no Argive maid, + No woman in all Greece such garb doth wear. + This too gives marvel, how unto this land, + Unheralded, unfriended, without guide, + And without fear, ye came? yet wands I see, + True sign of suppliance, by you laid down + On shrines of these our gods of festival. + No land but Greece can read such signs aright. + Much else there is, conjecture well might guess, + But let words teach the man who stands to hear. + +CHORUS. + True is the word thou spakest of my garb; + But speak I unto thee as citizen, + Or Hermes’ wandbearer, or chieftain king? + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + For that, take heart and answer without fear. + I am Pelasgus, ruler of this land, + Child of Palaichthon, whom the earth brought forth; + And, rightly named from me, the race who reap + This country’s harvests are Pelasgian called. + And o’er the wide and westward-stretching land, + Through which the lucent wave of Strymon flows + I rule; Perrhaebia’s land my boundary is + Northward, and Pindus’ further slopes, that watch + Paeonia, and Dodona’s mountain ridge. + West, east, the limit of the washing seas + Restrains my rule—the interspace is mine. + But this whereon we stand is Apian land, + Styled so of old from the great healer’s name; + For Apis, coming from Naupactus’ shore + Beyond the strait, child of Apollo’s self + And like him seer and healer, cleansed this land + From man-devouring monsters, whom the earth, + Stained with pollution of old bloodshedding, + Brought forth in malice, beasts of ravening jaws, + A grisly throng of serpents manifold. + And healings of their hurt, by knife and charm, + Apis devised, unblamed of Argive men, + And in their prayers found honour, for reward. + —Lo, thou hast heard the tokens that I give: + Speak now thy race, and tell a forthright tale; + In sooth, this people loves not many words. + +CHORUS. + Short is my word and clear. Of Argive race + We come, from her, the ox-horned maiden who + Erst bare the sacred child. My word shall give + Whate’er can ’stablish this my soothfast tale. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + O stranger maids, I may not trust this word, + That ye have share in this our Argive race. + No likeness of our country do ye bear, + But semblance as of Libyan womankind. + Even such a stock by Nilus’ banks might grow; + Yea and the Cyprian stamp, in female forms, + Shows to the life, what males impressed the same. + And, furthermore, of roving Indian maids + Whose camping-grounds by Aethiopia lie, + And camels burdened even as mules, and bearing + Riders, as horses bear, mine ears have heard; + And tales of flesh-devouring mateless maids + Called Amazons: to these, if bows ye bare, + I most had deemed you like. Speak further yet, + That of your Argive birth the truth I learn. + +CHORUS. + Here in this Argive land—so runs the tale— + Io was priestess once of Hera’s fane. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Yea, truth it is, and far this word prevails: + Is’t said that Zeus with mortal mingled love? + +CHORUS. + Ay, and that Hera that embrace surmised. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + How issued then this strife of those on high? + +CHORUS. + By Hera’s will, a heifer she became. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Held Zeus aloof then from the horned beast? + +CHORUS. + ’Tis said, he loved, in semblance of a bull. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + And his stern consort, did she aught thereon? + +CHORUS. + One myriad-eyed she set, the heifer’s guard. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + How namest thou this herdsman many-eyed? + +CHORUS. + Argus, the child of Earth, whom Hermes slew. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Still did the goddess vex the beast ill-starred? + +CHORUS. + She wrought a gadfly with a goading sting. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Thus drave she Io hence, to roam afar? + +CHORUS. + Yea—this thy word coheres exact with mine. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Then to Canopus and to Memphis came she? + +CHORUS. + And by Zeus’ hand was touched, and bare a child. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Who vaunts him the Zeus-mated creature’s son? + +CHORUS. + Epaphus, named rightly from the saving touch. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + And whom in turn did Epaphus beget?[4] + +CHORUS. + Libya, with name of a wide land endowed. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + And who from her was born unto the race? + +CHORUS. + Belus: from him two sons, my father one. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Speak now to me his name, this greybeard wise. + +CHORUS. + Revere the gods thus crowned, who steer the State. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Awe thrills me, seeing these shrines with leafage crowned. + +CHORUS. + Yea, stern the wrath of Zeus, the suppliants’ lord. + Child of Palaichthon, royal chief + Of thy Pelasgians, hear! + Bow down thine heart to my relief— + A fugitive, a suppliant, swift with fear, + A creature whom the wild wolves chase + O’er toppling crags; in piteous case + Aloud, afar she lows, + Calling the herdsman’s trusty arm to save her from her foes! + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Lo, with bowed heads beside our city shrines + Ye sit ’neath shade of new-plucked olive-boughs. + Our distant kin’s resentment Heaven forefend! + Let not this hap, unhoped and unforeseen, + Bring war on us: for strife we covet not. + +CHORUS. + Justice, the daughter of right-dealing Zeus, + Justice, the queen of suppliants, look down, + That this our plight no ill may loose + Upon your town! + This word, even from the young, let age and wisdom learn: + If thou to suppliants show grace, + Thou shalt not lack Heaven’s grace in turn, + So long as virtue’s gifts on heavenly shrines have place. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Not at my private hearth ye sit and sue; + And if the city bear a common stain, + Be it the common toil to cleanse the same: + Therefore no pledge, no promise will I give, + Ere counsel with the commonwealth be held. + +CHORUS. + Nay, but the source of sway, the city’s self, art thou, + A power unjudged! thine, only thine, + To rule the right of hearth and shrine! + Before thy throne and sceptre all men bow! + Thou, in all causes lord, beware the curse divine! + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + May that curse fall upon mine enemies! + I cannot aid you without risk of scathe, + Nor scorn your prayers—unmerciful it were. + Perplexed, distraught I stand, and fear alike + The twofold chance, to do or not to do. + +CHORUS. + Have heed of him who looketh from on high, + The guard of woeful mortals, whosoe’er + Unto their fellows cry, + And find no pity, find no justice there. + Abiding in his wrath, the suppliants’ lord + Doth smite, unmoved by cries, unbent by prayerful word. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + But if Aegyptus’ children grasp you here, + Claiming, their country’s right, to hold you theirs + As next of kin, who dares to counter this? + Plead ye your country’s laws, if plead ye may, + That upon you they lay no lawful hand. + +CHORUS. + Let me not fall, O nevermore, + A prey into the young men’s hand; + Rather than wed whom I abhor, + By pilot-stars I flee this land; + O king, take justice to thy side, + And with the righteous powers decide! + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Hard is the cause—make me not judge thereof. + Already I have vowed it, to do nought + Save after counsel with my people ta’en, + King though I be; that ne’er in after time, + If ill fate chance, my people then may say— + _In aid of strangers thou the state hast slain_. + +CHORUS. + Zeus, lord of kinship, rules at will + The swaying balance, and surveys + Evil and good; to men of ill + Gives evil, and to good men praise. + And thou—since true those scales do sway— + Shall thou from justice shrink away? + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + A deep, a saving counsel here there needs— + An eye that like a diver to the depth + Of dark perplexity can pass and see, + Undizzied, unconfused. First must we care + That to the State and to ourselves this thing + Shall bring no ruin; next, that wrangling hands + Shall grasp you not as prey, nor we ourselves + Betray you thus embracing sacred shrines, + Nor make the avenging all-destroying god, + Who not in hell itself sets dead men free, + A grievous inmate, an abiding bane.— + Spake I not right, of saving counsel’s need? + +CHORUS. + Yea, counsel take and stand to aid + At Justice’ side and mine. + Betray not me, the timorous maid + Whom far beyond the brine + A godless violence cast forth forlorn. + O King, wilt thou behold— + Lord of this land, wilt thou behold me torn + From altars manifold? + Bethink thee of the young men’s wrath and lust, + Hold off their evil pride; + Steel not thyself to see the suppliant thrust + From hallowed statues’ side, + Haled by the frontlet on my forehead bound, + As steeds are led, and drawn + By hands that drag from shrine and altar-mound + My vesture’s fringed lawn. + Know thou that whether for Aegyptus’ race + Thou dost their wish fulfil, + Or for the gods and for each holy place— + Be thy choice good or ill, + Blow is with blow requited, grace with grace + Such is Zeus’ righteous will. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Yea, I have pondered: from the sea of doubt + Here drives at length the bark of thought ashore; + Landward with screw and windlass haled, and firm, + Clamped to her props, she lies. The need is stern; + With men or gods a mighty strife we strive + Perforce, and either hap in grief concludes. + For, if a house be sacked, new wealth for old + Not hard it is to win—if Zeus the lord + Of treasure favour—more than quits the loss, + Enough to pile the store of wealth full high; + Or if a tongue shoot forth untimely speech, + Bitter and strong to goad a man to wrath, + Soft words there be to soothe that wrath away: + But what device shall make the war of kin + Bloodless? that woe, the blood of many beasts, + And victims manifold to many gods, + Alone can cure. Right glad I were to shun + This strife, and am more fain of ignorance + Than of the wisdom of a woe endured. + The gods send better than my soul foretells! + +CHORUS. + Of many cries for mercy, hear the end. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Say on, then, for it shall not ’scape mine ear. + +CHORUS. + Girdles we have, and bands that bind our robes. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Even so; such things beseem a woman’s wear. + +CHORUS. + Know, then, with these a fair device there is— + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Speak, then: what utterance doth this foretell? + +CHORUS. + Unless to us thou givest pledge secure— + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + What can thy girdles’ craft achieve for thee? + +CHORUS. + Strange votive tablets shall these statues deck. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Mysterious thy resolve—avow it clear. + +CHORUS. + Swiftly to hang me on these sculptured gods! + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Thy word is as a lash to urge my heart. + +CHORUS. + Thou seest truth, for I have cleared thine eye + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Yea, and woes manifold, invincible, + A crowd of ills, sweep on me torrent-like. + My bark goes forth upon a sea of troubles + Unfathomed, ill to traverse, harbourless. + For if my deed shall match not your demand, + Dire, beyond shot of speech, shall be the bane + Your death’s pollution leaves unto this land. + Yet if against your kin, Aegyptus’ race, + Before our gates I front the doom of war, + Will not the city’s loss be sore? Shall men + For women’s sake incarnadine the ground? + But yet the wrath of Zeus, the suppliants’ lord + I needs must fear: most awful unto man + The terror of his anger. Thou, old man, + The father of these maidens, gather up + Within your arms these wands of suppliance, + And lay them at the altars manifold + Of all our country’s gods, that all the town + Know, by this sign, that ye come here to sue. + Nor, in thy haste, do thou say aught of me. + Swift is this folk to censure those who rule; + But, if they see these signs of suppliance, + It well may chance that each will pity you, + And loathe the young men’s violent pursuit; + And thus a fairer favour you may find: + For, to the helpless, each man’s heart is kind. + +DANAUS. + To us, beyond gifts manifold it is + To find a champion thus compassionate; + Yet send with me attendants, of thy folk, + Rightly to guide me, that I duly find + Each altar of your city’s gods that stands + Before the fane, each dedicated shrine; + And that in safety through the city’s ways + I may pass onwards: all unlike to yours + The outward semblance that I wear—the race + that Nilus rears is all dissimilar + That of Inachus. Keep watch and ward + Lest heedlessness bring death: full oft, I ween, + Friend hath slain friend, not knowing whom he slew. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Go at his side, attendants,—he saith well. + On to the city’s consecrated shrines! + Nor be of many words to those ye meet, + The while this suppliant voyager ye lead. + + [_Exit DANAUS with attendants._] + +CHORUS. + Let him go forward, thy command obeying. + But me how biddest, how assurest thou? + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Leave there the new-plucked boughs, thy sorrow’s sign. + +CHORUS. + Thus beckoned forth, at thy behest I leave them. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Now to this level precinct turn thyself. + +CHORUS. + Unconsecrate it is, and cannot shield me. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + We will not yield thee to those falcons’ greed. + +CHORUS. + What help? more fierce they are than serpents fell. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + We spake thee fair—speak thou them fair in turn. + +CHORUS. + What marvel that we loathe them, scared in soul? + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Awe towards a king should other fears transcend. + +CHORUS. + Thus speak, thus act, and reassure my mind. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. +Not long thy sire shall leave thee desolate. +But I will call the country’s indwellers, +And with soft words th’ assembly will persuade, +And warn your sire what pleadings will avail. +Therefore abide ye, and with prayer entreat +The country’s gods to compass your desire; +The while I go, this matter to provide, +Persuasion and fair fortune at my side. + + [_Exit the KING OF ARGOS._] + +CHORUS. + O King of Kings, among the blest + Thou highest and thou happiest, + Listen and grant our prayer, + And, deeply loathing, thrust + Away from us the young men’s lust, + And deeply drown + In azure waters, down and ever down, + Benches and rowers dark, + The fatal and perfidious bark! + Unto the maidens turn thy gracious care; + Think yet again upon the tale of fame, + How from the maiden loved of thee there sprung + Mine ancient line, long since in many a legend sung! + Remember, O remember, thou whose hand + Did Io by a touch to human shape reclaim. + For from this Argos erst our mother came + Driven hence to Egypt’s land, + Yet sprung of Zeus we were, and hence our birth we claim. + And now have I roamed back + Unto the ancient track + Where Io roamed and pastured among flowers, + Watched o’er by Argus’ eyes, + Through the lush grasses and the meadow bowers. + Thence, by the gadfly maddened, forth she flies + Unto far lands and alien peoples driven + And, following fate, through paths of foam and surge, + Sees, as she goes, the cleaving strait divide + Greece, from the Eastland riven. + And swift through Asian borders doth she urge + Her course, o’er Phrygian mountains’ sheep-clipt side; + Thence, where the Mysian realm of Teuthras lies + Towards Lydian lowlands hies, + And o’er Cilician and Pamphylian hills + And ever-flowing rills, + And thence to Aphrodite’s fertile shore,[5] + The land of garnered wheat and wealthy store + And thence, deep-stung by wild unrest, + By the winged fly that goaded her and drave, + Unto the fertile land, the god-possest, + (Where, fed from far-off snows, + Life-giving Nilus flows, + Urged on by Typho’s strength, a fertilizing wave) + She roves, in harassed and dishonoured flight + Scathed by the blasting pangs of Hera’s dread despite. + And they within the land + With terror shook and wanned, + So strange the sight they saw, and were afraid— + A wild twy-natured thing, half heifer and half maid. + Whose hand was laid at last on Io, thus forlorn, + With many roamings worn? + Who bade the harassed maiden’s peace return? + Zeus, lord of time eterne. + Yea, by his breath divine, by his unscathing strength, + She lays aside her bane, + And softened back to womanhood at length + Sheds human tears again. + Then, quickened with Zeus’ veritable seed, + A progeny she bare, + A stainless babe, a child of heavenly breed. + Of life and fortune fair. + _His is the life of life_—so all men say,— + _His is the seed of Zeus. + Who else had power stern Hera’s craft to stay, + Her vengeful curse to loose?_ + + Yea, all from Zeus befell! + And rightly wouldst thou tell + That we from Epaphus, his child, were born: + Justly his deed was done; + Unto what other one, + Of all the gods, should I for justice turn? + From him our race did spring; + Creator he and King, + Ancient of days and wisdom he, and might. + As bark before the wind, + So, wafted by his mind, + Moves every counsel, each device aright. + Beneath no stronger hand + Holds he a weak command, + No throne doth he abase him to adore; + Swift as a word, his deed + Acts out what stands decreed + In counsels of his heart, for evermore. + + Re-enter DANAUS. + +DANAUS. + Take heart, my children: the land’s heart is kind, + And to full issue has their voting come. + +CHORUS. + All hail, my sire; thy word brings utmost joy. + Say, to what issue is the vote made sure, + And how prevailed the people’s crowding hands? + +DANAUS. + With one assent the Argives spake their will, + And, hearing, my old heart took youthful cheer, + The very sky was thrilled when high in air + The concourse raised right hands and swore their oath:— + _Free shall the maidens sojourn in this land. + Unharried, undespoiled by mortal wight: + No native hand, no hand of foreigner + Shall drag them hence; if any man use force— + Whoe’er of all our countrymen shall fail + To come unto their aid, let him go forth, + Beneath the people’s curse, to banishment_. + So did the king of this Pelasgian folk + Plead on behalf of us, and bade them heed + That never, in the after-time, this realm + Should feed to fulness the great enmity + Of Zeus, the suppliants’ guard, against itself! + A twofold curse, for wronging stranger-guests + Who are akin withal, confrontingly + Should rise before this city and be shown + A ruthless monster, fed on human doom. + Such things the Argive people heard, and straight, + Without proclaim of herald, gave assent: + Yea, in full conclave, the Pelasgian folk + Heard suasive pleas, and Zeus through them resolved. + +CHORUS. + Arouse we now to chant our prayer + For fair return of service fair + And Argos’ kindly will. + Zeus, lord of guestright, look upon + The grace our stranger lips have won. + In right and truth, as they begun, + Guide them, with favouring hand, until + Thou dost their blameless wish fulfil! + + Now may the Zeus-born gods on high + Hear us pour forth + A votive prayer for Argos’ clan!— + Never may this Pelasgian earth, + Amid the fire-wrack, shrill the dismal cry + On Ares, ravening lord of fight, + Who in an alien harvest mows down man! + For lo, this land had pity on our plight, + And unto us were merciful and leal, + To us, the piteous flock, who at Zeus’ altar kneel! + They scornèd not the pleas of maidenhood, + Nor with the young men’s will hath their will stood. + They knew right well. + + Th’ unearthly watching fiend invincible, + The foul avenger—let him not draw near! + For he, on roofs ill-starred, + Defiling and polluting, keeps a ghastly ward! + They knew his vengeance, and took holy heed + To us, the sister suppliants, who cry + To Zeus, the lord of purity: + Therefore with altars pure they shall the gods revere. + + Thus, through the boughs that shade our lips, fly forth in air, + Fly forth, O eager prayer! + May never pestilence efface + This city’s race, + Nor be the land with corpses strewed, + Nor stained with civic blood! + The stem of youth, unpluckt, to manhood come, + Nor Ares rise from Aphrodité’s bower, + The lord of death and bane, to waste our youthful flower. + Long may the old + Crowd to the altars kindled to consume + Gifts rich and manifold— + Offered to win from powers divine + A benison on city and on shrine: + Let all the sacred might adore + Of Zeus most high, the lord + Of guestright and the hospitable board, + Whose immemorial law doth rule Fate’s scales aright: + The garners of earth’s store + Be full for evermore, + And grace of Artemis make women’s travail light; + No devastating curse of fell disease + This city seize; + No clamour of the State arouse to war + Ares, from whom afar + Shrinketh the lute, by whom the dances fail— + Ares, the lord of wail. + Swarm far aloof from Argos’ citizens + All plague and pestilence, + And may the Archer-God our children spare! + May Zeus with foison and with fruitfulness + The land’s each season bless, + And, quickened with Heaven’s bounty manifold, + Teem grazing flock and fold. + Beside the altars of Heaven’s hallowing + Loud let the minstrels sing, + And from pure lips float forth the harp-led strain in air! + And let the people’s voice, the power + That sways the State, in danger’s hour + Be wary, wise for all; + Nor honour in dishonour hold, + But—ere the voice of war be bold— + Let them to stranger peoples grant + Fair and unbloody covenant— + Justice and peace withal; + And to the Argive powers divine + The sacrifice of laurelled kine, + By rite ancestral, pay. + Among three words of power and awe, + Stands this, the third, the mighty law— + _Your gods, your fathers deified, + Ye shall adore_. Let this abide + For ever and for aye. + +DANAUS. + Dear children, well and wisely have ye prayed; + I bid you now not shudder, though ye hear + New and alarming tidings from your sire. + From this high place beside the suppliants’ shrine + The bark of our pursuers I behold, + By divers tokens recognized too well. + Lo, the spread canvas and the hides that screen + The gunwale; lo, the prow, with painted eyes + That seem her onward pathway to descry, + Heeding too well the rudder at the stern + That rules her, coming for no friendly end. + And look, the seamen—all too plain their race— + Their dark limbs gleam from out their snow-white garb; + Plain too the other barks, a fleet that comes + All swift to aid the purpose of the first, + That now, with furled sail and with pulse of oars + Which smite the wave together, comes aland. + But ye, be calm, and, schooled not scared by fear, + Confront this chance, be mindful of your trust + In these protecting gods. And I will hence, + And champions who shall plead your cause aright + Will bring unto your side. There come perchance + Heralds or envoys, eager to lay hand + And drag you captive hence; yet fear them not; + Foiled shall they be. Yet well it were for you + (If, ere with aid I come, I tarry long), + Not by one step this sanctuary to leave. + Farewell, fear nought: soon shall the hour be born + When he that scorns the gods shall rue his scorn + +CHORUS. + Ah but I shudder, father!—ah, even now, + Even as I speak, the swift-winged ships draw nigh! + + I shudder, I shiver, I perish with fear: + Overseas though I fled, + Yet nought it avails; my pursuers are near! + +DANAUS. + Children, take heart; they who decreed to aid + Thy cause will arm for battle, well I ween. + +CHORUS. + But desperate is Aegyptus’ ravening race, + With fight unsated; thou too know’st it well. + + In their wrath they o’ertake us; the prow is deep-dark + In the which they have sped, + And dark is the bench and the crew of the bark! + +DANAUS. + Yea but a crew as stout they here shall find, + And arms well steeled beneath a noon-day sun. + +CHORUS. + Ah yet, O father, leave us not forlorn! + Alone, a maid is nought, a strengthless arm. + With guile they pursue me, with counsel malign, + And unholy their soul; + And as ravens they seize me, unheeding the shrine! + +DANAUS. + Fair will befall us, children, in this chance, + If thus in wrath they wrong the gods and you. + +CHORUS. + Alas, nor tridents nor the sanctity + Of shrines will drive them, O my sire, from us! + + Unholy and daring and cursed is their ire, + Nor own they control + Of the gods, but like jackals they glut their desire! + +DANAUS. + Ay, but _Come wolf, flee jackal_, saith the saw; + Nor can the flax-plant overbear the corn. + +CHORUS. + Lustful, accursèd, monstrous is their will + As of beasts ravening—’ware we of their power! + +DANAUS. + Look you, not swiftly puts a fleet to sea, + Nor swiftly to its moorings; long it is + Or e’er the saving cables to the shore + Are borne, and long or e’er the steersmen cry, + _The good ship swings at anchor—all is well_. + Longest of all, the task to come aland + Where haven there is none, when sunset fades + In night. _To pilot wise_, the adage saith, + _Night is a day of wakefulness and pain_. + Therefore no force of weaponed men, as yet + Scatheless can come ashore, before the bank + Lie at her anchorage securely moored. + Bethink thee therefore, nor in panic leave + The shrine of gods whose succour thou hast won + I go for aid—men shall not blame me long, + Old, but with youth at heart and on my tongue. + + [_Exit DANAUS._] + +CHORUS. + O land of hill and dale, O holy land, + What shall befall us? whither shall we flee, + From Apian land to some dark lair of earth? + +O would that in vapour of smoke I might rise to the clouds of the sky, +That as dust which flits up without wings I might pass and evanish and +die! +I dare not, I dare not abide: my heart yearns, eager to fly; +And dark is the cast of my thought; I shudder and tremble for fear. +My father looked forth and beheld: I die of the sight that draws near. +And for me be the strangling cord, the halter made ready by Fate, +Before to my body draws nigh the man of my horror and hate. +Nay, ere I will own him as lord, as handmaid to Hades I go! +And oh, that aloft in the sky, where the dark clouds are frozen to +snow, +A refuge for me might be found, or a mountain-top smooth and too high +For the foot of the goat, where the vulture sits lonely, and none may +descry +The pinnacle veiled in the cloud, the highest and sheerest of all, +Ere to wedlock that rendeth my heart, and love that is loveless, I +fall! +Yea, a prey to the dogs and the birds of the mount will I give me to +be,— +From wailing and curse and pollution it is death, only death, sets me +free: +Let death come upon me before to the ravisher’s bed I am thrust; +What champion, what saviour but death can I find, or what refuge from +lust? +I will utter my shriek of entreaty, a prayer that shrills up to the +sky, +That calleth the gods to compassion, a tuneful, a pitiful cry, +That is loud to invoke the releaser. O father, look down on the fight; +Look down in thy wrath on the wronger, with eyes that are eager for +right. +Zeus, thou that art lord of the world, whose kingdom is strong over +all, +Have mercy on us! At thine altar for refuge and safety we call. +For the race of Aegyptus is fierce, with greed and with malice afire; +They cry as the questing hounds, they sweep with the speed of desire. +But thine is the balance of fate, thou rulest the wavering scale, +And without thee no mortal emprise shall have strength to achieve or +prevail. + + Alack, alack! the ravisher— + He leaps from boat to beach, he draweth near! + Away, thou plunderer accurst! + Death seize thee first, + Or e’er thou touch me—off! God, hear our cry, + Our maiden agony! + Ah, ah, the touch, the prelude of my shame. + Alas, my maiden fame! + O sister, sister, to the altar cling, + For he that seizeth me, + Grim is his wrath and stern, by land as on the sea. + Guard us, O king! + + Enter the HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Hence to my barge—step swiftly, tarry not. + +CHORUS. + Alack, he rends—he rends my hair! O wound on wound! + Help! my lopped head will fall, my blood gush o’er the ground! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Aboard, ye cursèd—with a new curse, go! + +CHORUS. + Would God that on the wand’ring brine + Thou and this braggart tongue of thine + Had sunk beneath the main— + Thy mast and planks, made fast in vain! + Thee would I drive aboard once more, + A slayer and a dastard, from the shore! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Be still, thou vain demented soul; + My force thy craving shall control. + Away, aboard! What, clingest to the shrine? + Away! this city’s gods I hold not for divine. + +CHORUS. + Aid me, ye gods, that never, never + I may again behold + The mighty, the life-giving river, + Nilus, the quickener of field and fold! + Alack, O sire, unto the shrine I cling— + Shrine of this land from which mine ancient line did spring! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Shrines, shrines, forsooth!—the ship, the ship be shrine! + Aboard, perforce and will-ye nill-ye, go! + Or e’er from hands of mine + Ye suffer torments worse and blow on blow. + +CHORUS. + Alack, God grant those hands may strive in vain + With the salt-streaming wave, + When ’gainst the wide-blown blasts thy bark shall strain + To round Sarpedon’s cape, the sandbank’s treach’rous grave. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Shrill ye and shriek unto what gods ye may, + Ye shall not leap from out Aegyptus’ bark, + How bitterly soe’er ye wail your woe. + +CHORUS. + Alack, alack my wrong! + Stern is thy voice, thy vaunting loud and strong. + Thy sire, the mighty Nilus, drive thee hence + Turning to death and doom thy greedy violence! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Swift to the vessel of the double prow, + Go quickly! let none linger, else this hand + Ruthless will hale you by your tresses hence. + +CHORUS. + Alack, O father! from the shrine + Not aid but agony is mine. + As a spider he creeps and he clutches his prey, + And he hales me away. + A spectre of darkness, of darkness. Alas and alas! well-a-day! + O Earth, O my mother! O Zeus, thou king of the earth, and her child! + Turn back, we pray thee, from us his clamour and threatenings wild! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Peace! I fear not this country’s deities. + They fostered not my childhood nor mine age. + +CHORUS. + Like a snake that is human he comes, he shudders and crawls to my + side; + As an adder that biteth the foot, his clutch on my flesh doth abide. + O Earth, O my mother! O Zeus, thou king of the earth, and her child! + Turn back, we pray thee, from us his clamour and threatenings wild! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Swift each unto the ship; repine no more, + Or my hand shall not spare to rend your robe. + +CHORUS. + O chiefs, O leaders, aid me, or I yield! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Peace! if ye have not ears to hear my words, + Lo, by these tresses must I hale you hence. + +CHORUS. + Undone we are, O king! all hope is gone. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Ay, kings enow ye shall behold anon, + Aegyptus’ sons—Ye shall not want for kings. + + Enter the KING OF ARGOS. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Sirrah, what dost thou? in what arrogance + Darest thou thus insult Pelasgia’s realm? + Deemest thou this a woman-hearted town? + Thou art too full of thy barbarian scorn + For us of Grecian blood, and, erring thus, + Thou dost bewray thyself a fool in all! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Say thou wherein my deeds transgress my right. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + First, that thou play’st a stranger’s part amiss. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Wherein? I do but search and claim mine own. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + To whom of our guest-champions hast appealed? + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + To Hermes, herald’s champion, lord of search. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Yea, to a god—yet dost thou wrong the gods! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + The gods that rule by Nilus I revere. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Hear I aright? our Argive gods are nought? + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + The prey is mine, unless force rend it from me. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + At thine own peril touch them—’ware, and soon! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + I hear thy speech, no hospitable word. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + I am no host for sacrilegious hands. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + I will go tell this to Aegyptus’ sons. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Tell it! my pride will ponder not thy word. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Yet, that I have my message clear to say + (For it behooves that heralds’ words be clear, + Be they or ill or good), how art thou named? + By whom despoilèd of this sister-band + Of maidens pass I homeward?—speak and say! + For lo, henceforth in Ares’ court we stand, + Who judges not by witness but by war: + No pledge of silver now can bring the cause + To issue: ere this thing end, there must be + Corpse piled on corpse and many lives gasped forth. + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + What skills it that I tell my name to thee? + Thou and thy mates shall learn it ere the end. + Know that if words unstained by violence + Can change these maidens’ choice, then mayest thou, + With full consent of theirs, conduct them hence. + But thus the city with one voice ordained— + + _No force shall bear away the maiden band_. + + Firmly this word upon the temple wall + Is by a rivet clenched, and shall abide: + Not upon wax inscribed and delible, + Nor upon parchment sealed and stored away.— + Lo, thou hast heard our free mouths speak their will: + Out from our presence—tarry not, but go! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + Methinks we stand on some new edge of war: + Be strength and triumph on the young men’s side! + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + Nay but here also shall ye find young men, + Unsodden with the juices oozed from grain.[6] + + [_Exit HERALD OF AEGYPTUS._] + + + But ye, O maids, with your attendants true, + Pass hence with trust into the fencèd town, + Ringed with a wide confine of guarding towers. + Therein are many dwellings for such guests + As the State honours; there myself am housed + Within a palace neither scant nor strait. + There dwell ye, if ye will to lodge at ease + In halls well-thronged: yet, if your soul prefer, + Tarry secluded in a separate home. + Choose ye and cull, from these our proffered gifts, + Whiche’er is best and sweetest to your will: + And I and all these citizens whose vote + Stands thus decreed, will your protectors be. + Look not to find elsewhere more loyal guard. + +CHORUS. + O godlike chief, God grant my prayer: + _Fair blessings on thy proffers fair, + Lord of Pelasgia’s race!_ + Yet, of thy grace, unto our side + Send thou the man of courage tried, + Of counsel deep and prudent thought,— + Be Danaus to his children brought; + For his it is to guide us well + And warn where it behoves to dwell— + What place shall guard and shelter us + From malice and tongues slanderous: + Swift always are the lips of blame + A stranger-maiden to defame— + But Fortune give us grace! + +THE KING OF ARGOS. + A stainless fame, a welcome kind + From all this people shall ye find: + Dwell therefore, damsels, loved of us, + Within our walls, as Danaus + Allots to each, in order due, + Her dower of attendants true. + + Re-enter DANAUS. + +DANAUS + High thanks, my children, unto Argos con, + And to this folk, as to Olympian gods, + Give offerings meet of sacrifice and wine; + For saviours are they in good sooth to you. + From me they heard, and bitter was their wrath, + How those your kinsmen strove to work you wrong, + And how of us were thwarted: then to me + This company of spearmen did they grant, + That honoured I might walk, nor unaware + Die by some secret thrust and on this land + Bring down the curse of death, that dieth not. + Such boons they gave me: it behoves me pay + A deeper reverence from a soul sincere. + Ye, to the many words of wariness + Spoken by me your father, add this word, + That, tried by time, our unknown company + Be held for honest: over-swift are tongues + To slander strangers, over-light is speech + To bring pollution on a stranger’s name. + Therefore I rede you, bring no shame on me + Now when man’s eye beholds your maiden prime. + Lovely is beauty’s ripening harvest-field, + But ill to guard; and men and beasts, I wot, + And birds and creeping things make prey of it. + And when the fruit is ripe for love, the voice + Of Aphrodite bruiteth it abroad, + The while she guards the yet unripened growth. + On the fair richness of a maiden’s bloom + Each passer looks, o’ercome with strong desire, + With eyes that waft the wistful dart of love. + Then be not such our hap, whose livelong toil + Did make our pinnace plough the mighty main: + Nor bring we shame upon ourselves, and joy + Unto my foes. Behold, a twofold home— + One of the king’s and one the people’s gift— + Unbought, ’tis yours to hold,—a gracious boon. + Go—but remember ye your sire’s behest, + And hold your life less dear than chastity. + +CHORUS. + The gods above grant that all else be well. + But fear not thou, O sire, lest aught befall + Of ill unto our ripened maidenhood. + So long as Heaven have no new ill devised, + From its chaste path my spirit shall not swerve. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Pass and adore ye the Blessed, the gods of the city who dwell + Around Erasinus, the gush of the swift immemorial tide. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Chant ye, O maidens; aloud let the praise of Pelasgia swell; + Hymn we no longer the shores where Nilus to ocean doth glide. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Sing we the bounteous streams that ripple and gush through the city; + Quickening flow they and fertile, the soft new life of the plain. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Artemis, maiden most pure, look on us with grace and with pity— + Save us from forced embraces: such love hath no crown but a pain. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Yet not in scorn we chant, but in honour of Aphrodite; + She truly and Hera alone have power with Zeus and control. + Holy the deeds of her rite, her craft is secret and mighty, + And high is her honour on earth, and subtle her sway of the soul. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Yea, and her child is Desire: in the train of his mother he goeth— + Yea and Persuasion soft-lipped, whom none can deny or repel: + Cometh Harmonia too, on whom Aphrodite bestoweth + The whispering parley, the paths of the rapture that lovers love + well. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Ah, but I tremble and quake lest again they should sail to reclaim! + Alas for the sorrow to come, the blood and the carnage of war. + Ah, by whose will was it done that o’er the wide ocean they came, + Guided by favouring winds, and wafted by sail and by oar? + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Peace! for what Fate hath ordained will surely not tarry but come; + Wide is the counsel of Zeus, by no man escaped or withstood: + Only I pray that whate’er, in the end, of this wedlock he doom, + We as many a maiden of old, may win from the ill to the good.[7] + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Great Zeus, this wedlock turn from me— + Me from the kinsman bridegroom guard! + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Come what come may, ’tis Fate’s decree. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Soft is thy word—the doom is hard. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Thou know’st not what the Fates provide. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + How should I scan Zeus’ mighty will, + The depth of counsel undescried? + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Pray thou no word of omen ill. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + What timely warning wouldst thou teach? + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Beware, nor slight the gods in speech. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Zeus, hold from my body the wedlock detested, the bridegroom + abhorred! + It was thou, it was thou didst release + Mine ancestress Io from sorrow: thine healing it was that restored, + The touch of thine hand gave her peace. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Be thy will for the cause of the maidens! of two ills, the lesser I + pray— + The exile that leaveth me pure. + May thy justice have heed to my cause, my prayers to thy mercy find + way! + For the hands of thy saving are sure. + + [_Exeunt omnes._] + + + [1] “ἀερίας ἀπὸ γᾶς.” This epithet may appear strange to modern + readers accustomed to think of Egypt as a land of cloudless skies and + pellucid atmosphere. Nevertheless both Pindar (_Pyth_ iv 93) and + Apollonius Rhodius (iv 267) speak of it in the same way as Aeschylus. + It has been conjectured that they allude to the fog banks that often + obscure the low coasts—a phenomenon likely to impress the early + navigators and to be reported by them. + + + [2] The whole of this dialogue in alternate verses is disarranged in + the MSS. The re-arrangement which has approved itself to Paley has + been here followed. It involves, however, a hiatus, instead of the + line to which this note is appended. The substance of the lost line + being easily deducible from the context, it has been supplied in the + translation. + + + [3] Poseidon. + + + [4] Here one verse at least has been lost. The conjecture of Bothe + seems to be verified, as far as substance is concerned, by the next + line, and has consequently been adopted. + + + [5] Cyprus. + + + [6] For this curious taunt, strongly illustrative of what Browning + calls “nationality in drinks,” see Herodotus, ii. 77. A similar + feeling may perhaps be traced in Tacitus’ description of the national + beverage of the Germans: “Potui humor ex hordeo aut frumento, _in + quandam similitudinem vini corruptus_” (_Germania_, chap, xxiii). + + + [7] The ambiguity of these two lines is reproduced from the original. + The Semi-Chorus appear to pray, in one aspiration, that the threatened + wedlock may never take place, and, _if_ it does take place, may be for + weal, not woe. + + + + +THE PERSIANS + +ARGUMENT + + +Xerxes, son of Darius and of his wife Atossa, daughter of Cyrus, went +forth against Hellas, to take vengeance upon those who had defeated his +father at Marathon. But ill fortune befell the king and his army both +by land and sea; neither did it avail him that he cast a bridge over +the Hellespont and made a canal across the promontory of Mount Athos, +and brought myriads of men, by land and sea, to subdue the Greeks. For +in the strait between Athens and the island of Salamis the Persian +ships were shattered and sunk or put to flight by those of Athens and +Lacedaemon and Aegina and Corinth, and Xerxes went homewards on the way +by which he had come, leaving his general Mardonius with three hundred +thousand men to strive with the Greeks by land: but in the next year +they were destroyed near Plataea in Boeotia, by the Lacedaemonians and +Athenians and Tegeans. Such was the end of the army which Xerxes left +behind him. But the king himself had reached the bridge over the +Hellespont, and late and hardly and in sorry plight and with few +companions came home unto the Palace of Susa. + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + +CHORUS OF PERSIAN ELDERS. +ATOSSA, WIDOW OF DARIUS AND MOTHER OF XERXES. +A MESSENGER. +THE GHOST OF DARIUS. +XERXES. + +_The Scene is laid at the Palace of Susa_. + + +CHORUS. + Away unto the Grecian land + Hath passed the Persian armament: + We, by the monarch’s high command, + We are the warders true who stand, + Chosen, for honour and descent, + To watch the wealth of him who went— + Guards of the gold, and faithful styled + By Xerxes, great Darius’ child! + + But the king went nor comes again— + And for that host, we saw depart + Arrayed in gold, my boding heart + Aches with a pulse of anxious pain, + Presageful for its youthful king! + No scout, no steed, no battle-car + Comes speeding hitherward, to bring + News to our city from afar! + Erewhile they went, away, away, + From Susa, from Ecbatana, + From Kissa’s timeworn fortress grey, + Passing to ravage and to war— + Some upon steeds, on galleys some, + Some in close files, they passed from home, + All upon warlike errand bent— + Amistres, Artaphernes went, + Astaspes, Megabazes high, + Lords of the Persian chivalry, + Marshals who serve the great king’s word + Chieftains of all the mighty horde! + Horsemen and bowmen streamed away, + Grim in their aspect, fixed to slay, + And resolute to face the fray! + With troops of horse, careering fast, + Masistes, Artembáres passed: + Imaeus too, the bowman brave, + Sosthánes, Pharandákes, drave— + And others the all-nursing wave + Of Nilus to the battle gave; + Came Susiskánes, warrior wild, + And Pegastágon, Egypt’s child: + Thee, brave Arsámes! from afar + Did holy Memphis launch to war; + And Ariomardus, high in fame, + From Thebes the immemorial came, + And oarsmen skilled from Nilus’ fen, + A countless crowd of warlike men: + And next, the dainty Lydians went— + Soft rulers of a continent— + Mitragathes and Arcteus bold + In twin command their ranks controlled, + And Sardis town, that teems with gold, + Sent forth its squadrons to the war— + Horse upon horse, and car on car, + Double and triple teams, they rolled, + In onset awful to behold. + From Tmolus’ sacred hill there came + The native hordes to join the fray, + And upon Hellas’ neck to lay + The yoke of slavery and shame; + Mardon and Tharubis were there, + Bright anvils for the foemen’s spear! + The Mysian dart-men sped to war, + And the long crowd that onward rolled + From Babylon enriched with gold— + Captains of ships and archers skilled + To speed the shaft, and those who wield + The scimitar;—the eastern band + Who, by the great king’s high command, + Swept to subdue the western land! + + Gone are they, gone—ah, welladay! + The flower and pride of our array; + And all the Eastland, from whose breast + Came forth her bravest and her best, + Craves longingly with boding dread— + Parents for sons, and brides new-wed + For absent lords, and, day by day, + Shudder with dread at their delay! + + Ere now they have passed o’er the sea, the manifold host of the king— + They have gone forth to sack and to burn; ashore on the Westland they + spring! + With cordage and rope they have bridged the sea-way of Helle, to pass + O’er the strait that is named by thy name, O daughter of Athamas! + They have anchored their ships in the current, they have bridled the + neck of the sea— + The Shepherd and Lord of the East hath bidden a roadway to be! + From the land to the land they pass over, a herd at the high king’s + best; + Some by the way of the waves, and some o’er the planking have + pressed. + For the king is a lord and a god: he was born of the golden seed + That erst upon Danae fell—his captains are strong at the need! + And dark is the glare of his eyes, as eyes of a serpent blood-fed, + And with manifold troops in his train and with manifold ships hath he + sped— + Yea, sped with his Syrian cars: he leads on the lords of the bow + To meet with the men of the West, the spear-armed force of the foe! + Can any make head and resist him, when he comes with the roll of a + wave? + No barrier nor phalanx of might, no chief, be he ever so brave! + For stern is the onset of Persia, and gallant her children in fight. + But the guile of the god is deceitful, and who shall elude him by + flight? + And who is the lord of the leap, that can spring and alight and + evade? + For Até deludes and allures, till round him the meshes are laid, + And no man his doom can escape! it was writ in the rule of high + Heaven, + That in tramp of the steeds and in crash of the charge the war-cry of + Persia be given: + They have learned to behold the forbidden, the sacred enclosure of + sea, + Where the waters are wide and in stress of the wind the billows roll + hoary to lee! + And their trust is in cable and cordage, too weak in the power of the + blast, + And frail are the links of the bridge whereby unto Hellas they + passed. + + Therefore my gloom-wrapped heart is rent with sorrow + For what may hap to-morrow! + Alack, for all the Persian armament— + Alack, lest there be sent + Dread news of desolation, Susa’s land + Bereft, forlorn, unmanned— + Lest the grey Kissian fortress echo back + The wail, _Alack, Alack!_ + The sound of women’s shriek, who wail and mourn, + With fine-spun raiment torn! + The charioteers went forth nor come again, + And all the marching men + Even as a swarm of bees have flown afar, + Drawn by the king to war— + Crossing the sea-bridge, linked from side to side, + That doth the waves divide: + And the soft bridal couch of bygone years + Is now bedewed with tears, + Each princess, clad in garments delicate, + Wails for her widowed fate— + + _Alas my gallant bridegroom, lost and gone, + And I am left alone!_ + + But now, ye warders of the state, + Here, in this hall of old renown, + Behoves that we deliberate + In counsel deep and wise debate, + For need is surely shown! + How fareth he, Darius’ child, + The Persian king, from Perseus styled? + + Comes triumph to the eastern bow, + Or hath the lance-point conquered now? + + Enter ATOSSA. + + See, yonder comes the mother-queen, + Light of our eyes, in godlike sheen, + The royal mother of the king!— + Fall we before her! well it were + That, all as one, we sue to her, + And round her footsteps cling! + + Queen, among deep-girded Persian dames thou highest and most royal, + Hoary mother, thou, of Xerxes, and Darius’ wife of old! + To godlike sire, and godlike son, we bow us and are loyal— + Unless, on us, an adverse tide of destiny has rolled! + +ATOSSA. + Therefore come I forth to you, from chambers decked and golden, + Where long ago Darius laid his head, with me beside, + And my heart is torn with anguish, and with terror am I holden, + And I plead unto your friendship and I bid you to my side. + + Darius, in the old time, by aid of some Immortal, + Raised up the stately fabric, our wealth of long-ago: + But I tremble lest it totter down, and ruin porch and portal, + And the whirling dust of downfall rise above its overthrow! + + Therefore a dread unspeakable within me never slumbers, + Saying, _Honour not the gauds of wealth if men have ceased to grow, + Nor deem that men, apart from wealth, can find their strength in + numbers_— + We shudder for our light and king, though we have gold enow! + + _No light there is, in any house, save presence of the master_— + So runs the saw, ye aged men! and truth it says indeed— + On you I call, the wise and true, to ward us from disaster, + For all my hope is fixed on you, to prop us in our need! + +CHORUS. + Queen-Mother of the Persian land, to thy commandment bowing, + Whate’er thou wilt, in word or deed, we follow to fulfil— + Not twice we need thine high behest, our faith and duty knowing, + In council and in act alike, thy loyal servants still! + +ATOSSA. + Long while by various visions of the night + Am I beset, since to Ionian lands + With marshalled host my son went forth to war. + Yet never saw I presage so distinct + As in the night now passed.—Attend my tale!— + A dream I had: two women nobly clad + Came to my sight, one robed in Persian dress, + The other vested in the Dorian garb, + And both right stately and more tall by far + Than women of to-day, and beautiful + Beyond disparagement, and sisters sprung + Both of one race, but, by their natal lot, + One born in Hellas, one in Eastern land. + These, as it seemed unto my watching eyes, + Roused each the other to a mutual feud: + The which my son perceiving set himself + To check and soothe their struggle, and anon + Yoked them and set the collars on their necks; + And one, the Ionian, proud in this array, + Paced in high quietude, and lent her mouth, + Obedient, to the guidance of the rein. + But restively the other strove, and broke + The fittings of the car, and plunged away + With mouth un-bitted: o’er the broken yoke + My son was hurled, and lo! Darius stood + In lamentation o’er his fallen child. + Him Xerxes saw, and rent his robe in grief. + + Such was my vision of the night now past; + But when, arising, I had dipped my hand + In the fair lustral stream, I drew towards + The altar, in the act of sacrifice, + Having in mind to offer, as their due, + The sacred meal-cake to the averting powers, + Lords of the rite that banisheth ill dreams. + When lo! I saw an eagle fleeing fast + To Phoebus’ shrine—O friends, I stayed my steps, + Too scared to speak! for, close upon his flight, + A little falcon dashed in winged pursuit, + Plucking with claws the eagle’s head, while he + Could only crouch and cower and yield himself. + Scared was I by that sight, and eke to you + No less a terror must it be to hear! + For mark this well—if Xerxes have prevailed, + He shall come back the wonder of the world: + If not, still none can call him to account— + So he but live, he liveth Persia’s King! + +CHORUS. + Queen, it stands not with my purpose to abet these fears of thine, + Nor to speak with glazing comfort! nay, betake thee to the shrine! + If thy dream foretold disaster, sue to gods to bar its way, + And, for thyself, son, state, and friends, to bring fair fate to-day. + Next, unto Earth and to the Dead be due libation poured, + And by thee let Darius’ soul be wistfully implored— + _I saw thee, lord, in last night’s dream, a phantom from the grave, + I pray thee, lord, from earth beneath come forth to help and save! + To me and to thy son send up the bliss of triumph now, + And hold the gloomy fates of ill, dim in the dark below!_ + Such be thy words! my inner heart good tidings doth foretell, + And that fair fate will spring thereof, if wisdom guide us well. + +ATOSSA. + Loyal thou that first hast read this dream, this vision of the night, + With loyalty to me, the queen—be then thy presage right! + And therefore, as thy bidding is, what time I pass within + To dedicate these offerings, new prayers I will begin, + Alike to gods and the great dead who loved our lineage well. + Yet one more word—say, in what realm do the Athenians dwell? + +CHORUS. + Far hence, even where, in evening land, goes down our Lord the Sun. + +ATOSSA. + Say, had my son so keen desire, that region to o’errun? + +CHORUS. + Yea—if she fell, the rest of Greece were subject to our sway! + +ATOSSA. + Hath she so great predominance, such legions in array? + +CHORUS. + Ay—such a host as smote us sore upon an earlier day. + +ATOSSA. + And what hath she, besides her men? enow of wealth in store? + +CHORUS. + A mine of treasure in the earth, a fount of silver ore! + +ATOSSA. + Is it in skill of bow and shaft that Athens’ men excel? + +CHORUS. + Nay, they bear bucklers in the fight, and thrust the spear-point + well. + +ATOSSA. + And who is shepherd of their host and holds them in command? + +CHORUS. + To no man do they bow as slaves, nor own a master’s hand. + +ATOSSA. + How should they bide our brunt of war, the East upon the West? + +CHORUS. + That could Darius’ valiant horde in days of yore attest! + +ATOSSA. + A boding word, to us who bore the men now far away! + +CHORUS. + Nay—as I deem, the very truth will dawn on us to-day. + A Persian by his garb and speed, a courier draws anear— + He bringeth news, of good or ill, for Persia’s land to hear. + + Enter a MESSENGER. + +MESSENGER. +O walls and towers of all the Asian realm, +O Persian land, O treasure-house of gold! +How, by one stroke, down to destruction, down, +Hath sunk our pride, and all the flower of war +That once was Persia’s, lieth in the dust! +Woe on the man who first announceth woe— +Yet must I all the tale of death unroll! +Hark to me, Persians! Persia’s host lies low. + +CHORUS. + O ruin manifold, and woe, and fear! + Let the wild tears run down, for the great doom is here! + +MESSENGER. + This blow hath fallen, to the utterance, And I, past hope, behold my + safe return! + +CHORUS. + Too long, alack, too long this life of mine, + That in mine age I see this sudden woe condign! + +MESSENGER. + As one who saw, by no loose rumour led, + Lords, I would tell what doom was dealt to us. + +CHORUS. + Alack, how vainly have they striven! + Our myriad hordes with shaft and bow + Went from the Eastland, to lay low + Hellas, beloved of Heaven! + +MESSENGER. + Piled with men dead, yea, miserably slain, + Is every beach, each reef of Salamis! + +CHORUS. + Thou sayest sooth—ah well-a-day! + Battered amid the waves, and torn, + On surges hither, thither, borne, + Dead bodies, bloodstained and forlorn, + In their long cloaks they toss and stray! + +MESSENGER. + Their bows availed not! all have perished, all, + By charging galleys crushed and whelmed in death. + +CHORUS. + Shriek out your sorrow’s wistful wail! + To their untimely doom they went; + Ill strove they, and to no avail, + And minished is their armament! + +MESSENGER. + Out on thee, hateful name of Salamis, + Out upon Athens, mournful memory! + +CHORUS. + Woe upon this day’s evil fame! + Thou, Athens, art our murderess; + Alack, full many a Persian dame + Is left forlorn and husbandless! + +ATOSSA. + Mute have I been awhile, and overwrought + At this great sorrow, for it passeth speech, + And passeth all desire to ask of it. + Yet if the gods send evils, men must bear. + (_To the_ MESSENGER) + Unroll the record! stand composed and tell, + Although thy heart be groaning inwardly, + Who hath escaped, and, of our leaders, whom + Have we to weep? what chieftains in the van + Stood, sank, and died and left us leaderless? + +MESSENGER. + Xerxes himself survives and sees the day. + +ATOSSA. + Then to my line thy word renews the dawn + And golden dayspring after gloom of night! + +MESSENGER. + But the brave marshal of ten thousand horse, + Artembares, is tossed and flung in death + Along the rugged rocks Silenian. + And Dadaces no longer leads his troop, + But, smitten by the spear, from off the prow + Hath lightly leaped to death; and Tenagon, + In true descent a Bactrian nobly born, + Drifts by the sea-lashed reefs of Salamis, + The isle of Ajax. Gone Lilaeus too, + Gone are Arsames and Argestes! all, + Around the islet where the sea-doves breed, + Dashed their defeated heads on iron rocks; + Arcteus, who dwelt beside the founts of Nile, + Adeues, Pheresseues, and with them + Pharnuchus, from one galley’s deck went down. + Matallus, too, of Chrysa, lord and king + Of myriad hordes, who led unto the fight + Three times ten thousand swarthy cavaliers, + Fell, with his swarthy and abundant beard + Incarnadined to red, a crimson stain + Outrivalling the purple of the sea! + There Magian Arabus and Artames + Of Bactra perished—taking up, alike, + In yonder stony land their long sojourn. + Amistris too, and he whose strenuous spear + Was foremost in the fight, Amphistreus fell, + And gallant Ariomardus, by whose death + Broods sorrow upon Sardis: Mysia mourns + For Seisames, and Tharubis lies low— + Commander, he, of five times fifty ships, + Born in Lyrnessus: his heroic form + Is low in death, ungraced with sepulchre. + Dead too is he, the lord of courage high, + Cilicia’s marshal, brave Syennesis, + Than whom none dealt more carnage on the foe, + Nor perished by a more heroic end. + So fell the brave: so speak I of their doom, + Summing in brief the fate of myriads! + +ATOSSA. + Ah well-a-day! these crowning woes I hear, + The shame of Persia and her shrieks of dole! + But yet renew the tale, repeat thy words, + Tell o’er the count of those Hellenic ships, + And how they ventured with their beakèd prows + To charge upon the Persian armament. + +MESSENGER. + Know, if mere count of ships could win the day, + The Persians had prevailed. The Greeks, in sooth, + Had but three hundred galleys at the most, + And other ten, select and separate. + But—I am witness—Xerxes held command + Of full a thousand keels, and, those apart, + Two hundred more, and seven, for speed renowned!— + So stands the reckoning, and who shall dare + To say we Persians had the lesser host? + +ATOSSA. + Nay, we were worsted by an unseen power + Who swayed the balance downward to our doom! + +MESSENGER. + In ward of heaven doth Pallas’ city stand. + +ATOSSA. + How then? is Athens yet inviolate? + +MESSENGER. + While her men live, her bulwark standeth firm! + +ATOSSA. + Say, how began the struggle of the ships? + Who first joined issue? did the Greeks attack, + Or Xerxes, in his numbers confident? + +MESSENGER. + O queen, our whole disaster thus befell, + Through intervention of some fiend or fate— + I know not what—that had ill will to us. + From the Athenian host some Greek came o’er, + To thy son Xerxes whispering this tale— + _Once let the gloom of night have gathered in, + The Greeks will tarry not, but swiftly spring + Each to his galley-bench, in furtive flight, + Softly contriving safety for their life_. + Thy son believed the word and missed the craft + Of that Greek foeman, and the spite of Heaven, + And straight to all his captains gave this charge— + _As soon as sunlight warms the ground no more, + And gloom enwraps the sanctuary of sky, + Range we our fleet in triple serried lines + To bar the passage from the seething strait, + This way and that: let other ships surround + The isle of Ajax, with this warning word— + That if the Greeks their jeopardy should scape + By wary craft, and win their ships a road. + Each Persian captain shall his failure pay + By forfeit of his head_. So spake the king, + Inspired at heart with over-confidence, + Unwitting of the gods’ predestined will. + Thereon our crews, with no disordered haste, + Did service to his bidding and purveyed + The meal of afternoon: each rower then + Over the fitted rowlock looped his oar. + Then, when the splendour of the sun had set, + And night drew on, each master of the oar + And each armed warrior straightway went aboard. + Forward the long ships moved, rank cheering rank, + Each forward set upon its ordered course. + And all night long the captains of the fleet + Kept their crews moving up and down the strait. + So the night waned, and not one Grecian ship + Made effort to elude and slip away. + But as dawn came and with her coursers white + Shone in fair radiance over all the earth, + First from the Grecian fleet rang out a cry, + A song of onset! and the island crags + Re-echoed to the shrill exulting sound. + Then on us Eastern men amazement fell + And fear in place of hope; for what we heard + Was not a call to flight! the Greeks rang out + Their holy, resolute, exulting chant, + Like men come forth to dare and do and die + Their trumpets pealed, and fire was in that sound, + And with the dash of simultaneous oars + Replying to the war-chant, on they came, + Smiting the swirling brine, and in a trice + They flashed upon the vision of the foe! + The right wing first in orderly advance + Came on, a steady column; following then, + The rest of their array moved out and on, + And to our ears there came a burst of sound, + A clamour manifold.—_On, sons of Greece! + On, for your country’s freedom! strike to save + Wives, children, temples of ancestral gods, + Graves of your fathers! now is all at stake_. + Then from our side swelled up the mingled din + Of Persian tongues, and time brooked no delay— + Ship into ship drave hard its brazen beak + With speed of thought, a shattering blow! and first + One Grecian bark plunged straight, and sheared away + Bowsprit and stem of a Phoenician ship. + And then each galley on some other’s prow + Came crashing in. Awhile our stream of ships + Held onward, till within the narrowing creek + Our jostling vessels were together driven, + And none could aid another: each on each + Drave hard their brazen beaks, or brake away + The oar-banks of each other, stem to stern, + While the Greek galleys, with no lack of skill, + Hemmed them and battered in their sides, and soon + The hulls rolled over, and the sea was hid, + Crowded with wrecks and butchery of men. + No beach nor reef but was with corpses strewn, + And every keel of our barbarian host + Hurried to flee, in utter disarray. + Thereon the foe closed in upon the wrecks + And hacked and hewed, with oars and splintered planks, + As fishermen hack tunnies or a cast + Of netted dolphins, and the briny sea + Rang with the screams and shrieks of dying men, + Until the night’s dark aspect hid the scene. + Had I a ten days’ time to sum that count + Of carnage, ’twere too little! know this well— + One day ne’er saw such myriad forms of death! + +ATOSSA. + Woe on us, woe! disaster’s mighty sea + Hath burst on us and all the Persian realm! + +MESSENGER. + Be well assured, the tale is but begun— + The further agony that on us fell + Doth twice outweigh the sufferings I have told! + +ATOSSA. + Nay, what disaster could be worse than this? + Say on! what woe upon the army came, + Swaying the scale to a yet further fall? + +MESSENGER. + The very flower and crown of Persia’s race, + Gallant of soul and glorious in descent, + And highest held in trust before the king, + Lies shamefully and miserably slain. + +ATOSSA. + Alas for me and for this ruin, friends! + Dead, sayest thou? by what fate overthrown? + +MESSENGER. + An islet is there, fronting Salamis— + Strait, and with evil anchorage: thereon + Pan treads the measure of the dance he loves + Along the sea-beach. Thither the king sent + His noblest, that, whene’er the Grecian foe + Should ’scape, with shattered ships, unto the isle, + We might make easy prey of fugitives + And slay them there, and from the washing tides + Rescue our friends. It fell out otherwise + Than he divined, for when, by aid of Heaven, + The Hellenes held the victory on the sea, + Their sailors then and there begirt themselves + With brazen mail and bounded from their ships, + And then enringed the islet, point by point, + So that our Persians in bewilderment + Knew not which way to turn. On every side, + Battered with stones, they fell, while arrows flew + From many a string, and smote them to the death. + Then, at the last, with simultaneous rush + The foe came bursting on us, hacked and hewed + To fragments all that miserable band, + Till not a soul of them was left alive. + Then Xerxes saw disaster’s depth, and shrieked, + From where he sat on high, surveying all— + A lofty eminence, beside the brine, + Whence all his armament lay clear in view. + His robe he rent, with loud and bitter wail, + And to his land-force swiftly gave command + And fled, with shame beside him! Now, lament + That second woe, upon the first imposed! + +ATOSSA. + Out on thee, Fortune! thou hast foiled the hope + And power of Persia: to this bitter end + My son went forth to wreak his great revenge + On famous Athens! all too few they seemed, + Our men who died upon the Fennel-field! + Vengeance for them my son had mind to take, + And drew on his own head these whelming woes. + But thou, say on! the ships that ’scaped from wreck— + Where didst thou leave them? make thy story clear. + +MESSENGER. + The captains of the ships that still survived + Fled in disorder, scudding down the wind, + The while our land-force on Boeotian soil + Fell into ruin, some beside the springs + Dropping before they drank, and some outworn, + Pursued, and panting all their life away. + The rest of us our way to Phocis won, + And thence to Doris and the Melian gulf, + Where with soft stream Spercheus laves the soil. + Thence to the northward did Phthiotis’ plain, + And some Thessalian fortress, lend us aid, + For famine-pinched we were, and many died + Of drought and hunger’s twofold present scourge. + Thence to Magnesia came we, and the land + Where Macedonians dwell, and crossed the ford + Of Axius, and Bolbe’s reedy fen, + And mount Pangaeus, in Edonian land. + There, in the very night we came, the god + Brought winter ere its time, from bank to bank + Freezing the holy Strymon’s tide. Each man + Who heretofore held lightly of the gods, + Now crouched and proffered prayer to Earth and Heaven! + Then, after many orisons performed, + The army ventured on the frozen ford: + Yet only those who crossed before the sun + Shed its warm rays, won to the farther side. + For soon the fervour of the glowing orb + Did with its keen rays pierce the ice-bound stream, + And men sank through and thrust each other down— + Best was his lot whose breath was stifled first! + But all who struggled through and gained the bank, + Toilfully wending through the land of Thrace + Have made their way, a sorry, scanted few, + Unto this homeland. Let the city now + Lament and yearn for all the loved and lost. + My tale is truth, yet much untold remains + Of ills that Heaven hath hurled upon our land. + +CHORUS. + Spirit of Fate, too heavy were thy feet, + Those ill to match! that sprang on Persia’s realm. + +ATOSSA. + Woe for the host, to wrack and ruin hurled! + O warning of the night, prophetic dream! + Thou didst foreshadow clearly all the doom, + While ye, old men, made light of woman’s fears! + Ah well—yet, as your divination ruled + The meaning of the sign, I hold it good, + First, that I put up prayer unto the gods, + And, after that, forth from my palace bring + The sacrificial cake, the offering due + To Earth and to the spirits of the dead. + Too well I know it is a timeless rite + Over a finished thing that cannot change! + But yet—I know not—there may come of it + Alleviation for the after time. + You it beseems, in view of what hath happed, + T’ advise with loyal hearts our loyal guards: + And to my son—if, ere my coming forth, + He should draw hitherward—give comfort meet, + Escort him to the palace in all state, + Lest to these woes he add another woe! + + [_Exit ATOSSA._] + +CHORUS. + Zeus, lord and king! to death and nought + Our countless host by thee is brought. + Deep in the gloom of death, to-day, + Lie Susa and Ecbatana: + How many a maid in sorrow stands + And rends her tire with tender hands! + How tears run down, in common pain + And woeful mourning for the slain! + O delicate in dole and grief, + Ye Persian women! past relief + Is now your sorrow! to the war + Your loved ones went and come no more! + Gone from you is your joy and pride— + Severed the bridegroom from the bride— + The wedded couch luxurious + Is widowed now, and all the house + Pines ever with insatiate sighs, + And we stand here and bid arise, + For those who forth in ardour went + And come not back, the loud lament! + + Land of the East, thou mournest for the host, + Bereft of all thy sons, alas the day! + For them whom Xerxes led hath Xerxes lost— + Xerxes who wrecked the fleet, and flung our hopes away! + + How came it that Darius once controlled, + And without scathe, the army of the bow, + Loved by the folk of Susa, wise and bold? + Now is the land-force lost, the shipmen sunk below! + + Ah for the ships that bore them, woe is me! + Bore them to death and doom! the crashing prows + Of fierce Ionian oarsmen swept the sea, + And death was in their wake, and shipwreck murderous! + + Late, late and hardly—if true tales they tell— + Did Xerxes flee along the wintry way + And snows of Thrace—but ah, the first who fell + Lie by the rocks or float upon Cychrea’s bay! + + Mourn, each and all! waft heavenward your cry, + Stung to the soul, bereaved, disconsolate! + Wail out your anguish, till it pierce the sky, + In shrieks of deep despair, ill-omened, desperate! + + The dead are drifting, yea, are gnawed upon + By voiceless children of the stainless sea, + Or battered by the surge! we mourn and groan + For husbands gone to death, for childless agony! + + Alas the aged men, who mourn to-day + The ruinous sorrows that the gods ordain! + O’er the wide Asian land, the Persian sway + Can force no tribute now, and can no rule sustain. + + Yea, men will crouch no more to fallen power + And kingship overthrown! the whole land o’er, + Men speak the thing they will, and from this hour + The folk whom Xerxes ruled obey his word no more. + + The yoke of force is broken from the neck— + The isle of Ajax and th’ encircling wave + Reek with a bloody crop of death and wreck + Of Persia’s fallen power, that none can lift nor save! + + Re-enter ATOSSA, in mourning robes. + +ATOSSA. + Friends, whosoe’er is versed in human ills, + Knoweth right well that when a wave of woe + Comes on a man, he sees in all things fear; + While, in flood-tide of fortune, ’tis his mood + To take that fortune as unchangeable, + Wafting him ever forward. Mark me now— + The gods’ thwart purpose doth confront mine eyes, + And all is terror to me; in mine ears + There sounds a cry, but not of triumph now— + So am I scared at heart by woe so great. + Therefore I wend forth from the house anew, + Borne in no car of state, nor robed in pride + As heretofore, but bringing, for the sire + Who did beget my son, libations meet + For holy rites that shall appease the dead— + The sweet white milk, drawn from a spotless cow, + The oozing drop of golden honey, culled + By the flower-haunting bee, and therewithal + Pure draughts of water from a virgin spring; + And lo! besides, the stainless effluence, + Born of the wild vine’s bosom, shining store + Treasured to age, this bright and luscious wine. + And eke the fragrant fruit upon the bough + Of the grey olive-tree, which lives its life + In sprouting leafage, and the twining flowers, + Bright children of the earth’s fertility. + But you, O friends! above these offerings poured + To reconcile the dead, ring out your dirge + To summon up Darius from the shades, + Himself a shade; and I will pour these draughts, + Which earth shall drink, unto the gods of hell. + +CHORUS. + Queen, by the Persian land adored, + By thee be this libation poured, + Passing to those who hold command + Of dead men in the spirit-land! + And we will sue, in solemn chant, + That gods who do escort the dead + In nether realms, our prayer may grant— + Back to us be Darius led! + + O Earth, and Hermes, and the king + Of Hades, our Darius bring! + For if, beyond the prayers we prayed, + He knoweth aught of help or aid, + He, he alone, in realms below, + Can speak the limit of our woe! + + Doth he hear me, the king we adored, who is god among gods of the + dead? + Doth he hear me send out in my sorrow the pitiful, manifold cry, + The sobbing lament and appeal? is the voice of my suffering sped + To the realm of the shades? doth he hear me and pity my sorrowful + sigh? + O Earth, and ye Lords of the dead! release ye that spirit of might, + Who in Susa the palace was born! let him rise up once more to the + light! + + There is none like him, none of all + That e’er were laid in Persian sepulchres! + Borne forth he was to honoured burial, + A royal heart! and followed by our tears. + God of the dead, O give him back to us, + Darius, ruler glorious! + He never wasted us with reckless war— + God, counsellor, and king, beneath a happy star! + Ancient of days and king, awake and come— + Rise o’er the mounded tomb! + Rise, plant thy foot, with saffron sandal shod + Father to us, and god! + Rise with thy diadem, O sire benign, + Upon thy brow! + List to the strange new sorrows of thy line, + Sire of a woeful son! + + A mist of fate and hell is round us now, + And all the city’s flower to death is done! + Alas, we wept thee once, and weep again! + O Lord of lords, by recklessness twofold + The land is wasted of its men, + And down to death are rolled + Wreckage of sail and oar, + Ships that are ships no more, + And bodies of the slain! + + The GHOST OF DARIUS rises. + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Ye aged Persians, truest of the true, + Coevals of the youth that once was mine, + What troubleth now our city? harken, how + It moans and beats the breast and rends the plain! + And I, beholding how my consort stood + Beside my tomb, was moved with awe, and took + The gift of her libation graciously. + But ye are weeping by my sepulchre, + And, shrilling forth a sad, evoking cry, + Summon me mournfully, _Arise, arise_. + No light thing is it, to come back from death, + For, in good sooth, the gods of nether gloom + Are quick to seize but late and loth to free! + Yet among them I dwell as one in power— + And lo, I come! now speak, and speed your words, + Lest I be blamed for tarrying overlong! + What new disaster broods o’er Persia’s realm? + +CHORUS. + With awe on thee I gaze, + And, standing face to face, + I tremble as I did in olden days! + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Nay, but as I rose to earth again, obedient to your call, + Prithee, tarry not in parley! be one word enough for all— + Speak and gaze on me unshrinking, neither let my face appal! + +CHORUS. + I tremble to reveal, + Yet tremble to conceal + Things hard for friends to feel! + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Nay, but if the old-time terror on your spirit keeps its hold, + Speak thou, O royal lady who didst couch with me of old! + Stay thy weeping and lamenting and to me reveal the truth— + Speak! for man is born to sorrow; yea, the proverb sayeth sooth! + ’Tis the doom of mortal beings, if they live to see old age, + To suffer bale, by land and sea, through war and tempest’s rage. + +ATOSSA. + O thou whose blissful fate on earth all mortal weal excelled— + Who, while the sunlight touched thine eyes, the lord of all wert + held! + A god to Persian men thou wert, in bliss and pride and fame— + I hold thee blest too in thy death, or e’er the ruin came! + Alas, Darius! one brief word must tell thee all the tale— + The Persian power is in the dust, gone down in blood and bale! + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Speak—by what chance? did man rebel, or pestilence descend? + +ATOSSA. + Neither! by Athens’ fatal shores our army met its end. + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Which of my children led our host to Athens? speak and say. + +ATOSSA. + The froward Xerxes, leaving all our realm to disarray. + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Was it with army or with fleet on folly’s quest he went? + +ATOSSA. + With both alike, a twofold front of double armament. + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + And how then did so large a host on foot pass o’er the sea? + +ATOSSA. + He bridged the ford of Helle’s strait by artful carpentry. + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + How? could his craft avail to span the torrent of that tide? + +ATOSSA. + ’Tis sooth I say—some unknown power did fatal help provide! + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Alas, that power in malice came, to his bewilderment! + +ATOSSA. + Alas, we see the end of all, the ruin on us sent. + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Speak, tell me how they fared therein, that thus ye mourn and weep? + +ATOSSA. + Disaster to the army came, through ruin on the deep! + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Is all undone? hath all the folk gone down before the foe? + +ATOSSA. + Yea, hark to Susa’s mourning cry for warriors laid low! + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Alas for all our gallant aids, our Persia’s help and pride! + +ATOSSA. + Ay! old with young, the Bactrian force hath perished at our side! + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Alas, my son! what gallant youths hath he sent down to death! + +ATOSSA. + Alone, or with a scanty guard—for so the rumour saith— + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + He came—but how, and to what end? doth aught of hope remain? + +ATOSSA. + With joy he reached the bridge that spanned the Hellespontine main. + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + How? is he safe, in Persian land? speak soothly, yea or nay! + +ATOSSA. + Clear and more clear the rumour comes, for no man to gainsay. + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Woe for the oracle fulfilled, the presage of the war + Launched on my son, by will of Zeus! I deemed our doom afar + In lap of time; but, if a king push forward to his fate, + The god himself allures to death that man infatuate! + So now the very fount of woe streams out on those I loved, + And mine own son, unwisely bold, the truth hereof hath proved! + He sought to shackle and control the Hellespontine wave, + That rushes from the Bosphorus, with fetters of a slave!— + To curb and bridge, with welded links, the streaming water-way, + And guide across the passage broad his manifold array! + Ah, folly void of counsel! he deemed that mortal wight + Could thwart the will of Heaven itself and curb Poseidon’s might! + Was it not madness? much I fear lest all my wealth and store + Pass from my treasure-house, to be the snatcher’s prize once more! + +ATOSSA. + Such is the lesson, ah, too late! to eager Xerxes taught— + Trusting random counsellors and hare-brained men of nought, + Who said _Darius mighty wealth and fame to us did bring, + But thou art nought, a blunted spear, a palace-keeping king!_ + Unto those sorry counsellors a ready ear he lent, + And led away to Hellas’ shore his fated armament. + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Therefore through them hath come calamity + Most huge and past forgetting; nor of old + Did ever such extermination fall + Upon the city Susa. Long ago + Zeus in his power this privilege bestowed, + That with a guiding sceptre one sole man + Should rule this Asian land of flock and herd. + Over the folk a Mede, Astyages, + Did grasp the power: then Cyaxares ruled + In his sire’s place, and held the sway aright, + Steering his state with watchful wariness. + Third in succession, Cyrus, blest of Heaven, + Held rule and ’stablished peace for all his clan: + Lydian and Phrygian won he to his sway, + And wide Ionia to his yoke constrained, + For the god favoured his discretion sage. + Fourth in the dynasty was Cyrus’ son, + And fifth was Mardus, scandal of his land + And ancient lineage. Him Artaphrenes, + Hardy of heart, within his palace slew, + Aided by loyal plotters, set for this. + And I too gained the lot for which I craved, + And oftentimes led out a goodly host, + Yet never brought disaster such as this + Upon the city. But my son is young + And reckless in his youth, and heedeth not + The warnings of my mouth. Mark this, my friends, + Born with my birth, coeval with mine age— + Not all we kings who held successive rule + Have wrought, combined, such ruin as my son! + +CHORUS. + How then, O King Darius? whitherward + Dost thou direct thy warning? from this plight + How can we Persians fare towards hope again? + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + By nevermore assailing Grecian lands, + Even tho’ our Median force be double theirs— + For the land’s self protects its denizens. + +CHORUS. + How meanest thou? by what defensive power? + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + She wastes by famine a too countless foe. + +CHORUS. + But we will bring a host more skilled than huge. + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Why, e’en that army, camped in Hellas still, + Shall never win again to home and weal! + +CHORUS. + How say’st thou? will not all the Asian host + Pass back from Europe over Helle’s ford? + +GHOST OF DARIUS. + Nay—scarce a tithe of all those myriads, + If man may trust the oracles of Heaven + When he beholds the things already wrought, + Not false with true, but true with no word false + If what I trow be truth, my son has left + A chosen rear-guard of our host, in whom + He trusts, now, with a random confidence! + They tarry where Asopus laves the ground + With rills that softly bless Boeotia’s plain— + There is it fated for them to endure + The very crown of misery and doom, + Requital for their god-forgetting pride! + For why? they raided Hellas, had the heart + To wrong the images of holy gods, + And give the shrines and temples to the flame! + Defaced and dashed from sight the altars fell, + And each god’s image, from its pedestal + Thrust and flung down, in dim confusion lies! + Therefore, for outrage vile, a doom as dark + They suffer, and yet more shall undergo— + They touch no bottom in the swamp of doom, + But round them rises, bubbling up, the ooze! + So deep shall lie the gory clotted mass + Of corpses by the Dorian spear transfixed + Upon Plataea’s field! yea, piles of slain + To the third generation shall attest + By silent eloquence to those that see— + _Let not a mortal vaunt him overmuch_. + For pride grows rankly, and to ripeness brings + The curse of fate, and reaps, for harvest, tears! + Therefore when ye behold, for deeds like these, + Such stern requital paid, remember then + Athens and Hellas. Let no mortal wight, + Holding too lightly of his present weal + And passionate for more, cast down and spill + The mighty cup of his prosperity! + Doubt not that over-proud and haughty souls + Zeus lours in wrath, exacting the account. + Therefore, with wary warning, school my son, + Though he be lessoned by the gods already, + To curb the vaunting that affronts high Heaven! + And thou, O venerable Mother-queen, + Beloved of Xerxes, to the palace pass + And take therefrom such raiment as befits + Thy son, and go to meet him: for his garb + In this extremity of grief hangs rent + Around his body, woefully unstitched, + Mere tattered fragments of once royal robes! + Go thou to him, speak soft and soothing words— + Thee, and none other, will he bear to hear, + As well I know. But I must pass away + From earth above, unto the nether gloom; + Therefore, old men, take my farewell, and clasp, + Even amid the ruin of this time, + Unto your souls the pleasure of the day, + For dead men have no profit of their gold! + + [_The GHOST OF DARIUS sinks._] + +CHORUS. + Alas, I thrill with pain for Persia’s woes— + Many fulfilled, and others hard at hand! + +ATOSSA. + O spirit of the race, what sorrows crowd + Upon me! and this anguish stings me worst, + That round my royal son’s dishonoured form + Hang rags and tatters, degradation deep! + I will away, and, bringing from within + A seemly royal robe, will straightway strive + To meet and greet my son: foul scorn it were + To leave our dearest in his hour of shame. + + [_Exit ATOSSA._] + +CHORUS. + Ah glorious and goodly they were, the life and the lot that we + gained, + The cities we held in our hand when the monarch invincible reigned, + The king that was good to his realm, sufficing, fulfilled of his + sway, + A lord that was peer of the gods, the pride of the bygone day! + Then could we show to the skies great hosts and a glorious name, + And laws that were stable in might; as towers they guarded our fame! + There without woe or disaster we came from the foe and the fight, + In triumph, enriched with the spoil, to the land and the city’s + delight. + What towns ere the Halys he passed! what towns ere he came to the + West, + To the main and the isles of the Strymon, and the Thracian region + possess’d! + And those that stand back from the main, enringed by their fortified + wall, + Gave o’er to Darius, the king, the sceptre and sway over all! + Those too by the channel of Helle, where southward it broadens and + glides, + By the inlets, Propontis! of thee, and the strait of the Pontic + tides, + And the isles that lie fronting our sea-board, and the Eastland looks + on each one, + Lesbo and Chios and Paros, and Samos with olive-trees grown, + And Naxos, and Myconos’ rock, and Tenos with Andros hard by, + And isles that in midmost Aegean, aloof from the continent, lie— + And Lemnos and Icaros’ hold—all these to his sceptre were bowed, + And Cnidos and neighbouring Rhodes, and Soli, and Paphos the proud, + And Cyprian Salamis, name-child of her who hath wrought us this + wrong! + Yea, and all the Ionian tract, where the Greek-born inhabitants + throng, + And the cities are teeming with gold—Darius was lord of them all, + And, great by his wisdom, he ruled, and ever there came to his call, + In stalwart array and unfailing, the warrior chiefs of our land, + And mingled allies from the tribes who bowed to his conquering hand! + But now there are none to gainsay that the gods are against us; we + lie + Subdued in the havoc of wreck, and whelmed by the wrath of the sky! + + Enter XERXES in disarray. + +XERXES. + Alas the day, that I should fall + Into this grimmest fate of all, + This ruin doubly unforeseen! + On Persia’s land what power of Fate + Descends, what louring gloom of hate? + How shall I bear my teen? + My limbs are loosened where they stand, + When I behold this aged band— + Oh God! I would that I too, I, + Among the men who went to die, + Were whelmed in earth by Fate’s command! + +CHORUS. + Ah welladay, my King! ah woe + For all our heroes’ overthrow— + For all the gallant host’s array, + For Persia’s honour, pass’d away, + For glory and heroic sway + Mown down by Fortune’s hand to-day! + Hark, how the kingdom makes its moan, + For youthful valour lost and gone, + By Xerxes shattered and undone! + He, he hath crammed the maw of hell + With bowmen brave, who nobly fell, + Their country’s mighty armament, + Ten thousand heroes deathward sent! + Alas, for all the valiant band, + O king and lord! thine Asian land + Down, down upon its knee is bent! + +XERXES. + Alas, a lamentable sound, + A cry of ruth! for I am found + A curse to land and lineage, + With none my sorrow to assuage! + +CHORUS. + Alas, a death-song desolate + I send forth, for thy home-coming! + A scream, a dirge for woe and fate, + Such as the Asian mourners sing, + A sorry and ill-omened tale + Of tears and shrieks and Eastern wail! + +XERXES. + Ay, launch the woeful sorrow’s cry, + The harsh, discordant melody, + For lo, the power, we held for sure, + Hath turned to my discomfiture! + +CHORUS. + Yea, dirges, dirges manifold + Will I send forth, for warriors bold, + For the sea-sorrow of our host! + The city mourns, and I must wail + With plashing tears our sorrow’s tale, + Lamenting for the loved and lost! + +XERXES. + Alas, the god of war, who sways + The scales of fight in diverse ways, + Gives glory to Ionia! + Ionian ships, in fenced array, + Have reaped their harvest in the bay, + A darkling harvest-field of Fate, + A sea, a shore, of doom and hate! + +CHORUS. + Cry out, and learn the tale of woe! + Where are thy comrades? where the band + Who stood beside thee, hand in hand, + A little while ago? + Where now hath Pharandákes gone, + Where Psammis, and where Pelagon? + Where now is brave Agdabatas, + And Susas too, and Datamas? + Hath Susiscanes past away, + The chieftain of Ecbatana? + +XERXES. + I left them, mangled castaways, + Flung from their Tyrian deck, and tossed + On Salaminian water-ways, + From surging tides to rocky coast! + +CHORUS. + Alack, and is Pharnuchus slain, + And Ariomardus, brave in vain? + Where is Seualces’ heart of fire? + Lilaeus, child of noble sire? + Are Tharubis and Memphis sped? + Hystaechmas, Artembáres dead? + And where is brave Masistes, where? + Sum up death’s count, that I may hear! + +XERXES. + Alas, alas, they came, their eyes surveyed + Ancestral Athens on that fatal day. + Then with a rending struggle were they laid + Upon the land, and gasped their life away! + +CHORUS. + And Batanochus’ child, Alpistus great, + Surnamed the Eye of State— + Saw you and left you him who once of old + Ten thousand thousand fighting-men enrolled? + His sire was child of Sesamas, and he + From Megabates sprang. Ah, woe is me, + Thou king of evil fate! + Hast thou lost Parthus, lost Oebares great? + Alas, the sorrow! blow succeedeth blow + On Persia’s pride; thou tellest woe on woe! + +XERXES. + Bitter indeed the pang for comrades slain, + The brave and bold! thou strikest to my soul + Pain, pain beyond forgetting, hateful pain. + My inner spirit sobs and sighs with dole! + +CHORUS. + Another yet we yearn to see, + And see not! ah, thy chivalry, + Xanthis, thou chief of Mardian men + Countless! and thou, Anchares bright, + And ye, whose cars controlled the fight, + Arsaces and Diaixis wight, + Kegdadatas, Lythimnas dear, + And Tolmus, greedy of the spear! + I stand bereft! not in thy train + Come they, as erst! ah, ne’er again + Shall they return unto our eyes, + Car-borne, ’neath silken canopies! + +XERXES. + Yea, gone are they who mustered once the host! + +CHORUS. + Yea, yea, forgotten, lost! + +XERXES. + Alas, the woe and cost! + +CHORUS. + Alas, ye heavenly powers! + Ye wrought a sorrow past belief, + A woe, of woes the chief! + With aspect stern, upon us Ate looms! + +XERXES. + Smitten are we—time tells no heavier blow! + +CHORUS. + Smitten! the doom is plain! + +XERXES. + Curse upon curse and pang on pang we know! + +CHORUS. + With the Ionian power + We clashed, in evil hour! + Woe falls on Persia’s race, yea, woe again, again! + +XERXES. + Yea, smitten am I, and my host is all to ruin hurled! + +CHORUS. + Yea verily—in mighty wreck hath sunk the Persian world! + +XERXES. + (_holding up a torn robe and a quiver_) + See you this tattered rag of pride? + +CHORUS. + I see it, welladay! + +XERXES. + See you this quiver? + +CHORUS. + Say, hath aught survived and ’scaped the fray? + +XERXES. + A store for darts it was, erewhile! + +CHORUS. + Remain but two or three! + +XERXES. + No aid is left! + +CHORUS. + Ionian folk such darts, unfearing, see! + +XERXES. + Right resolute they are! I saw disaster unforeseen. + +CHORUS. + Ah, speakest thou of wreck, of flight, of carnage that hath been? + +XERXES. + Yea, and my royal robe I rent, in terror at their fall! + +CHORUS. + Alas, alas! + +XERXES. + Yea, thrice alas! + +CHORUS. + For all have perished, all! + +XERXES. + Ah woe to us, ah joy to them who stood against our pride! + +CHORUS. + And all our strength is minishèd and sundered from our side! + +XERXES. + No escort have I! + +CHORUS. + Nay, thy friends are whelmed beneath the tide! + +XERXES. + Wail, wail the miserable doom, and to the palace hie! + +CHORUS. + Alas, alas, and woe again! + +XERXES. + Shriek, smite the breast, as I! + +CHORUS. + An evil gift, a sad exchange, of tears poured out in vain! + +XERXES. + Shrill out your simultaneous wail! + +CHORUS. + Alas the woe and pain! + +XERXES. + O, bitter is this adverse fate! + +CHORUS. + I voice the moan with thee! + +XERXES. + Smite, smite thy bosom, groan aloud for my calamity! + +CHORUS. + I mourn and am dissolved in tears! + +XERXES. + Cry, beat thy breast amain! + +CHORUS. + O king, my heart is in thy woe! + +XERXES. + Shriek, wail, and shriek again! + +CHORUS. + O agony! + +XERXES. + A blackening blow— + +CHORUS. + A grievous stripe shall fall! + +XERXES. + Yea, beat anew thy breast, ring out the doleful Mysian call! + +CHORUS. + An agony, an agony! + +XERXES. + Pluck out thy whitening beard! + +CHORUS. + By handfuls, ay, by handfuls, with dismal tear-drops smeared! + +XERXES. + Sob out thine aching sorrow! + +CHORUS. + I will thine best obey. + +XERXES. + With thine hands rend thy mantle’s fold— + +CHORUS. + Alas, woe worth the day! + +XERXES. + With thine own fingers tear thy locks, bewail the army’s weird! + +CHORUS. + By handfuls, yea, by handfuls, with tears of dole besmeared! + +XERXES. + Now let thine eyes find overflow— + +CHORUS. + I wend in wail and pain! + +XERXES. + Cry out for me an answering moan— + +CHORUS. + Alas, alas again! + +XERXES. + Shriek with a cry of agony, and lead the doleful train! + +CHORUS. + Alas, alas, the Persian land is woeful now to tread! + +XERXES. + Cry out and mourn! the city now doth wail above the dead! + +CHORUS. + I sob and moan! + +XERXES. + I bid ye now be delicate in grief! + +CHORUS. + Alas, the Persian land is sad and knoweth not relief! + +XERXES. + Alas, the triple banks of oars and those who died thereby! + +CHORUS. + Pass! I will lead you, bring you home, with many a broken sigh! + + [_Exeunt._] + + + + +THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES + +ARGUMENT + + +Laius, king of the Cadmeans, was warned by the oracle of Delphi that he +should not beget a child. But he disobeyed this command, and when a son +was born to him, he cast the child away, that he might perish on +Cithaeron. But a herdsman found the babe yet alive, and he was +nourished in Corinth and grew to manhood, not knowing his true +parentage, and was named Oedipus; and he slew, unknowingly, his father, +Laius, and afterwards saved the town of the Cadmeans from a devouring +monster, and married the widowed queen, Iocaste, and begat sons and +daughters. But when he learned what he had wrought unwittingly, he fell +into despair, and the queen slew herself. But before Oedipus died, he +laid a curse upon his male children, Eteocles and Polynices, that they +should make even division of the kingdom by the sword; and it fell out +even so, for the two brothers strove together for the inheritance, and +Polynices brought an army, from Argos, against Eteocles; and the +brothers fought, and fell each by the other’s hand, and the curse was +fulfilled. + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + +ETEOCLES. +A SPY. +CHORUS OF CADMEAN MAIDENS. +ANTIGONE. +ISMENE. +A HERALD. + + + + +ETEOCLES. + Clansmen of Cadmus, at the signal given + By time and season must the ruler speak + Who sets the course and steers the ship of State + With hand upon the tiller, and with eye + Watchful against the treachery of sleep. + For if all go aright, _thank Heaven_, men say, + But if adversely—which may God forefend!— + One name on many lips, from street to street, + Would bear the bruit and rumour of the time, + _Down with Eteocles!_—a clamorous curse, + A dirge of ruin. May averting Zeus + Make good his title here, in Cadmus’ hold! + You it beseems now boys unripened yet + To lusty manhood, men gone past the prime + And increase of the full begetting seed, + And those whom youth and manhood well combined + Array for action—all to rise in aid + Of city, shrines, and altars of all powers + Who guard our land; that ne’er, to end of time, + Be blotted out the sacred service due + To our sweet mother-land and to her brood. + For she it was who to their guest-right called + Your waxing youth, was patient of the toil, + And cherished you on the land’s gracious lap, + Alike to plant the hearth and bear the shield + In loyal service, for an hour like this. + Mark now! until to-day, luck rules our scale; + For we, though long beleaguered, in the main + Have with our sallies struck the foemen hard. + But now the seer, the feeder of the birds, + (Whose art unerring and prophetic skill + Of ear and mind divines their utterance + Without the lore of fire interpreted) + Foretelleth, by the mastery of his art, + That now an onset of Achaea’s host + Is by a council of the night designed + To fall in double strength upon our walls. + Up and away, then, to the battlements, + The gates, the bulwarks! don your panoplies, + Array you at the breast-work, take your stand + On floorings of the towers, and with good heart + Stand firm for sudden sallies at the gates, + Nor hold too heinous a respect for hordes + Sent on you from afar: some god will guard! + I too, for shrewd espial of their camp, + Have sent forth scouts, and confidence is mine + They will not fail nor tremble at their task, + And, with their news, I fear no foeman’s guile. + + Enter a SPY. + +THE SPY. + Eteocles, high king of Cadmus’ folk, + I stand here with news certified and sure + From Argos’ camp, things by myself descried. + Seven warriors yonder, doughty chiefs of might, + Into the crimsoned concave of a shield + Have shed a bull’s blood, and, with hands immersed + Into the gore of sacrifice, have sworn + By Ares, lord of fight, and by thy name, + Blood-lapping Terror, _Let our oath be heard— + Either to raze the walls, make void the hold + Of Cadmus—strive his children as they may— + Or, dying here, to make the foemen’s land + With blood impasted_. Then, as memory’s gift + Unto their parents at the far-off home, + Chaplets they hung upon Adrastus’ car, + With eyes tear-dropping, but no word of moan. + For their steeled spirit glowed with high resolve, + As lions pant, with battle in their eyes. + For them, no weak alarm delays the clear + Issues of death or life! I parted thence + Even as they cast the lots, how each should lead, + Against which gate, his serried company. + Rank then thy bravest, with what speed thou may’st, + Hard by the gates, to dash on them, for now, + Full-armed, the onward ranks of Argos come! + The dust whirls up, and from their panting steeds + White foamy flakes like snow bedew the plain. + Thou therefore, chieftain! like a steersman skilled, + Enshield the city’s bulwarks, ere the blast + Of war comes darting on them! hark, the roar + Of the great landstorm with its waves of men! + Take Fortune by the forelock! for the rest, + By yonder dawn-light will I scan the field + Clear and aright, and surety of my word + Shall keep thee scatheless of the coming storm. + +ETEOCLES. + O Zeus and Earth and city-guarding gods, + And thou, my father’s Curse, of baneful might, + Spare ye at least this town, nor root it up, + By violence of the foemen, stock and stem! + For here, from home and hearth, rings Hellas’ tongue. + Forbid that e’er the yoke of slavery + Should bow this land of freedom, Cadmus’ hold! + Be ye her help! your cause I plead with mine— + A city saved doth honour to her gods! + + [_Exit ETEOCLES, etc._] + + Enter the CHORUS OF MAIDENS. + +CHORUS. +I wail in the stress of my terror, and shrill is my cry of despair. +The foemen roll forth from their camp as a billow, and onward they +bear! +Their horsemen are swift in the forefront, the dust rises up to the +sky, +A signal, though speechless, of doom, a herald more clear than a cry! +Hoof-trampled, the land of my love bears onward the din to mine ears. +As a torrent descending a mountain, it thunders and echoes and nears! +The doom is unloosened and cometh! O kings and O queens of high Heaven, +Prevail that it fall not upon us: the sign for their onset is given— +They stream to the walls from without, white-shielded and keen for the +fray. +They storm to the citadel gates— what god or what goddess can stay +The rush of their feet? to what shrine shall I bow me in terror and +pray? +O gods high-throned in bliss, we must crouch at the shrines in your +home! +Not here must we tarry and wail: shield clashes on shield as they come— +And now, even now is the hour for the robes and the chaplets of prayer! +Mine eyes feel the flash of the sword, the clang is instinct with the +spear! +Is thy hand set against us, O Ares, in ruin and wrath to o’erwhelm +Thine own immemorial land, O god of the golden helm? +Look down upon us, we beseech thee, on the land that thou lovest of +old, +And ye, O protecting gods, in pity your people behold! +Yea, save us, the maidenly troop, from the doom and despair of the +slave, +For the crests of the foemen come onward, their rush is the rush of a +wave +Rolled on by the war-god’s breath! almighty one, hear us and save +From the grasp of the Argives’ might! to the ramparts of Cadmus they +crowd, +And, clenched in the teeth of the steeds, the bits clink horror aloud! +And seven high chieftains of war, with spear and with panoply bold, +Are set, by the law of the lot, to storm the seven gates of our hold! +Be near and befriend us, O Pallas, the Zeus-born maiden of might! +O lord of the steed and the sea, be thy trident uplifted to smite +In eager desire of the fray, Poseidon! and Ares come down, +In fatherly presence revealed, to rescue Harmonia’s town! +Thine too, Aphrodite, we are! thou art mother and queen of our race, +To thee we cry out in our need, from thee let thy children have grace! +Ye too, to scare back the foe, be your cry as a wolf’s howl wild, +Thou, O the wolf-lord, and thou, of she-wolf Leto the child! +Woe and alack for the sound, for the rattle of cars to the wall, +And the creak of the grinding axles! O Hera, to thee is our call! +Artemis, maiden beloved! the air is distraught with the spears, +And whither doth destiny drive us, and where is the goal of our fears? +The blast of the terrible stones on the ridge of our wall is not +stayed, +At the gates is the brazen clash of the bucklers—Apollo to aid! +Thou too, O daughter of Zeus, who guidest the wavering fray +To the holy decision of fate, Athena! be with us to-day! +Come down to the sevenfold gates and harry the foemen away! +O gods and O sisters of gods, our bulwark and guard! we beseech +That ye give not our war-worn hold to a rabble of alien speech! +List to the call of the maidens, the hands held up for the right, +Be near us, protect us, and show that the city is dear in your sight! +Have heed for her sacrifice holy, and thought of her offerings take, +Forget not her love and her worship, be near her and smite for her +sake! + + Re-enter ETEOCLES. + +ETEOCLES + Hark to my question, things detestable! + Is this aright and for the city’s weal, + And helpful to our army thus beset, + That ye before the statues of our gods + Should fling yourselves, and scream and shriek your fears? + Immodest, uncontrolled! Be this my lot— + Never in troublous nor in peaceful days + To dwell with aught that wears a female form! + Where womankind has power, no man can house, + Where womankind feeds panic, ruin rules + Alike in house and city! Look you now— + Your flying feet, and rumour of your fears, + Have spread a soulless panic on our walls, + And they without do go from strength to strength, + And we within make breach upon ourselves! + Such fate it brings, to house with womankind. + Therefore if any shall resist my rule— + Or man, or woman, or some sexless thing— + The vote of sentence shall decide their doom, + And stones of execution, past escape, + Shall finish all. Let not a woman’s voice + Be loud in council! for the things without, + A man must care; let women keep within— + Even then is mischief all too probable! + Hear ye? or speak I to unheeding ears? + +CHORUS. + Ah, but I shudder, child of Oedipus! + I heard the clash and clang! + The axles rolled and rumbled; woe to us + Fire-welded bridles rang! + +ETEOCLES. + Say—when a ship is strained and deep in brine, + Did e’er a seaman mend his chance, who left + The helm, t’invoke the image at the prow? + +CHORUS. + Ah, but I fled to the shrines, I called to our helpers on high, + When the stone-shower roared at the portals! + I sped to the temples aloft, and loud was my call and my cry, + _Look down and deliver. Immortals!_ + +ETEOCLES. + Ay, pray amain that stone may vanquish steel! + Were not that grace of gods? ay, ay—methinks, + When cities fall, the gods go forth from them! + +CHORUS. + Ah, let me die, or ever I behold + The gods go forth, in conflagration dire! + The foemen’s rush and raid, and all our hold + Wrapt in the burning fire! + +ETEOCLES. + Cry not: on Heaven, in impotent debate! + What saith the saw?—_Good saving Strength, in verity, + Out of Obedience breeds the babe Prosperity_. + +CHORUS. + ’Tis true: yet stronger is the power divine, + And oft, when man’s estate is overbowed + With bitter pangs, disperses from his eyne + The heavy, hanging cloud! + +ETEOCLES. + Let men with sacrifice and augury + Approach the gods, when comes the tug of war; + Maids must be silent and abide within. + +CHORUS. +By grace of the gods we hold it, a city untamed of the spear, +And the battlement wards from the wall the foe and his aspect of fear! +What need of displeasure herein? + +ETEOCLES. + Ay, pay thy vows to Heaven; I grudge them not, + But—so thou strike no fear into our men— + Have calm at heart, nor be too much afraid. + +CHORUS. + Alack, it is fresh in mine ears, the clamour and crash of the fray, + And up to our holiest height I sped on my timorous way, + Bewildered, beset by the din! + +ETEOCLES. + Now, if ye hear the bruit of death or wounds, + Give not yourselves o’ermuch to shriek and scream, + For Ares ravens upon human flesh. + +CHORUS. + Ah, but the snorting of the steeds I hear! + +ETEOCLES. + Then, if thou hearest, hear them not too well! + +CHORUS. + Hark, the earth rumbles, as they close us round! + +ETEOCLES. + Enough if I am here, with plans prepared. + +CHORUS. + Alack, the battering at the gates is loud! + +ETEOCLES. + Peace! stay your tongue, or else the town may hear! + +CHORUS. + O warders of the walls, betray them not! + +ETEOCLES. + Bestrew your cries! in silence face your fate. + +CHORUS. + Gods of our city, see me not enslaved! + +ETEOCLES. + On me, on all, thy cries bring slavery. + +CHORUS. + Zeus, strong to smite, turn upon foes thy blow! + +ETEOCLES. + Zeus, what a curse are women, wrought by thee! + +CHORUS. + Weak wretches, even as men, when cities fall. + +ETEOCLES. + What! clasping gods, yet voicing thy despair? + +CHORUS. + In the sick heart, fear machete prey of speech. + +ETEOCLES. + Light is the thing I ask thee—do my will! + +CHORUS. + Ask swiftly: swiftly shall I know my power. + +ETEOCLES. + Silence, weak wretch! nor put thy friends in fear. + +CHORUS. + I speak no more: the general fate be mine! + +ETEOCLES. + I take that word as wiser than the rest. + Nay, more: these images possess thy will— + Pray, in their strength, that Heaven be on our side! + Then hear my prayers withal, and then ring out + The female triumph-note, thy privilege— + Yea, utter forth the usage Hellas knows, + The cry beside the altars, sounding clear + Encouragement to friends, alarm to foes. + But I unto all gods that guard our walls, + Lords of the plain or warders of the mart + And to Isthmus’ stream and Dirge’s rills, + I swear, if Fortune smiles and saves our town, + That we will make our altars reek with blood + Of sheep and kine, shed forth unto the gods, + And with victorious tokens front our fannies— + Corsets and cases that once our foemen wore, + Spear-shattered now—to deck these holy homes! + Be such thy vows to Heaven—away with sighs, + Away with outcry vain and barbarous, + That shall avail not, in a general doom! + But I will back, and, with six chosen men + Myself the seventh, to confront the foe + In this great aspect of a poisèd war, + Return and plant them at the sevenfold gates, + Or e’er the prompt and clamorous battle-scouts + Haste to inflame our counsel with the need. + + [_Exit ETEOCLES._] + +CHORUS. + I mark his words, yet, dark and deep, + My heart’s alarm forbiddeth sleep! + Close-clinging cares around my soul + Enkindle fears beyond control, + Presageful of what doom may fall + From the great leaguer of the wall! + So a poor dove is faint with fear + For her weak nestlings, while anew + Glides on the snaky ravisher! + In troop and squadron, hand on hand, + They climb and throng, and hemmed we stand, + While on the warders of our town + The flinty shower comes hurtling down! + + Gods born of Zeus! put forth your might + For Cadmus’ city, realm, and right! + What nobler land shall e’er be yours, + If once ye give to hostile powers + The deep rich soil, and Dirce’s wave, + The nursing stream, Poseidon gave + And Tethys’ children? Up and save! + Cast on the ranks that hem us round + A deadly panic, make them fling + Their arms in terror on the ground, + And die in carnage! thence shall spring + High honour for our clan and king! + Come at our wailing cry, and stand + As thronèd sentries of our land! + +For pity and sorrow it were that this immemorial town +Should sink to be slave of the spear, to dust and to ashes gone down, +By the gods of Achaean worship and arms of Achaean might +Sacked and defiled and dishonoured, its women the prize of the fight— +That, haled by the hair as a steed, their mantles dishevelled and torn, +The maiden and matron alike should pass to the wedlock of scorn! +I hear it arise from the city, the manifold wail of despair— +_Woe, woe for the doom that shall be_—as in grasp of the foeman they +fare! +For a woe and a weeping it is, if the maiden inviolate flower +Is plucked by the foe in his might, not culled in the bridal bower! +Alas for the hate and the horror—how say it?—less hateful by far +Is the doom to be slain by the sword, hewn down in the carnage of war! +For wide, ah! wide is the woe when the foeman has mounted the wall; +There is havoc and terror and flame, and the dark smoke broods over +all, +And wild is the war-god’s breath, as in frenzy of conquest he springs, +And pollutes with the blast of his lips the glory of holiest things! + + Up to the citadel rise clash and din, + The war-net closes in, + The spear is in the heart: with blood imbrued + Young mothers wail aloud, + For children at their breast who scream and die! + And boys and maidens fly, + Yet scape not the pursuer, in his greed + To thrust and grasp and feed! + Robber with robber joins, each calls his mate + Unto the feast of hate— + _The banquet, lo! is spread— + seize, rend, and tear! + No need to choose or share!_ + And all the wealth of earth to waste is poured— + A sight by all abhorred! + The grieving housewives eye it; + heaped and blent, + Earth’s boons are spoiled and spent, + And waste to nothingness; and O alas, + Young maids, forlorn ye pass— + Fresh horror at your hearts—beneath the power + Of those who crop the flower! + Ye own the ruffian ravisher for lord, + And night brings rites abhorred! + Woe, woe for you! upon your grief and pain + There comes a fouler stain. + + Enter on one side THE SPY; on the other ETEOCLES and the SIX + CHAMPIONS. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Look, friends! methinks the scout, who parted hence + To spy upon the foemen, comes with news, + His feet as swift as wafting chariot-wheels. + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Ay, and our king, the son of Oedipus, + Comes prompt to time, to learn the spy’s report— + His heart is fainter than his foot is fast! + +THE SPY. + Well have I scanned the foe, and well can say + Unto which chief, by lot, each gate is given. + Tydeus already with his onset-cry + Storms at the gate called Proetides; but him + The seer Amphiaraus holds at halt, + Nor wills that he should cross Ismenus’ ford, + Until the sacrifices promise fair. + But Tydeus, mad with lust of blood and broil, + Like to a cockatrice at noontide hour, + Hisses out wrath and smites with scourge of tongue + The prophet-son of Oecleus—_Wise thou art, + Faint against war, and holding back from death!_ + With such revilings loud upon his lips + He waves the triple plumes that o’er his helm + Float overshadowing, as a courser’s mane; + And at his shield’s rim, terror in their tone, + Clang and reverberate the brazen bells. + And this proud sign, wrought on his shield, he bears— + The vault of heaven, inlaid with blazing stars; + And, for the boss, the bright moon glows at full, + The eye of night, the first and lordliest star. + Thus with high-vaunted armour, madly bold, + He clamours by the stream-bank, wild for war, + As a steed panting grimly on his bit, + Held in and chafing for the trumpet’s bray! + Whom wilt thou set against him? when the gates + Of Proetus yield, who can his rush repel? + +ETEOCLES. + To me, no blazon on a foeman’s shield + Shall e’er present a fear! such pointed threats + Are powerless to wound; his plumes and bells, + Without a spear, are snakes without a sting. + Nay, more—that pageant of which thou tellest— + The nightly sky displayed, ablaze with stars, + Upon his shield, palters with double sense— + One headstrong fool will find its truth anon! + For, if night fall upon his eyes in death, + Yon vaunting blazon will its own truth prove, + And he is prophet of his folly’s fall. + Mine shall it be, to pit against his power + The loyal son of Astacus, as guard + To hold the gateways—a right valiant soul, + Who has in heed the throne of Modesty + And loathes the speech of Pride, and evermore + Shrinks from the base, but knows no other fear. + He springs by stock from those whom Ares spared, + The men called Sown, a right son of the soil, + And Melanippus styled. Now, what his arm + To-day shall do, rests with the dice of war, + And Ares shall ordain it; but his cause + Hath the true badge of Right, to urge him on + To guard, as son, his motherland from wrong. + +CHORUS. + Then may the gods give fortune fair + Unto our chief, sent forth to dare + War’s terrible arbitrament! + But ah! when champions wend away, + I shudder, lest, from out the fray, + Only their blood-stained wrecks be sent! + +THE SPY. + Nay, let him pass, and the gods’ help be his! + Next, Capaneus comes on, by lot to lead + The onset at the gates Electran styled: + A giant he, more huge than Tydeus’ self, + And more than human in his arrogance— + May fate forefend his threat against our walls! + _God willing, or unwilling_—such his vaunt— + _I will lay waste this city; Pallas’ self, + Zeus’ warrior maid, although she swoop to earth + And plant her in my path, shall stay me not_. + And, for the flashes of the levin-bolt, + He holds them harmless as the noontide rays. + Mark, too, the symbol on his shield—a man + Scornfully weaponless but torch in hand, + And the flame glows within his grasp, prepared + For ravin: lo, the legend, wrought in words, + _Fire for the city bring I_, flares in gold! + Against such wight, send forth—yet whom? what man + Will front that vaunting figure and not fear? + +ETEOCLES. + Aha, this profits also, gain on gain! + In sooth, for mortals, the tongue’s utterance + Bewrays unerringly a foolish pride! + Hither stalks Capaneus, with vaunt and threat + Defying god-like powers, equipt to act, + And, mortal though he be, he strains his tongue + In folly’s ecstasy, and casts aloft + High swelling words against the ears of Zeus. + Right well I trust—if justice grants the word— + That, by the might of Zeus, a bolt of flame + In more than semblance shall descend on him. + Against his vaunts, though reckless, I have set, + To make assurance sure, a warrior stern— + Strong Polyphontes, fervid for the fray; + A sturdy bulwark, he, by grace of Heaven + And favour of his champion Artemis! + Say on, who holdeth the next gate in ward? + +CHORUS. + Perish the wretch whose vaunt affronts our home! + On him the red bolt come, + Ere to the maiden bowers his way he cleave, + To ravage and bereave! + +THE SPY. + I will say on. Eteoclus is third— + To him it fell, what time the third lot sprang + O’er the inverted helmet’s brazen rim, + To dash his stormers on Neistae gate. + He wheels his mares, who at their frontlets chafe + And yearn to charge upon the gates amain. + They snort the breath of pride, and, filled therewith, + Their nozzles whistle with barbaric sound. + High too and haughty is his shield’s device— + An armèd man who climbs, from rung to rung, + A scaling ladder, up a hostile wall, + Afire to sack and slay; and he too cries, + (By letters, full of sound, upon the shield) + _Not Ares’ self shall cast me from the wall_. + Look to it, send, against this man, a man + Strong to debar the slave’s yoke from our town. + +ETEOCLES (_pointing to_ MEGAREUS) + Send will I—even this man, with luck to aid— + By his worth sent already, not by pride + And vain pretence, is he. ’Tis Megareus, + The child of Creon, of the Earth-sprung born! + He will not shrink from guarding of the gates, + Nor fear the maddened charger’s frenzied neigh, + But, if he dies, will nobly quit the score + For nurture to the land that gave him birth, + Or from the shield-side hew two warriors down + Eteoclus and the figure that he lifts— + Ay, and the city pictured, all in one, + And deck with spoils the temple of his sire! + Announce the next pair, stint not of thy tongue! + +CHORUS. + O thou, the warder of my home, + Grant, unto us, Fate’s favouring tide, + Send on the foemen doom! + They fling forth taunts of frenzied pride, + On them may Zeus with glare of vengeance come; + +THE SPY. + Lo, next him stands a fourth and shouts amain, + By Pallas Onca’s portal, and displays + A different challenge; ’tis Hippomedon! + Huge the device that starts up from his targe + In high relief; and, I deny it not, + I shuddered, seeing how, upon the rim, + It made a mighty circle round the shield— + No sorry craftsman he, who wrought that work + And clamped it all around the buckler’s edge! + The form was Typhon: from his glowing throat + Rolled lurid smoke, spark-litten, kin of fire! + The flattened edge-work, circling round the whole, + Made strong support for coiling snakes that grew + Erect above the concave of the shield: + Loud rang the warrior’s voice; inspired for war, + He raves to slay, as doth a Bacchanal, + His very glance a terror! of such wight + Beware the onset! closing on the gates, + He peals his vaunting and appalling cry! + +ETEOCLES. + Yet first our Pallas Onca—wardress she, + Planting her foot hard by her gate—shall stand, + The Maid against the ruffian, and repel + His force, as from her brood the mother-bird + Beats back the wintered serpent’s venom’d fang + And next, by her, is Oenops’ gallant son, + Hyperbius, chosen to confront this foe, + Ready to seek his fate at Fortune’s shrine! + + In form, in valour, and in skill of arms, + None shall gainsay him. See how wisely well + Hermes hath set the brave against the strong! + Confronted shall they stand, the shield of each + Bearing the image of opposing gods: + One holds aloft his Typhon breathing fire, + But, on the other’s shield, in symbol sits + Zeus, calm and strong, and fans his bolt to flame— + Zeus, seen of all, yet seen of none to fail! + Howbeit, weak is trust reposed in Heaven— + Yet are we upon Zeus’ victorious side, + The foe, with those he worsted—if in sooth + Zeus against Typhon held the upper hand, + And if Hyperbius, (as well may hap + When two such foes such diverse emblems bear) + Have Zeus upon his shield, a saving sign. + +CHORUS. + High faith is mine that he whose shield + Bears, against Zeus, the thing of hate. + The giant Typhon, thus revealed, + A monster loathed of gods eterne + And mortal men—this doom shall earn + A shattered skull, before the gate! + +THE SPY. + Heaven send it so! + A fifth assailant now + Is set against our fifth, the northern, gate, + Fronting the death-mound where Amphion lies + The child of Zeus. + + This foeman vows his faith, + Upon a mystic spear-head which he deems + More holy than a godhead and more sure + To find its mark than any glance of eye, + That, will they, nill they, he will storm and sack + The hold of the Cadmeans. Such his oath— + His, the bold warrior, yet of childish years, + A bud of beauty’s foremost flower, the son + Of Zeus and of the mountain maid. I mark + How the soft down is waxing on his cheek, + Thick and close-growing in its tender prime— + In name, not mood, is he a maiden’s child— + Parthenopaeus; large and bright his eyes + But fierce the wrath wherewith he fronts the gate: + Yet not unheralded he takes his stand + Before the portal; on his brazen shield, + The rounded screen and shelter of his form, + I saw him show the ravening Sphinx, the fiend + That shamed our city—how it glared and moved, + Clamped on the buckler, wrought in high relief! + And in its claws did a Cadmean bear— + Nor heretofore, for any single prey, + Sped she aloft, through such a storm of darts + As now awaits her. So our foe is here— + Like, as I deem, to ply no stinted trade + In blood and broil, but traffick as is meet + In fierce exchange for his long wayfaring! + +ETEOCLES. + Ah, may they meet the doom they think to bring— + They and their impious vaunts—from those on high! + So should they sink, hurled down to deepest death! + This foe, at least, by thee Arcadian styled, + Is faced by one who bears no braggart sign, + But his hand sees to smite, where blows avail— + Actor, own brother to Hyperbius! + He will not let a boast without a blow + Stream through our gates and nourish our despair, + Nor give him way who on his hostile shield + Bears the brute image of the loathly Sphinx! + Blocked at the gate, she will rebuke the man + Who strives to thrust her forward, when she feels + Thick crash of blows, up to the city wall. + With Heaven’s goodwill, my forecast shall be true. + +CHORUS. + Home to my heart the vaunting goes, + And, quick with terror, on my head + Rises my hair, at sound of those + Who wildly, impiously rave! + If gods there be, to them I plead— + _Give them to darkness and the grave_. + +THE SPY. + Fronting the sixth gate stands another foe, + Wisest of warriors, bravest among seers— + Such must I name Amphiaraus: he, + Set steadfast at the Homoloid gate, + Berates strong Tydeus with reviling words— + _The man of blood, the bane of state and home, + To Argos, arch-allurer to all ill, + Evoker of the fury-fiend of hell, + Death’s minister, and counsellor of wrong + Unto Adrastus in this fatal field_. + Ay, and with eyes upturned and mien of scorn + He chides thy brother Polynices too + At his desert, and once and yet again + Dwells hard and meaningly upon his name + Where it saith _glory_ yet importeth _feud_. + _Yea, such thou art in act, and such thy grace + In sight of Heaven, and such in aftertime + Thy fame, for lips and ears of mortal men! + “He strove to sack the city of his sires + And temples of her gods, and brought on her + An alien armament of foreign foes. + The fountain of maternal blood outpoured + What power can staunch? even so, thy fatherland + Once by thine ardent malice stormed and ta’en, + Shall ne’er join force with thee.” For me, I know + It doth remain to let my blood enrich + The border of this land that loves me not— + Blood of a prophet, in a foreign grave! + Now, for the battle! I foreknow my doom, + Yet it shall be with honour_. So he spake, + The prophet, holding up his targe of bronze + Wrought without blazon, to the ears of men + Who stood around and heeded not his word. + For on no bruit and rumour of great deeds, + But on their doing, is his spirit set, + And in his heart he reaps a furrow rich, + Wherefrom the foison of good counsel springs. + Against him, send brave heart and hand of might, + For the god-lover is man’s fiercest foe. + +ETEOCLES. + Out on the chance that couples mortal men, + Linking the just and impious in one! + In every issue, the one curse is this— + Companionship with men of evil heart! + A baneful harvest, let none gather it! + The field of sin is rank, and brings forth death + At whiles a righteous man who goes aboard + With reckless mates, a horde of villainy, + Dies by one death with that detested crew; + At whiles the just man, joined with citizens + Ruthless to strangers, recking nought of Heaven, + Trapped, against nature, in one net with them, + Dies by God’s thrust and all-including blow. + So will this prophet die, even Oecleus’ child, + Sage, just, and brave, and loyal towards Heaven, + Potent in prophecy, but mated here + With men of sin, too boastful to be wise! + Long is their road, and they return no more, + And, at their taking-off, by hand of Zeus, + The prophet too shall take the downward way. + He will not—so I deem—assail the gate— + Not as through cowardice or feeble will, + But as one knowing to what end shall be + Their struggle in the battle, if indeed + Fruit of fulfilment lie in Loxias’ word. + He speaketh not, unless to speak avails! + Yet, for more surety, we will post a man, + Strong Lasthenes, as warder of the gate, + Stern to the foeman; he hath age’s skill, + Mated with youthful vigour, and an eye + Forward, alert; swift too his hand, to catch + The fenceless interval ’twixt shield and spear! + Yet man’s good fortune lies in hand of Heaven. + +CHORUS. + Unto our loyal cry, ye gods, give ear! + Save, save the city! turn away the spear, + Send on the foemen fear! + Outside the rampart fall they, rent and riven + Beneath the bolt of heaven! + +THE SPY. + Last, let me name yon seventh antagonist, + Thy brother’s self, at the seventh portal set— + Hear with what wrath he imprecates our doom, + Vowing to mount the wall, though banished hence, + And peal aloud the wild exulting cry— + _The town is ta’en_—then clash his sword with thine, + Giving and taking death in close embrace, + Or, if thou ’scapest, flinging upon thee, + As robber of his honour and his home, + The doom of exile such as he has borne. + So clamours he and so invokes the gods + Who guard his race and home, to hear and heed + The curse that sounds in Polynices’ name! + He bears a round shield, fresh from forge and fire, + And wrought upon it is a twofold sign— + For lo, a woman leads decorously + The figure of a warrior wrought in gold; + And thus the legend runs—_I Justice am, + And I will bring the hero home again, + To hold once more his place within this town, + Once more to pace his sire’s ancestral hall_. + Such are the symbols, by our foemen shown— + Now make thine own decision, whom to send + Against this last opponent! I have said— + Nor canst thou in my tidings find a flaw— + Thine is it, now, to steer the course aright. + +ETEOCLES. + Ah me, the madman, and the curse of Heaven! + And woe for us, the lamentable line + Of Oedipus, and woe that in this house + Our father’s curse must find accomplishment! + But now, a truce to tears and loud lament, + Lest they should breed a still more rueful wail! + As for this Polynices, named too well, + Soon shall we know how his device shall end— + Whether the gold-wrought symbols on his shield, + In their mad vaunting and bewildered pride, + Shall guide him as a victor to his home! + For had but Justice, maiden-child of Zeus, + Stood by his act and thought, it might have been! + Yet never, from the day he reached the light + Out of the darkness of his mother’s womb, + Never in childhood, nor in youthful prime, + Nor when his chin was gathering its beard, + Hath Justice hailed or claimed him as her own. + Therefore I deem not that she standeth now + To aid him in this outrage on his home! + Misnamed, in truth, were Justice, utterly, + If to impiety she lent her hand. + Sure in this faith, I will myself go forth + And match me with him; who hath fairer claim? + Ruler, against one fain to snatch the rule, + Brother with brother matched, and foe with foe, + Will I confront the issue. To the wall! + +CHORUS. + O thou true heart, O child of Oedipus, + Be not, in wrath, too like the man whose name + Murmurs an evil omen! ’Tis enough + That Cadmus’ clan should strive with Argos’ host, + For blood there is that can atone that stain! + But—brother upon brother dealing death— + Not time itself can expiate the sin! + +ETEOCLES. + If man find hurt, yet clasp his honour still, + ’Tis well; the dead have honour, nought beside. + Hurt, with dishonour, wins no word of praise! + +CHORUS. + Ah, what is thy desire? + Let not the lust and ravin of the sword + Bear thee adown the tide accursed, abhorred! + Fling off thy passion’s rage, thy spirit’s prompting dire! + +ETEOCLES. + Nay—since the god is urgent for our doom, + Let Laius’ house, by Phoebus loathed and scorned, + Follow the gale of destiny, and win + Its great inheritance, the gulf of hell! + +CHORUS. + Ruthless thy craving is— + Craving for kindred and forbidden blood + To be outpoured—a sacrifice imbrued + With sin, a bitter fruit of murderous enmities! + +ETEOCLES. + Yea, my own father’s fateful Curse proclaims— + A ghastly presence, and her eyes are dry— + _Strike! honour is the prize, not life prolonged!_ + +CHORUS. + Ah, be not urged of her! for none shall dare + To call thee _coward_, in thy throned estate! + Will not the Fury in her sable pall + Pass outward from these halls, what time the gods + Welcome a votive offering from our hands? + +ETEOCLES. + The gods! long since they hold us in contempt, + Scornful of gifts thus offered by the lost! + Why should we fawn and flinch away from doom? + +CHORUS. + Now, when it stands beside thee! for its power + May, with a changing gust of milder mood, + Temper the blast that bloweth wild and rude + And frenzied, in this hour! + +ETEOCLES. + Ay, kindled by the curse of Oedipus— + All too prophetic, out of dreamland came + The vision, meting out our sire’s estate! + +CHORUS. + Heed women’s voices, though thou love them not! + +ETEOCLES. + Say aught that may avail, but stint thy words. + +CHORUS. + Go not thou forth to guard the seventh gate! + +ETEOCLES. + Words shall not blunt the edge of my resolve. + +CHORUS. + Yet the god loves to let the weak prevail. + +ETEOCLES. + That to a swordsman, is no welcome word! + +CHORUS. + Shall thine own brother’s blood be victory’s palm? + +ETEOCLES. + Ill which the gods have sent thou canst not shun! + + [_Exit ETEOCLES._] + +CHORUS. +I shudder in dread of the power, abhorred by the gods of high heaven, +The ruinous curse of the home till roof-tree and rafter be riven! +Too true are the visions of ill, too true the fulfilment they bring +To the curse that was spoken of old by the frenzy and wrath of the +king! +Her will is the doom of the children, and Discord is kindled amain, +And strange is the Lord of Division, who cleaveth the birthright in +twain,— +The edged thing, born of the north, the steel that is ruthless and +keen, +Dividing in bitter division the lot of the children of teen! +Not the wide lowland around, the realm of their sire, shall they have, +Yet enough for the dead to inherit, the pitiful space of a grave! + + Ah, but when kin meets kin, when sire and child, + Unknowing, are defiled + By shedding common blood, and when the pit + Of death devoureth it, + Drinking the clotted stain, the gory dye— + Who, who can purify? + Who cleanse pollution, where the ancient bane + Rises and reeks again? + Whilome in olden days the sin was wrought, + And swift requital brought— + Yea on the children of the child came still + New heritage of ill! + For thrice Apollo spoke this word divine, + From Delphi’s central shrine, + To Laius—_Die thou childless!_ thus alone + Can the land’s weal be won! + But vainly with his wife’s desire he strove, + And gave himself to love, + Begetting Oedipus, by whom he died, + The fateful parricide! + The sacred seed-plot, his own mother’s womb, + He sowed, his house’s doom, + A root of blood! by frenzy lured, they came + Unto their wedded shame. + And now the waxing surge, the wave of fate, + Rolls on them, triply great— + One billow sinks, the next towers, high and dark, + Above our city’s bark— + Only the narrow barrier of the wall + Totters, as soon to fall; + And, if our chieftains in the storm go down, + What chance can save the town? + Curses, inherited from long ago, + Bring heavy freight of woe: + Rich stores of merchandise o’erload the deck, + Near, nearer comes the wreck— + And all is lost, cast out upon the wave, + Floating, with none to save! + + Whom did the gods, whom did the chief of men, + Whom did each citizen + In crowded concourse, in such honour hold, + As Oedipus of old, + When the grim fiend, that fed on human prey, + He took from us away? + +But when, in the fulness of days, he knew of his bridal unblest, +A twofold horror he wrought, in the frenzied despair of his breast— +Debarred from the grace of the banquet, the service of goblets of gold, +He flung on his children a curse for the splendour they dared to +withhold, +A curse prophetic and bitter—_The glory of wealth and of pride, +With iron, not gold, in your hands, ye shall come, at the last, to +divide!_ +Behold, how a shudder runs through me, lest now, in the fulness of +time, +The house-fiend awake and return, to mete out the measure of crime! + + Enter THE SPY. + +THE SPY. + Take heart, ye daughters whom your mothers’ milk + Made milky-hearted! lo, our city stands, + Saved from the yoke of servitude: the vaunts + Of overweening men are silent now, + And the State sails beneath a sky serene, + Nor in the manifold and battering waves + Hath shipped a single surge, and solid stands + The rampart, and the gates are made secure, + Each with a single champion’s trusty guard. + So in the main and at six gates we hold + A victory assured; but, at the seventh, + The god that on the seventh day was born, + Royal Apollo, hath ta’en up his rest + To wreak upon the sons of Oedipus + Their grandsire’s wilfulness of long ago. + +CHORUS. + What further woefulness besets our home? + +THE SPY. + The home stands safe—but ah, the princes twain— + +CHORUS. + Who? what of them? I am distraught with fear. + +THE SPY. + Hear now, and mark! the sons of Oedipus— + +CHORUS. + Ah, my prophetic soul! I feel their doom. + +THE SPY. + Have done with questions!—with their lives crushed out— + +CHORUS. + Lie they out yonder? the full horror speak! + Did hands meet hands more close than brotherly? + Came fate on each, and in the selfsame hour? + +THE SPY. + Yea, blotting out the lineage ill-starred! + Now mix your exultation and your tears, + Over a city saved, the while its lords, + Twin leaders of the fight, have parcelled out + With forged arbitrament of Scythian steel + The full division of their fatherland, + And, as their father’s imprecation bade, + Shall have their due of land, a twofold grave. + So is the city saved; the earth has drunk + Blood of twin princes, by each other slain. + +CHORUS. + O mighty Zeus and guardian powers, + The strength and stay of Cadmus’ towers! + Shall I send forth a joyous cry, + _Hail to the lord of weal renewed?_ + Or weep the misbegotten twain, + Born to a fatal destiny? + Each numbered now among the slain, + Each dying in ill fortitude, + Each _truly named_, each _child of feud?_ + + O dark and all-prevailing ill, + That broods o’er Oedipus and all his line, + Numbing my heart with mortal chill! + Ah me, this song of mine, + Which, Thyad-like, I woke, now falleth still, + Or only tells of doom, + And echoes round a tomb! + + Dead are they, dead! in their own blood they lie— + Ill-omened the concent that hails our victory! + The curse a father on his children spake + Hath faltered not, nor failed! + Nought, Laius! thy stubborn choice availed— + First to beget, then, in the after day + And for the city’s sake, + The child to slay! + For nought can blunt nor mar + The speech oracular! + Children of teen! by disbelief ye erred— + Yet in wild weeping came fulfilment of the word! + + ANTIGONE and ISMENE approach with a train of mourners, bearing the + bodies of ETEOCLES and POLYNICES. + + Look up, look forth! the doom is plain, + Nor spake the messenger in vain! + A twofold sorrow, twofold strife— + Each brave against a brother’s life! + In double doom hath sorrow come— + How shall I speak it?—on the home! + + Alas, my sisters! be your sighs the gale, + The smiting of your brows the plash of oars, + Wafting the boat, to Acheron’s dim shores + That passeth ever, with its darkened sail, + On its uncharted voyage and sunless way, + Far from thy beams, Apollo, god of day— + The melancholy bark + Bound for the common bourn, the harbour of the dark! + Look up, look yonder! from the home + Antigone, Ismene come, + On the last, saddest errand bound, + To chant a dirge of doleful sound, + With agony of equal pain + Above their brethren slain! + Their sister-bosoms surely swell, + Heart with rent heart according well + In grief for those who fought and fell! + Yet—ere they utter forth their woe— + We must awake the rueful strain + To vengeful powers, in realms below, + And mourn hell’s triumph o’er the slain! + + Alas! of all, the breast who bind,— + Yea, all the race of womankind— + O maidens, ye are most bereaved! + For you, for you the tear-drops start— + Deem that in truth, and undeceived, + Ye hear the sorrows of my heart! + (_To the dead_.) + Children of bitterness, and sternly brave— + One, proud of heart against persuasion’s voice, + One, against exile proof! ye win your choice— + Each in your fatherland, a separate grave! + + Alack, on house and heritage + They brought a baneful doom, and death for wage! + One strove through tottering walls to force his way, + One claimed, in bitter arrogance, the sway, + And both alike, even now and here, + Have closed their suit, with steel for arbiter! + And lo, the Fury-fiend of Oedipus, their sire, + Hath brought his curse to consummation dire! + Each in the left side smitten, see them laid— + The children of one womb, + Slain by a mutual doom! + Alas, their fate! the combat murderous, + The horror of the house, + The curse of ancient bloodshed, now repaid! + Yea, deep and to the heart the deathblow fell, + Edged by their feud ineffable— + By the grim curse, their sire did imprecate— + Discord and deadly hate! + Hark, how the city and its towers make moan— + How the land mourns that held them for its own! + Fierce greed and fell division did they blend, + Till death made end! + They strove to part the heritage in twain, + Giving to each a gain— + Yet that which struck the balance in the strife, + The arbitrating sword, + By those who loved the twain is held abhorred— + Loathed is the god of death, who sundered each from life! + Here, by the stroke of steel, behold! they lie— + And rightly may we cry + _Beside their fathers, let them here be laid— + Iron gave their doom, with iron their graves be made— + Alack, the slaying sword, alack, th’ entombing spade!_ + + Alas, a piercing shriek, a rending groan, + A cry unfeigned of sorrow felt at heart! + With shuddering of grief, with tears that start, + With wailful escort, let them hither come— + For one or other make divided moan! + No light lament of pity mixed with gladness, + But with true tears, poured from the soul of sadness, + Over the princes dead and their bereavèd home + + Say we, above these brethren dead, + _On citizen, on foreign foe, + Brave was their rush, and stern their blow— + Now, lowly are they laid!_ + Beyond all women upon earth + Woe, woe for her who gave them birth! + Unknowingly, her son she wed— + The children of that marriage-bed, + Each in the self-same womb, were bred— + Each by a brother’s hand lies dead! + + Yea, from one seed they sprang, and by one fate + Their heritage is desolate, + The heart’s division sundered claim from claim, + And, from their feud, death came! + Now is their hate allayed, + Now is their life-stream shed, + Ensanguining the earth with crimson dye— + Lo, from one blood they sprang, and in one blood they lie! + A grievous arbiter was given the twain— + The stranger from the northern main, + The sharp, dividing sword, + Fresh from the forge and fire + The War-god treacherous gave ill award + And brought their father’s curse to a fulfilment dire! + They have their portion—each his lot and doom, + Given from the gods on high! + Yea, the piled wealth of fatherland, for tomb, + Shall underneath them lie! + Alas, alas! with flowers of fame and pride + Your home ye glorified; + But, in the end, the Furies gathered round + With chants of boding sound, + + Shrieking, _In wild defeat and disarray, + Behold, ye pass away!_ + The sign of Ruin standeth at the gate, + There, where they strove with Fate— + And the ill power beheld the brothers’ fall, + And triumphed over all! + +ANTIGONE, ISMENE, _and_ CHORUS +(_Processional Chant_) + Thou wert smitten, in smiting, + Thou didst slay, and wert slain— + By the spear of each other + Ye lie on the plain, + And ruthless the deed that ye wrought was, and ruthless the death of + the twain! + + Take voice, O my sorrow! + Flow tear upon tear— + Lay the slain by the slayer, + Made one on the bier! + Our soul in distraction is lost, and we mourn o’er the prey of the + spear! + + Ah, woe for your ending, + Unbrotherly wrought! + And woe for the issue, + The fray that ye fought, + The doom of a mutual slaughter whereby to the grave ye are brought! + + Ah, twofold the sorrow— + The heard and the seen! + And double the tide + Of our tears and our teen, + As we stand by our brothers in death and wail for the love that has + been! + + O grievous the fate + That attends upon wrong! + Stern ghost of our sire, + Thy vengeance is long! + Dark Fury of hell and of death, the hands of thy kingdom are strong! + + O dark were the sorrows + That exile hath known! + He slew, but returned not + Alive to his own! + He struck down a brother, but fell, in the moment of triumph hewn + down! + + O lineage accurst, + O doom and despair! + Alas, for their quarrel, + The brothers that were! + And woe! for their pitiful end, who once were our love and our care! + + O grievous the fate + That attends upon wrong! + Stern ghost of our sire, + Thy vengeance is long! + Dark Fury of hell and of death, the hands of thy kingdom are + strong! + + By proof have ye learnt it! + At once and as one, + O brothers beloved, + To death ye were done! + Ye came to the strife of the sword, and behold! ye are both + overthrown! + + O grievous the tale is, + And grievous their fall, + To the house, to the land, + And to me above all! + Ah God! for the curse that hath come, the sin and the ruin withal! + + O children distraught, + Who in madness have died! + Shall ye rest with old kings + In the place of their pride? + Alas for the wrath of your sire if he findeth you laid by his side! + + Enter a HERALD. + +HERALD. + I bear command to tell to one and all + What hath approved itself and now is law, + Ruled by the counsellors of Cadmus’ town. + For this Eteocles, it is resolved + To lay him on his earth-bed, in this soil, + Not without care and kindly sepulture. + For why? he hated those who hated us, + And, with all duties blamelessly performed + Unto the sacred ritual of his sires, + He met such end as gains our city’s grace,— + With auspices that do ennoble death. + Such words I have in charge to speak of him: + But of his brother Polynices, this— + Be he cast out unburied, for the dogs + To rend and tear: for he presumed to waste + The land of the Cadmeans, had not Heaven— + Some god of those who aid our fatherland— + Opposed his onset, by his brother’s spear, + To whom, tho’ dead, shall consecration come! + Against him stood this wretch, and brought a horde + Of foreign foemen, to beset our town. + He therefore shall receive his recompense, + Buried ignobly in the maw of kites— + No women-wailers to escort his corpse + Nor pile his tomb nor shrill his dirge anew— + Unhouselled, unattended, cast away! + So, for these brothers, doth our State ordain. + +ANTIGONE. + And I—to those who make such claims of rule + In Cadmus’ town—I, though no other help, + (_Pointing to the body of_ POLYNICES) + I, I will bury this my brother’s corse + And risk your wrath and what may come of it! + It shames me not to face the State, and set + Will against power, rebellion resolute: + Deep in my heart is set my sisterhood, + My common birthright with my brothers, born + All of one womb, her children who, for woe, + Brought forth sad offspring to a sire ill-starred. + Therefore, my soul! take thou thy willing share, + In aid of him who now can will no more, + Against this outrage: be a sister true, + While yet thou livest, to a brother dead! + Him never shall the wolves with ravening maw + Rend and devour: I do forbid the thought! + I for him, I—albeit a woman weak— + In place of burial-pit, will give him rest + By this protecting handful of light dust + Which, in the lap of this poor linen robe, + I bear to hallow and bestrew his corpse + With the due covering. Let none gainsay! + Courage and craft shall arm me, this to do. + +HERALD. + I charge thee, not to flout the city’s law! + +ANTIGONE. + I charge thee, use no useless heralding! + +HERALD. + Stern is a people newly ’scaped from death. + +ANTIGONE. + Whet thou their sternness! Burial he shall have. + +HERALD. + How? Grace of burial, to the city’s foe? + +ANTIGONE. + God hath not judged him separate in guilt. + +HERALD. + True—till he put this land in jeopardy. + +ANTIGONE. + His rights usurped, he answered wrong with wrong. + +HERALD. + Nay—but for one man’s sin he smote the State. + +ANTIGONE. + Contention doth out-talk all other gods! Prate thou no more—I will to + bury him. + +HERALD. + Will, an thou wilt! but I forbid the deed. + + [_Exit the HERALD._] + +CHORUS. + Exulting Fates, who waste the line + And whelm the house of Oedipus! + Fiends, who have slain, in wrath condign, + The father and the children thus! + What now befits it that I do, + What meditate, what undergo? + Can I the funeral rite refrain, + Nor weep for Polynices slain? + But yet, with fear I shrink and thrill, + Presageful of the city’s will! + Thou, O Eteocles, shalt have + Full rites, and mourners at thy grave, + But he, thy brother slain, shall he, + With none to weep or cry _Alas_, + To unbefriended burial pass? + Only one sister o’er his bier, + To raise the cry and pour the tear— + Who can obey such stern decree? + +SEMI-CHORUS. + Let those who hold our city’s sway + Wreak, or forbear to wreak, their will + On those who cry, _Ah, well-a-day!_ + Lamenting Polynices still! + We will go forth and, side by side + With her, due burial will provide! + Royal he was; to him be paid + Our grief, wherever he be laid! + The crowd may sway, and change, and still + Take its caprice for Justice’ will! + But we this dead Eteocles, + As Justice wills and Right decrees, + Will bear unto his grave! + For—under those enthroned on high + And Zeus’ eternal royalty— + He unto us salvation gave! + He saved us from a foreign yoke,— + A wild assault of outland folk, + A savage, alien wave! + + [_Exeunt._] + + + + +PROMETHEUS BOUND + +ARGUMENT + + +In the beginning, Ouranos and Gaia held sway over Heaven and Earth. And +manifold children were born unto them, of whom were Cronos, and +Okeanos, and the Titans, and the Giants. But Cronos cast down his +father Ouranos, and ruled in his stead, until Zeus his son cast him +down in his turn, and became King of Gods and men. Then were the Titans +divided, for some had good will unto Cronos, and others unto Zeus; +until Prometheus, son of the Titan Iapetos, by wise counsel, gave the +victory to Zeus. But Zeus held the race of mortal men in scorn, and was +fain to destroy them from the face of the earth; yet Prometheus loved +them, and gave secretly to them the gift of fire, and arts whereby they +could prosper upon the earth. Then was Zeus sorely angered with +Prometheus, and bound him upon a mountain, and afterward overwhelmed +him in an earthquake, and devised other torments against him for many +ages; yet could he not slay Prometheus, for he was a God. + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + +STRENGTH AND FORCE. +HEPHAESTUS. +PROMETHEUS. +CHORUS OF SEA-NYMPHS. +DAUGHTERS OF OCEANUS. +OCEANUS. +IO. +HERMES. + +_Scene—A rocky ravine in the mountains of Scythia_. + + +STRENGTH. + Lo, the earth’s bound and limitary land, + The Scythian steppe, the waste untrod of men! + Look to it now, Hephaestus—thine it is, + Thy Sire obeying, this arch-thief to clench + Against the steep-down precipice of rock, + With stubborn links of adamantine chain. + Look thou: thy flower, the gleaming plastic fire, + He stole and lent to mortal man—a sin + That gods immortal make him rue to-day, + Lessoned hereby to own th’ omnipotence + Of Zeus, and to repent his love to man! + +HEPHAESTUS. + O Strength and Force, for you the best of Zeus + Stands all achieved, and nothing bars your will: + But I—I dare not bind to storm-vext cleft + One of our race, immortal as are we. + Yet, none the less, necessity constrains, + For Zeus, defied, is heavy in revenge! + (_To PROMETHEUS_) + + O deep-devising child of Themis sage, + Small will have I to do, or thou to bear, + What yet we must. Beyond the haunt of man + Unto this rock, with fetters grimly forged, + I must transfix and shackle up thy limbs, + Where thou shalt mark no voice nor human form, + But, parching in the glow and glare of sun, + Thy body’s flower shall suffer a sky-change; + And gladly wilt thou hail the hour when Night + Shall in her starry robe invest the day, + Or when the Sun shall melt the morning rime. + But, day or night, for ever shall the load + Of wasting agony, that may not pass, + Wear thee away; for know, the womb of Time + Hath not conceived a power to set thee free. + Such meed thou hast, for love toward mankind + For thou, a god defying wrath of gods, + Beyond the ordinance didst champion men, + And for reward shalt keep a sleepless watch, + Stiff-kneed, erect, nailed to this dismal rock, + With manifold laments and useless cries + Against the will inexorable of Zeus. + Hard is the heart of fresh-usurpèd power! + +STRENGTH. + Enough of useless ruth! why tarriest thou? + Why pitiest one whom all gods wholly hate, + One who to man gave o’er thy privilege? + +HEPHAESTUS. + Kinship and friendship wring my heart for him. + +STRENGTH. + Ay—but how disregard our Sire’s command? + Is not thy pity weaker than thy fear? + +HEPHAESTUS. + Ruthless as ever, brutal to the full! + +STRENGTH. + Tears can avail him nothing: strive not thou, + Nor waste thine efforts thus unaidingly. + +HEPHAESTUS. + Out on my cursed mastery of steel! + +STRENGTH. + Why curse it thus? In sooth that craft of thine + Standeth assoiled of all that here is wrought. + +HEPHAESTUS. + Would that some other were endowed therewith! + +STRENGTH. + All hath its burden, save the rule of Heaven, + And freedom is for Zeus, and Zeus alone. + +HEPHAESTUS. + I know it; I gainsay no word hereof. + +STRENGTH. + Up, then, and hasten to do on his bonds, + Lest Zeus behold thee indolent of will! + +HEPHAESTUS. + Ah well—behold the armlets ready now! + +STRENGTH. + Then cast them round his arms and with sheer strength + Swing down the hammer, clinch him to the crags. + +HEPHAESTUS. + Lo, ’tis toward—no weakness in the work! + +STRENGTH. + Smite harder, wedge it home—no faltering here! + He hath a craft can pass th’ impassable! + +HEPHAESTUS. + This arm is fast, inextricably bound. + +STRENGTH. + Then shackle safe the other, that he know + His utmost craft is weaker far than Zeus. + +HEPHAESTUS. + He, but none other, can accuse mine art! + +STRENGTH. + Now, strong and sheer, drive thro’ from breast to back + The adamantine wedge’s stubborn fang. + +HEPHAESTUS. + Alas, Prometheus! I lament thy pain. + +STRENGTH. + Thou, faltering and weeping sore for those + Whom Zeus abhors! ’ware, lest thou rue thy tears! + +HEPHAESTUS. + Thou gazest on a scene that poisons sight. + +STRENGTH. + I gaze on one who suffers his desert. + Now between rib and shoulder shackle him— + +HEPHAESTUS. + Do it I must—hush thy superfluous charge! + +STRENGTH. + Urge thee I will—ay, hound thee to the prey. + Step downward now, enring his legs amain! + +HEPHAESTUS. + Lo, it is done—’twas but a moment’s toil. + +STRENGTH. + Now, strongly strike, drive in the piercing gyves— + Stern is the power that oversees thy task! + +HEPHAESTUS. + Brutish thy form, thy speech brutality! + +STRENGTH. + Be gentle, an thou wilt, but blame not me + For this my stubbornness and anger fell! + +HEPHAESTUS. + Let us go hence; his legs are firmly chained. + +STRENGTH (_To_ PROMETHEUS). +Aha! there play the insolent, and steal, +For creatures of a day, the rights of gods! +O deep delusion of the powers that named thee +Prometheus, the Fore-thinker! thou hast need +Of others’ forethought and device, whereby +Thou may’st elude this handicraft of ours! + +[_Exeunt HEPHAESTUS, STRENGTH and FORCE.—A pause._] + +PROMETHEUS. + O Sky divine, O Winds of pinions swift, + O fountain-heads of Rivers, and O thou, + Illimitable laughter of the Sea! + O Earth, the Mighty Mother, and thou Sun, + Whose orbed light surveyeth all—attest, + What ills I suffer from the gods, a god! + Behold me, who must here sustain + The marring agonies of pain, + Wrestling with torture, doomed to bear + Eternal ages, year on year! + Such and so shameful is the chain + Which Heaven’s new tyrant doth ordain + To bind me helpless here. + Woe! for the ruthless present doom! + Woe! for the Future’s teeming womb! + On what far dawn, in what dim skies, + Shall star of my deliverance rise? + + Truce to this utterance! to its dimmest verge + I do foreknow the future, hour by hour, + Nor can whatever pang may smite me now + Smite with surprise. The destiny ordained + I must endure to the best, for well I wot + That none may challenge with Necessity. + Yet is it past my patience, to reveal, + Or to conceal, these issues of my doom. + Since I to mortals brought prerogatives, + Unto this durance dismal am I bound: + Yea, I am he who in a fennel-stalk, + By stealthy sleight, purveyed the fount of fire, + The teacher, proven thus, and arch-resource + Of every art that aideth mortal men. + Such was my sin: I earn its recompense, + Rock-riveted, and chained in height and cold. + + [_A pause._] + + + Listen! what breath of sound, + what fragrance soft hath risen + Upward to me? is it some godlike essence, + Or being half-divine, or mortal presence? + Who to the world’s end comes, unto my craggy prison? + Craves he the sight of pain, or what would he behold? + Gaze on a god in tortures manifold, + Heinous to Zeus, and scorned by all + Whose footsteps tread the heavenly hall, + Because too deeply, from on high, + I pitied man’s mortality! + Hark, and again! that fluttering sound + Of wings that whirr and circle round, + And their light rustle thrills the air— + How all things that unseen draw near + Are to me Fear! + + Enter the CHORUS OF OCEANIDES in winged cars. + +CHORUS. + Ah, fear us not! as friends, with rivalry + Of swiftly-vying wings, we came together + Unto this rock and thee! + With our sea-sire we pleaded hard, until + We won him to our will, + And swift the wafting breezes bore us hither. + The heavy hammer’s steely blow + Thrilled to our ocean-cavern from afar, + Banished soft shyness from our maiden brow, + And with unsandalled feet we come, in winged car! + +PROMETHEUS. + Ah well-a-day! ye come, ye come + From the Sea-Mother’s teeming home— + Children of Tethys and the sire + Who around Earth rolls, gyre on gyre, + His sleepless ocean-tide! + Look on me—shackled with what chain, + Upon this chasm’s beetling side + I must my dismal watch sustain! + +CHORUS. + Yea, I behold, Prometheus! and my fears + Draw swiftly o’er mine eyes a mist fulfilled of tears, + When I behold thy frame + Bound, wasting on the rock, and put to shame + By adamantine chains! + The rudder and the rule of Heaven + Are to strange pilots given: + Zeus with new laws and strong caprice holds sway, + Unkings the ancient Powers, their might constrains, + And thrusts their pride away! + +PROMETHEUS. + Had he but hurled me, far beneath + The vast and ghostly halls of Death, + Down to the limitless profound + Of Tartarus, in fetters bound, + Fixed by his unrelenting hand! + So had no man, nor God on high, + Exulted o’er mine agony— + But now, a sport to wind and sky, + Mocked by my foes, I stand! + +CHORUS. + What God can wear such ruthless heart + As to delight in ill? + Who in thy sorrow bears not part? + Zeus, Zeus alone! for he, with wrathful will, + Clenched and inflexible, + Bears down Heaven’s race—nor end shall be, till hate + His soul shall satiate, + Or till, by some device, some other hand + Shall wrest from him his sternly-clasped command! + +PROMETHEUS. + Yet,—though in shackles close and strong + I lie in wasting torments long,— + Yet the new tyrant, ’neath whose nod + Cowers down each blest subservient god, + One day, far hence, my help shall need, + The destined stratagem to read, + Whereby, in some yet distant day, + Zeus shall be reaved of pride and sway: + And no persuasion’s honied spell + Shall lure me on, the tale to tell; + And no stern threat shall make me cower + And yield the secret to his power, + Until his purpose be foregone, + And shackles yield, and he atone + The deep despite that he hath done! + +CHORUS. + O strong in hardihood, thou striv’st amain + Against the stress of pain! + But yet too free, too resolute thy tongue + In challenging thy wrong! + Ah, shuddering dread doth make my spirit quiver, + And o’er thy fate sits Fear! + I see not to what shore of safety ever + Thy bark can steer— + In depths unreached the will of Zeus doth dwell, + Hidden, implacable! + +PROMETHEUS. + Ay, stern is Zeus, and Justice stands, + Wrenched to his purpose, in his hands— + Yet shall he learn, perforce, to know + A milder mood, when falls the blow— + His ruthless wrath he shall lay still, + And he and I with mutual will + In concord’s bond shall go. + +CHORUS. + Unveil, say forth to us the tale entire, + Under what imputation Zeus laid hands + On thee, to rack thee thus with shameful pangs? + Tell us—unless the telling pain thee—all! + +PROMETHEUS. + Grievous alike are these things for my tongue, + Grievous for silence—rueful everyway. + Know that, when first the gods began their strife, + And heaven was all astir with mutual feud— + Some willing to fling Cronos from his throne, + And set, forsooth, their Zeus on high as king, + And other some in contrariety + Striving to bar him from heaven’s throne for aye— + Thereon I sought to counsel for the best + The Titan brood of Ouranos and Earth; + Yet I prevailed not, for they held in scorn + My glozing wiles, and, in their hardy pride, + Deemed that sans effort they could grasp the sway. + But, for my sake, my mother Themis oft, + And Earth, one symbol of names manifold, + Had held me warned, how in futurity + It stood ordained that not by force or power, + But by some wile, the victors must prevail. + In such wise I interpreted; but they + Deigned not to cast their heed thereon at all. + Then, of things possible, I deemed it best, + Joining my mother’s wisdom to mine own, + To range myself with Zeus, two wills in one. + Thus, by device of mine, the murky depth + Of Tartarus enfoldeth Cronos old + And those who strove beside him. Such the aid + I gave the lord of heaven—my meed for which + He paid me thus, a penal recompense! + For ’tis the inward vice of tyranny, + To deem of friends as being secret foes. + Now, to your question—hear me clearly show + On what imputed fault he tortures me. + Scarce was he seated on his father’s throne, + When he began his doles of privilege + Among the lesser gods, allotting power + In trim division; while of mortal men + Nothing he recked, nor of their misery + Nay, even willed to blast their race entire + To nothingness, and breed another brood; + And none but I was found to cross his will. + I dared it, I alone; I rescued men + From crushing ruin and th’ abyss of hell— + Therefore am I constrained in chastisement + Grievous to bear and piteous to behold,— + Yea, firm to feel compassion for mankind, + Myself was held unworthy of the same— + Ay, beyond pity am I ranged and ruled + To sufferance—a sight that shames his sway! + +CHORUS. + A heart of steel, a mould of stone were he, + Who could complacently behold thy pains + I came not here as craving for this sight, + And, seeing it, I stand heart-wrung with pain. + +PROMETHEUS. + Yea truly, kindly eyes must pity me! + +CHORUS. + Say, didst thou push transgression further still? + +PROMETHEUS. + Ay, man thro’ me ceased to foreknow his death. + +CHORUS. + What cure couldst thou discover for this curse? + +PROMETHEUS. + Blind hopes I sent to nestle in man’s heart. + +CHORUS. + This was a goodly gift thou gavest them. + +PROMETHEUS. + Yet more I gave them, even the boon of fire. + +CHORUS. + What? radiant fire, to things ephemeral? + +PROMETHEUS. + Yea—many an art too shall they learn thereby! + +CHORUS. + Then, upon imputation of such guilt, + Doth Zeus without surcease torment thee thus? + Is there no limit to thy course of pain? + +PROMETHEUS. + None, till his own will shall decree an end. + +CHORUS. + And how shall he decree it? say, what hope? + Seëst thou not thy sin? yet of that sin + It irks me sore to speak, as thee to hear. + Nay, no more words hereof; bethink thee now, + From this ordeal how to find release. + +PROMETHEUS. + Easy it is, for one whose foot is set + Outside the slough of pain, to lesson well + With admonitions him who lies therein. + With perfect knowledge did I all I did, + I willed to sin, and sinned, I own it all— + I championed men, unto my proper pain. + Yet scarce I deemed that, in such cruel doom, + Withering upon this skyey precipice, + I should inherit lonely mountain crags, + Here, in a vast tin-neighboured solitude. + Yet list not to lament my present pains, + But, stepping from your cars unto the ground, + Listen, the while I tell the future fates + Now drawing near, until ye know the whole. + Grant ye, O grant my prayer, be pitiful + To one now racked with woe! the doom of pain + Wanders, but settles, soon or late, on all. + +CHORUS. + To willing hearts, and schooled to feel, + Prometheus, came thy tongue’s appeal; + Therefore we leave, with lightsome tread, + The flying cars in which we sped— + We leave the stainless virgin air + Where winged creatures float and fare, + And by thy side, on rocky land, + Thus gently we alight and stand, + Willing, from end to end, to know + Thine history of woe. + + The CHORUS alight from their winged cars. Enter OCEANUS mounted on a + griffin. + +OCEANUS. + Thus, over leagues and leagues of space + I come, Prometheus, to thy place— + By will alone, not rein, I guide + The winged thing on which I ride; + And much, be sure, I mourn thy case— + Kinship is Pity’s bond, I trow; + And, wert thou not akin, I vow + None other should have more than thou + Of my compassion’s grace! + ’Tis said, and shall be proved; no skill + Have I to gloze and feign goodwill! + Name but some mode of helpfulness, + And thou wilt in a trice confess + That I, Oceanus, am best + Of all thy friends, and trustiest. + +PROMETHEUS. + Ho, what a sight of marvel! what, thou too + Comest to contemplate my pains, and darest— + (Yet how, I wot not!) leaving far behind + The circling tide, thy namefellow, and those + Rock-arched, self-hollowed caverns—thus to come + Unto this land, whose womb bears iron ore? + Art come to see my lot, resent with me + The ills I bear? Well, gaze thy fill! behold + Me, friend of Zeus, part-author of his power— + Mark, in what ruthlessness he bows me down! + +OCEANUS. + Yea, I behold, Prometheus! and would warn + Thee, spite of all thy wisdom, for thy weal! + Learn now thyself to know, and to renew + A rightful spirit within thee, for, made new + With pride of place, sits Zeus among the gods! + Now, if thou choosest to fling forth on him + Words rough with anger thus and edged with scorn, + Zeus, though he sit aloof, afar, on high, + May hear thine utterance, and make thee deem + His present wrath a mere pretence of pain. + Banish, poor wretch! the passion of thy soul, + And seek, instead, acquittance from thy pangs! + Belike my words seem ancientry to thee— + Such, natheless, O Prometheus, is the meed + That doth await the overweening tongue! + Meek wert thou never, wilt not crouch to pain, + But, set amid misfortunes, cravest more! + Now—if thou let thyself be schooled by me— + Thou must not kick against the goad. Thou knowest, + A despot rules, harsh, resolute, supreme, + Whose law is will. Yet shall I go to him, + With all endeavour to relieve thy plight— + So thou wilt curb the tempest of thy tongue! + Surely thou knowest, in thy wisdom deep, + The saw—_Who vaunts amiss, quick pain is his_. + +PROMETHEUS. + O enviable thou, and unaccused— + Thou who wast art and part in all I dared! + And now, let be! make this no care of thine, + For Zeus is past persuasion—urge him not! + Look to thyself, lest thine emprise thou rue. + +OCEANUS. + Thou hast more skill to school thy neighbour’s fault + Than to amend thine own: ’tis proved and plain, + By fact, not hearsay, that I read this well. + Yet am I fixed to go—withhold me not— + Assured I am, assured, that Zeus will grant + The boon I crave, the loosening of thy bonds. + +PROMETHEUS. + In part I praise thee, to the end will praise; + Goodwill thou lackest not, but yet forbear + Thy further trouble! If thy heart be fain, + Bethink thee that thy toil avails me not. + Nay, rest thee well, aloof from danger’s brink! + I will not ease my woe by base relief + In knowing others too involved therein. + Away the thought! for deeply do I rue + My brother Atlas’ doom. Far off he stands + In sunset land, and on his shoulder bears + The pillar’d mountain-mass whose base is earth, + Whose top is heaven, and its ponderous load + Too great for any grasp. With pity too + I saw Earth’s child, the monstrous thing of war, + That in Cilicia’s hollow places dwelt— + Typho; I saw his hundred-headed form + Crushed and constrained; yet once his stride was fierce, + His jaws gaped horror and their hiss was death, + And all heaven’s host he challenged to the fray, + While, as one vowed to storm the power of Zeus, + Forth from his eyes he shot a demon glare. + It skilled not: the unsleeping bolt of Zeus, + The downward levin with its rush of flame, + Smote on him, and made dumb for evermore + The clamour of his vaunting: to the heart + Stricken he lay, and all that mould of strength + Sank thunder-shattered to a smouldering ash; + And helpless now and laid in ruin huge + He lieth by the narrow strait of sea, + Crushed at the root of Etna’s mountain-pile. + High on the pinnacles whereof there sits + Hephaestus, sweltering at the forge; and thence + On some hereafter day shall burst and stream + The lava-floods, that shall with ravening fangs + Gnaw thy smooth lowlands, fertile Sicily! + Such ire shall Typho from his living grave + Send seething up, such jets of fiery surge, + Hot and unslaked, altho’ himself be laid + In quaking ashes by Zeus’ thunderbolt. + But thou dost know hereof, nor needest me + To school thy sense: thou knowest safety’s road— + Walk then thereon! I to the dregs will drain, + Till Zeus relent from wrath, my present woe. + +OCEANUS. + Nay, but, Prometheus, know’st thou not the saw— + _Words can appease the angry soul’s disease?_ + +PROMETHEUS. + Ay—if in season one apply their salve, + Not scorching wrath’s proud flesh with caustic tongue. + +OCEANUS. + But in wise thought and venturous essay + Perceivest thou a danger? prithee tell! + +PROMETHEUS. + I see a fool’s good nature, useless toil. + +OCEANUS. + Let me be sick of that disease; I know, + Loyalty, masked as folly, wins the way. + +PROMETHEUS. + But of thy blunder I shall bear the blame. + +OCEANUS. + Clearly, thy word would send me home again. + +PROMETHEUS. + Lest thy lament for me should bring thee hate. + +OCEANUS. + Hate from the newly-throned Omnipotence? + +PROMETHEUS. + Be heedful—lest his will be wroth with thee! + +OCEANUS. + Thy doom, Prometheus, cries to me _Beware!_ + +PROMETHEUS. + Mount, make away, discretion at thy side! + +OCEANUS. + Thy word is said to me in act to go: + For lo, my hippogriff with waving wings + Fans the smooth course of air, and fain is he + To rest his limbs within his ocean stall. + + [_Exit OCEANUS._] + +CHORUS. +For the woe and the wreck and the doom, Prometheus I utter my sighs; +O’er my cheek flows the fountain of tears from tender, compassionate +eyes. +For stern and abhorred is the sway of Zeus on his self-sought throne, +And ruthless the spear of his scorn, to the gods of the days that are +done. +And over the limitless earth goes up a disconsolate cry: +_Ye were all so fair, and have fallen; so great and your might has gone +by!_ +So wails with a mighty lament the voice of the mortals, who dwell +In the Eastland, the home of the holy, for thee and the fate that +befel; +And they of the Colchian land, the maidens whose arm is for war; +And the Scythian bowmen, who roam by the lake of Maeotis afar; +And the blossom of battling hordes, that flowers upon Caucasus’ height, +With clashing of lances that pierce, and with clamour of swords that +smite. +Strange is thy sorrow! one only I know who has suffered thy pain— +Atlas the Titan, the god, in a ruthless, invincible chain! +He beareth for ever and ever the burden and poise of the sky, +The vault of the rolling heaven, and earth re-echoes his cry. +The depths of the sea are troubled; they mourn from their caverns +profound, +And the darkest and innermost hell moans deep with a sorrowful sound; +And the rivers of waters, that flow from the fountains that spring +without stain, +Are as one in the great lamentation, and moan for thy piteous pain. + +PROMETHEUS. + Deem not that I in pride or wilful scorn + Restrain my speech; ’tis wistful memory + That rends my heart, when I behold myself + Abased to wretchedness. To these new gods + I and none other gave their lots of power + In full attainment; no more words hereof + I speak—the tale ye know. But listen now + Unto the rede of mortals and their woes, + And how their childish and unreasoning state + Was changed by me to consciousness and thought. + Yet not in blame of mortals will I speak, + But as in proof of service wrought to them. + For, in the outset, eyes they had and saw not; + And ears they had but heard not; age on age, + Like unsubstantial shapes in vision seen, + They groped at random in the world of sense, + Nor knew to link their building, brick with brick, + Nor how to turn its aspect to the sun, + Nor how to join the beams by carpentry, + In hollowed caves they dwelt, as emmets dwell, + Weak feathers for each blast, in sunless caves. + Nor had they certain forecast of the cold, + Nor of the advent of the flowery spring, + Nor of the fruitful summer. All they wrought, + Unreasoning they wrought, till I made clear + The laws of rising stars, and inference dim, + More hard to learn, of what their setting showed. + I taught to them withal that art of arts, + The lore of number, and the written word + That giveth sense to sound, the tool wherewith + The gift of memory was wrought in all, + And so came art and song. I too was first + To harness ’neath the yoke strong animals, + Obedient made to collar and to weight, + That they might bear whate’er of heaviest toil + Mortals endured before. For chariots too + I trained, and docile service of the rein, + Steeds, the delight of wealth and pomp and pride. + I too, none other, for seafarers wrought + Their ocean-roaming canvas-wingèd cars. + Such arts of craft did I, unhappy I, + Contrive for mortals: now, no feint I have + Whereby I may elude my present woe. + +CHORUS. + A rueful doom is thine! distraught of soul, + And all astray, and like some sorry leech + Art thou, repining at thine own disease, + Unskilled, unknowing of the needful cure. + +PROMETHEUS. + More wilt thou wonder when the rest thou hearest— + What arts for them, what methods I devised. + Foremost was this: if any man fell sick, + No aiding art he knew, no saving food, + No curing oil nor draught, but all in lack + Of remedies they dwindled, till I taught + The medicinal blending of soft drugs, + Whereby they ward each sickness from their side. + I ranged for them the methods manifold + Of the diviner’s art; I first discerned + Which of night’s visions hold a truth for day, + I read for them the lore of mystic sounds, + Inscrutable before; the omens seen + Which bless or ban a journey, and the flight + Of crook-clawed birds, did I make clear to man— + And how they soar upon the right, for weal, + How, on the left, for evil; how they dwell, + Each in its kind, and what their loves and hates, + And which can flock and roost in harmony. + From me, men learned what deep significance + Lay in the smoothness of the entrails set + For sacrifice, and which, of various hues, + Showed them a gift accepted of the gods; + They learned what streaked and varied comeliness + Of gall and liver told; I led them, too, + (By passing thro’ the flame the thigh-bones, wrapt + In rolls of fat, and th’ undivided chine), + Unto the mystic and perplexing lore + Of omens; and I cleared unto their eyes + The forecasts, dim and indistinct before, + Shown in the flickering aspect of a flame. + Of these, enough is said. The other boons, + Stored in the womb of earth, in aid of men— + Copper and iron, silver, gold withal— + Who dares affirm he found them ere I found? + None—well I know—save who would babble lies! + Know thou, in compass of a single phrase— + All arts, for mortals’ use, Prometheus gave. + +CHORUS. + Nay, aid not mortal men beyond their due, + Holding too light a reckoning of thyself + And of thine own distress: good hope have I + To see thee once again from fetters free + And matched with Zeus in parity of power. + +PROMETHEUS. + Not yet nor thus hath Fate ordained the end— + Not until age-long pains and countless woes + Have bent and bowed me, shall my shackles fall; + Art strives too feebly against destiny. + +CHORUS. + But what hand rules the helm of destiny? + +PROMETHEUS. + The triform Fates, and Furies unforgiving. + +CHORUS. + Then is the power of Zeus more weak than theirs? + +PROMETHEUS. + He may not shun the fate ordained for him. + +CHORUS. + What is ordained for him, save endless rule? + +PROMETHEUS. + Seek not for answer: this thou may’st not learn. + +CHORUS. + Surely thy silence hides some solemn thing. + +PROMETHEUS. + Think on some other theme: ’tis not the hour, + This secret to unveil; in deepest dark + Be it concealed: by guarding it shall I + Escape at last from bonds, and scorn, and pain. + +CHORUS. + O never may my weak and faint desire + Strive against God most high— + Never be slack in service, never tire + Of sacred loyalty; + Nor fail to wend unto the altar-side, + Where with the blood of kine + Steams up the offering, by the quenchless tide + Of Ocean, Sire divine! + Be this within my heart, indelible— + _Offend not with thy tongue!_ + Sweet, sweet it is, in cheering hopes to dwell, + Immortal, ever young, + In maiden gladness fostering evermore + A soft content of soul! + But ah, I shudder at thine anguish sore— + Thy doom thro’ years that roll! + Thou could’st not cower to Zeus: a love too great + Thou unto man hast given— + Too high of heart thou wert—ah, thankless fate! + What aid, ’gainst wrath of Heaven, + Could mortal man afford? in vain thy gift + To things so powerless! + Could’st thou not see? they are as dreams that drift; + Their strength is feebleness + A purblind race, in hopeless fetters bound, + They have no craft or skill, + That could o’erreach the ordinance profound + of the eternal will. + Alas, Prometheus! on thy woe condign + I looked, and learned this lore; + And a new strain floats to these lips of mine— + Not the glad song of yore, + When by the lustral wave I sang to see + My sister made thy bride, + Decked with thy gifts, thy loved Hesione, + And clasped unto thy side. + + Enter IO, horned like a cow. + +IO. + Alack! what land, what folk are here? + Whom see I clenched in rocky fetters drear + Unto the stormy crag? for what thing done + Dost thou in agony atone? + Ah, tell me whither, well-a-day! + My feet have roamed their weary way? + Ah, but it maddens, the sting! it burns in my piteous side! + Ah, but the vision, the spectre, the earth-born, the myriad-eyed! + Avoid thee! Earth, hide him, thine offspring! he cometh—O aspect of + ill! + Ghostly, and crafty of face, and dead, but pursuing me still! + Ah, woe upon me, woe ineffable! + He steals upon my track, a hound of hell— + Where’er I stray, along the sands and brine, + Weary and foodless, come his creeping eyne! + And ah, the ghostly sound— + The wax-stopped reed-flute’s weird and drowsy drone! + Alack my wandering woes, that round and round + Lead me in many mazes, lost, foredone! + O child of Cronos! for what deed of wrong + Am I enthralled by thee in penance long? + Why by the stinging bruise, the thing of fear, + Dost thou torment me, heart and brain? + Nay, give me rather to the flames that sear, + Or to some hidden grave, + Or to the rending jaws, the monsters of the main! + Nor grudge the boon for which I crave, O king! + Enough, enough of weary wandering, + Pangs from which none can save! + Hearken! in pity hold + Io, the ox-horned maid, thy love of old! + +PROMETHEUS. + Hear Zeus or not, I hear and know thee well, + Daughter of Inachus; I know thee driven, + Stung by the gadfly, mazed with agony. + Ay, thou art she whose beauty fired the breast + Of Zeus with passion; she whom Hera’s hate + Now harasses o’er leagues and leagues of land. + +IO. + Alack, thou namest Inachus my sire! + Wottest thou of him? how, from lips of pain, + Comes to my woeful ears truth’s very strain? + How knowest thou the curse, the burning fire + The god-sent, piercing pest that stings and clings? + Ah me! in frenzied, foodless wanderings + Hither I come, and on me from on high + Lies Hera’s angry craft! Ah, men unblest! + Not one there is, not one, that is unblest as I. + But thou—tell me the rest! + Utter the rede of woes to come for me; + Utter the aid, the cure, if aid or cure there be! + +PROMETHEUS. + Lo, clearly will I show forth all thy quest— + Not in dark speech, but with such simple phrase + As doth befit the utterance of a friend. + I am Prometheus, who gave fire to men. + +IO. + O daring, proven champion of man’s race, + What sin, Prometheus, dost thou thus atone? + +PROMETHEUS. + One moment since, I told my woes and ceased. + +IO. + Then should I plead my suit to thee in vain? + +PROMETHEUS. + Nay, speak thy need; nought would I hide from thee. + +IO. + Pronounce who nailed thee to the rocky cleft. + +PROMETHEUS. + Zeus, by intent; Hephaestus, by his hand. + +IO. + For what wrongdoing do these pains atone? + +PROMETHEUS. + What I have said, is said; suffice it thee! + +IO. + Yet somewhat add; forewarn me in my woe + What time shall bring my wandering to its goal? + +PROMETHEUS. + Fore-knowledge is fore-sorrow; ask it not. + +IO. + Nay, hide not from me destiny’s decree. + +PROMETHEUS. + I grudge thee not the gift which I withhold. + +IO. + Then wherefore tarry ere thou tell me all? + +PROMETHEUS. + Nothing I grudge, but would not rack thy soul. + +IO. + Be not compassionate beyond my wish. + +PROMETHEUS. + Well, thou art fain, and I will speak. Attend! + +CHORUS. + Nay—ere thou speak, hear me, bestow on me + A portion of the grace of granted prayers. + First let us learn how Io’s frenzy came— + (She telling her disasters manifold) + Then of their sequel let her know from thee. + +PROMETHEUS. + Well were it, Io, thus to do their will— + Right well! they are the sisters of thy sire. + ’Tis worth the waste and effluence of time, + To tell, with tears of perfect moan, the doom + Of sorrows that have fallen, when ’tis sure + The listeners will greet the tale with tears. + +IO. + I know not how I should mistrust your prayer; + Therefore the whole that ye desire of me + Ye now shall learn in one straightforward tale. + Yet, as it leaves my lips, I blush with shame + To tell that tempest of the spite of Heaven, + And all the wreck and ruin of my form, + And whence they swooped upon me, woe is me! + Long, long in visions of the night there came + Voices and forms into my maiden bower, + Alluring me with smoothly glozing words— + _O maiden highly favoured of high Heaven, + Why cherish thy virginity so long? + Thine is it to win wedlock’s noblest crown! + Know that Zeus’ heart thro’ thee is all aflame, + Pierced with desire as with a dart, and longs + To join in utmost rite of love with thee. + Therefore, O maiden, shun not with disdain_ + _Th’ embrace of Zeus, but hie thee forth straightway + To the lush growth of Lerna’s meadow-land, + Where are the flocks and steadings of thy home, + And let Zeus’ eye be eased of its desire_. + Night after night, haunted by dreams like these, + Heartsick, I ventured at the last to tell + Unto my sire these visions of the dark. + Then sent he many a wight, on sacred quest, + To Delphi and to far Dodona’s shrine, + Being fall fain to learn what deed or word + Would win him favour from the powers of heaven. + But they came back repeating oracles + Mystic, ambiguous, inscrutable, + Till, at the last, an utterance direct, + Obscure no more, was brought to Inachus— + A peremptory charge to fling me forth + Beyond my home and fatherland, a thing + Sent loose in banishment o’er all the world; + And—should he falter—Zeus should launch on him + A fire-eyed bolt, to shatter and consume + Himself and all his race to nothingness. + Bowing before such utterance from the shrine + Of Loxias, he drave me from our halls, + Barring the gates against me: loth he was + To do, as I to suffer, this despite: + But the strong curb of Zeus had overborne + His will to me-ward. As I parted thence, + In form and mind I grew dishumanized, + And horned as now ye see me, poison-stung + By the envenomed bitings of the brize, + I leapt and flung in frenzy, rushed away + To the bright waters of Cerchneia’s stream + And Lerna’s beach: but ever at my side, + A herdsman by his heifer, Argus moved, + Earth-born, malevolent of mood, and peered, + With myriad eyes, where’er my feet would roam. + But on him in a moment, unforeseen, + Came Fate, and sundered him from life; but I, + Still maddened by the gadfly’s sting, the scourge + Of God’s infliction, roam the weary world. + How I have fared, thou hearest: be there aught + Of what remains to bear, that thou canst tell, + Speak on! but let not thy compassion warm + Thy words to cheering falsehood. Worst of woes + Are words that break their promise to our hope! + +CHORUS. + Woe! woe! avaunt—thou and thy tale of bane! + O never, never dared I dream + Such horror of strange sounds should pierce mine ear; + Such loathly sights, such tortures hard to bear, + Outrage, pollution, agony supreme, + Wasting my heart with double edge of pain! + Ah Fate, ah Fate! I gaze on Io’s dole, + And shudder to my soul! + +PROMETHEUS. + Thou wailest all too soon, fulfilled of fear— + Tarry awhile, till thou have learned the whole. + +CHORUS. + Say on, reveal it! suffering souls are fain + To know aright what yet remains to bear. + +PROMETHEUS. + Lightly, with help of mine, did ye achieve + That which ye first desired: from Io’s mouth + craved to hear, recounted by herself, + The story of her strivings. Listen now + To what shall follow, to what woefulness + The wrath of Hera must compel this maid. + (_To_ Io) + And thou, O child of Inachus, within + Thine inmost heart store up these words of mine, + That thou may’st learn thy wanderings and their goal. + First from this spot toward the sunrise turn, + And cross the steppe that knoweth not the plough: + Thus to the nomad Scythians shalt thou come, + Who dwell in wattled homes, not built on earth + But borne along on wains of sturdy wheel— + Equipped, themselves, with bows of mighty reach. + Pass them avoidingly, and leave their land, + And skirt the beaches where the tides make moan, + Till lo! upon the left hand thou shalt find + The Chalybes, stout craftsmen of the steel— + Beware of them! no gentleness is theirs, + No kindly welcome to a stranger’s foot! + Thence to the Stream of Violence shalt thou come— + Like name, like nature; see thou cross it not, + (’Tis fatal to the forder!) till thou come + Right to the very Caucasus, the peak + That overtops the world, and from its brows + The river pants in spray its wrathful stream. + Thence, o’er the pinnacles that court the stars, + Onward and southward thou must take thy way, + And reach the warlike horde of Amazons, + Maidens through hate of man; and gladly they + Will guide thy maiden feet. That host, in days + That are not yet, shall fix their home and dwell + At Themiscyra, on Thermodon’s bank, + Nigh whereunto the grim projecting fang + Of Salmydessus’ cape affronts the main, + The seaman’s curse, to ships a stepmother! + Then at the jutting land, Cimmerian styled, + That screens the narrowing portal of the mere, + Thou shalt arrive; pass o’er it, brave at heart, + And ferry thee across Macotis’ ford. + So shall there be great rumour evermore, + In ears of mortals, of thy passage strange; + And Bosporos shall be that channel’s name, + Because the ox-horned thing did pass thereby. + So, from the wilds of Europe wander’d o’er, + To Asia’s continent thou com’st at last. + (_To the_ CHORUS) + And ye, what think ye? Seems he not, that lord + And tyrant of the gods, as tyrannous + Unto all other lives? A high god’s lust + Constrained this mortal maid to roam the world! + (_To_ Io) + Poor maid! a brutal wooer sure was thine! + For know that all which I have told thee now + Is scarce the prelude of thy woes to come. + +IO. + Alas for me, alas! + +PROMETHEUS. + Again thou criest, with a heifer’s low. + What wilt thou do, learning thy future woes? + +CHORUS. + What, hast thou further sorrows for her ear? + +PROMETHEUS. + Yea, a vext ocean of predestined pain. + +IO. + What profit then is life to me? Ah, why + Did I not cast me from this stubborn crag? + So with one spring, one crash upon the ground, + I had attained surcease from all my woes. + Better it is to die one death outright + Than linger out long life in misery. + +PROMETHEUS. + Ill would’st thou bear these agonies of mine— + Mine, with whose fate it standeth not to win + The goal of death, which were release from pain! + Now, there is set no limit to my woe + Till Zeus be hurled from his omnipotence. + +IO. + Zeus hurled from pride of place! Can such things be? + +PROMETHEUS. + Thou wert full fain, methinks, to see that sight! + +IO. + Even so—his overthrow who wrought my pain. + +PROMETHEUS. + Then may’st thou know thereof; such fall shall be. + +IO. + And who shall wrench the sceptre from his hand? + +PROMETHEUS. + By his own mindless counsels shall he fall. + +IO. + And how? unless the telling harm, say on! + +PROMETHEUS. + Wooing a bride, his ruin he shall win. + +IO. + Goddess, or mortal? tell me, if thou may’st. + +PROMETHEUS. + No matter which—more must not be revealed. + +IO. + Doth then a consort thrust him from his throne? + +PROMETHEUS. + The child she bears him shall o’ercome his sire. + +IO. + And hath he no avoidance of this doom? + +PROMETHEUS. + None, surely—till that I, released from bonds— + +IO. + Who can release thee, but by will of Zeus? + +PROMETHEUS. + Fate gives this duty to a child of thine! + +IO. + How? Shall a child of mine undo thy woes? + +PROMETHEUS. + Yea, of thy lineage, thirteen times removed. + +IO. + Dark beyond guessing grows thine oracle. + +PROMETHEUS. + Yea—seek not therefore to foreknow thy woes. + +IO. + As thou didst proffer hope, withdraw it not. + +PROMETHEUS. + Two tales I have—choose! for I grant thee one. + +IO. + And which be they? reveal, and leave me choice. + +PROMETHEUS. + I grant it: shall I in all clearness show + Thy future woes, or my deliverance? + +CHORUS. + Nay! of the two, vouchsafe her wish to her + And mine to me, deigning a truth to each— + To her, reveal her future wanderings— + To me, thy future saviour, as I crave! + +PROMETHEUS. + I will not set myself to thwart your will + Withholding aught of what ye crave to know. + First to thee, Io, will I tell and trace + Thy scared circuitous wandering mark it well, + Deep in retentive tablets of the soul. + When thou hast overpast the ferry’s flow + That sunders continent from continent, + Straight to the eastward and the flaming face + Of dawn, and highways trodden by the sun, + Pass, till thou come unto the windy land + Of daughters born to Boreas: beware + Lest the strong spirit of the stormy blast + Snatch thee aloft, and sweep thee to the void, + On wings of raving wintry hurricane! + Wend by the noisy tumult of the wave, + Until thou reach the Gorgon-haunted plains + Beside Cisthene. In that solitude + Dwell Phorcys’ daughters, beldames worn with time, + Three, each swan-shapen, single-toothed, and all + Peering thro’ shared endowment of one eye; + Never on them doth the sun shed his rays, + Never falls radiance of the midnight moon. + But, hard by these, their sisters, clad with wings, + Serpentine-curled, dwell, loathed of mortal men,— + The Gorgons!—he of men who looks on them + Shall gasp away his life. Of such fell guard + I bid thee to beware. Now, mark my words + When I another sight of terror tell— + Beware the Gryphon pack, the hounds of Zeus, + As keen of fang as silent of their tongues! + Beware the one-eyed Arimaspian band + That tramp on horse-hoofs, dwelling by the ford + Of Pluto and the stream that flows with gold: + Keep thou aloof from these. To the world’s end + Thou comest at the last, the dark-faced tribe + That dwell beside the sources of the sun, + Where springs the river, Aethiopian named. + Make thou thy way along his bank, until + Thou come unto the mighty downward slope + Where from the overland of Bybline hills + Nile pours his hallowed earth-refreshing wave. + He by his course shall guide thee to the realm + Named from himself, three-angled, water-girt; + There, Io, at the last, hath Fate ordained, + For thee and for thy race, the charge to found, + Far from thy native shore, a new abode. + Lo, I have said: if aught hereof appear + Hard to thy sense and inarticulate, + Question me o’er again, and soothly learn— + God wot, I have too much of leisure here! + +CHORUS. + If there be aught beyond, or aught pass’d o’er, + Which thou canst utter, of her woe-worn maze, + Speak on! if all is said, then grant to us + That which we asked, as thou rememberest. + +PROMETHEUS. + She now hath learned, unto its utmost end, + Her pilgrimage; but yet, that she may know + That ’tis no futile fable she hath heard, + I will recount her history of toil + Ere she came hither; let it stand for proof + Of what I told, my forecast of the end. + So, then—to sum in brief the weary tale— + I turn me to thine earlier exile’s close. + When to Molossia’s lowland thou hadst come, + Nigh to Dodona’s cliff and ridge sublime, + (Where is the shrine oracular and seat + Of Zeus, Thesprotian styled, and that strange thing + And marvel past belief, the prophet-oaks + That syllable his speech), thou by their tongues, + With clear acclaim and unequivocal, + Wert thus saluted—_Hail, O bride of Zeus + That art to be_—hast memory thereof? + Thence, stung anew with frenzy, thou didst hie + Along the shoreward track, to Rhea’s lap, + The mighty main; then, stormily distraught, + Backward again and eastward. To all time, + Be well assured, that inlet of the sea + All mortal men shall call Ionian, + In memory that Io fared thereby. + Take this for proof and witness that my mind + Hath more in ken than ever sense hath shown. + (_To the_ CHORUS) + That which remains, to you and her alike + I will relate, and, to my former words + Reverting, add this final prophecy. + (_To_ Io) + There lieth, at the verge of land and sea, + Where Nilus issues thro’ the silted sand, + A town, Canopus called: and there at length + Shall Zeus renew the reason in thy brain + With the mere touch and contact of his hand + Fraught now with fear no more: and thou shalt bear + A child, dark Epaphus—his very name + Memorial of Zeus’ touch that gave him life. + And his shall be the foison and the fruit + Of all the land enriched by spreading Nile. + Thence the fifth generation of his seed + Back unto Argos, yet unwillingly, + Shall flee for refuge—fifty maidens they, + Loathing a wedlock with their next in blood, + More kin than kind, from their sire’s brother sprung. + And on their track, astir with wild desire, + Like falcons fierce closing on doves that flee, + Shall speed the suitors, craving to achieve + A prey forbidden, a reluctant bride. + Yet power divine shall foil them, and forbid + Possession of the maids, whom Argive land + Shall hold protected, when unsleeping hate, + Horror, and watchful ambush of the night, + Have laid the suitors dead, by female hands. + For every maid shall smite a man to death, + Dyeing a dagger’s edges in his throat— + Such bed of love befall mine enemies! + Yet in one bride shall yearning conquer hate, + Bidding her spare the bridegroom at her side, + Blunting the keen edge of her set resolve. + Thus of two scorns the former shall she choose, + The name of coward, not of murderess. + In Argos shall she bear, in after time, + A royal offspring. Long it were to tell + In clear succession all that thence shall be. + Take this for sooth—in lineage from her + A hero shall arise, an archer great, + And he shall be my saviour from these woes. + Such knowledge of the future Themis gave, + The ancient Titaness, to me her son. + But how, and by what skill, ’twere long to say, + And no whit will the knowledge profit thee. + +IO. + O woe, O rending and convulsive pain, + Frenzy and agony, again, again + Searing my heart and brain! + O dagger of the sting, unforged with fire + Yet burning, burning ever! O my heart, + Pulsing with horror, beating at my breast! + O rolling maddened eyes! away, apart, + Raving with anguish dire, + I spring, by frenzy-fiends possest. + O wild and whirling words, that sweep in gloom + Down to dark waves of doom! + + [_Exit IO._] + +CHORUS. + O well and sagely was it said— + Yea, wise of heart was he who first + Gave forth in speech the thought he nursed— + _In thine own order see thou wed!_ + + Let not the humble heart aspire + To the gross home of wealth and pride; + Nor be it to a hearth allied + That vaunts of many a noble sire. + + O Fates, of awful empery! + Never may I by Zeus be wooed— + Never give o’er my maidenhood + To any god that dwells on high. + + A shudder to my soul is sent, + Beholding Io’s doom forlorn— + By Hera’s malice put to scorn, + Roaming in mateless banishment. + + From wedlock’s crown of fair desire + I would not shrink—an idle fear! + But may no god to me draw near + With shunless might and glance of fire! + + That were a strife wherein no chance + Of conquest lies: from Zeus most high + And his resolve, no subtlety + Could win me my deliverance. + +PROMETHEUS. + And yet shall Zeus, for all his stubborn pride, + Be brought to low estate! aha, he schemes + Such wedlock as shall bring his doom on him, + Flung from his kingship to oblivion’s lap! + Ay, then the curse his father Cronos spake + As he fell helpless from his agelong throne, + Shall be fulfilled unto the utterance! + No god but I can manifest to him + A rescue from such ruin as impends— + I know it, I, and how it may be foiled. + Go to, then, let him sit and blindly trust + His skyey rumblings, for security, + And wave his levin with its blast of flame! + All will avail him not, nor bar his fall + Down to dishonour vile, intolerable + So strong a wrestler is he moulding now + To his own proper downfall—yea, a shape + Portentous and unconquerably huge, + Who truly shall reveal a flame more strong + Than is the lightning, and a crash of sound + More loud than thunder, and shall dash to nought + Poseidon’s trident-spear, the ocean-bane + That makes the firm earth quiver. Let Zeus strike + Once on this rock, he speedily shall learn + How far the fall from power to slavery! + +CHORUS. + Beware! thy wish doth challenge Zeus himself. + +PROMETHEUS. + I voice my wish and its fulfilment too. + +CHORUS. + What, dare we look for one to conquer Zeus? + +PROMETHEUS. + Ay—Zeus shall wear more painful bonds than mine + +CHORUS. + Darest thou speak such taunts and tremble not? + +PROMETHEUS. + Why should I fear, who am immortal too? + +CHORUS. + Yet he might doom thee to worse agony. + +PROMETHEUS. + Out on his dooming! I foreknow it all. + +CHORUS. + Yet do the wise revere Necessity. + +PROMETHEUS. + Ay, ay—do reverence, cringe and crouch to power + Whene’er, where’er thou see it! But, for me, + I reck of Zeus as something less than nought. + Let him put forth his power, attest his sway, + Howe’er he will—a momentary show, + A little brief authority in heaven! + Aha, I see out yonder one who comes, + A bidden courier, truckling at Zeus’ nod, + A lacquey in his new lord’s livery, + Surely on some fantastic errand sped! + + Enter HERMES. + +HERMES. + Thou, double-dyed in gall of bitterness, + Trickster and sinner against gods, by giving + The stolen fire to perishable men! + Attend—the Sire supreme doth bid thee tell + What is the wedlock which thou vauntest now, + Whereby he falleth from supremacy? + Speak forth the whole, make all thine utterance clear, + Have done with words inscrutable, nor cause + To me, Prometheus! any further toil + Or twofold journeying. Go to—thou seest + Zeus doth not soften at such words as thine! + +PROMETHEUS. + Pompous, in sooth, thy word, and swoln with pride, + As doth befit the lacquey of thy lords! + O ye young gods! how, in your youthful sway, + Ye deem secure your citadels of sky, + Beyond the reach of sorrow or of fall! + Have I not seen two dynasties of gods + Already flung therefrom? and soon shall see + A third, that now in tyranny exults, + Shamed, ruined, in an hour! What sayest thou? + Crouch I and tremble at these stripling powers? + Small homage unto such from me, or none! + Betake thee hence, sweat back along thy road— + Look for no answer from me, get thee gone! + +HERMES. + Think—it was such audacities of will + That drove thee erst to anchorage in woe! + +PROMETHEUS. + Ay—but mark this: mine heritage of pain + I would not barter for thy servitude. + +HERMES. + Better, forsooth, be bond-slave to a crag, + Than true-born herald unto Zeus the Sire! + +PROMETHEUS. + Take thine own coin—taunts for a taunting slave! + +HERMES. + Proud art thou in thy circumstance, methinks! + +PROMETHEUS. + Proud? in such pride then be my foemen set, + And I to see—and of such foes art thou! + +HERMES. + What, blam’st thou me too for thy sufferings? + +PROMETHEUS. + Mark a plain word—I loathe all gods that are, + Who reaped my kindness and repay with wrong. + +HERMES. + I hear no little madness in thy words. + +PROMETHEUS. + Madness be mine, if scorn of foes be mad. + +HERMES. + Past bearing were thy pride, in happiness. + +PROMETHEUS. + Ah me! + +HERMES. + Zeus knoweth nought of sorrow’s cry! + +PROMETHEUS. + He shall! Time’s lapse bringeth all lessons home. + +HERMES. + To thee it brings not yet discretion’s curb. + +PROMETHEUS. + No—else I had not wrangled with a slave! + +HERMES. + Then thou concealest all that Zeus would learn? + +PROMETHEUS. + As though I owed him aught and should repay! + +HERMES. + Scornful thy word, as though I were a child— + +PROMETHEUS. + Child, ay—or whatsoe’er hath less of brain— + Thou, deeming thou canst wring my secret out! + No mangling torture, no, nor sleight of power + There is, by which he shall compel my speech, + Until these shaming bonds be loosed from me. + So, let him fling his blazing levin-bolt! + Let him with white and winged flakes of snow, + And rumbling earthquakes, whelm and shake the world! + For nought of this shall bend me to reveal + The power ordained to hurl him from his throne. + +HERMES. + Bethink thee if such words can mend thy lot. + +PROMETHEUS. + All have I long foreseen, and all resolved. + +HERMES. + Perverse of will! constrain, constrain thy soul + To think more wisely in the grasp of doom! + +PROMETHEUS. + Truce to vain words! as wisely wouldst thou strive + To warn a swelling wave: imagine not + That ever I before thy lord’s resolve + Will shrink in womanish terror, and entreat, + As with soft suppliance of female hands, + The Power I scorn unto the utterance, + To loose me from the chains that bind me here— + A world’s division ’twixt that thought and me! + +HERMES. + So, I shall speak, whate’er I speak, in vain! + No prayer can melt or soften thy resolve; + But, as a colt new-harnessed champs the bit, + Thou strivest and art restive to the rein. + But all too feeble is the stratagem + In which thou art so confident: for know + That strong self-will is weak and less than nought + In one more proud than wise. Bethink thee now— + If these my words thou shouldest disregard— + What storm, what might as of a great third wave + Shall dash thy doom upon thee, past escape! + First shall the Sire, with thunder and the flame + Of lightning, rend the crags of this ravine, + And in the shattered mass o’erwhelm thy form, + Immured and morticed in a clasping rock. + Thence, after age on age of durance done, + Back to the daylight shall thou come, and there + The eagle-hound of Zeus, red-ravening, fell + With greed, shall tatter piecemeal all thy flesh + To shreds and ragged vestiges of form— + Yea, an unbidden guest, a day-long bane, + That feeds, and feeds—yea, he shall gorge his fill + On blackened fragments, from thy vitals gnawed. + Look for no respite from that agony + Until some other deity be found, + Ready to bear for thee the brunt of doom, + Choosing to pass into the lampless world + Of Hades and the murky depths of hell. + Hereat, advise thee! ’tis no feigned threat + Whereof I warn thee, but an o’er-true tale. + The lips of Zeus know nought of lying speech, + But wreak in action all their words foretell. + Therefore do thou look warily, and deem + Prudence a better saviour than self-will. + +CHORUS. + Meseems that Hermes speaketh not amiss, + Bidding thee leave thy wilfulness and seek + The wary walking of a counselled mind. + Give heed! to err through anger shames the wise. + +PROMETHEUS. + All, all I knew, whate’er his tongue + In idle arrogance hath flung. + ’Tis the world’s way, the common lot— + Foe tortures foe and pities not. + Therefore I challenge him to dash + His bolt on me, his zigzag flash + Of piercing, rending flame! + Now be the welkin stirred amain + With thunder-peal and hurricane, + And let the wild winds now displace + From its firm poise and rooted base + The stubborn earthly frame! + The raging sea with stormy surge + Rise up and ravin and submerge + Each high star-trodden way! + Me let him lift and dash to gloom + Of nether hell, in whirls of doom! + Yet—do he what extremes he may— + He cannot crush my life away! + +HERMES. + Such are the counsels, such the strain, + Heard from wild lips and frenzied brain! + In word or thought, how fails his fate + Of madness wild and desperate? + (_To the_ CHORUS) + But ye, who stand compassionate + Here at his side, depart in haste! + Lest of his penalty ye taste, + And shattered brain and reason feel + The roaring, ruthless thunder-peal! + +CHORUS. + Out on thee! if thy heart be fain + I should obey thee, change thy strain! + Vile is thine hinted cowardice, + And loathed of me thy base advice, + Weakly to shrink from pain! + Nay, at his side, whate’er befall, + I will abide, endure it all! + Among all things abhorr’d, accurst, + I hold betrayers for the worst! + +HERMES. + Nay, ye are warned! remember well— + Nor cry, when meshed in nets of hell, + _Ah cruel fate, ah Zeus unkind— + Thus, by a sentence undivined, + To dash us to the realms below!_ + It is no sudden, secret blow— + Nay, ye achieve your proper woe— + Warn’d and foreknowing shall ye go, + Through your own folly trapped and ta’en, + Into the net the Fates ordain— + The vast, illimitable pain! + + [_Thunder and lightning._] + +PROMETHEUS. + Hark! for no more in empty word, + But in sheer sooth, the world is stirred! + The massy earth doth heave and sway, + And thro’ their dark and secret way + The cavern’d thunders boom! + See, how they gleam athwart the sky, + The lightnings, through the gloom! + And whirlwinds roll the dust on high, + And right and left the storm-clouds leap + To battle in the skyey deep, + In wildest uproar unconfined, + An universe of warring wind! + And falling sky and heaving sea + Are blent in one! on me, on me, + Nearer and ever yet more near, + Flaunting its pageantry of fear, + Drives down in might its destined road + The tempest of the wrath of God! + O holy Earth, O mother mine! + O Sky, that biddest speed along + Thy vault the common Light divine,— + Be witness of my wrong! + + [_The rocks are rent with fire and earthquake, and fall, burying + PROMETHEUS in the ruins._] + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOUR PLAYS OF AESCHYLUS *** + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the +United States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Four Plays of Aeschylus</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Aeschylus</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 3, 2003 [eBook #8714]<br /> +[Most recently updated: June 19, 2023]</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Ted Garvin, Robert Prince, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOUR PLAYS OF AESCHYLUS ***</div> + +<div class="fig" style="width:55%;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="cover" /> +<p class="caption"><i>Hera and Prometheus<br/> +From a red figure vase. No 78 in the British Museum</i></p> +</div> + +<h1>Four Plays of Aeschylus</h1> + +<h4>The Suppliant Maidens<br/> +The Persians<br/> +The Seven Against Thebes<br/> +The Prometheus Bound</h4> + +<h2 class="no-break">by Aeschylus</h2> + +<h4>Translated Into English Verse By E.D.A. Morshead, MA.</h4> + +<hr /> + +<h3>Contents</h3> + +<table summary="" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto"> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap01">INTRODUCTION</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap02">THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap03">THE PERSIANS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap04">THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap05">PROMETHEUS BOUND</a></td> +</tr> + +</table> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap01"></a>INTRODUCTION</h2> + +<p> +The surviving dramas of Aeschylus are seven in number, though he is believed to +have written nearly a hundred during his life of sixty-nine years, from 525 +B.C. to 456 B.C. That he fought at Marathon in 490, and at Salamis in 480 B.C. +is a strongly accredited tradition, rendered almost certain by the vivid +references to both battles in his play of <i>The Persians</i>, which was +produced in 472. But his earliest extant play was, probably, not <i>The +Persians</i> but <i>The Suppliant Maidens</i>—a mythical drama, the fame +of which has been largely eclipsed by the historic interest of <i>The +Persians</i>, and is undoubtedly the least known and least regarded of the +seven. Its topic—the flight of the daughters of Danaus from Egypt to +Argos, in order to escape from a forced bridal with their first-cousins, the +sons of Aegyptus—is legendary, and the lyric element predominates in the +play as a whole. We must keep ourselves reminded that the ancient Athenian +custom of presenting dramas in <i>Trilogies</i>—that is, in three +consecutive plays dealing with different stages of one legend—was +probably not uniform: it survives, for us, in one instance only, viz. the +Orestean Trilogy, comprising the <i>Agamemnon</i>, the <i>Libation-Bearers</i>, +and the <i>Eumenides</i>, or <i>Furies</i>. This Trilogy is the masterpiece of +the Aeschylean Drama: the four remaining plays of the poet, which are +translated in this volume, are all fragments of lost Trilogies—that is to +say, the plays are complete as <i>poems</i>, but in regard to the poet’s +larger design they are fragments; they once had predecessors, or sequels, of +which only a few words, or lines, or short paragraphs, survive. It is not +certain, but seems probable, that the earliest of these single completed plays +is <i>The Suppliant Maidens</i>, and on that supposition it has been placed +first in the present volume. The maidens, accompanied by their father Danaes, +have fled from Egypt and arrived at Argos, to take sanctuary there and to avoid +capture by their pursuing kinsmen and suitors. In the course of the play, the +pursuers’ ship arrives to reclaim the maidens for a forced wedlock in +Egypt. The action of the drama turns on the attitude of the king and people of +Argos, in view of this intended abduction. The king puts the question to the +popular vote, and the demand of the suitors is unanimously rejected: the play +closes with thanks and gratitude on the part of the fugitives, who, in lyrical +strains of quiet beauty, seem to refer the whole question of their marriage to +the subsequent decision of the gods, and, in particular, of Aphrodite. +</p> + +<p> +Of the second portion of the Trilogy we can only speak conjecturally. There is +a passage in the <i>Prometheus Bound</i> (ll. 860-69), in which we learn that +the maidens were somehow reclaimed by the suitors, and that all, except one, +slew their bridegrooms on the wedding night. There is a faint trace, among the +Fragments of Aeschylus, of a play called <i>Thalamopoioi</i>,—i.e. <i>The +Preparers of the Chamber</i>,—which may well have referred to this tragic +scene. Its grim title will recall to all classical readers the magnificent, +though terrible, version of the legend, in the final stanzas of the eleventh +poem in the third book of Horace’s <i>Odes</i>. The final play was +probably called <i>The Danaides</i>, and described the acquittal of the brides +through some intervention of Aphrodite: a fragment of it survives, in which the +goddess appears to be pleading her special prerogative. The legends which +commit the daughters of Danaus to an eternal penalty in Hades are, apparently, +of later origin. Homer is silent on any such penalty; and Pindar, +Aeschylus’ contemporary, actually describes the once suppliant maidens as +honourably enthroned (<i>Pyth</i>. ix. 112: <i>Nem</i>. x. ll. 1-10). The +Tartarean part of the story is, in fact, post-Aeschylean. +</p> + +<p> +<i>The Suppliant Maidens</i> is full of charm, though the text of the part +which describes the arrival of the pursuers at Argos is full of uncertainties. +It remains a fine, though archaic, poem, with this special claim on our +interest, that it is, probably, the earliest extant poetic drama. We see in it +the <i>tendency</i> to grandiose language, not yet fully developed as in the +<i>Prometheus</i>: the inclination of youth to simplicity, and even platitude, +in religious and general speculation: and yet we recognize, as in the germ, the +profound theology of the <i>Agamemnon</i>, and a touch of the political vein +which appears more fully in the <i>Furies</i>. If the precedence in time here +ascribed to it is correct, the play is perhaps worth more recognition than it +has received from the countrymen of Shakespeare. +</p> + +<p> +<i>The Persians</i> has been placed second in this volume, as the oldest play +whose date is certainly known. It was brought out in 472 B.C., eight years +after the sea-fight of Salamis which it commemorates, and five years before the +<i>Seven against Thebes</i> (467 B.C.). It is thought to be the second play of +a Trilogy, standing between the <i>Phineus</i> and the <i>Glaucus</i>. Phineus +was a legendary seer, of the Argonautic era—“Tiresias and Phineus, prophets +old”—and the play named after him may have contained a prophecy of the great +conflict which is actually described in <i>The Persae</i>: the plot of the +<i>Glaucus</i> is unknown. In any case, <i>The Persians</i> was produced before +the eyes of a generation which had seen the struggles, West against East, at +Marathon and Thermopylæ, Salamis and Plataea. It is as though Shakespeare had +commemorated, through the lips of a Spanish survivor, in the ears of old +councillors of Philip the Second, the dispersal of the Armada. +</p> + +<p> +Against the piteous want of manliness on the part of the returning Xerxes, we +may well set the grave and dignified patriotism of Atossa, the Queen-mother of +the Persian kingdom; the loyalty, in spite of their bewilderment, of the aged +men who form the Chorus; and, above all, the royal phantom of Darius, evoked +from the shadowland by the libations of Atossa and by the appealing cries of +the Chorus. The latter, indeed, hardly dare to address the kingly ghost: but +Atossa bravely narrates to him the catastrophe, of which, in the lower world, +Darius has known nothing, though he realizes that disaster, soon or late, is +the lot of mortal power. As the tale is unrolled, a spirit of prophecy +possesses him, and he foretells the coming slaughter of Plataea; then, with a +last royal admonition that the defeated Xerxes shall, on his return, be +received with all ceremony and observance, and with a characteristic warning to +the aged men, that they must take such pleasures as they may, in their waning +years, he returns to the shades. The play ends with the undignified +reappearance of Xerxes, and a melancholy procession into the palace of Susa. It +was, perhaps, inevitable that this close of the great drama should verge on the +farcical, and that the poltroonery of Xerxes should, in a measure, obscure +Aeschylus’ generous portraiture of Atossa and Darius. But his magnificent +picture of the battle of Salamis is unequalled in the poetic annals of naval +war. No account of the flight of the Armada, no record of Lepanto or Trafalgar, +can be justly set beside it. The Messenger might well, like Prospero, announce +a tragedy by one line— +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. +</p> + +<p> +Five years after <i>The Persians</i>, in 467 B. C., the play which we call the +<i>Seven against Thebes</i> was presented at Athens. It bears now a title which +Aeschylus can hardly have given to it for, though the scene of the drama +overlooks the region where the city of Thebes afterwards came into being, yet, +in the play itself, Thebes is <i>never</i> mentioned. The scene of action is +the Cadmea, or Citadel of Cadmus, and we know that, in Aeschylus’ +lifetime, that citadel was no longer a mere fastness, but had so grown outwards +and enlarged itself that a new name, Thebes, was applied to the collective +city. (All this has been made abundantly clear by Dr. Verrall in his +Introduction to the <i>Seven against Thebes</i>, to which every reader of the +play itself will naturally and most profitably refer.) In the time of +Aeschylus, Thebes was, of course, a notable city, his great contemporary Pindar +was a citizen of it. But the Thebes of Aeschylus’ date is one thing, the +fortress represented in Aeschylus’ play is quite another, and is never, +by him, called Thebes. That the play received, and retains, the name, <i>The +Seven against Thebes</i>, is believed to be due to two lines of Aristophanes in +his <i>Frogs</i> (406 B.C.), where he describes Aeschylus’ play as +“the Seven against Thebes, a drama instinct with War, which any one who +beheld must have yearned to be a warrior.” This is rather an excellent +<i>description</i> of the play than the title of it, and could not be its +Aeschylean name, for the very sufficient reason that Thebes is not mentioned in +the play at all. Aeschylus, in fact, was poetizing an earlier legend of the +fortress of Cadmus. This being premised, we may adopt, under protest as it +were, the Aristophanic name which has accrued to the play. It is the third part +of a Trilogy which might have been called, collectively, <i>The House of +Laius</i>. Sophocles and Euripides give us <i>their</i> versions of the legend, +which we may epitomize, without, however, affirming that they followed exactly +the lines of Aeschylus’ Trilogy—they, for instance, speak freely of +<i>Thebes</i>. Laius, King of Thebes, married Iokaste; he was warned by Apollo +that if he had any children ruin would befall his house. But a child was born, +and, to avoid the threatened catastrophe, without actually killing the child he +exposed it on Mount Cithaeron, that it should die. Some herdsmen saved it and +gave it over to the care of a neighbouring king and queen, who reared it. Later +on, learning that there was a doubt of his parentage, this child, grown now to +maturity, left his foster parents and went to Delphi to consult the oracle, and +received a mysterious and terrible warning, that he was fated to slay his +father and wed his mother. To avoid this horror, he resolved never to approach +the home of his supposed parents. Meantime his real father, Laius, on +<i>his</i> way to consult the god at Delphi, met his unknown son returning from +that shrine—a quarrel fell out, and the younger man slew the elder. +Followed by his evil destiny, he wandered on, and found the now kingless Thebes +in the grasp of the Sphinx monster, over whom he triumphed, and was rewarded by +the hand of Iokaste, his own mother! Not till four children—two sons and +two daughters—had been born to them, was the secret of the lineage +revealed. Iokaste slew herself in horror, and the wretched king tore out his +eyes, that he might never again see the children of his awful union. The two +sons quarrelled over the succession, then agreed on a compromise; then fell at +variance again, and finally slew each other in single combat. These two sons, +according to one tradition, were twins: but the more usual view is that the +elder was called Eteocles, the younger, Polynices. +</p> + +<p> +To the point at which the internecine enmity between Eteocles and Polynices +arose, we have had to follow Sophocles and Euripides, the first two parts of +Aeschylus’ Trilogy being lost. But the third part, as we have said, +survives under the name given to it by Aristophanes, the <i>Seven against +Thebes</i>: it opens with an exhortation by Eteocles to his Cadmeans that they +should “quit them like men” against the onslaught of Polynices and +his Argive allies: the Chorus is a bevy of scared Cadmean maidens, to whom the +very sound of war and tramp of horsemen are new and terrific. It ends with the +news of the death of the two princes, and the lamentations of their two +sisters, Antigone and Ismene. The onslaught from without has been repulsed, but +the male line of the house of Laius is extinct. The Cadmeans resolve that +Eteocles shall be buried in honour, and Polynices flung to the dogs and birds. +Against the latter sentence Antigone protests, and defies the decree: the +Chorus, as is natural, are divided in their sentiments. +</p> + +<p> +It is interesting to note that, in combination with the <i>Laius</i> and the +<i>Oedipus</i>, this play won the dramatic crown in 467 B.C. On the other hand, +so excellent a judge as Mr. Gilbert Murray thinks that it is “perhaps +among Aeschylus’ plays the one that bears least the stamp of commanding +genius.” Perhaps the daring, practically atheistic, character of +Eteocles; the battle-fever that burns and thrills through the play; the +pathetic terror of the Chorus—may have given it favour, in Athenian eyes, +as the work of a poet who—though recently (468 B.C.) defeated in the +dramatic contest by the young Sophocles—was yet present to tell, not by +mere report, the tale of Marathon and Salamis. Or the preceding plays, the +<i>Laius</i> and the <i>Oedipus</i>, may have been of such high merit as to +make up for defects observable in the one that still survives. In any case, we +can hardly err in accepting Dr. Verral’s judgment that “the story +of Aeschylus may be, and in the outlines probably is, the genuine epic legend +of the Cadmean war.” +</p> + +<p> +There remains one Aeschylean play, the most famous—unless we except the +<i>Agamemnon</i>—in extant Greek literature, the <i>Prometheus Bound</i>. +That it was the first of a Trilogy, and that the second and third parts were +called the <i>Prometheus Freed</i>, and <i>Prometheus the Fire-Bearer</i>, +respectively, is accepted: but the date of its performance is unknown. +</p> + +<p> +The <i>Prometheus Bound</i> is conspicuous for its gigantic and strictly +superhuman plot. The <i>Agamemnon</i> is human, though legendary the +<i>Prometheus</i> presents to us the gods of Olympus in the days when mankind +crept like emmets upon the earth or dwelt in caves, scorned by Zeus and the +other powers of heaven, and—still aided by Prometheus the +Titan—wholly without art or science, letters or handicrafts. For his +benevolence towards oppressed mankind, Prometheus is condemned by Zeus to +uncounted ages of pain and torment, shackled and impaled in a lonely cleft of a +Scythian precipice. The play opens with this act of divine resentment enforced +by the will of Zeus and by the handicraft of Hephaestus, who is aided by two +demons, impersonating Strength and Violence. These agents of the ire of Zeus +disappear after the first scene, the rest of the play represents Prometheus in +the mighty solitude, but visited after a while by a Chorus of sea nymphs who, +from the distant depths of ocean, have heard the clang of the demons’ +hammers, and arrive, in a winged car, from the submarine palace of their father +Oceanus. To them Prometheus relates his penalty and its cause: viz., his over +tenderness to the luckless race of mankind. Oceanus himself follows on a +hippogriff, and counsels Prometheus to submit to Zeus. But the Titan who has +handled the sea nymphs with all gentleness, receives the advice with scorn and +contempt, and Oceanus retires. But the courage which he lacks his daughters +possess to the full; they remain by Prometheus to the end, and share his fate, +literally in the crack of doom. But before the end, the strange half human +figure of Io, victim of the lust of Zeus and the jealousy of Hera, comes +wandering by, and tells Prometheus of her wrongs. He, by his divine power, +recounts to her not only the past but also the future of her wanderings. Then, +in a fresh access of frenzy, she drifts away into the unknown world. Then +Prometheus partly reveals to the sea maidens his secret, and the mysterious +cause of Zeus’ hatred against him—a cause which would avail to hurl +the tyrant from his power. So deadly is this secret, that Zeus will, in the +lapse of ages, be forced to reconcile himself with Prometheus, to escape +dethronement. Finally, Hermes, the messenger of Zeus, appears with fresh +threats, that he may extort the mystery from the Titan. But Prometheus is firm, +defying both the tyrant and his envoy, though already the lightning is +flashing, the thunder rolling, and sky and sea are mingling their fury. Hermes +can say no more; the sea nymphs resolutely refuse to retire, and wait their +doom. In this crash of the world, Prometheus flings his final defiance against +Zeus, and amid the lightnings and shattered rocks that are overwhelming him and +his companions, speaks his last word, “<i>It is unjust!</i>” +</p> + +<p> +Any spectacular representation of this finale must, it is clear, have roused +intense sympathy with the Titan and the nymphs alike. If, however, the +sequel-plays had survived to us, we might conceivably have found and realized +another and less intolerable solution. The name <i>Zeus</i>, in Greek, like +that of <i>God</i>, in English, comprises very diverse views of divine +personality. The Zeus in the <i>Prometheus</i> has little but the name in +common with the Zeus in the first chorus of the <i>Agamemnon</i>, or in <i>The +Suppliant Maidens</i> (ll. 86-103): and parallel reflections will give us much +food for thought. But, in any case, let us realize that the <i>Prometheus</i> +is not a human play: with the possible exception of Io, every character in it +is an immortal being. It is not as a vaunt, but as a fact, that Prometheus +declares, as against Zeus (l. 1053), that “Me at least He shall never +give to death.” +</p> + +<p> +A stupendous theological drama of which two-thirds has been lost has left an +aching void, which now can never be filled, in our minds. No reader of poetry +needs to be reminded of the glorious attempt of Shelley to work out a possible +and worthy sequel to the <i>Prometheus</i>. Who will not echo the words of Mr. +Gilbert Murray, when he says that “no piece of lost literature has been +more ardently longed for than the <i>Prometheus Freed</i>”? +</p> + +<p> +But, at the end of a rather prolonged attempt to understand and translate the +surviving tragedies of Aeschylus, one feels inclined to repeat the words used +by a powerful critic about one of the greatest of modern poets—“For +man, it is a weary way to God, but a wearier far to any demigod.” We +shall not discover the full sequel of Aeschylus’ mighty dramatic +conception: we “know in part, and we prophesy in part.” The +Introduction (pp. xvi.-xviii.) prefixed by Mr. A. O. Prickard to his edition of +the <i>Prometheus</i> is full of persuasive grace, on this topic: to him, and +to Dr. Verrall of Cambridge—<i>lucida sidera</i> of help and +encouragement in the study of Aeschylus—the translator’s thanks are +due, and are gratefully and affectionately rendered. +</p> + +<p class="right"> + E. D. A. M. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap02"></a>THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS</h2> + +<h4>DEDICATION</h4> + +<p class="noindent"> +Take thou this gift from out the grave of Time.<br/> +The urns of Greece lie shattered, and the cup<br/> +That for Athenian lips the Muses filled,<br/> +And flowery crowns that on Athenian hair<br/> +Hid the cicala, freedom’s golden sign,<br/> +Dust in the dust have fallen. Calmly sad,<br/> +The marble dead upon Athenian tombs<br/> +Speak from their eyes “Farewell”: and well have fared<br/> +They and the saddened friends, whose clasping hands<br/> +Win from the solemn stone eternity.<br/> +Yea, well they fared unto the evening god,<br/> +Passing beyond the limit of the world,<br/> +Where face to face the son his mother saw,<br/> +A living man a shadow, while she spake<br/> +Words that Odysseus and that Homer heard,—<br/> +<i>I too, O child, I reached the common doom,<br/> +The grave, the goal of fate, and passed away</i>.<br/> +—Such, Anticleia, as thy voice to him,<br/> +Across the dim gray gulf of death and time<br/> +Is that of Greece, a mother’s to a child,—<br/> +Mother of each whose dreams are grave and fair—<br/> +Who sees the Naiad where the streams are bright<br/> +And in the sunny ripple of the sea<br/> +Cymodoce with floating golden hair:<br/> +And in the whisper of the waving oak<br/> +Hears still the Dryad’s plaint, and, in the wind<br/> +That sighs through moonlit woodlands, knows the horn<br/> +Of Artemis, and silver shafts and bow.<br/> +Therefore if still around this broken vase,<br/> +Borne by rough hands, unworthy of their load,<br/> +Far from Cephisus and the wandering rills,<br/> +There cling a fragrance as of things once sweet,<br/> +Of honey from Hymettus’ desert hill,<br/> +Take thou the gift and hold it close and dear;<br/> +For gifts that die have living memories—<br/> +Voices of unreturning days, that breathe<br/> +The spirit of a day that never dies. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h4>ARGUMENT</h4> + +<p> +Io, the daughter of Inachus, King of Argos, was beloved of Zeus. But Hera was +jealous of that love, and by her ill will was Io given over to frenzy, and her +body took the semblance of a heifer: and Argus, a many-eyed herdsman, was set +by Hera to watch Io whithersoever she strayed. Yet, in despite of Argus, did +Zeus draw nigh unto her in the shape of a bull. And by the will of Zeus and the +craft of Hermes was Argus slain. Then Io was driven over far lands and seas by +her madness, and came at length to the land of Egypt. There was she restored to +herself by a touch of the hand of Zeus, and bare a child called Epaphus. And +from Epaphus sprang Libya, and from Libya, Belus; and from Belus, Aegyptus and +Danaus. And the sons of Aegyptus willed to take the daughters of Danaus in +marriage. But the maidens held such wedlock in horror, and fled with their +father over the sea to Argos; and the king and citizens of Argos gave them +shelter and protection from their pursuers. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h4>DRAMATIS PERSONAE</h4> + +<p class="letter"> +DANAUS.<br/> +THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/><br/> +<i>Chorus of the Daughters of Danaus.<br/> +Attendants</i>. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +<i>Scene.—A sacred precinct near the gates of Argos: statue and shrines +of Zeus and other deities stand around</i>. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> +Zeus! Lord and guard of suppliant hands!<br/> + Look down benign on us who crave<br/> + Thine aid—whom winds and waters drave<br/> +From where, through drifting shifting sands,<br/> + Pours Nilus to the wave.<br/> +From where the green land, god-possest,<br/> +Closes and fronts the Syrian waste,<br/> +We flee as exiles, yet unbanned<br/> +By murder’s sentence from our land;<br/> +But—since Aegyptus had decreed<br/> +His sons should wed his brother’s seed,—<br/> +Ourselves we tore from bonds abhorred,<br/> +From wedlock not of heart but hand,<br/> +Nor brooked to call a kinsman lord!<br/> +<br/> +And Danaus, our sire and guide,<br/> +The king of counsel, pond’ring well<br/> +The dice of fortune as they fell,<br/> +Out of two griefs the kindlier chose,<br/> +And bade us fly, with him beside,<br/> +Heedless what winds or waves arose,<br/> +And o’er the wide sea waters haste,<br/> +Until to Argos’ shore at last<br/> + Our wandering pinnace came—<br/> +Argos, the immemorial home<br/> +Of her from whom we boast to come—<br/> +Io, the ox-horned maiden, whom,<br/> +After long wandering, woe, and scathe,<br/> +Zeus with a touch, a mystic breath,<br/> + Made mother of our name.<br/> +Therefore, of all the lands of earth,<br/> +On this most gladly step we forth,<br/> +And in our hands aloft we bear—<br/> +Sole weapon for a suppliant’s wear—<br/> +The olive-shoot, with wool enwound!<br/> + City, and land, and waters wan<br/> +Of Inachus, and gods most high,<br/> +And ye who, deep beneath the ground,<br/> +Bring vengeance weird on mortal man,<br/> +Powers of the grave, on you we cry!<br/> +And unto Zeus the Saviour, guard<br/> +Of mortals’ holy purity!<br/> +Receive ye us—keep watch and ward<br/> +Above the suppliant maiden band!<br/> +Chaste be the heart of this your land<br/> +Towards the weak! but, ere the throng,<br/> +The wanton swarm, from Egypt sprung,<br/> +Leap forth upon the silted shore,<br/> +Thrust back their swift-rowed bark again,<br/> +Repel them, urge them to the main!<br/> +And there, ’mid storm and lightning’s shine,<br/> +And scudding drift and thunder’s roar,<br/> +Deep death be theirs, in stormy brine!<br/> +Before they foully grasp and win<br/> +Us, maiden-children of their kin,<br/> +And climb the couch by law denied,<br/> +And wrong each weak reluctant bride.<br/> + And now on her I call,<br/> +<br/> +Mine ancestress, who far on Egypt’s shore<br/> + A young cow’s semblance wore,—<br/> +A maiden once, by Hera’s malice changed!<br/> + And then on him withal,<br/> +Who, as amid the flowers the grazing creature ranged,<br/> +Was in her by a breath of Zeus conceived;<br/> + And, as the hour of birth drew nigh,<br/> +By fate fulfilled, unto the light he came;<br/> + And Epaphus for name,<br/> +Born from the touch of Zeus, the child received.<br/> + On him, on him I cry,<br/> + And him for patron hold—<br/> + While in this grassy vale I stand,<br/> + Where Io roamed of old!<br/> +And here, recounting all her toil and pain,<br/> +Signs will I show to those who rule the land<br/> +That I am child of hers; and all shall understand,<br/> +Hearing the doubtful tale of the dim past made plain.<br/> + And, ere the end shall be,<br/> +Each man the truth of what I tell shall see.<br/> + And if there dwell hard by<br/> +One skilled to read from bird-notes augury,<br/> +That man, when through his ears shall thrill our tearful wail,<br/> +Shall deem he hears the voice, the plaintive tale<br/> +Of her, the piteous spouse of Tereus, lord of guile—<br/> +Whom the hawk harries yet, the mourning nightingale.<br/> +She, from her happy home and fair streams scared away,<br/> + Wails wild and sad for haunts beloved erewhile.<br/> + Yea, and for Itylus—ah, well-a-day!<br/> + Slain by her own, his mother’s hand,<br/> +Maddened by lustful wrong, the deed by Tereus planned.<br/> +Like her I wail and wail, in soft Ionian tones,<br/> + And as she wastes, even so<br/> +Wastes my soft cheek, once ripe with Nilus’ suns<br/> +And all my heart dissolves in utter woe<br/> + Sad flowers of grief I cull,<br/> +<br/> +Fleeing from kinsmen’s love unmerciful—<br/> +Yea, from the clutching hands, the wanton crowd,<br/> +I sped across the waves, from Egypt’s land of cloud<a href="#linknote-1" name="linknoteref-1" id="linknoteref-1"><sup>[1]</sup></a><br/> +<br/> + Gods of the ancient cradle of my race,<br/> + Hear me, just gods! With righteous grace<br/> + On me, on me look down!<br/> + Grant not to youth its heart’s unchaste desire,<br/> + But, swiftly spurning lust’s unholy fire,<br/> + Bless only love and willing wedlock’s crown<br/> + The war-worn fliers from the battle’s wrack<br/> + Find refuge at the hallowed altar-side,<br/> + The sanctuary divine,—<br/> + Ye gods! such refuge unto me provide—<br/> + Such sanctuary be mine!<br/> + Though the deep will of Zeus be hard to track,<br/> + Yet doth it flame and glance,<br/> + A beacon in the dark, ’mid clouds of chance<br/> + That wrap mankind<br/> + Yea, though the counsel fall, undone it shall not be,<br/> + Whate’er be shaped and fixed within Zeus’ ruling mind—<br/> + Dark as a solemn grove, with sombre leafage shaded,<br/> + His paths of purpose wind,<br/> + A marvel to man’s eye<br/> +<br/> + Smitten by him, from towering hopes degraded,<br/> + Mortals lie low and still<br/> + Tireless and effortless, works forth its will<br/> + The arm divine!<br/> + God from His holy seat, in calm of unarmed power,<br/> + Brings forth the deed, at its appointed hour!<br/> + Let Him look down on mortal wantonness!<br/> + Lo! how the youthful stock of Belus’ line<br/> + Craves for me, uncontrolled—<br/> + With greed and madness bold—<br/> + Urged on by passion’s sunless stress—<br/> + And, cheated, learns too late the prey has ’scaped their hold!<br/> + Ah, listen, listen to my grievous tale,<br/> + My sorrow’s words, my shrill and tearful cries!<br/> + Ah woe, ah woe!<br/> + Loud with lament the accents use,<br/> + And from my living lips my own sad dirges flow!<br/> + O Apian land of hill and dale,<br/> + Thou kennest yet, O land, this faltered foreign wail—<br/> + Have mercy, hear my prayer!<br/> + Lo, how again, again, I rend and tear<br/> + My woven raiment, and from off my hair<br/> + Cast the Sidonian veil!<br/> +<br/> + Ah, but if fortune smile, if death be driven away,<br/> + Vowed rites, with eager haste, we to the gods will pay!<br/> + Alas, alas again!<br/> + O wither drift the waves? and who shall loose the pain?<br/> +<br/> + O Apian land of hill and dale,<br/> + Thou kennest yet, O land, this faltered foreign wail!<br/> + Have mercy, hear my prayer!<br/> + Lo, how again, again, I rend and tear<br/> + My woven raiment, and from off my hair<br/> + Cast the Sidonian veil!<br/> +<br/> + The wafting oar, the bark with woven sail,<br/> + From which the sea foamed back,<br/> + Sped me, unharmed of storms, along the breeze’s track—<br/> + Be it unblamed of me!<br/> + But ah, the end, the end of my emprise!<br/> + May He, the Father, with all-seeing eyes,<br/> + Grant me that end to see!<br/> + Grant that henceforth unstained as heretofore<br/> + I may escape the forced embrace<br/> + Of those proud children of the race<br/> + That sacred Io bore.<br/> +<br/> + And thou, O maiden-goddess chaste and pure—<br/> + Queen of the inner fane,—<br/> + Look of thy grace on me, O Artemis,<br/> + Thy willing suppliant—thine, thine it is,<br/> + Who from the lustful onslaught fled secure,<br/> + To grant that I too without stain<br/> + The shelter of thy purity may gain!<br/> +<br/> + Grant that henceforth unstained as heretofore<br/> + I may escape the forced embrace<br/> + Of those proud children of the race<br/> + That sacred Io bore!<br/> +<br/> + Yet if this may not be,<br/> + We, the dark race sun-smitten, we<br/> + Will speed with suppliant wands<br/> + To Zeus who rules below, with hospitable hands<br/> + Who welcomes all the dead from all the lands:<br/> + Yea by our own hands strangled, we will go,<br/> + Spurned by Olympian gods, unto the gods below!<br/> +<br/> + Zeus, hear and save!<br/> + The searching, poisonous hate, that Io vexed and drave,<br/> + Was of a goddess: well I know<br/> + The bitter ire, the wrathful woe<br/> + Of Hera, queen of heaven—<br/> + A storm, a storm her breath, whereby we yet are driven!<br/> + Bethink thee, what dispraise<br/> + Of Zeus himself mankind will raise,<br/> + If now he turn his face averted from our cries!<br/> + If now, dishonoured and alone,<br/> + The ox-horned maiden’s race shall be undone,<br/> + Children of Epaphus, his own begotten son—<br/> + Zeus, listen from on high!—to thee our prayers arise.<br/> +<br/> + Zeus, hear and save!<br/> + The searching poisonous hate, that Io vexed and drave,<br/> + Was of a goddess: well I know<br/> + The bitter ire, the wrathful woe<br/> + Of Hera, queen of heaven—<br/> + A storm, a storm her breath, whereby we yet are driven! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Children, be wary—wary he with whom<br/> + Ye come, your trusty sire and steersman old:<br/> + And that same caution hold I here on land,<br/> + And bid you hoard my words, inscribing them<br/> + On memory’s tablets. Lo, I see afar<br/> + Dust, voiceless herald of a host, arise;<br/> + And hark, within their grinding sockets ring<br/> + Axles of hurrying wheels! I see approach,<br/> + Borne in curved cars, by speeding horses drawn,<br/> + A speared and shielded band. The chiefs, perchance,<br/> + Of this their land are hitherward intent<br/> + To look on us, of whom they yet have heard<br/> + By messengers alone. But come who may,<br/> + And come he peaceful or in ravening wrath<br/> + Spurred on his path, ’twere best, in any case,<br/> + Damsels, to cling unto this altar-mound<br/> + Made sacred to their gods of festival,—<br/> + A shrine is stronger than a tower to save,<br/> + A shield that none may cleave. Step swift thereto,<br/> + And in your left hands hold with reverence<br/> + The white-crowned wands of suppliance, the sign<br/> + Beloved of Zeus, compassion’s lord, and speak<br/> + To those that question you, words meek and low<br/> + And piteous, as beseems your stranger state,<br/> + Clearly avowing of this flight of yours<br/> + The bloodless cause; and on your utterance<br/> + See to it well that modesty attend;<br/> + From downcast eyes, from brows of pure control,<br/> + Let chastity look forth; nor, when ye speak,<br/> + Be voluble nor eager—they that dwell<br/> + Within this land are sternly swift to chide.<br/> + And be your words submissive: heed this well;<br/> + For weak ye are, outcasts on stranger lands,<br/> + And froward talk beseems not strengthless hands. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O father, warily to us aware<br/> + Thy words are spoken, and thy wisdom’s best<br/> + My mind shall hoard, with Zeus our sire to aid. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Even so—with gracious aspect let him aid. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Fain were I now to seat me by thy side. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Now dally not, but put our thought in act. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Zeus, pity our distress, or e’er we die. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + If so he will, your toils to joy will turn. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Lo, on this shrine, the semblance of a bird.<a href="#linknote-2" name="linknoteref-2" id="linknoteref-2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Zeus’ bird of dawn it is; invoke the sign. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Thus I invoke the saving rays of morn. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Next, bright Apollo, exiled once from heaven. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + The exiled god will pity our exile. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Yea, may he pity, giving grace and aid. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Whom next invoke I, of these other gods? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Lo, here a trident, symbol of a god. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Who<a href="#linknote-3" name="linknoteref-3" id="linknoteref-3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> gave + sea-safety; may he bless on land! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + This next is Hermes, carved in Grecian wise. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Then let him herald help to freedom won. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Lastly, adore this altar consecrate<br/> + To many lesser gods in one; then crouch<br/> + On holy ground, a flock of doves that flee,<br/> + Scared by no alien hawks, a kin not kind,<br/> + Hateful, and fain of love more hateful still.<br/> + Foul is the bird that rends another bird,<br/> + And foul the men who hale unwilling maids,<br/> + From sire unwilling, to the bridal bed.<br/> + Never on earth, nor in the lower world,<br/> + Shall lewdness such as theirs escape the ban:<br/> + There too, if men say right, a God there is<br/> + Who upon dead men turns their sin to doom,<br/> + To final doom. Take heed, draw hitherward,<br/> + That from this hap your safety ye may win. +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter the <span class="charname">KING OF ARGOS</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Speak—of what land are ye? No Grecian band<br/> + Is this to whom I speak, with Eastern robes<br/> + And wrappings richly dight: no Argive maid,<br/> + No woman in all Greece such garb doth wear.<br/> + This too gives marvel, how unto this land,<br/> + Unheralded, unfriended, without guide,<br/> + And without fear, ye came? yet wands I see,<br/> + True sign of suppliance, by you laid down<br/> + On shrines of these our gods of festival.<br/> + No land but Greece can read such signs aright.<br/> + Much else there is, conjecture well might guess,<br/> + But let words teach the man who stands to hear. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + True is the word thou spakest of my garb;<br/> + But speak I unto thee as citizen,<br/> + Or Hermes’ wandbearer, or chieftain king? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + For that, take heart and answer without fear.<br/> + I am Pelasgus, ruler of this land,<br/> + Child of Palaichthon, whom the earth brought forth;<br/> + And, rightly named from me, the race who reap<br/> + This country’s harvests are Pelasgian called.<br/> + And o’er the wide and westward-stretching land,<br/> + Through which the lucent wave of Strymon flows<br/> + I rule; Perrhaebia’s land my boundary is<br/> + Northward, and Pindus’ further slopes, that watch<br/> + Paeonia, and Dodona’s mountain ridge.<br/> + West, east, the limit of the washing seas<br/> + Restrains my rule—the interspace is mine.<br/> + But this whereon we stand is Apian land,<br/> + Styled so of old from the great healer’s name;<br/> + For Apis, coming from Naupactus’ shore<br/> + Beyond the strait, child of Apollo’s self<br/> + And like him seer and healer, cleansed this land<br/> + From man-devouring monsters, whom the earth,<br/> + Stained with pollution of old bloodshedding,<br/> + Brought forth in malice, beasts of ravening jaws,<br/> + A grisly throng of serpents manifold.<br/> + And healings of their hurt, by knife and charm,<br/> + Apis devised, unblamed of Argive men,<br/> + And in their prayers found honour, for reward.<br/> + —Lo, thou hast heard the tokens that I give:<br/> + Speak now thy race, and tell a forthright tale;<br/> + In sooth, this people loves not many words. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Short is my word and clear. Of Argive race<br/> + We come, from her, the ox-horned maiden who<br/> + Erst bare the sacred child. My word shall give<br/> + Whate’er can ’stablish this my soothfast tale. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + O stranger maids, I may not trust this word,<br/> + That ye have share in this our Argive race.<br/> + No likeness of our country do ye bear,<br/> + But semblance as of Libyan womankind.<br/> + Even such a stock by Nilus’ banks might grow;<br/> + Yea and the Cyprian stamp, in female forms,<br/> + Shows to the life, what males impressed the same.<br/> + And, furthermore, of roving Indian maids<br/> + Whose camping-grounds by Aethiopia lie,<br/> + And camels burdened even as mules, and bearing<br/> + Riders, as horses bear, mine ears have heard;<br/> + And tales of flesh-devouring mateless maids<br/> + Called Amazons: to these, if bows ye bare,<br/> + I most had deemed you like. Speak further yet,<br/> + That of your Argive birth the truth I learn. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Here in this Argive land—so runs the tale—<br/> + Io was priestess once of Hera’s fane. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Yea, truth it is, and far this word prevails:<br/> + Is’t said that Zeus with mortal mingled love? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ay, and that Hera that embrace surmised. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + How issued then this strife of those on high? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + By Hera’s will, a heifer she became. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Held Zeus aloof then from the horned beast? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + ’Tis said, he loved, in semblance of a bull. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + And his stern consort, did she aught thereon? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + One myriad-eyed she set, the heifer’s guard. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + How namest thou this herdsman many-eyed? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Argus, the child of Earth, whom Hermes slew. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Still did the goddess vex the beast ill-starred? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + She wrought a gadfly with a goading sting. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Thus drave she Io hence, to roam afar? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Yea—this thy word coheres exact with mine. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Then to Canopus and to Memphis came she? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + And by Zeus’ hand was touched, and bare a child. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Who vaunts him the Zeus-mated creature’s son? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Epaphus, named rightly from the saving touch. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + And whom in turn did Epaphus beget?<a href="#linknote-4" name="linknoteref-4" id="linknoteref-4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Libya, with name of a wide land endowed. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + And who from her was born unto the race? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Belus: from him two sons, my father one. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Speak now to me his name, this greybeard wise. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Revere the gods thus crowned, who steer the State. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Awe thrills me, seeing these shrines with leafage crowned. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Yea, stern the wrath of Zeus, the suppliants’ lord.<br/> + Child of Palaichthon, royal chief<br/> + Of thy Pelasgians, hear!<br/> + Bow down thine heart to my relief—<br/> + A fugitive, a suppliant, swift with fear,<br/> + A creature whom the wild wolves chase<br/> + O’er toppling crags; in piteous case<br/> + Aloud, afar she lows,<br/> + Calling the herdsman’s trusty arm to save her from her foes! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Lo, with bowed heads beside our city shrines<br/> + Ye sit ’neath shade of new-plucked olive-boughs.<br/> + Our distant kin’s resentment Heaven forefend!<br/> + Let not this hap, unhoped and unforeseen,<br/> + Bring war on us: for strife we covet not. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Justice, the daughter of right-dealing Zeus,<br/> + Justice, the queen of suppliants, look down,<br/> + That this our plight no ill may loose<br/> + Upon your town!<br/> + This word, even from the young, let age and wisdom learn:<br/> + If thou to suppliants show grace,<br/> + Thou shalt not lack Heaven’s grace in turn,<br/> + So long as virtue’s gifts on heavenly shrines have place. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Not at my private hearth ye sit and sue;<br/> + And if the city bear a common stain,<br/> + Be it the common toil to cleanse the same:<br/> + Therefore no pledge, no promise will I give,<br/> + Ere counsel with the commonwealth be held. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Nay, but the source of sway, the city’s self, art thou,<br/> + A power unjudged! thine, only thine,<br/> + To rule the right of hearth and shrine!<br/> + Before thy throne and sceptre all men bow!<br/> + Thou, in all causes lord, beware the curse divine! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + May that curse fall upon mine enemies!<br/> + I cannot aid you without risk of scathe,<br/> + Nor scorn your prayers—unmerciful it were.<br/> + Perplexed, distraught I stand, and fear alike<br/> + The twofold chance, to do or not to do. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Have heed of him who looketh from on high,<br/> + The guard of woeful mortals, whosoe’er<br/> + Unto their fellows cry,<br/> + And find no pity, find no justice there.<br/> + Abiding in his wrath, the suppliants’ lord<br/> + Doth smite, unmoved by cries, unbent by prayerful word. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + But if Aegyptus’ children grasp you here,<br/> + Claiming, their country’s right, to hold you theirs<br/> + As next of kin, who dares to counter this?<br/> + Plead ye your country’s laws, if plead ye may,<br/> + That upon you they lay no lawful hand. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Let me not fall, O nevermore,<br/> + A prey into the young men’s hand;<br/> + Rather than wed whom I abhor,<br/> + By pilot-stars I flee this land;<br/> + O king, take justice to thy side,<br/> + And with the righteous powers decide! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Hard is the cause—make me not judge thereof.<br/> + Already I have vowed it, to do nought<br/> + Save after counsel with my people ta’en,<br/> + King though I be; that ne’er in after time,<br/> + If ill fate chance, my people then may say—<br/> + <i>In aid of strangers thou the state hast slain</i>. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Zeus, lord of kinship, rules at will<br/> + The swaying balance, and surveys<br/> + Evil and good; to men of ill<br/> + Gives evil, and to good men praise.<br/> + And thou—since true those scales do sway—<br/> + Shall thou from justice shrink away? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + A deep, a saving counsel here there needs—<br/> + An eye that like a diver to the depth<br/> + Of dark perplexity can pass and see,<br/> + Undizzied, unconfused. First must we care<br/> + That to the State and to ourselves this thing<br/> + Shall bring no ruin; next, that wrangling hands<br/> + Shall grasp you not as prey, nor we ourselves<br/> + Betray you thus embracing sacred shrines,<br/> + Nor make the avenging all-destroying god,<br/> + Who not in hell itself sets dead men free,<br/> + A grievous inmate, an abiding bane.—<br/> + Spake I not right, of saving counsel’s need? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Yea, counsel take and stand to aid<br/> + At Justice’ side and mine.<br/> + Betray not me, the timorous maid<br/> + Whom far beyond the brine<br/> + A godless violence cast forth forlorn.<br/> + O King, wilt thou behold—<br/> + Lord of this land, wilt thou behold me torn<br/> + From altars manifold?<br/> + Bethink thee of the young men’s wrath and lust,<br/> + Hold off their evil pride;<br/> + Steel not thyself to see the suppliant thrust<br/> + From hallowed statues’ side,<br/> + Haled by the frontlet on my forehead bound,<br/> + As steeds are led, and drawn<br/> + By hands that drag from shrine and altar-mound<br/> + My vesture’s fringed lawn.<br/> + Know thou that whether for Aegyptus’ race<br/> + Thou dost their wish fulfil,<br/> + Or for the gods and for each holy place—<br/> + Be thy choice good or ill,<br/> + Blow is with blow requited, grace with grace<br/> + Such is Zeus’ righteous will. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Yea, I have pondered: from the sea of doubt<br/> + Here drives at length the bark of thought ashore;<br/> + Landward with screw and windlass haled, and firm,<br/> + Clamped to her props, she lies. The need is stern;<br/> + With men or gods a mighty strife we strive<br/> + Perforce, and either hap in grief concludes.<br/> + For, if a house be sacked, new wealth for old<br/> + Not hard it is to win—if Zeus the lord<br/> + Of treasure favour—more than quits the loss,<br/> + Enough to pile the store of wealth full high;<br/> + Or if a tongue shoot forth untimely speech,<br/> + Bitter and strong to goad a man to wrath,<br/> + Soft words there be to soothe that wrath away:<br/> + But what device shall make the war of kin<br/> + Bloodless? that woe, the blood of many beasts,<br/> + And victims manifold to many gods,<br/> + Alone can cure. Right glad I were to shun<br/> + This strife, and am more fain of ignorance<br/> + Than of the wisdom of a woe endured.<br/> + The gods send better than my soul foretells! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Of many cries for mercy, hear the end. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Say on, then, for it shall not ’scape mine ear. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Girdles we have, and bands that bind our robes. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Even so; such things beseem a woman’s wear. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Know, then, with these a fair device there is— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Speak, then: what utterance doth this foretell? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Unless to us thou givest pledge secure— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + What can thy girdles’ craft achieve for thee? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Strange votive tablets shall these statues deck. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Mysterious thy resolve—avow it clear. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Swiftly to hang me on these sculptured gods! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Thy word is as a lash to urge my heart. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Thou seest truth, for I have cleared thine eye +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Yea, and woes manifold, invincible,<br/> + A crowd of ills, sweep on me torrent-like.<br/> + My bark goes forth upon a sea of troubles<br/> + Unfathomed, ill to traverse, harbourless.<br/> + For if my deed shall match not your demand,<br/> + Dire, beyond shot of speech, shall be the bane<br/> + Your death’s pollution leaves unto this land.<br/> + Yet if against your kin, Aegyptus’ race,<br/> + Before our gates I front the doom of war,<br/> + Will not the city’s loss be sore? Shall men<br/> + For women’s sake incarnadine the ground?<br/> + But yet the wrath of Zeus, the suppliants’ lord<br/> + I needs must fear: most awful unto man<br/> + The terror of his anger. Thou, old man,<br/> + The father of these maidens, gather up<br/> + Within your arms these wands of suppliance,<br/> + And lay them at the altars manifold<br/> + Of all our country’s gods, that all the town<br/> + Know, by this sign, that ye come here to sue.<br/> + Nor, in thy haste, do thou say aught of me.<br/> + Swift is this folk to censure those who rule;<br/> + But, if they see these signs of suppliance,<br/> + It well may chance that each will pity you,<br/> + And loathe the young men’s violent pursuit;<br/> + And thus a fairer favour you may find:<br/> + For, to the helpless, each man’s heart is kind. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + To us, beyond gifts manifold it is<br/> + To find a champion thus compassionate;<br/> + Yet send with me attendants, of thy folk,<br/> + Rightly to guide me, that I duly find<br/> + Each altar of your city’s gods that stands<br/> + Before the fane, each dedicated shrine;<br/> + And that in safety through the city’s ways<br/> + I may pass onwards: all unlike to yours<br/> + The outward semblance that I wear—the race<br/> + that Nilus rears is all dissimilar<br/> + That of Inachus. Keep watch and ward<br/> + Lest heedlessness bring death: full oft, I ween,<br/> + Friend hath slain friend, not knowing whom he slew. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Go at his side, attendants,—he saith well.<br/> + On to the city’s consecrated shrines!<br/> + Nor be of many words to those ye meet,<br/> + The while this suppliant voyager ye lead. +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit <span class="charname">DANAUS</span> with attendants.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Let him go forward, thy command obeying.<br/> + But me how biddest, how assurest thou? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Leave there the new-plucked boughs, thy sorrow’s sign. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Thus beckoned forth, at thy behest I leave them. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Now to this level precinct turn thyself. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Unconsecrate it is, and cannot shield me. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + We will not yield thee to those falcons’ greed. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + What help? more fierce they are than serpents fell. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + We spake thee fair—speak thou them fair in turn. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + What marvel that we loathe them, scared in soul? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Awe towards a king should other fears transcend. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Thus speak, thus act, and reassure my mind. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> +Not long thy sire shall leave thee desolate.<br/> +But I will call the country’s indwellers,<br/> +And with soft words th’ assembly will persuade,<br/> +And warn your sire what pleadings will avail.<br/> +Therefore abide ye, and with prayer entreat<br/> +The country’s gods to compass your desire;<br/> +The while I go, this matter to provide,<br/> +Persuasion and fair fortune at my side. +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit the <span class="charname">KING OF ARGOS</span>.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O King of Kings, among the blest<br/> + Thou highest and thou happiest,<br/> + Listen and grant our prayer,<br/> + And, deeply loathing, thrust<br/> + Away from us the young men’s lust,<br/> + And deeply drown<br/> + In azure waters, down and ever down,<br/> + Benches and rowers dark,<br/> + The fatal and perfidious bark!<br/> + Unto the maidens turn thy gracious care;<br/> + Think yet again upon the tale of fame,<br/> + How from the maiden loved of thee there sprung<br/> + Mine ancient line, long since in many a legend sung!<br/> + Remember, O remember, thou whose hand<br/> + Did Io by a touch to human shape reclaim.<br/> + For from this Argos erst our mother came<br/> + Driven hence to Egypt’s land,<br/> + Yet sprung of Zeus we were, and hence our birth we claim.<br/> + And now have I roamed back<br/> + Unto the ancient track<br/> + Where Io roamed and pastured among flowers,<br/> + Watched o’er by Argus’ eyes,<br/> + Through the lush grasses and the meadow bowers.<br/> + Thence, by the gadfly maddened, forth she flies<br/> + Unto far lands and alien peoples driven<br/> + And, following fate, through paths of foam and surge,<br/> + Sees, as she goes, the cleaving strait divide<br/> + Greece, from the Eastland riven.<br/> + And swift through Asian borders doth she urge<br/> + Her course, o’er Phrygian mountains’ sheep-clipt side;<br/> + Thence, where the Mysian realm of Teuthras lies<br/> + Towards Lydian lowlands hies,<br/> + And o’er Cilician and Pamphylian hills<br/> + And ever-flowing rills,<br/> + And thence to Aphrodite’s fertile shore,<a href="#linknote-5" name="linknoteref-5" id="linknoteref-5"><sup>[5]</sup></a><br/> + The land of garnered wheat and wealthy store<br/> + And thence, deep-stung by wild unrest,<br/> + By the winged fly that goaded her and drave,<br/> + Unto the fertile land, the god-possest,<br/> + (Where, fed from far-off snows,<br/> + Life-giving Nilus flows,<br/> + Urged on by Typho’s strength, a fertilizing wave)<br/> + She roves, in harassed and dishonoured flight<br/> + Scathed by the blasting pangs of Hera’s dread despite.<br/> + And they within the land<br/> + With terror shook and wanned,<br/> + So strange the sight they saw, and were afraid—<br/> + A wild twy-natured thing, half heifer and half maid.<br/> + Whose hand was laid at last on Io, thus forlorn,<br/> + With many roamings worn?<br/> + Who bade the harassed maiden’s peace return?<br/> + Zeus, lord of time eterne.<br/> + Yea, by his breath divine, by his unscathing strength,<br/> + She lays aside her bane,<br/> + And softened back to womanhood at length<br/> + Sheds human tears again.<br/> + Then, quickened with Zeus’ veritable seed,<br/> + A progeny she bare,<br/> + A stainless babe, a child of heavenly breed.<br/> + Of life and fortune fair.<br/> + <i>His is the life of life</i>—so all men say,—<br/> + <i>His is the seed of Zeus.<br/> + Who else had power stern Hera’s craft to stay,<br/> + Her vengeful curse to loose?</i><br/> +<br/> + Yea, all from Zeus befell!<br/> + And rightly wouldst thou tell<br/> + That we from Epaphus, his child, were born:<br/> + Justly his deed was done;<br/> + Unto what other one,<br/> + Of all the gods, should I for justice turn?<br/> + From him our race did spring;<br/> + Creator he and King,<br/> + Ancient of days and wisdom he, and might.<br/> + As bark before the wind,<br/> + So, wafted by his mind,<br/> + Moves every counsel, each device aright.<br/> + Beneath no stronger hand<br/> + Holds he a weak command,<br/> + No throne doth he abase him to adore;<br/> + Swift as a word, his deed<br/> + Acts out what stands decreed<br/> + In counsels of his heart, for evermore. +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Re-enter <span class="charname">DANAUS</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Take heart, my children: the land’s heart is kind,<br/> + And to full issue has their voting come. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + All hail, my sire; thy word brings utmost joy.<br/> + Say, to what issue is the vote made sure,<br/> + And how prevailed the people’s crowding hands? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + With one assent the Argives spake their will,<br/> + And, hearing, my old heart took youthful cheer,<br/> + The very sky was thrilled when high in air<br/> + The concourse raised right hands and swore their oath:—<br/> + <i>Free shall the maidens sojourn in this land.<br/> + Unharried, undespoiled by mortal wight:<br/> + No native hand, no hand of foreigner<br/> + Shall drag them hence; if any man use force—<br/> + Whoe’er of all our countrymen shall fail<br/> + To come unto their aid, let him go forth,<br/> + Beneath the people’s curse, to banishment</i>.<br/> + So did the king of this Pelasgian folk<br/> + Plead on behalf of us, and bade them heed<br/> + That never, in the after-time, this realm<br/> + Should feed to fulness the great enmity<br/> + Of Zeus, the suppliants’ guard, against itself!<br/> + A twofold curse, for wronging stranger-guests<br/> + Who are akin withal, confrontingly<br/> + Should rise before this city and be shown<br/> + A ruthless monster, fed on human doom.<br/> + Such things the Argive people heard, and straight,<br/> + Without proclaim of herald, gave assent:<br/> + Yea, in full conclave, the Pelasgian folk<br/> + Heard suasive pleas, and Zeus through them resolved. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Arouse we now to chant our prayer<br/> + For fair return of service fair<br/> + And Argos’ kindly will.<br/> + Zeus, lord of guestright, look upon<br/> + The grace our stranger lips have won.<br/> + In right and truth, as they begun,<br/> + Guide them, with favouring hand, until<br/> + Thou dost their blameless wish fulfil!<br/> +<br/> + Now may the Zeus-born gods on high<br/> + Hear us pour forth<br/> + A votive prayer for Argos’ clan!—<br/> + Never may this Pelasgian earth,<br/> + Amid the fire-wrack, shrill the dismal cry<br/> + On Ares, ravening lord of fight,<br/> + Who in an alien harvest mows down man!<br/> + For lo, this land had pity on our plight,<br/> + And unto us were merciful and leal,<br/> + To us, the piteous flock, who at Zeus’ altar kneel!<br/> + They scornèd not the pleas of maidenhood,<br/> + Nor with the young men’s will hath their will stood.<br/> + They knew right well.<br/> +<br/> + Th’ unearthly watching fiend invincible,<br/> + The foul avenger—let him not draw near!<br/> + For he, on roofs ill-starred,<br/> + Defiling and polluting, keeps a ghastly ward!<br/> + They knew his vengeance, and took holy heed<br/> + To us, the sister suppliants, who cry<br/> + To Zeus, the lord of purity:<br/> + Therefore with altars pure they shall the gods revere.<br/> +<br/> + Thus, through the boughs that shade our lips, fly forth in air,<br/> + Fly forth, O eager prayer!<br/> + May never pestilence efface<br/> + This city’s race,<br/> + Nor be the land with corpses strewed,<br/> + Nor stained with civic blood!<br/> + The stem of youth, unpluckt, to manhood come,<br/> + Nor Ares rise from Aphrodité’s bower,<br/> + The lord of death and bane, to waste our youthful flower.<br/> + Long may the old<br/> + Crowd to the altars kindled to consume<br/> + Gifts rich and manifold—<br/> + Offered to win from powers divine<br/> + A benison on city and on shrine:<br/> + Let all the sacred might adore<br/> + Of Zeus most high, the lord<br/> + Of guestright and the hospitable board,<br/> + Whose immemorial law doth rule Fate’s scales aright:<br/> + The garners of earth’s store<br/> + Be full for evermore,<br/> + And grace of Artemis make women’s travail light;<br/> + No devastating curse of fell disease<br/> + This city seize;<br/> + No clamour of the State arouse to war<br/> + Ares, from whom afar<br/> + Shrinketh the lute, by whom the dances fail—<br/> + Ares, the lord of wail.<br/> + Swarm far aloof from Argos’ citizens<br/> + All plague and pestilence,<br/> + And may the Archer-God our children spare!<br/> + May Zeus with foison and with fruitfulness<br/> + The land’s each season bless,<br/> + And, quickened with Heaven’s bounty manifold,<br/> + Teem grazing flock and fold.<br/> + Beside the altars of Heaven’s hallowing<br/> + Loud let the minstrels sing,<br/> + And from pure lips float forth the harp-led strain in air!<br/> + And let the people’s voice, the power<br/> + That sways the State, in danger’s hour<br/> + Be wary, wise for all;<br/> + Nor honour in dishonour hold,<br/> + But—ere the voice of war be bold—<br/> + Let them to stranger peoples grant<br/> + Fair and unbloody covenant—<br/> + Justice and peace withal;<br/> + And to the Argive powers divine<br/> + The sacrifice of laurelled kine,<br/> + By rite ancestral, pay.<br/> + Among three words of power and awe,<br/> + Stands this, the third, the mighty law—<br/> + <i>Your gods, your fathers deified,<br/> + Ye shall adore</i>. Let this abide<br/> + For ever and for aye. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Dear children, well and wisely have ye prayed;<br/> + I bid you now not shudder, though ye hear<br/> + New and alarming tidings from your sire.<br/> + From this high place beside the suppliants’ shrine<br/> + The bark of our pursuers I behold,<br/> + By divers tokens recognized too well.<br/> + Lo, the spread canvas and the hides that screen<br/> + The gunwale; lo, the prow, with painted eyes<br/> + That seem her onward pathway to descry,<br/> + Heeding too well the rudder at the stern<br/> + That rules her, coming for no friendly end.<br/> + And look, the seamen—all too plain their race—<br/> + Their dark limbs gleam from out their snow-white garb;<br/> + Plain too the other barks, a fleet that comes<br/> + All swift to aid the purpose of the first,<br/> + That now, with furled sail and with pulse of oars<br/> + Which smite the wave together, comes aland.<br/> + But ye, be calm, and, schooled not scared by fear,<br/> + Confront this chance, be mindful of your trust<br/> + In these protecting gods. And I will hence,<br/> + And champions who shall plead your cause aright<br/> + Will bring unto your side. There come perchance<br/> + Heralds or envoys, eager to lay hand<br/> + And drag you captive hence; yet fear them not;<br/> + Foiled shall they be. Yet well it were for you<br/> + (If, ere with aid I come, I tarry long),<br/> + Not by one step this sanctuary to leave.<br/> + Farewell, fear nought: soon shall the hour be born<br/> + When he that scorns the gods shall rue his scorn +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah but I shudder, father!—ah, even now,<br/> + Even as I speak, the swift-winged ships draw nigh!<br/> +<br/> + I shudder, I shiver, I perish with fear:<br/> + Overseas though I fled,<br/> + Yet nought it avails; my pursuers are near! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Children, take heart; they who decreed to aid<br/> + Thy cause will arm for battle, well I ween. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + But desperate is Aegyptus’ ravening race,<br/> + With fight unsated; thou too know’st it well.<br/> +<br/> + In their wrath they o’ertake us; the prow is deep-dark<br/> + In the which they have sped,<br/> + And dark is the bench and the crew of the bark! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Yea but a crew as stout they here shall find,<br/> + And arms well steeled beneath a noon-day sun. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah yet, O father, leave us not forlorn!<br/> + Alone, a maid is nought, a strengthless arm.<br/> + With guile they pursue me, with counsel malign,<br/> + And unholy their soul;<br/> + And as ravens they seize me, unheeding the shrine! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Fair will befall us, children, in this chance,<br/> + If thus in wrath they wrong the gods and you. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alas, nor tridents nor the sanctity<br/> + Of shrines will drive them, O my sire, from us!<br/> +<br/> + Unholy and daring and cursed is their ire,<br/> + Nor own they control<br/> + Of the gods, but like jackals they glut their desire! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Ay, but <i>Come wolf, flee jackal</i>, saith the saw;<br/> + Nor can the flax-plant overbear the corn. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Lustful, accursèd, monstrous is their will<br/> + As of beasts ravening—’ware we of their power! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS.<br/> + Look you, not swiftly puts a fleet to sea,<br/> + Nor swiftly to its moorings; long it is<br/> + Or e’er the saving cables to the shore<br/> + Are borne, and long or e’er the steersmen cry,<br/> + <i>The good ship swings at anchor—all is well</i>.<br/> + Longest of all, the task to come aland<br/> + Where haven there is none, when sunset fades<br/> + In night. <i>To pilot wise</i>, the adage saith,<br/> + <i>Night is a day of wakefulness and pain</i>.<br/> + Therefore no force of weaponed men, as yet<br/> + Scatheless can come ashore, before the bank<br/> + Lie at her anchorage securely moored.<br/> + Bethink thee therefore, nor in panic leave<br/> + The shrine of gods whose succour thou hast won<br/> + I go for aid—men shall not blame me long,<br/> + Old, but with youth at heart and on my tongue. +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit <span class="charname">DANAUS</span>.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O land of hill and dale, O holy land,<br/> + What shall befall us? whither shall we flee,<br/> + From Apian land to some dark lair of earth?<br/> +<br/> +O would that in vapour of smoke I might rise to the clouds of the sky,<br/> +That as dust which flits up without wings I might pass and evanish and die!<br/> +I dare not, I dare not abide: my heart yearns, eager to fly;<br/> +And dark is the cast of my thought; I shudder and tremble for fear.<br/> +My father looked forth and beheld: I die of the sight that draws near.<br/> +And for me be the strangling cord, the halter made ready by Fate,<br/> +Before to my body draws nigh the man of my horror and hate.<br/> +Nay, ere I will own him as lord, as handmaid to Hades I go!<br/> +And oh, that aloft in the sky, where the dark clouds are frozen to snow,<br/> +A refuge for me might be found, or a mountain-top smooth and too high<br/> +For the foot of the goat, where the vulture sits lonely, and none may descry<br/> +The pinnacle veiled in the cloud, the highest and sheerest of all,<br/> +Ere to wedlock that rendeth my heart, and love that is loveless, I fall!<br/> +Yea, a prey to the dogs and the birds of the mount will I give me to be,—<br/> +From wailing and curse and pollution it is death, only death, sets me free:<br/> +Let death come upon me before to the ravisher’s bed I am thrust;<br/> +What champion, what saviour but death can I find, or what refuge from lust?<br/> +I will utter my shriek of entreaty, a prayer that shrills up to the sky,<br/> +That calleth the gods to compassion, a tuneful, a pitiful cry,<br/> +That is loud to invoke the releaser. O father, look down on the fight;<br/> +Look down in thy wrath on the wronger, with eyes that are eager for right.<br/> +Zeus, thou that art lord of the world, whose kingdom is strong over all,<br/> +Have mercy on us! At thine altar for refuge and safety we call.<br/> +For the race of Aegyptus is fierce, with greed and with malice afire;<br/> +They cry as the questing hounds, they sweep with the speed of desire.<br/> +But thine is the balance of fate, thou rulest the wavering scale,<br/> +And without thee no mortal emprise shall have strength to achieve or prevail.<br/> +<br/> + Alack, alack! the ravisher—<br/> + He leaps from boat to beach, he draweth near!<br/> + Away, thou plunderer accurst!<br/> + Death seize thee first,<br/> + Or e’er thou touch me—off! God, hear our cry,<br/> + Our maiden agony!<br/> + Ah, ah, the touch, the prelude of my shame.<br/> + Alas, my maiden fame!<br/> + O sister, sister, to the altar cling,<br/> + For he that seizeth me,<br/> + Grim is his wrath and stern, by land as on the sea.<br/> + Guard us, O king! +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter the <span class="charname">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Hence to my barge—step swiftly, tarry not. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alack, he rends—he rends my hair! O wound on wound!<br/> + Help! my lopped head will fall, my blood gush o’er the ground! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Aboard, ye cursèd—with a new curse, go! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Would God that on the wand’ring brine<br/> + Thou and this braggart tongue of thine<br/> + Had sunk beneath the main—<br/> + Thy mast and planks, made fast in vain!<br/> + Thee would I drive aboard once more,<br/> + A slayer and a dastard, from the shore! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Be still, thou vain demented soul;<br/> + My force thy craving shall control.<br/> + Away, aboard! What, clingest to the shrine?<br/> + Away! this city’s gods I hold not for divine. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Aid me, ye gods, that never, never<br/> + I may again behold<br/> + The mighty, the life-giving river,<br/> + Nilus, the quickener of field and fold!<br/> + Alack, O sire, unto the shrine I cling—<br/> + Shrine of this land from which mine ancient line did spring! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Shrines, shrines, forsooth!—the ship, the ship be shrine!<br/> + Aboard, perforce and will-ye nill-ye, go!<br/> + Or e’er from hands of mine<br/> + Ye suffer torments worse and blow on blow. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alack, God grant those hands may strive in vain<br/> + With the salt-streaming wave,<br/> + When ’gainst the wide-blown blasts thy bark shall strain<br/> + To round Sarpedon’s cape, the sandbank’s treach’rous grave. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Shrill ye and shriek unto what gods ye may,<br/> + Ye shall not leap from out Aegyptus’ bark,<br/> + How bitterly soe’er ye wail your woe. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alack, alack my wrong!<br/> + Stern is thy voice, thy vaunting loud and strong.<br/> + Thy sire, the mighty Nilus, drive thee hence<br/> + Turning to death and doom thy greedy violence! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Swift to the vessel of the double prow,<br/> + Go quickly! let none linger, else this hand<br/> + Ruthless will hale you by your tresses hence. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alack, O father! from the shrine<br/> + Not aid but agony is mine.<br/> + As a spider he creeps and he clutches his prey,<br/> + And he hales me away.<br/> + A spectre of darkness, of darkness. Alas and alas! well-a-day!<br/> + O Earth, O my mother! O Zeus, thou king of the earth, and her child!<br/> + Turn back, we pray thee, from us his clamour and threatenings wild! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Peace! I fear not this country’s deities.<br/> + They fostered not my childhood nor mine age. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Like a snake that is human he comes, he shudders and crawls to my side;<br/> + As an adder that biteth the foot, his clutch on my flesh doth abide.<br/> + O Earth, O my mother! O Zeus, thou king of the earth, and her child!<br/> + Turn back, we pray thee, from us his clamour and threatenings wild! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Swift each unto the ship; repine no more,<br/> + Or my hand shall not spare to rend your robe. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O chiefs, O leaders, aid me, or I yield! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Peace! if ye have not ears to hear my words,<br/> + Lo, by these tresses must I hale you hence. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Undone we are, O king! all hope is gone. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Ay, kings enow ye shall behold anon,<br/> + Aegyptus’ sons—Ye shall not want for kings. +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter the <span class="charname">KING OF ARGOS</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Sirrah, what dost thou? in what arrogance<br/> + Darest thou thus insult Pelasgia’s realm?<br/> + Deemest thou this a woman-hearted town?<br/> + Thou art too full of thy barbarian scorn<br/> + For us of Grecian blood, and, erring thus,<br/> + Thou dost bewray thyself a fool in all! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Say thou wherein my deeds transgress my right. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + First, that thou play’st a stranger’s part amiss. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Wherein? I do but search and claim mine own. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + To whom of our guest-champions hast appealed? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + To Hermes, herald’s champion, lord of search. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Yea, to a god—yet dost thou wrong the gods! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + The gods that rule by Nilus I revere. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Hear I aright? our Argive gods are nought? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + The prey is mine, unless force rend it from me. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + At thine own peril touch them—’ware, and soon! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + I hear thy speech, no hospitable word. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + I am no host for sacrilegious hands. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + I will go tell this to Aegyptus’ sons. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Tell it! my pride will ponder not thy word. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Yet, that I have my message clear to say<br/> + (For it behooves that heralds’ words be clear,<br/> + Be they or ill or good), how art thou named?<br/> + By whom despoilèd of this sister-band<br/> + Of maidens pass I homeward?—speak and say!<br/> + For lo, henceforth in Ares’ court we stand,<br/> + Who judges not by witness but by war:<br/> + No pledge of silver now can bring the cause<br/> + To issue: ere this thing end, there must be<br/> + Corpse piled on corpse and many lives gasped forth. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + What skills it that I tell my name to thee?<br/> + Thou and thy mates shall learn it ere the end.<br/> + Know that if words unstained by violence<br/> + Can change these maidens’ choice, then mayest thou,<br/> + With full consent of theirs, conduct them hence.<br/> + But thus the city with one voice ordained—<br/> +<br/> + <i>No force shall bear away the maiden band</i>.<br/> +<br/> + Firmly this word upon the temple wall<br/> + Is by a rivet clenched, and shall abide:<br/> + Not upon wax inscribed and delible,<br/> + Nor upon parchment sealed and stored away.—<br/> + Lo, thou hast heard our free mouths speak their will:<br/> + Out from our presence—tarry not, but go! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS.<br/> + Methinks we stand on some new edge of war:<br/> + Be strength and triumph on the young men’s side! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + Nay but here also shall ye find young men,<br/> + Unsodden with the juices oozed from grain.<a href="#linknote-6" name="linknoteref-6" id="linknoteref-6"><sup>[6]</sup></a> +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit <span class="charname">HERALD OF AEGYPTUS</span>.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent"> + But ye, O maids, with your attendants true,<br/> + Pass hence with trust into the fencèd town,<br/> + Ringed with a wide confine of guarding towers.<br/> + Therein are many dwellings for such guests<br/> + As the State honours; there myself am housed<br/> + Within a palace neither scant nor strait.<br/> + There dwell ye, if ye will to lodge at ease<br/> + In halls well-thronged: yet, if your soul prefer,<br/> + Tarry secluded in a separate home.<br/> + Choose ye and cull, from these our proffered gifts,<br/> + Whiche’er is best and sweetest to your will:<br/> + And I and all these citizens whose vote<br/> + Stands thus decreed, will your protectors be.<br/> + Look not to find elsewhere more loyal guard. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O godlike chief, God grant my prayer:<br/> + <i>Fair blessings on thy proffers fair,<br/> + Lord of Pelasgia’s race!</i><br/> + Yet, of thy grace, unto our side<br/> + Send thou the man of courage tried,<br/> + Of counsel deep and prudent thought,—<br/> + Be Danaus to his children brought;<br/> + For his it is to guide us well<br/> + And warn where it behoves to dwell—<br/> + What place shall guard and shelter us<br/> + From malice and tongues slanderous:<br/> + Swift always are the lips of blame<br/> + A stranger-maiden to defame—<br/> + But Fortune give us grace! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE KING OF ARGOS.<br/> + A stainless fame, a welcome kind<br/> + From all this people shall ye find:<br/> + Dwell therefore, damsels, loved of us,<br/> + Within our walls, as Danaus<br/> + Allots to each, in order due,<br/> + Her dower of attendants true. +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Re-enter <span class="charname">DANAUS</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">DANAUS<br/> + High thanks, my children, unto Argos con,<br/> + And to this folk, as to Olympian gods,<br/> + Give offerings meet of sacrifice and wine;<br/> + For saviours are they in good sooth to you.<br/> + From me they heard, and bitter was their wrath,<br/> + How those your kinsmen strove to work you wrong,<br/> + And how of us were thwarted: then to me<br/> + This company of spearmen did they grant,<br/> + That honoured I might walk, nor unaware<br/> + Die by some secret thrust and on this land<br/> + Bring down the curse of death, that dieth not.<br/> + Such boons they gave me: it behoves me pay<br/> + A deeper reverence from a soul sincere.<br/> + Ye, to the many words of wariness<br/> + Spoken by me your father, add this word,<br/> + That, tried by time, our unknown company<br/> + Be held for honest: over-swift are tongues<br/> + To slander strangers, over-light is speech<br/> + To bring pollution on a stranger’s name.<br/> + Therefore I rede you, bring no shame on me<br/> + Now when man’s eye beholds your maiden prime.<br/> + Lovely is beauty’s ripening harvest-field,<br/> + But ill to guard; and men and beasts, I wot,<br/> + And birds and creeping things make prey of it.<br/> + And when the fruit is ripe for love, the voice<br/> + Of Aphrodite bruiteth it abroad,<br/> + The while she guards the yet unripened growth.<br/> + On the fair richness of a maiden’s bloom<br/> + Each passer looks, o’ercome with strong desire,<br/> + With eyes that waft the wistful dart of love.<br/> + Then be not such our hap, whose livelong toil<br/> + Did make our pinnace plough the mighty main:<br/> + Nor bring we shame upon ourselves, and joy<br/> + Unto my foes. Behold, a twofold home—<br/> + One of the king’s and one the people’s gift—<br/> + Unbought, ’tis yours to hold,—a gracious boon.<br/> + Go—but remember ye your sire’s behest,<br/> + And hold your life less dear than chastity. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + The gods above grant that all else be well.<br/> + But fear not thou, O sire, lest aught befall<br/> + Of ill unto our ripened maidenhood.<br/> + So long as Heaven have no new ill devised,<br/> + From its chaste path my spirit shall not swerve. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Pass and adore ye the Blessed, the gods of the city who dwell<br/> + Around Erasinus, the gush of the swift immemorial tide. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Chant ye, O maidens; aloud let the praise of Pelasgia swell;<br/> + Hymn we no longer the shores where Nilus to ocean doth glide. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Sing we the bounteous streams that ripple and gush through the city;<br/> + Quickening flow they and fertile, the soft new life of the plain. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Artemis, maiden most pure, look on us with grace and with pity—<br/> + Save us from forced embraces: such love hath no crown but a pain. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Yet not in scorn we chant, but in honour of Aphrodite;<br/> + She truly and Hera alone have power with Zeus and control.<br/> + Holy the deeds of her rite, her craft is secret and mighty,<br/> + And high is her honour on earth, and subtle her sway of the soul. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Yea, and her child is Desire: in the train of his mother he goeth—<br/> + Yea and Persuasion soft-lipped, whom none can deny or repel:<br/> + Cometh Harmonia too, on whom Aphrodite bestoweth<br/> + The whispering parley, the paths of the rapture that lovers love well. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Ah, but I tremble and quake lest again they should sail to reclaim!<br/> + Alas for the sorrow to come, the blood and the carnage of war.<br/> + Ah, by whose will was it done that o’er the wide ocean they came,<br/> + Guided by favouring winds, and wafted by sail and by oar? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Peace! for what Fate hath ordained will surely not tarry but come;<br/> + Wide is the counsel of Zeus, by no man escaped or withstood:<br/> + Only I pray that whate’er, in the end, of this wedlock he doom,<br/> + We as many a maiden of old, may win from the ill to the good.<a href="#linknote-7" name="linknoteref-7" id="linknoteref-7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Great Zeus, this wedlock turn from me—<br/> + Me from the kinsman bridegroom guard! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Come what come may, ’tis Fate’s decree. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Soft is thy word—the doom is hard. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Thou know’st not what the Fates provide. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + How should I scan Zeus’ mighty will,<br/> + The depth of counsel undescried? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Pray thou no word of omen ill. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + What timely warning wouldst thou teach? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Beware, nor slight the gods in speech. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Zeus, hold from my body the wedlock detested, the bridegroom abhorred!<br/> + It was thou, it was thou didst release<br/> + Mine ancestress Io from sorrow: thine healing it was that restored,<br/> + The touch of thine hand gave her peace. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Be thy will for the cause of the maidens! of two ills, the lesser I pray—<br/> + The exile that leaveth me pure.<br/> + May thy justice have heed to my cause, my prayers to thy mercy find way!<br/> + For the hands of thy saving are sure. +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt omnes.</i>]</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a name="linknote-1" id="linknote-1"></a> <a href="#linknoteref-1">[1]</a> +“ἀερίας ἀπὸ γᾶς.” +This epithet may appear strange to modern readers accustomed to think of Egypt +as a land of cloudless skies and pellucid atmosphere. Nevertheless both Pindar +(<i>Pyth</i> iv 93) and Apollonius Rhodius (iv 267) speak of it in the same way +as Aeschylus. It has been conjectured that they allude to the fog banks that +often obscure the low coasts—a phenomenon likely to impress the early +navigators and to be reported by them. + +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a name="linknote-2" id="linknote-2"></a> <a href="#linknoteref-2">[2]</a> +The whole of this dialogue in alternate verses is disarranged in the MSS. The +re-arrangement which has approved itself to Paley has been here followed. It +involves, however, a hiatus, instead of the line to which this note is +appended. The substance of the lost line being easily deducible from the +context, it has been supplied in the translation. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a name="linknote-3" id="linknote-3"></a> <a href="#linknoteref-3">[3]</a> +Poseidon. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a name="linknote-4" id="linknote-4"></a> <a href="#linknoteref-4">[4]</a> +Here one verse at least has been lost. The conjecture of Bothe seems to be +verified, as far as substance is concerned, by the next line, and has +consequently been adopted. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a name="linknote-5" id="linknote-5"></a> <a href="#linknoteref-5">[5]</a> +Cyprus. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a name="linknote-6" id="linknote-6"></a> <a href="#linknoteref-6">[6]</a> +For this curious taunt, strongly illustrative of what Browning calls +“nationality in drinks,” see Herodotus, ii. 77. A similar feeling +may perhaps be traced in Tacitus’ description of the national beverage of +the Germans: “Potui humor ex hordeo aut frumento, <i>in quandam +similitudinem vini corruptus</i>” (<i>Germania</i>, chap, xxiii). +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a name="linknote-7" id="linknote-7"></a> <a href="#linknoteref-7">[7]</a> +The ambiguity of these two lines is reproduced from the original. The +Semi-Chorus appear to pray, in one aspiration, that the threatened wedlock may +never take place, and, <i>if</i> it does take place, may be for weal, not woe. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap03"></a>THE PERSIANS</h2> + +<h4>ARGUMENT</h4> + +<p class="noindent"> +Xerxes, son of Darius and of his wife Atossa, daughter of Cyrus, went forth +against Hellas, to take vengeance upon those who had defeated his father at +Marathon. But ill fortune befell the king and his army both by land and sea; +neither did it avail him that he cast a bridge over the Hellespont and made a +canal across the promontory of Mount Athos, and brought myriads of men, by land +and sea, to subdue the Greeks. For in the strait between Athens and the island +of Salamis the Persian ships were shattered and sunk or put to flight by those +of Athens and Lacedaemon and Aegina and Corinth, and Xerxes went homewards on +the way by which he had come, leaving his general Mardonius with three hundred +thousand men to strive with the Greeks by land: but in the next year they were +destroyed near Plataea in Boeotia, by the Lacedaemonians and Athenians and +Tegeans. Such was the end of the army which Xerxes left behind him. But the +king himself had reached the bridge over the Hellespont, and late and hardly +and in sorry plight and with few companions came home unto the Palace of Susa. +</p> + +<h4>DRAMATIS PERSONAE</h4> + +<p class="letter"> +CHORUS OF PERSIAN ELDERS.<br/> +ATOSSA, WIDOW OF DARIUS AND MOTHER OF XERXES.<br/> +A MESSENGER.<br/> +THE GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> +XERXES. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +<i>The Scene is laid at the Palace of Susa</i>. +</p> + + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Away unto the Grecian land<br/> + Hath passed the Persian armament:<br/> + We, by the monarch’s high command,<br/> + We are the warders true who stand,<br/> + Chosen, for honour and descent,<br/> + To watch the wealth of him who went—<br/> + Guards of the gold, and faithful styled<br/> + By Xerxes, great Darius’ child!<br/> +<br/> + But the king went nor comes again—<br/> + And for that host, we saw depart<br/> + Arrayed in gold, my boding heart<br/> + Aches with a pulse of anxious pain,<br/> + Presageful for its youthful king!<br/> + No scout, no steed, no battle-car<br/> + Comes speeding hitherward, to bring<br/> + News to our city from afar!<br/> + Erewhile they went, away, away,<br/> + From Susa, from Ecbatana,<br/> + From Kissa’s timeworn fortress grey,<br/> + Passing to ravage and to war—<br/> + Some upon steeds, on galleys some,<br/> + Some in close files, they passed from home,<br/> + All upon warlike errand bent—<br/> + Amistres, Artaphernes went,<br/> + Astaspes, Megabazes high,<br/> + Lords of the Persian chivalry,<br/> + Marshals who serve the great king’s word<br/> + Chieftains of all the mighty horde!<br/> + Horsemen and bowmen streamed away,<br/> + Grim in their aspect, fixed to slay,<br/> + And resolute to face the fray!<br/> + With troops of horse, careering fast,<br/> + Masistes, Artembáres passed:<br/> + Imaeus too, the bowman brave,<br/> + Sosthánes, Pharandákes, drave—<br/> + And others the all-nursing wave<br/> + Of Nilus to the battle gave;<br/> + Came Susiskánes, warrior wild,<br/> + And Pegastágon, Egypt’s child:<br/> + Thee, brave Arsámes! from afar<br/> + Did holy Memphis launch to war;<br/> + And Ariomardus, high in fame,<br/> + From Thebes the immemorial came,<br/> + And oarsmen skilled from Nilus’ fen,<br/> + A countless crowd of warlike men:<br/> + And next, the dainty Lydians went—<br/> + Soft rulers of a continent—<br/> + Mitragathes and Arcteus bold<br/> + In twin command their ranks controlled,<br/> + And Sardis town, that teems with gold,<br/> + Sent forth its squadrons to the war—<br/> + Horse upon horse, and car on car,<br/> + Double and triple teams, they rolled,<br/> + In onset awful to behold.<br/> + From Tmolus’ sacred hill there came<br/> + The native hordes to join the fray,<br/> + And upon Hellas’ neck to lay<br/> + The yoke of slavery and shame;<br/> + Mardon and Tharubis were there,<br/> + Bright anvils for the foemen’s spear!<br/> + The Mysian dart-men sped to war,<br/> + And the long crowd that onward rolled<br/> + From Babylon enriched with gold—<br/> + Captains of ships and archers skilled<br/> + To speed the shaft, and those who wield<br/> + The scimitar;—the eastern band<br/> + Who, by the great king’s high command,<br/> + Swept to subdue the western land!<br/> +<br/> + Gone are they, gone—ah, welladay!<br/> + The flower and pride of our array;<br/> + And all the Eastland, from whose breast<br/> + Came forth her bravest and her best,<br/> + Craves longingly with boding dread—<br/> + Parents for sons, and brides new-wed<br/> + For absent lords, and, day by day,<br/> + Shudder with dread at their delay!<br/> +<br/> + Ere now they have passed o’er the sea, the manifold host of the king—<br/> + They have gone forth to sack and to burn; ashore on the Westland they spring!<br/> + With cordage and rope they have bridged the sea-way of Helle, to pass<br/> + O’er the strait that is named by thy name, O daughter of Athamas!<br/> + They have anchored their ships in the current, they have bridled the neck of the sea—<br/> + The Shepherd and Lord of the East hath bidden a roadway to be!<br/> + From the land to the land they pass over, a herd at the high king’s best;<br/> + Some by the way of the waves, and some o’er the planking have pressed.<br/> + For the king is a lord and a god: he was born of the golden seed<br/> + That erst upon Danae fell—his captains are strong at the need!<br/> + And dark is the glare of his eyes, as eyes of a serpent blood-fed,<br/> + And with manifold troops in his train and with manifold ships hath he sped—<br/> + Yea, sped with his Syrian cars: he leads on the lords of the bow<br/> + To meet with the men of the West, the spear-armed force of the foe!<br/> + Can any make head and resist him, when he comes with the roll of a wave?<br/> + No barrier nor phalanx of might, no chief, be he ever so brave!<br/> + For stern is the onset of Persia, and gallant her children in fight.<br/> + But the guile of the god is deceitful, and who shall elude him by flight?<br/> + And who is the lord of the leap, that can spring and alight and evade?<br/> + For Até deludes and allures, till round him the meshes are laid,<br/> + And no man his doom can escape! it was writ in the rule of high Heaven,<br/> + That in tramp of the steeds and in crash of the charge the war-cry of Persia be given:<br/> + They have learned to behold the forbidden, the sacred enclosure of sea,<br/> + Where the waters are wide and in stress of the wind the billows roll hoary to lee!<br/> + And their trust is in cable and cordage, too weak in the power of the blast,<br/> + And frail are the links of the bridge whereby unto Hellas they passed.<br/> +<br/> + Therefore my gloom-wrapped heart is rent with sorrow<br/> + For what may hap to-morrow!<br/> + Alack, for all the Persian armament—<br/> + Alack, lest there be sent<br/> + Dread news of desolation, Susa’s land<br/> + Bereft, forlorn, unmanned—<br/> + Lest the grey Kissian fortress echo back<br/> + The wail, <i>Alack, Alack!</i><br/> + The sound of women’s shriek, who wail and mourn,<br/> + With fine-spun raiment torn!<br/> + The charioteers went forth nor come again,<br/> + And all the marching men<br/> + Even as a swarm of bees have flown afar,<br/> + Drawn by the king to war—<br/> + Crossing the sea-bridge, linked from side to side,<br/> + That doth the waves divide:<br/> + And the soft bridal couch of bygone years<br/> + Is now bedewed with tears,<br/> + Each princess, clad in garments delicate,<br/> + Wails for her widowed fate—<br/> +<br/> + <i>Alas my gallant bridegroom, lost and gone,<br/> + And I am left alone!</i><br/> +<br/> + But now, ye warders of the state,<br/> + Here, in this hall of old renown,<br/> + Behoves that we deliberate<br/> + In counsel deep and wise debate,<br/> + For need is surely shown!<br/> + How fareth he, Darius’ child,<br/> + The Persian king, from Perseus styled?<br/> +<br/> + Comes triumph to the eastern bow,<br/> + Or hath the lance-point conquered now? +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">ATOSSA</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent"> + See, yonder comes the mother-queen,<br/> + Light of our eyes, in godlike sheen,<br/> + The royal mother of the king!—<br/> + Fall we before her! well it were<br/> + That, all as one, we sue to her,<br/> + And round her footsteps cling!<br/> +<br/> + Queen, among deep-girded Persian dames thou highest and most royal,<br/> + Hoary mother, thou, of Xerxes, and Darius’ wife of old!<br/> + To godlike sire, and godlike son, we bow us and are loyal—<br/> + Unless, on us, an adverse tide of destiny has rolled! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Therefore come I forth to you, from chambers decked and golden,<br/> + Where long ago Darius laid his head, with me beside,<br/> + And my heart is torn with anguish, and with terror am I holden,<br/> + And I plead unto your friendship and I bid you to my side.<br/> +<br/> + Darius, in the old time, by aid of some Immortal,<br/> + Raised up the stately fabric, our wealth of long-ago:<br/> + But I tremble lest it totter down, and ruin porch and portal,<br/> + And the whirling dust of downfall rise above its overthrow!<br/> +<br/> + Therefore a dread unspeakable within me never slumbers,<br/> + Saying, <i>Honour not the gauds of wealth if men have ceased to grow,<br/> + Nor deem that men, apart from wealth, can find their strength in numbers</i>—<br/> + We shudder for our light and king, though we have gold enow!<br/> +<br/> + <i>No light there is, in any house, save presence of the master</i>—<br/> + So runs the saw, ye aged men! and truth it says indeed—<br/> + On you I call, the wise and true, to ward us from disaster,<br/> + For all my hope is fixed on you, to prop us in our need! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Queen-Mother of the Persian land, to thy commandment bowing,<br/> + Whate’er thou wilt, in word or deed, we follow to fulfil—<br/> + Not twice we need thine high behest, our faith and duty knowing,<br/> + In council and in act alike, thy loyal servants still! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Long while by various visions of the night<br/> + Am I beset, since to Ionian lands<br/> + With marshalled host my son went forth to war.<br/> + Yet never saw I presage so distinct<br/> + As in the night now passed.—Attend my tale!—<br/> + A dream I had: two women nobly clad<br/> + Came to my sight, one robed in Persian dress,<br/> + The other vested in the Dorian garb,<br/> + And both right stately and more tall by far<br/> + Than women of to-day, and beautiful<br/> + Beyond disparagement, and sisters sprung<br/> + Both of one race, but, by their natal lot,<br/> + One born in Hellas, one in Eastern land.<br/> + These, as it seemed unto my watching eyes,<br/> + Roused each the other to a mutual feud:<br/> + The which my son perceiving set himself<br/> + To check and soothe their struggle, and anon<br/> + Yoked them and set the collars on their necks;<br/> + And one, the Ionian, proud in this array,<br/> + Paced in high quietude, and lent her mouth,<br/> + Obedient, to the guidance of the rein.<br/> + But restively the other strove, and broke<br/> + The fittings of the car, and plunged away<br/> + With mouth un-bitted: o’er the broken yoke<br/> + My son was hurled, and lo! Darius stood<br/> + In lamentation o’er his fallen child.<br/> + Him Xerxes saw, and rent his robe in grief.<br/> +<br/> + Such was my vision of the night now past;<br/> + But when, arising, I had dipped my hand<br/> + In the fair lustral stream, I drew towards<br/> + The altar, in the act of sacrifice,<br/> + Having in mind to offer, as their due,<br/> + The sacred meal-cake to the averting powers,<br/> + Lords of the rite that banisheth ill dreams.<br/> + When lo! I saw an eagle fleeing fast<br/> + To Phoebus’ shrine—O friends, I stayed my steps,<br/> + Too scared to speak! for, close upon his flight,<br/> + A little falcon dashed in winged pursuit,<br/> + Plucking with claws the eagle’s head, while he<br/> + Could only crouch and cower and yield himself.<br/> + Scared was I by that sight, and eke to you<br/> + No less a terror must it be to hear!<br/> + For mark this well—if Xerxes have prevailed,<br/> + He shall come back the wonder of the world:<br/> + If not, still none can call him to account—<br/> + So he but live, he liveth Persia’s King! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Queen, it stands not with my purpose to abet these fears of thine,<br/> + Nor to speak with glazing comfort! nay, betake thee to the shrine!<br/> + If thy dream foretold disaster, sue to gods to bar its way,<br/> + And, for thyself, son, state, and friends, to bring fair fate to-day.<br/> + Next, unto Earth and to the Dead be due libation poured,<br/> + And by thee let Darius’ soul be wistfully implored—<br/> + <i>I saw thee, lord, in last night’s dream, a phantom from the grave,<br/> + I pray thee, lord, from earth beneath come forth to help and save!<br/> + To me and to thy son send up the bliss of triumph now,<br/> + And hold the gloomy fates of ill, dim in the dark below!</i><br/> + Such be thy words! my inner heart good tidings doth foretell,<br/> + And that fair fate will spring thereof, if wisdom guide us well. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Loyal thou that first hast read this dream, this vision of the night,<br/> + With loyalty to me, the queen—be then thy presage right!<br/> + And therefore, as thy bidding is, what time I pass within<br/> + To dedicate these offerings, new prayers I will begin,<br/> + Alike to gods and the great dead who loved our lineage well.<br/> + Yet one more word—say, in what realm do the Athenians dwell? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Far hence, even where, in evening land, goes down our Lord the Sun. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Say, had my son so keen desire, that region to o’errun? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Yea—if she fell, the rest of Greece were subject to our sway! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Hath she so great predominance, such legions in array? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ay—such a host as smote us sore upon an earlier day. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + And what hath she, besides her men? enow of wealth in store? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + A mine of treasure in the earth, a fount of silver ore! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Is it in skill of bow and shaft that Athens’ men excel? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Nay, they bear bucklers in the fight, and thrust the spear-point well. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + And who is shepherd of their host and holds them in command? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + To no man do they bow as slaves, nor own a master’s hand. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + How should they bide our brunt of war, the East upon the West? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + That could Darius’ valiant horde in days of yore attest! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + A boding word, to us who bore the men now far away! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Nay—as I deem, the very truth will dawn on us to-day.<br/> + A Persian by his garb and speed, a courier draws anear—<br/> + He bringeth news, of good or ill, for Persia’s land to hear. +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter a <span class="charname">MESSENGER</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> +O walls and towers of all the Asian realm,<br/> +O Persian land, O treasure-house of gold!<br/> +How, by one stroke, down to destruction, down,<br/> +Hath sunk our pride, and all the flower of war<br/> +That once was Persia’s, lieth in the dust!<br/> +Woe on the man who first announceth woe—<br/> +Yet must I all the tale of death unroll!<br/> +Hark to me, Persians! Persia’s host lies low. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O ruin manifold, and woe, and fear!<br/> + Let the wild tears run down, for the great doom is here! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + This blow hath fallen, to the utterance, And I, past hope, behold +my safe return! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Too long, alack, too long this life of mine,<br/> + That in mine age I see this sudden woe condign! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + As one who saw, by no loose rumour led,<br/> + Lords, I would tell what doom was dealt to us. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alack, how vainly have they striven!<br/> + Our myriad hordes with shaft and bow<br/> + Went from the Eastland, to lay low<br/> + Hellas, beloved of Heaven! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + Piled with men dead, yea, miserably slain,<br/> + Is every beach, each reef of Salamis! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Thou sayest sooth—ah well-a-day!<br/> + Battered amid the waves, and torn,<br/> + On surges hither, thither, borne,<br/> + Dead bodies, bloodstained and forlorn,<br/> + In their long cloaks they toss and stray! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + Their bows availed not! all have perished, all,<br/> + By charging galleys crushed and whelmed in death. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Shriek out your sorrow’s wistful wail!<br/> + To their untimely doom they went;<br/> + Ill strove they, and to no avail,<br/> + And minished is their armament! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + Out on thee, hateful name of Salamis,<br/> + Out upon Athens, mournful memory! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Woe upon this day’s evil fame!<br/> + Thou, Athens, art our murderess;<br/> + Alack, full many a Persian dame<br/> + Is left forlorn and husbandless! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Mute have I been awhile, and overwrought<br/> + At this great sorrow, for it passeth speech,<br/> + And passeth all desire to ask of it.<br/> + Yet if the gods send evils, men must bear.<br/> + (<i>To the</i> MESSENGER)<br/> + Unroll the record! stand composed and tell,<br/> + Although thy heart be groaning inwardly,<br/> + Who hath escaped, and, of our leaders, whom<br/> + Have we to weep? what chieftains in the van<br/> + Stood, sank, and died and left us leaderless? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + Xerxes himself survives and sees the day. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Then to my line thy word renews the dawn<br/> + And golden dayspring after gloom of night! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + But the brave marshal of ten thousand horse,<br/> + Artembares, is tossed and flung in death<br/> + Along the rugged rocks Silenian.<br/> + And Dadaces no longer leads his troop,<br/> + But, smitten by the spear, from off the prow<br/> + Hath lightly leaped to death; and Tenagon,<br/> + In true descent a Bactrian nobly born,<br/> + Drifts by the sea-lashed reefs of Salamis,<br/> + The isle of Ajax. Gone Lilaeus too,<br/> + Gone are Arsames and Argestes! all,<br/> + Around the islet where the sea-doves breed,<br/> + Dashed their defeated heads on iron rocks;<br/> + Arcteus, who dwelt beside the founts of Nile,<br/> + Adeues, Pheresseues, and with them<br/> + Pharnuchus, from one galley’s deck went down.<br/> + Matallus, too, of Chrysa, lord and king<br/> + Of myriad hordes, who led unto the fight<br/> + Three times ten thousand swarthy cavaliers,<br/> + Fell, with his swarthy and abundant beard<br/> + Incarnadined to red, a crimson stain<br/> + Outrivalling the purple of the sea!<br/> + There Magian Arabus and Artames<br/> + Of Bactra perished—taking up, alike,<br/> + In yonder stony land their long sojourn.<br/> + Amistris too, and he whose strenuous spear<br/> + Was foremost in the fight, Amphistreus fell,<br/> + And gallant Ariomardus, by whose death<br/> + Broods sorrow upon Sardis: Mysia mourns<br/> + For Seisames, and Tharubis lies low—<br/> + Commander, he, of five times fifty ships,<br/> + Born in Lyrnessus: his heroic form<br/> + Is low in death, ungraced with sepulchre.<br/> + Dead too is he, the lord of courage high,<br/> + Cilicia’s marshal, brave Syennesis,<br/> + Than whom none dealt more carnage on the foe,<br/> + Nor perished by a more heroic end.<br/> + So fell the brave: so speak I of their doom,<br/> + Summing in brief the fate of myriads! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Ah well-a-day! these crowning woes I hear,<br/> + The shame of Persia and her shrieks of dole!<br/> + But yet renew the tale, repeat thy words,<br/> + Tell o’er the count of those Hellenic ships,<br/> + And how they ventured with their beakèd prows<br/> + To charge upon the Persian armament. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + Know, if mere count of ships could win the day,<br/> + The Persians had prevailed. The Greeks, in sooth,<br/> + Had but three hundred galleys at the most,<br/> + And other ten, select and separate.<br/> + But—I am witness—Xerxes held command<br/> + Of full a thousand keels, and, those apart,<br/> + Two hundred more, and seven, for speed renowned!—<br/> + So stands the reckoning, and who shall dare<br/> + To say we Persians had the lesser host? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Nay, we were worsted by an unseen power<br/> + Who swayed the balance downward to our doom! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + In ward of heaven doth Pallas’ city stand. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + How then? is Athens yet inviolate? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + While her men live, her bulwark standeth firm! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Say, how began the struggle of the ships?<br/> + Who first joined issue? did the Greeks attack,<br/> + Or Xerxes, in his numbers confident? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + O queen, our whole disaster thus befell,<br/> + Through intervention of some fiend or fate—<br/> + I know not what—that had ill will to us.<br/> + From the Athenian host some Greek came o’er,<br/> + To thy son Xerxes whispering this tale—<br/> + <i>Once let the gloom of night have gathered in,<br/> + The Greeks will tarry not, but swiftly spring<br/> + Each to his galley-bench, in furtive flight,<br/> + Softly contriving safety for their life</i>.<br/> + Thy son believed the word and missed the craft<br/> + Of that Greek foeman, and the spite of Heaven,<br/> + And straight to all his captains gave this charge—<br/> + <i>As soon as sunlight warms the ground no more,<br/> + And gloom enwraps the sanctuary of sky,<br/> + Range we our fleet in triple serried lines<br/> + To bar the passage from the seething strait,<br/> + This way and that: let other ships surround<br/> + The isle of Ajax, with this warning word—<br/> + That if the Greeks their jeopardy should scape<br/> + By wary craft, and win their ships a road.<br/> + Each Persian captain shall his failure pay<br/> + By forfeit of his head</i>. So spake the king,<br/> + Inspired at heart with over-confidence,<br/> + Unwitting of the gods’ predestined will.<br/> + Thereon our crews, with no disordered haste,<br/> + Did service to his bidding and purveyed<br/> + The meal of afternoon: each rower then<br/> + Over the fitted rowlock looped his oar.<br/> + Then, when the splendour of the sun had set,<br/> + And night drew on, each master of the oar<br/> + And each armed warrior straightway went aboard.<br/> + Forward the long ships moved, rank cheering rank,<br/> + Each forward set upon its ordered course.<br/> + And all night long the captains of the fleet<br/> + Kept their crews moving up and down the strait.<br/> + So the night waned, and not one Grecian ship<br/> + Made effort to elude and slip away.<br/> + But as dawn came and with her coursers white<br/> + Shone in fair radiance over all the earth,<br/> + First from the Grecian fleet rang out a cry,<br/> + A song of onset! and the island crags<br/> + Re-echoed to the shrill exulting sound.<br/> + Then on us Eastern men amazement fell<br/> + And fear in place of hope; for what we heard<br/> + Was not a call to flight! the Greeks rang out<br/> + Their holy, resolute, exulting chant,<br/> + Like men come forth to dare and do and die<br/> + Their trumpets pealed, and fire was in that sound,<br/> + And with the dash of simultaneous oars<br/> + Replying to the war-chant, on they came,<br/> + Smiting the swirling brine, and in a trice<br/> + They flashed upon the vision of the foe!<br/> + The right wing first in orderly advance<br/> + Came on, a steady column; following then,<br/> + The rest of their array moved out and on,<br/> + And to our ears there came a burst of sound,<br/> + A clamour manifold.—<i>On, sons of Greece!<br/> + On, for your country’s freedom! strike to save<br/> + Wives, children, temples of ancestral gods,<br/> + Graves of your fathers! now is all at stake</i>.<br/> + Then from our side swelled up the mingled din<br/> + Of Persian tongues, and time brooked no delay—<br/> + Ship into ship drave hard its brazen beak<br/> + With speed of thought, a shattering blow! and first<br/> + One Grecian bark plunged straight, and sheared away<br/> + Bowsprit and stem of a Phoenician ship.<br/> + And then each galley on some other’s prow<br/> + Came crashing in. Awhile our stream of ships<br/> + Held onward, till within the narrowing creek<br/> + Our jostling vessels were together driven,<br/> + And none could aid another: each on each<br/> + Drave hard their brazen beaks, or brake away<br/> + The oar-banks of each other, stem to stern,<br/> + While the Greek galleys, with no lack of skill,<br/> + Hemmed them and battered in their sides, and soon<br/> + The hulls rolled over, and the sea was hid,<br/> + Crowded with wrecks and butchery of men.<br/> + No beach nor reef but was with corpses strewn,<br/> + And every keel of our barbarian host<br/> + Hurried to flee, in utter disarray.<br/> + Thereon the foe closed in upon the wrecks<br/> + And hacked and hewed, with oars and splintered planks,<br/> + As fishermen hack tunnies or a cast<br/> + Of netted dolphins, and the briny sea<br/> + Rang with the screams and shrieks of dying men,<br/> + Until the night’s dark aspect hid the scene.<br/> + Had I a ten days’ time to sum that count<br/> + Of carnage, ’twere too little! know this well—<br/> + One day ne’er saw such myriad forms of death! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Woe on us, woe! disaster’s mighty sea<br/> + Hath burst on us and all the Persian realm! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + Be well assured, the tale is but begun—<br/> + The further agony that on us fell<br/> + Doth twice outweigh the sufferings I have told! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Nay, what disaster could be worse than this?<br/> + Say on! what woe upon the army came,<br/> + Swaying the scale to a yet further fall? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + The very flower and crown of Persia’s race,<br/> + Gallant of soul and glorious in descent,<br/> + And highest held in trust before the king,<br/> + Lies shamefully and miserably slain. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Alas for me and for this ruin, friends!<br/> + Dead, sayest thou? by what fate overthrown? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + An islet is there, fronting Salamis—<br/> + Strait, and with evil anchorage: thereon<br/> + Pan treads the measure of the dance he loves<br/> + Along the sea-beach. Thither the king sent<br/> + His noblest, that, whene’er the Grecian foe<br/> + Should ’scape, with shattered ships, unto the isle,<br/> + We might make easy prey of fugitives<br/> + And slay them there, and from the washing tides<br/> + Rescue our friends. It fell out otherwise<br/> + Than he divined, for when, by aid of Heaven,<br/> + The Hellenes held the victory on the sea,<br/> + Their sailors then and there begirt themselves<br/> + With brazen mail and bounded from their ships,<br/> + And then enringed the islet, point by point,<br/> + So that our Persians in bewilderment<br/> + Knew not which way to turn. On every side,<br/> + Battered with stones, they fell, while arrows flew<br/> + From many a string, and smote them to the death.<br/> + Then, at the last, with simultaneous rush<br/> + The foe came bursting on us, hacked and hewed<br/> + To fragments all that miserable band,<br/> + Till not a soul of them was left alive.<br/> + Then Xerxes saw disaster’s depth, and shrieked,<br/> + From where he sat on high, surveying all—<br/> + A lofty eminence, beside the brine,<br/> + Whence all his armament lay clear in view.<br/> + His robe he rent, with loud and bitter wail,<br/> + And to his land-force swiftly gave command<br/> + And fled, with shame beside him! Now, lament<br/> + That second woe, upon the first imposed! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Out on thee, Fortune! thou hast foiled the hope<br/> + And power of Persia: to this bitter end<br/> + My son went forth to wreak his great revenge<br/> + On famous Athens! all too few they seemed,<br/> + Our men who died upon the Fennel-field!<br/> + Vengeance for them my son had mind to take,<br/> + And drew on his own head these whelming woes.<br/> + But thou, say on! the ships that ’scaped from wreck—<br/> + Where didst thou leave them? make thy story clear. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">MESSENGER.<br/> + The captains of the ships that still survived<br/> + Fled in disorder, scudding down the wind,<br/> + The while our land-force on Boeotian soil<br/> + Fell into ruin, some beside the springs<br/> + Dropping before they drank, and some outworn,<br/> + Pursued, and panting all their life away.<br/> + The rest of us our way to Phocis won,<br/> + And thence to Doris and the Melian gulf,<br/> + Where with soft stream Spercheus laves the soil.<br/> + Thence to the northward did Phthiotis’ plain,<br/> + And some Thessalian fortress, lend us aid,<br/> + For famine-pinched we were, and many died<br/> + Of drought and hunger’s twofold present scourge.<br/> + Thence to Magnesia came we, and the land<br/> + Where Macedonians dwell, and crossed the ford<br/> + Of Axius, and Bolbe’s reedy fen,<br/> + And mount Pangaeus, in Edonian land.<br/> + There, in the very night we came, the god<br/> + Brought winter ere its time, from bank to bank<br/> + Freezing the holy Strymon’s tide. Each man<br/> + Who heretofore held lightly of the gods,<br/> + Now crouched and proffered prayer to Earth and Heaven!<br/> + Then, after many orisons performed,<br/> + The army ventured on the frozen ford:<br/> + Yet only those who crossed before the sun<br/> + Shed its warm rays, won to the farther side.<br/> + For soon the fervour of the glowing orb<br/> + Did with its keen rays pierce the ice-bound stream,<br/> + And men sank through and thrust each other down—<br/> + Best was his lot whose breath was stifled first!<br/> + But all who struggled through and gained the bank,<br/> + Toilfully wending through the land of Thrace<br/> + Have made their way, a sorry, scanted few,<br/> + Unto this homeland. Let the city now<br/> + Lament and yearn for all the loved and lost.<br/> + My tale is truth, yet much untold remains<br/> + Of ills that Heaven hath hurled upon our land. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Spirit of Fate, too heavy were thy feet,<br/> + Those ill to match! that sprang on Persia’s realm. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Woe for the host, to wrack and ruin hurled!<br/> + O warning of the night, prophetic dream!<br/> + Thou didst foreshadow clearly all the doom,<br/> + While ye, old men, made light of woman’s fears!<br/> + Ah well—yet, as your divination ruled<br/> + The meaning of the sign, I hold it good,<br/> + First, that I put up prayer unto the gods,<br/> + And, after that, forth from my palace bring<br/> + The sacrificial cake, the offering due<br/> + To Earth and to the spirits of the dead.<br/> + Too well I know it is a timeless rite<br/> + Over a finished thing that cannot change!<br/> + But yet—I know not—there may come of it<br/> + Alleviation for the after time.<br/> + You it beseems, in view of what hath happed,<br/> + T’ advise with loyal hearts our loyal guards:<br/> + And to my son—if, ere my coming forth,<br/> + He should draw hitherward—give comfort meet,<br/> + Escort him to the palace in all state,<br/> + Lest to these woes he add another woe! +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit <span class="charname">ATOSSA</span>.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Zeus, lord and king! to death and nought<br/> + Our countless host by thee is brought.<br/> + Deep in the gloom of death, to-day,<br/> + Lie Susa and Ecbatana:<br/> + How many a maid in sorrow stands<br/> + And rends her tire with tender hands!<br/> + How tears run down, in common pain<br/> + And woeful mourning for the slain!<br/> + O delicate in dole and grief,<br/> + Ye Persian women! past relief<br/> + Is now your sorrow! to the war<br/> + Your loved ones went and come no more!<br/> + Gone from you is your joy and pride—<br/> + Severed the bridegroom from the bride—<br/> + The wedded couch luxurious<br/> + Is widowed now, and all the house<br/> + Pines ever with insatiate sighs,<br/> + And we stand here and bid arise,<br/> + For those who forth in ardour went<br/> + And come not back, the loud lament!<br/> +<br/> + Land of the East, thou mournest for the host,<br/> + Bereft of all thy sons, alas the day!<br/> + For them whom Xerxes led hath Xerxes lost—<br/> + Xerxes who wrecked the fleet, and flung our hopes away!<br/> +<br/> + How came it that Darius once controlled,<br/> + And without scathe, the army of the bow,<br/> + Loved by the folk of Susa, wise and bold?<br/> + Now is the land-force lost, the shipmen sunk below!<br/> +<br/> + Ah for the ships that bore them, woe is me!<br/> + Bore them to death and doom! the crashing prows<br/> + Of fierce Ionian oarsmen swept the sea,<br/> + And death was in their wake, and shipwreck murderous!<br/> +<br/> + Late, late and hardly—if true tales they tell—<br/> + Did Xerxes flee along the wintry way<br/> + And snows of Thrace—but ah, the first who fell<br/> + Lie by the rocks or float upon Cychrea’s bay!<br/> +<br/> + Mourn, each and all! waft heavenward your cry,<br/> + Stung to the soul, bereaved, disconsolate!<br/> + Wail out your anguish, till it pierce the sky,<br/> + In shrieks of deep despair, ill-omened, desperate!<br/> +<br/> + The dead are drifting, yea, are gnawed upon<br/> + By voiceless children of the stainless sea,<br/> + Or battered by the surge! we mourn and groan<br/> + For husbands gone to death, for childless agony!<br/> +<br/> + Alas the aged men, who mourn to-day<br/> + The ruinous sorrows that the gods ordain!<br/> + O’er the wide Asian land, the Persian sway<br/> + Can force no tribute now, and can no rule sustain.<br/> +<br/> + Yea, men will crouch no more to fallen power<br/> + And kingship overthrown! the whole land o’er,<br/> + Men speak the thing they will, and from this hour<br/> + The folk whom Xerxes ruled obey his word no more.<br/> +<br/> + The yoke of force is broken from the neck—<br/> + The isle of Ajax and th’ encircling wave<br/> + Reek with a bloody crop of death and wreck<br/> + Of Persia’s fallen power, that none can lift nor save! +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Re-enter <span class="charname">ATOSSA,</span> in +mourning robes.</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Friends, whosoe’er is versed in human ills,<br/> + Knoweth right well that when a wave of woe<br/> + Comes on a man, he sees in all things fear;<br/> + While, in flood-tide of fortune, ’tis his mood<br/> + To take that fortune as unchangeable,<br/> + Wafting him ever forward. Mark me now—<br/> + The gods’ thwart purpose doth confront mine eyes,<br/> + And all is terror to me; in mine ears<br/> + There sounds a cry, but not of triumph now—<br/> + So am I scared at heart by woe so great.<br/> + Therefore I wend forth from the house anew,<br/> + Borne in no car of state, nor robed in pride<br/> + As heretofore, but bringing, for the sire<br/> + Who did beget my son, libations meet<br/> + For holy rites that shall appease the dead—<br/> + The sweet white milk, drawn from a spotless cow,<br/> + The oozing drop of golden honey, culled<br/> + By the flower-haunting bee, and therewithal<br/> + Pure draughts of water from a virgin spring;<br/> + And lo! besides, the stainless effluence,<br/> + Born of the wild vine’s bosom, shining store<br/> + Treasured to age, this bright and luscious wine.<br/> + And eke the fragrant fruit upon the bough<br/> + Of the grey olive-tree, which lives its life<br/> + In sprouting leafage, and the twining flowers,<br/> + Bright children of the earth’s fertility.<br/> + But you, O friends! above these offerings poured<br/> + To reconcile the dead, ring out your dirge<br/> + To summon up Darius from the shades,<br/> + Himself a shade; and I will pour these draughts,<br/> + Which earth shall drink, unto the gods of hell. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Queen, by the Persian land adored,<br/> + By thee be this libation poured,<br/> + Passing to those who hold command<br/> + Of dead men in the spirit-land!<br/> + And we will sue, in solemn chant,<br/> + That gods who do escort the dead<br/> + In nether realms, our prayer may grant—<br/> + Back to us be Darius led!<br/> +<br/> + O Earth, and Hermes, and the king<br/> + Of Hades, our Darius bring!<br/> + For if, beyond the prayers we prayed,<br/> + He knoweth aught of help or aid,<br/> + He, he alone, in realms below,<br/> + Can speak the limit of our woe!<br/> +<br/> + Doth he hear me, the king we adored, who is god among gods of the dead?<br/> + Doth he hear me send out in my sorrow the pitiful, manifold cry,<br/> + The sobbing lament and appeal? is the voice of my suffering sped<br/> + To the realm of the shades? doth he hear me and pity my sorrowful sigh?<br/> + O Earth, and ye Lords of the dead! release ye that spirit of might,<br/> + Who in Susa the palace was born! let him rise up once more to the light!<br/> +<br/> + There is none like him, none of all<br/> + That e’er were laid in Persian sepulchres!<br/> + Borne forth he was to honoured burial,<br/> + A royal heart! and followed by our tears.<br/> + God of the dead, O give him back to us,<br/> + Darius, ruler glorious!<br/> + He never wasted us with reckless war—<br/> + God, counsellor, and king, beneath a happy star!<br/> + Ancient of days and king, awake and come—<br/> + Rise o’er the mounded tomb!<br/> + Rise, plant thy foot, with saffron sandal shod<br/> + Father to us, and god!<br/> + Rise with thy diadem, O sire benign,<br/> + Upon thy brow!<br/> + List to the strange new sorrows of thy line,<br/> + Sire of a woeful son!<br/> +<br/> + A mist of fate and hell is round us now,<br/> + And all the city’s flower to death is done!<br/> + Alas, we wept thee once, and weep again!<br/> + O Lord of lords, by recklessness twofold<br/> + The land is wasted of its men,<br/> + And down to death are rolled<br/> + Wreckage of sail and oar,<br/> + Ships that are ships no more,<br/> + And bodies of the slain! +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> The <span class="charname">GHOST OF DARIUS</span> rises.</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Ye aged Persians, truest of the true,<br/> + Coevals of the youth that once was mine,<br/> + What troubleth now our city? harken, how<br/> + It moans and beats the breast and rends the plain!<br/> + And I, beholding how my consort stood<br/> + Beside my tomb, was moved with awe, and took<br/> + The gift of her libation graciously.<br/> + But ye are weeping by my sepulchre,<br/> + And, shrilling forth a sad, evoking cry,<br/> + Summon me mournfully, <i>Arise, arise</i>.<br/> + No light thing is it, to come back from death,<br/> + For, in good sooth, the gods of nether gloom<br/> + Are quick to seize but late and loth to free!<br/> + Yet among them I dwell as one in power—<br/> + And lo, I come! now speak, and speed your words,<br/> + Lest I be blamed for tarrying overlong!<br/> + What new disaster broods o’er Persia’s realm? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + With awe on thee I gaze,<br/> + And, standing face to face,<br/> + I tremble as I did in olden days! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Nay, but as I rose to earth again, obedient to your call,<br/> + Prithee, tarry not in parley! be one word enough for all—<br/> + Speak and gaze on me unshrinking, neither let my face appal! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + I tremble to reveal,<br/> + Yet tremble to conceal<br/> + Things hard for friends to feel! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Nay, but if the old-time terror on your spirit keeps its hold,<br/> + Speak thou, O royal lady who didst couch with me of old!<br/> + Stay thy weeping and lamenting and to me reveal the truth—<br/> + Speak! for man is born to sorrow; yea, the proverb sayeth sooth!<br/> + ’Tis the doom of mortal beings, if they live to see old age,<br/> + To suffer bale, by land and sea, through war and tempest’s rage. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + O thou whose blissful fate on earth all mortal weal excelled—<br/> + Who, while the sunlight touched thine eyes, the lord of all wert held!<br/> + A god to Persian men thou wert, in bliss and pride and fame—<br/> + I hold thee blest too in thy death, or e’er the ruin came!<br/> + Alas, Darius! one brief word must tell thee all the tale—<br/> + The Persian power is in the dust, gone down in blood and bale! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Speak—by what chance? did man rebel, or pestilence descend? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Neither! by Athens’ fatal shores our army met its end. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Which of my children led our host to Athens? speak and say. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + The froward Xerxes, leaving all our realm to disarray. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Was it with army or with fleet on folly’s quest he went? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + With both alike, a twofold front of double armament. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + And how then did so large a host on foot pass o’er the sea? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + He bridged the ford of Helle’s strait by artful carpentry. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + How? could his craft avail to span the torrent of that tide? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + ’Tis sooth I say—some unknown power did fatal help provide! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Alas, that power in malice came, to his bewilderment! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Alas, we see the end of all, the ruin on us sent. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Speak, tell me how they fared therein, that thus ye mourn and weep? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Disaster to the army came, through ruin on the deep! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Is all undone? hath all the folk gone down before the foe? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Yea, hark to Susa’s mourning cry for warriors laid low! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Alas for all our gallant aids, our Persia’s help and pride! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Ay! old with young, the Bactrian force hath perished at our side! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Alas, my son! what gallant youths hath he sent down to death! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Alone, or with a scanty guard—for so the rumour saith— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + He came—but how, and to what end? doth aught of hope remain? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + With joy he reached the bridge that spanned the Hellespontine main. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + How? is he safe, in Persian land? speak soothly, yea or nay! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Clear and more clear the rumour comes, for no man to gainsay. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Woe for the oracle fulfilled, the presage of the war<br/> + Launched on my son, by will of Zeus! I deemed our doom afar<br/> + In lap of time; but, if a king push forward to his fate,<br/> + The god himself allures to death that man infatuate!<br/> + So now the very fount of woe streams out on those I loved,<br/> + And mine own son, unwisely bold, the truth hereof hath proved!<br/> + He sought to shackle and control the Hellespontine wave,<br/> + That rushes from the Bosphorus, with fetters of a slave!—<br/> + To curb and bridge, with welded links, the streaming water-way,<br/> + And guide across the passage broad his manifold array!<br/> + Ah, folly void of counsel! he deemed that mortal wight<br/> + Could thwart the will of Heaven itself and curb Poseidon’s might!<br/> + Was it not madness? much I fear lest all my wealth and store<br/> + Pass from my treasure-house, to be the snatcher’s prize once more! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + Such is the lesson, ah, too late! to eager Xerxes taught—<br/> + Trusting random counsellors and hare-brained men of nought,<br/> + Who said <i>Darius mighty wealth and fame to us did bring,<br/> + But thou art nought, a blunted spear, a palace-keeping king!</i><br/> + Unto those sorry counsellors a ready ear he lent,<br/> + And led away to Hellas’ shore his fated armament. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Therefore through them hath come calamity<br/> + Most huge and past forgetting; nor of old<br/> + Did ever such extermination fall<br/> + Upon the city Susa. Long ago<br/> + Zeus in his power this privilege bestowed,<br/> + That with a guiding sceptre one sole man<br/> + Should rule this Asian land of flock and herd.<br/> + Over the folk a Mede, Astyages,<br/> + Did grasp the power: then Cyaxares ruled<br/> + In his sire’s place, and held the sway aright,<br/> + Steering his state with watchful wariness.<br/> + Third in succession, Cyrus, blest of Heaven,<br/> + Held rule and ’stablished peace for all his clan:<br/> + Lydian and Phrygian won he to his sway,<br/> + And wide Ionia to his yoke constrained,<br/> + For the god favoured his discretion sage.<br/> + Fourth in the dynasty was Cyrus’ son,<br/> + And fifth was Mardus, scandal of his land<br/> + And ancient lineage. Him Artaphrenes,<br/> + Hardy of heart, within his palace slew,<br/> + Aided by loyal plotters, set for this.<br/> + And I too gained the lot for which I craved,<br/> + And oftentimes led out a goodly host,<br/> + Yet never brought disaster such as this<br/> + Upon the city. But my son is young<br/> + And reckless in his youth, and heedeth not<br/> + The warnings of my mouth. Mark this, my friends,<br/> + Born with my birth, coeval with mine age—<br/> + Not all we kings who held successive rule<br/> + Have wrought, combined, such ruin as my son! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + How then, O King Darius? whitherward<br/> + Dost thou direct thy warning? from this plight<br/> + How can we Persians fare towards hope again? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + By nevermore assailing Grecian lands,<br/> + Even tho’ our Median force be double theirs—<br/> + For the land’s self protects its denizens. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + How meanest thou? by what defensive power? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + She wastes by famine a too countless foe. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + But we will bring a host more skilled than huge. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Why, e’en that army, camped in Hellas still,<br/> + Shall never win again to home and weal! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + How say’st thou? will not all the Asian host<br/> + Pass back from Europe over Helle’s ford? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">GHOST OF DARIUS.<br/> + Nay—scarce a tithe of all those myriads,<br/> + If man may trust the oracles of Heaven<br/> + When he beholds the things already wrought,<br/> + Not false with true, but true with no word false<br/> + If what I trow be truth, my son has left<br/> + A chosen rear-guard of our host, in whom<br/> + He trusts, now, with a random confidence!<br/> + They tarry where Asopus laves the ground<br/> + With rills that softly bless Boeotia’s plain—<br/> + There is it fated for them to endure<br/> + The very crown of misery and doom,<br/> + Requital for their god-forgetting pride!<br/> + For why? they raided Hellas, had the heart<br/> + To wrong the images of holy gods,<br/> + And give the shrines and temples to the flame!<br/> + Defaced and dashed from sight the altars fell,<br/> + And each god’s image, from its pedestal<br/> + Thrust and flung down, in dim confusion lies!<br/> + Therefore, for outrage vile, a doom as dark<br/> + They suffer, and yet more shall undergo—<br/> + They touch no bottom in the swamp of doom,<br/> + But round them rises, bubbling up, the ooze!<br/> + So deep shall lie the gory clotted mass<br/> + Of corpses by the Dorian spear transfixed<br/> + Upon Plataea’s field! yea, piles of slain<br/> + To the third generation shall attest<br/> + By silent eloquence to those that see—<br/> + <i>Let not a mortal vaunt him overmuch</i>.<br/> + For pride grows rankly, and to ripeness brings<br/> + The curse of fate, and reaps, for harvest, tears!<br/> + Therefore when ye behold, for deeds like these,<br/> + Such stern requital paid, remember then<br/> + Athens and Hellas. Let no mortal wight,<br/> + Holding too lightly of his present weal<br/> + And passionate for more, cast down and spill<br/> + The mighty cup of his prosperity!<br/> + Doubt not that over-proud and haughty souls<br/> + Zeus lours in wrath, exacting the account.<br/> + Therefore, with wary warning, school my son,<br/> + Though he be lessoned by the gods already,<br/> + To curb the vaunting that affronts high Heaven!<br/> + And thou, O venerable Mother-queen,<br/> + Beloved of Xerxes, to the palace pass<br/> + And take therefrom such raiment as befits<br/> + Thy son, and go to meet him: for his garb<br/> + In this extremity of grief hangs rent<br/> + Around his body, woefully unstitched,<br/> + Mere tattered fragments of once royal robes!<br/> + Go thou to him, speak soft and soothing words—<br/> + Thee, and none other, will he bear to hear,<br/> + As well I know. But I must pass away<br/> + From earth above, unto the nether gloom;<br/> + Therefore, old men, take my farewell, and clasp,<br/> + Even amid the ruin of this time,<br/> + Unto your souls the pleasure of the day,<br/> + For dead men have no profit of their gold! +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>The <span class="charname">GHOST OF DARIUS</span> sinks.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alas, I thrill with pain for Persia’s woes—<br/> + Many fulfilled, and others hard at hand! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ATOSSA.<br/> + O spirit of the race, what sorrows crowd<br/> + Upon me! and this anguish stings me worst,<br/> + That round my royal son’s dishonoured form<br/> + Hang rags and tatters, degradation deep!<br/> + I will away, and, bringing from within<br/> + A seemly royal robe, will straightway strive<br/> + To meet and greet my son: foul scorn it were<br/> + To leave our dearest in his hour of shame. +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit <span class="charname">ATOSSA</span>.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah glorious and goodly they were, the life and the lot that we gained,<br/> + The cities we held in our hand when the monarch invincible reigned,<br/> + The king that was good to his realm, sufficing, fulfilled of his sway,<br/> + A lord that was peer of the gods, the pride of the bygone day!<br/> + Then could we show to the skies great hosts and a glorious name,<br/> + And laws that were stable in might; as towers they guarded our fame!<br/> + There without woe or disaster we came from the foe and the fight,<br/> + In triumph, enriched with the spoil, to the land and the city’s delight.<br/> + What towns ere the Halys he passed! what towns ere he came to the West,<br/> + To the main and the isles of the Strymon, and the Thracian region possess’d!<br/> + And those that stand back from the main, enringed by their fortified wall,<br/> + Gave o’er to Darius, the king, the sceptre and sway over all!<br/> + Those too by the channel of Helle, where southward it broadens and glides,<br/> + By the inlets, Propontis! of thee, and the strait of the Pontic tides,<br/> + And the isles that lie fronting our sea-board, and the Eastland looks on each one,<br/> + Lesbo and Chios and Paros, and Samos with olive-trees grown,<br/> + And Naxos, and Myconos’ rock, and Tenos with Andros hard by,<br/> + And isles that in midmost Aegean, aloof from the continent, lie—<br/> + And Lemnos and Icaros’ hold—all these to his sceptre were bowed,<br/> + And Cnidos and neighbouring Rhodes, and Soli, and Paphos the proud,<br/> + And Cyprian Salamis, name-child of her who hath wrought us this wrong!<br/> + Yea, and all the Ionian tract, where the Greek-born inhabitants throng,<br/> + And the cities are teeming with gold—Darius was lord of them all,<br/> + And, great by his wisdom, he ruled, and ever there came to his call,<br/> + In stalwart array and unfailing, the warrior chiefs of our land,<br/> + And mingled allies from the tribes who bowed to his conquering hand!<br/> + But now there are none to gainsay that the gods are against us; we lie<br/> + Subdued in the havoc of wreck, and whelmed by the wrath of the sky! +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">XERXES</span> in disarray.</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Alas the day, that I should fall<br/> + Into this grimmest fate of all,<br/> + This ruin doubly unforeseen!<br/> + On Persia’s land what power of Fate<br/> + Descends, what louring gloom of hate?<br/> + How shall I bear my teen?<br/> + My limbs are loosened where they stand,<br/> + When I behold this aged band—<br/> + Oh God! I would that I too, I,<br/> + Among the men who went to die,<br/> + Were whelmed in earth by Fate’s command! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah welladay, my King! ah woe<br/> + For all our heroes’ overthrow—<br/> + For all the gallant host’s array,<br/> + For Persia’s honour, pass’d away,<br/> + For glory and heroic sway<br/> + Mown down by Fortune’s hand to-day!<br/> + Hark, how the kingdom makes its moan,<br/> + For youthful valour lost and gone,<br/> + By Xerxes shattered and undone!<br/> + He, he hath crammed the maw of hell<br/> + With bowmen brave, who nobly fell,<br/> + Their country’s mighty armament,<br/> + Ten thousand heroes deathward sent!<br/> + Alas, for all the valiant band,<br/> + O king and lord! thine Asian land<br/> + Down, down upon its knee is bent! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Alas, a lamentable sound,<br/> + A cry of ruth! for I am found<br/> + A curse to land and lineage,<br/> + With none my sorrow to assuage! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alas, a death-song desolate<br/> + I send forth, for thy home-coming!<br/> + A scream, a dirge for woe and fate,<br/> + Such as the Asian mourners sing,<br/> + A sorry and ill-omened tale<br/> + Of tears and shrieks and Eastern wail! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Ay, launch the woeful sorrow’s cry,<br/> + The harsh, discordant melody,<br/> + For lo, the power, we held for sure,<br/> + Hath turned to my discomfiture! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Yea, dirges, dirges manifold<br/> + Will I send forth, for warriors bold,<br/> + For the sea-sorrow of our host!<br/> + The city mourns, and I must wail<br/> + With plashing tears our sorrow’s tale,<br/> + Lamenting for the loved and lost! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Alas, the god of war, who sways<br/> + The scales of fight in diverse ways,<br/> + Gives glory to Ionia!<br/> + Ionian ships, in fenced array,<br/> + Have reaped their harvest in the bay,<br/> + A darkling harvest-field of Fate,<br/> + A sea, a shore, of doom and hate! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Cry out, and learn the tale of woe!<br/> + Where are thy comrades? where the band<br/> + Who stood beside thee, hand in hand,<br/> + A little while ago?<br/> + Where now hath Pharandákes gone,<br/> + Where Psammis, and where Pelagon?<br/> + Where now is brave Agdabatas,<br/> + And Susas too, and Datamas?<br/> + Hath Susiscanes past away,<br/> + The chieftain of Ecbatana? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + I left them, mangled castaways,<br/> + Flung from their Tyrian deck, and tossed<br/> + On Salaminian water-ways,<br/> + From surging tides to rocky coast! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alack, and is Pharnuchus slain,<br/> + And Ariomardus, brave in vain?<br/> + Where is Seualces’ heart of fire?<br/> + Lilaeus, child of noble sire?<br/> + Are Tharubis and Memphis sped?<br/> + Hystaechmas, Artembáres dead?<br/> + And where is brave Masistes, where?<br/> + Sum up death’s count, that I may hear! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Alas, alas, they came, their eyes surveyed<br/> + Ancestral Athens on that fatal day.<br/> + Then with a rending struggle were they laid<br/> + Upon the land, and gasped their life away! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + And Batanochus’ child, Alpistus great,<br/> + Surnamed the Eye of State—<br/> + Saw you and left you him who once of old<br/> + Ten thousand thousand fighting-men enrolled?<br/> + His sire was child of Sesamas, and he<br/> + From Megabates sprang. Ah, woe is me,<br/> + Thou king of evil fate!<br/> + Hast thou lost Parthus, lost Oebares great?<br/> + Alas, the sorrow! blow succeedeth blow<br/> + On Persia’s pride; thou tellest woe on woe! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Bitter indeed the pang for comrades slain,<br/> + The brave and bold! thou strikest to my soul<br/> + Pain, pain beyond forgetting, hateful pain.<br/> + My inner spirit sobs and sighs with dole! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Another yet we yearn to see,<br/> + And see not! ah, thy chivalry,<br/> + Xanthis, thou chief of Mardian men<br/> + Countless! and thou, Anchares bright,<br/> + And ye, whose cars controlled the fight,<br/> + Arsaces and Diaixis wight,<br/> + Kegdadatas, Lythimnas dear,<br/> + And Tolmus, greedy of the spear!<br/> + I stand bereft! not in thy train<br/> + Come they, as erst! ah, ne’er again<br/> + Shall they return unto our eyes,<br/> + Car-borne, ’neath silken canopies! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Yea, gone are they who mustered once the host! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Yea, yea, forgotten, lost! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Alas, the woe and cost! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alas, ye heavenly powers!<br/> + Ye wrought a sorrow past belief,<br/> + A woe, of woes the chief!<br/> + With aspect stern, upon us Ate looms! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Smitten are we—time tells no heavier blow! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Smitten! the doom is plain! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Curse upon curse and pang on pang we know! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + With the Ionian power<br/> + We clashed, in evil hour!<br/> + Woe falls on Persia’s race, yea, woe again, again! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Yea, smitten am I, and my host is all to ruin hurled! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Yea verily—in mighty wreck hath sunk the Persian world! +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +XERXES.<br/> + (<i>holding up a torn robe and a quiver</i>)<br/> + See you this tattered rag of pride? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + I see it, welladay! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + See you this quiver? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Say, hath aught survived and ’scaped the fray? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + A store for darts it was, erewhile! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Remain but two or three! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + No aid is left! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ionian folk such darts, unfearing, see! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Right resolute they are! I saw disaster unforeseen. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah, speakest thou of wreck, of flight, of carnage that hath been? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Yea, and my royal robe I rent, in terror at their fall! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alas, alas! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Yea, thrice alas! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + For all have perished, all! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Ah woe to us, ah joy to them who stood against our pride! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + And all our strength is minishèd and sundered from our side! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + No escort have I! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Nay, thy friends are whelmed beneath the tide! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Wail, wail the miserable doom, and to the palace hie! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alas, alas, and woe again! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Shriek, smite the breast, as I! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + An evil gift, a sad exchange, of tears poured out in vain! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Shrill out your simultaneous wail! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alas the woe and pain! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + O, bitter is this adverse fate! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + I voice the moan with thee! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Smite, smite thy bosom, groan aloud for my calamity! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + I mourn and am dissolved in tears! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Cry, beat thy breast amain! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O king, my heart is in thy woe! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Shriek, wail, and shriek again! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O agony! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + A blackening blow— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + A grievous stripe shall fall! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Yea, beat anew thy breast, ring out the doleful Mysian call! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + An agony, an agony! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Pluck out thy whitening beard! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + By handfuls, ay, by handfuls, with dismal tear-drops smeared! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Sob out thine aching sorrow! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + I will thine best obey. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + With thine hands rend thy mantle’s fold— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alas, woe worth the day! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + With thine own fingers tear thy locks, bewail the army’s weird! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + By handfuls, yea, by handfuls, with tears of dole besmeared! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Now let thine eyes find overflow— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + I wend in wail and pain! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Cry out for me an answering moan— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alas, alas again! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Shriek with a cry of agony, and lead the doleful train! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alas, alas, the Persian land is woeful now to tread! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Cry out and mourn! the city now doth wail above the dead! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + I sob and moan! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + I bid ye now be delicate in grief! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alas, the Persian land is sad and knoweth not relief! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">XERXES.<br/> + Alas, the triple banks of oars and those who died thereby! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Pass! I will lead you, bring you home, with many a broken sigh! +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap04"></a>THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES</h2> + +<h4>ARGUMENT</h4> + +<p> +Laius, king of the Cadmeans, was warned by the oracle of Delphi that he should +not beget a child. But he disobeyed this command, and when a son was born to +him, he cast the child away, that he might perish on Cithaeron. But a herdsman +found the babe yet alive, and he was nourished in Corinth and grew to manhood, +not knowing his true parentage, and was named Oedipus; and he slew, +unknowingly, his father, Laius, and afterwards saved the town of the Cadmeans +from a devouring monster, and married the widowed queen, Iocaste, and begat +sons and daughters. But when he learned what he had wrought unwittingly, he +fell into despair, and the queen slew herself. But before Oedipus died, he laid +a curse upon his male children, Eteocles and Polynices, that they should make +even division of the kingdom by the sword; and it fell out even so, for the two +brothers strove together for the inheritance, and Polynices brought an army, +from Argos, against Eteocles; and the brothers fought, and fell each by the +other’s hand, and the curse was fulfilled. +</p> + +<h4>DRAMATIS PERSONAE</h4> + +<p class="letter"> +ETEOCLES.<br/> +A SPY.<br/> +CHORUS OF CADMEAN MAIDENS.<br/> +ANTIGONE.<br/> +ISMENE.<br/> +A HERALD. +</p> + + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Clansmen of Cadmus, at the signal given<br/> + By time and season must the ruler speak<br/> + Who sets the course and steers the ship of State<br/> + With hand upon the tiller, and with eye<br/> + Watchful against the treachery of sleep.<br/> + For if all go aright, <i>thank Heaven</i>, men say,<br/> + But if adversely—which may God forefend!—<br/> + One name on many lips, from street to street,<br/> + Would bear the bruit and rumour of the time,<br/> + <i>Down with Eteocles!</i>—a clamorous curse,<br/> + A dirge of ruin. May averting Zeus<br/> + Make good his title here, in Cadmus’ hold!<br/> + You it beseems now boys unripened yet<br/> + To lusty manhood, men gone past the prime<br/> + And increase of the full begetting seed,<br/> + And those whom youth and manhood well combined<br/> + Array for action—all to rise in aid<br/> + Of city, shrines, and altars of all powers<br/> + Who guard our land; that ne’er, to end of time,<br/> + Be blotted out the sacred service due<br/> + To our sweet mother-land and to her brood.<br/> + For she it was who to their guest-right called<br/> + Your waxing youth, was patient of the toil,<br/> + And cherished you on the land’s gracious lap,<br/> + Alike to plant the hearth and bear the shield<br/> + In loyal service, for an hour like this.<br/> + Mark now! until to-day, luck rules our scale;<br/> + For we, though long beleaguered, in the main<br/> + Have with our sallies struck the foemen hard.<br/> + But now the seer, the feeder of the birds,<br/> + (Whose art unerring and prophetic skill<br/> + Of ear and mind divines their utterance<br/> + Without the lore of fire interpreted)<br/> + Foretelleth, by the mastery of his art,<br/> + That now an onset of Achaea’s host<br/> + Is by a council of the night designed<br/> + To fall in double strength upon our walls.<br/> + Up and away, then, to the battlements,<br/> + The gates, the bulwarks! don your panoplies,<br/> + Array you at the breast-work, take your stand<br/> + On floorings of the towers, and with good heart<br/> + Stand firm for sudden sallies at the gates,<br/> + Nor hold too heinous a respect for hordes<br/> + Sent on you from afar: some god will guard!<br/> + I too, for shrewd espial of their camp,<br/> + Have sent forth scouts, and confidence is mine<br/> + They will not fail nor tremble at their task,<br/> + And, with their news, I fear no foeman’s guile. +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter a <span class="charname">SPY</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + Eteocles, high king of Cadmus’ folk,<br/> + I stand here with news certified and sure<br/> + From Argos’ camp, things by myself descried.<br/> + Seven warriors yonder, doughty chiefs of might,<br/> + Into the crimsoned concave of a shield<br/> + Have shed a bull’s blood, and, with hands immersed<br/> + Into the gore of sacrifice, have sworn<br/> + By Ares, lord of fight, and by thy name,<br/> + Blood-lapping Terror, <i>Let our oath be heard—<br/> + Either to raze the walls, make void the hold<br/> + Of Cadmus—strive his children as they may—<br/> + Or, dying here, to make the foemen’s land<br/> + With blood impasted</i>. Then, as memory’s gift<br/> + Unto their parents at the far-off home,<br/> + Chaplets they hung upon Adrastus’ car,<br/> + With eyes tear-dropping, but no word of moan.<br/> + For their steeled spirit glowed with high resolve,<br/> + As lions pant, with battle in their eyes.<br/> + For them, no weak alarm delays the clear<br/> + Issues of death or life! I parted thence<br/> + Even as they cast the lots, how each should lead,<br/> + Against which gate, his serried company.<br/> + Rank then thy bravest, with what speed thou may’st,<br/> + Hard by the gates, to dash on them, for now,<br/> + Full-armed, the onward ranks of Argos come!<br/> + The dust whirls up, and from their panting steeds<br/> + White foamy flakes like snow bedew the plain.<br/> + Thou therefore, chieftain! like a steersman skilled,<br/> + Enshield the city’s bulwarks, ere the blast<br/> + Of war comes darting on them! hark, the roar<br/> + Of the great landstorm with its waves of men!<br/> + Take Fortune by the forelock! for the rest,<br/> + By yonder dawn-light will I scan the field<br/> + Clear and aright, and surety of my word<br/> + Shall keep thee scatheless of the coming storm. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + O Zeus and Earth and city-guarding gods,<br/> + And thou, my father’s Curse, of baneful might,<br/> + Spare ye at least this town, nor root it up,<br/> + By violence of the foemen, stock and stem!<br/> + For here, from home and hearth, rings Hellas’ tongue.<br/> + Forbid that e’er the yoke of slavery<br/> + Should bow this land of freedom, Cadmus’ hold!<br/> + Be ye her help! your cause I plead with mine—<br/> + A city saved doth honour to her gods! +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit <span class="charname">ETEOCLES,</span> etc.</i>]</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter the <span class="charname">CHORUS OF MAIDENS</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> +I wail in the stress of my terror, and shrill is my cry of despair.<br/> +The foemen roll forth from their camp as a billow, and onward they bear!<br/> +Their horsemen are swift in the forefront, the dust rises up to the sky,<br/> +A signal, though speechless, of doom, a herald more clear than a cry!<br/> +Hoof-trampled, the land of my love bears onward the din to mine ears.<br/> +As a torrent descending a mountain, it thunders and echoes and nears!<br/> +The doom is unloosened and cometh! O kings and O queens of high Heaven,<br/> +Prevail that it fall not upon us: the sign for their onset is given—<br/> +They stream to the walls from without, white-shielded and keen for the fray.<br/> +They storm to the citadel gates— what god or what goddess can stay<br/> +The rush of their feet? to what shrine shall I bow me in terror and pray?<br/> +O gods high-throned in bliss, we must crouch at the shrines in your home!<br/> +Not here must we tarry and wail: shield clashes on shield as they come—<br/> +And now, even now is the hour for the robes and the chaplets of prayer!<br/> +Mine eyes feel the flash of the sword, the clang is instinct with the spear!<br/> +Is thy hand set against us, O Ares, in ruin and wrath to o’erwhelm<br/> +Thine own immemorial land, O god of the golden helm?<br/> +Look down upon us, we beseech thee, on the land that thou lovest of old,<br/> +And ye, O protecting gods, in pity your people behold!<br/> +Yea, save us, the maidenly troop, from the doom and despair of the slave,<br/> +For the crests of the foemen come onward, their rush is the rush of a wave<br/> +Rolled on by the war-god’s breath! almighty one, hear us and save<br/> +From the grasp of the Argives’ might! to the ramparts of Cadmus they crowd,<br/> +And, clenched in the teeth of the steeds, the bits clink horror aloud!<br/> +And seven high chieftains of war, with spear and with panoply bold,<br/> +Are set, by the law of the lot, to storm the seven gates of our hold!<br/> +Be near and befriend us, O Pallas, the Zeus-born maiden of might!<br/> +O lord of the steed and the sea, be thy trident uplifted to smite<br/> +In eager desire of the fray, Poseidon! and Ares come down,<br/> +In fatherly presence revealed, to rescue Harmonia’s town!<br/> +Thine too, Aphrodite, we are! thou art mother and queen of our race,<br/> +To thee we cry out in our need, from thee let thy children have grace!<br/> +Ye too, to scare back the foe, be your cry as a wolf’s howl wild,<br/> +Thou, O the wolf-lord, and thou, of she-wolf Leto the child!<br/> +Woe and alack for the sound, for the rattle of cars to the wall,<br/> +And the creak of the grinding axles! O Hera, to thee is our call!<br/> +Artemis, maiden beloved! the air is distraught with the spears,<br/> +And whither doth destiny drive us, and where is the goal of our fears?<br/> +The blast of the terrible stones on the ridge of our wall is not stayed,<br/> +At the gates is the brazen clash of the bucklers—Apollo to aid!<br/> +Thou too, O daughter of Zeus, who guidest the wavering fray<br/> +To the holy decision of fate, Athena! be with us to-day!<br/> +Come down to the sevenfold gates and harry the foemen away!<br/> +O gods and O sisters of gods, our bulwark and guard! we beseech<br/> +That ye give not our war-worn hold to a rabble of alien speech!<br/> +List to the call of the maidens, the hands held up for the right,<br/> +Be near us, protect us, and show that the city is dear in your sight!<br/> +Have heed for her sacrifice holy, and thought of her offerings take,<br/> +Forget not her love and her worship, be near her and smite for her sake! +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Re-enter <span class="charname">ETEOCLES</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES<br/> + Hark to my question, things detestable!<br/> + Is this aright and for the city’s weal,<br/> + And helpful to our army thus beset,<br/> + That ye before the statues of our gods<br/> + Should fling yourselves, and scream and shriek your fears?<br/> + Immodest, uncontrolled! Be this my lot—<br/> + Never in troublous nor in peaceful days<br/> + To dwell with aught that wears a female form!<br/> + Where womankind has power, no man can house,<br/> + Where womankind feeds panic, ruin rules<br/> + Alike in house and city! Look you now—<br/> + Your flying feet, and rumour of your fears,<br/> + Have spread a soulless panic on our walls,<br/> + And they without do go from strength to strength,<br/> + And we within make breach upon ourselves!<br/> + Such fate it brings, to house with womankind.<br/> + Therefore if any shall resist my rule—<br/> + Or man, or woman, or some sexless thing—<br/> + The vote of sentence shall decide their doom,<br/> + And stones of execution, past escape,<br/> + Shall finish all. Let not a woman’s voice<br/> + Be loud in council! for the things without,<br/> + A man must care; let women keep within—<br/> + Even then is mischief all too probable!<br/> + Hear ye? or speak I to unheeding ears? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah, but I shudder, child of Oedipus!<br/> + I heard the clash and clang!<br/> + The axles rolled and rumbled; woe to us<br/> + Fire-welded bridles rang! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Say—when a ship is strained and deep in brine,<br/> + Did e’er a seaman mend his chance, who left<br/> + The helm, t’invoke the image at the prow? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah, but I fled to the shrines, I called to our helpers on high,<br/> + When the stone-shower roared at the portals!<br/> + I sped to the temples aloft, and loud was my call and my cry,<br/> + <i>Look down and deliver. Immortals!</i> +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Ay, pray amain that stone may vanquish steel!<br/> + Were not that grace of gods? ay, ay—methinks,<br/> + When cities fall, the gods go forth from them! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah, let me die, or ever I behold<br/> + The gods go forth, in conflagration dire!<br/> + The foemen’s rush and raid, and all our hold<br/> + Wrapt in the burning fire! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Cry not: on Heaven, in impotent debate!<br/> + What saith the saw?—<i>Good saving Strength, in verity,<br/> + Out of Obedience breeds the babe Prosperity</i>. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + ’Tis true: yet stronger is the power divine,<br/> + And oft, when man’s estate is overbowed<br/> + With bitter pangs, disperses from his eyne<br/> + The heavy, hanging cloud! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Let men with sacrifice and augury<br/> + Approach the gods, when comes the tug of war;<br/> + Maids must be silent and abide within. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> +By grace of the gods we hold it, a city untamed of the spear,<br/> +And the battlement wards from the wall the foe and his aspect of fear!<br/> +What need of displeasure herein? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Ay, pay thy vows to Heaven; I grudge them not,<br/> + But—so thou strike no fear into our men—<br/> + Have calm at heart, nor be too much afraid. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alack, it is fresh in mine ears, the clamour and crash of the fray,<br/> + And up to our holiest height I sped on my timorous way,<br/> + Bewildered, beset by the din! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Now, if ye hear the bruit of death or wounds,<br/> + Give not yourselves o’ermuch to shriek and scream,<br/> + For Ares ravens upon human flesh. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah, but the snorting of the steeds I hear! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Then, if thou hearest, hear them not too well! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Hark, the earth rumbles, as they close us round! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Enough if I am here, with plans prepared. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Alack, the battering at the gates is loud! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Peace! stay your tongue, or else the town may hear! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O warders of the walls, betray them not! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Bestrew your cries! in silence face your fate. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Gods of our city, see me not enslaved! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + On me, on all, thy cries bring slavery. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Zeus, strong to smite, turn upon foes thy blow! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Zeus, what a curse are women, wrought by thee! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Weak wretches, even as men, when cities fall. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + What! clasping gods, yet voicing thy despair? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + In the sick heart, fear machete prey of speech. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Light is the thing I ask thee—do my will! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ask swiftly: swiftly shall I know my power. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Silence, weak wretch! nor put thy friends in fear. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + I speak no more: the general fate be mine! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + I take that word as wiser than the rest.<br/> + Nay, more: these images possess thy will—<br/> + Pray, in their strength, that Heaven be on our side!<br/> + Then hear my prayers withal, and then ring out<br/> + The female triumph-note, thy privilege—<br/> + Yea, utter forth the usage Hellas knows,<br/> + The cry beside the altars, sounding clear<br/> + Encouragement to friends, alarm to foes.<br/> + But I unto all gods that guard our walls,<br/> + Lords of the plain or warders of the mart<br/> + And to Isthmus’ stream and Dirge’s rills,<br/> + I swear, if Fortune smiles and saves our town,<br/> + That we will make our altars reek with blood<br/> + Of sheep and kine, shed forth unto the gods,<br/> + And with victorious tokens front our fannies—<br/> + Corsets and cases that once our foemen wore,<br/> + Spear-shattered now—to deck these holy homes!<br/> + Be such thy vows to Heaven—away with sighs,<br/> + Away with outcry vain and barbarous,<br/> + That shall avail not, in a general doom!<br/> + But I will back, and, with six chosen men<br/> + Myself the seventh, to confront the foe<br/> + In this great aspect of a poisèd war,<br/> + Return and plant them at the sevenfold gates,<br/> + Or e’er the prompt and clamorous battle-scouts<br/> + Haste to inflame our counsel with the need. +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit <span class="charname">ETEOCLES</span>.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + I mark his words, yet, dark and deep,<br/> + My heart’s alarm forbiddeth sleep!<br/> + Close-clinging cares around my soul<br/> + Enkindle fears beyond control,<br/> + Presageful of what doom may fall<br/> + From the great leaguer of the wall!<br/> + So a poor dove is faint with fear<br/> + For her weak nestlings, while anew<br/> + Glides on the snaky ravisher!<br/> + In troop and squadron, hand on hand,<br/> + They climb and throng, and hemmed we stand,<br/> + While on the warders of our town<br/> + The flinty shower comes hurtling down!<br/> +<br/> + Gods born of Zeus! put forth your might<br/> + For Cadmus’ city, realm, and right!<br/> + What nobler land shall e’er be yours,<br/> + If once ye give to hostile powers<br/> + The deep rich soil, and Dirce’s wave,<br/> + The nursing stream, Poseidon gave<br/> + And Tethys’ children? Up and save!<br/> + Cast on the ranks that hem us round<br/> + A deadly panic, make them fling<br/> + Their arms in terror on the ground,<br/> + And die in carnage! thence shall spring<br/> + High honour for our clan and king!<br/> + Come at our wailing cry, and stand<br/> + As thronèd sentries of our land!<br/> +<br/> +For pity and sorrow it were that this immemorial town<br/> +Should sink to be slave of the spear, to dust and to ashes gone down,<br/> +By the gods of Achaean worship and arms of Achaean might<br/> +Sacked and defiled and dishonoured, its women the prize of the fight—<br/> +That, haled by the hair as a steed, their mantles dishevelled and torn,<br/> +The maiden and matron alike should pass to the wedlock of scorn!<br/> +I hear it arise from the city, the manifold wail of despair—<br/> +<i>Woe, woe for the doom that shall be</i>—as in grasp of the foeman they fare!<br/> +For a woe and a weeping it is, if the maiden inviolate flower<br/> +Is plucked by the foe in his might, not culled in the bridal bower!<br/> +Alas for the hate and the horror—how say it?—less hateful by far<br/> +Is the doom to be slain by the sword, hewn down in the carnage of war!<br/> +For wide, ah! wide is the woe when the foeman has mounted the wall;<br/> +There is havoc and terror and flame, and the dark smoke broods over all,<br/> +And wild is the war-god’s breath, as in frenzy of conquest he springs,<br/> +And pollutes with the blast of his lips the glory of holiest things!<br/> +<br/> + Up to the citadel rise clash and din,<br/> + The war-net closes in,<br/> + The spear is in the heart: with blood imbrued<br/> + Young mothers wail aloud,<br/> + For children at their breast who scream and die!<br/> + And boys and maidens fly,<br/> + Yet scape not the pursuer, in his greed<br/> + To thrust and grasp and feed!<br/> + Robber with robber joins, each calls his mate<br/> + Unto the feast of hate—<br/> + <i>The banquet, lo! is spread—<br/> + seize, rend, and tear!<br/> + No need to choose or share!</i><br/> + And all the wealth of earth to waste is poured—<br/> + A sight by all abhorred!<br/> + The grieving housewives eye it;<br/> + heaped and blent,<br/> + Earth’s boons are spoiled and spent,<br/> + And waste to nothingness; and O alas,<br/> + Young maids, forlorn ye pass—<br/> + Fresh horror at your hearts—beneath the power<br/> + Of those who crop the flower!<br/> + Ye own the ruffian ravisher for lord,<br/> + And night brings rites abhorred!<br/> + Woe, woe for you! upon your grief and pain<br/> + There comes a fouler stain. +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter on one side <span class="charname">THE SPY;</span> on the other +<span class="charname">ETEOCLES</span> and the <span class="charname">SIX CHAMPIONS</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Look, friends! methinks the scout, who parted hence<br/> + To spy upon the foemen, comes with news,<br/> + His feet as swift as wafting chariot-wheels. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Ay, and our king, the son of Oedipus,<br/> + Comes prompt to time, to learn the spy’s report—<br/> + His heart is fainter than his foot is fast! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + Well have I scanned the foe, and well can say<br/> + Unto which chief, by lot, each gate is given.<br/> + Tydeus already with his onset-cry<br/> + Storms at the gate called Proetides; but him<br/> + The seer Amphiaraus holds at halt,<br/> + Nor wills that he should cross Ismenus’ ford,<br/> + Until the sacrifices promise fair.<br/> + But Tydeus, mad with lust of blood and broil,<br/> + Like to a cockatrice at noontide hour,<br/> + Hisses out wrath and smites with scourge of tongue<br/> + The prophet-son of Oecleus—<i>Wise thou art,<br/> + Faint against war, and holding back from death!</i><br/> + With such revilings loud upon his lips<br/> + He waves the triple plumes that o’er his helm<br/> + Float overshadowing, as a courser’s mane;<br/> + And at his shield’s rim, terror in their tone,<br/> + Clang and reverberate the brazen bells.<br/> + And this proud sign, wrought on his shield, he bears—<br/> + The vault of heaven, inlaid with blazing stars;<br/> + And, for the boss, the bright moon glows at full,<br/> + The eye of night, the first and lordliest star.<br/> + Thus with high-vaunted armour, madly bold,<br/> + He clamours by the stream-bank, wild for war,<br/> + As a steed panting grimly on his bit,<br/> + Held in and chafing for the trumpet’s bray!<br/> + Whom wilt thou set against him? when the gates<br/> + Of Proetus yield, who can his rush repel? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + To me, no blazon on a foeman’s shield<br/> + Shall e’er present a fear! such pointed threats<br/> + Are powerless to wound; his plumes and bells,<br/> + Without a spear, are snakes without a sting.<br/> + Nay, more—that pageant of which thou tellest—<br/> + The nightly sky displayed, ablaze with stars,<br/> + Upon his shield, palters with double sense—<br/> + One headstrong fool will find its truth anon!<br/> + For, if night fall upon his eyes in death,<br/> + Yon vaunting blazon will its own truth prove,<br/> + And he is prophet of his folly’s fall.<br/> + Mine shall it be, to pit against his power<br/> + The loyal son of Astacus, as guard<br/> + To hold the gateways—a right valiant soul,<br/> + Who has in heed the throne of Modesty<br/> + And loathes the speech of Pride, and evermore<br/> + Shrinks from the base, but knows no other fear.<br/> + He springs by stock from those whom Ares spared,<br/> + The men called Sown, a right son of the soil,<br/> + And Melanippus styled. Now, what his arm<br/> + To-day shall do, rests with the dice of war,<br/> + And Ares shall ordain it; but his cause<br/> + Hath the true badge of Right, to urge him on<br/> + To guard, as son, his motherland from wrong. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Then may the gods give fortune fair<br/> + Unto our chief, sent forth to dare<br/> + War’s terrible arbitrament!<br/> + But ah! when champions wend away,<br/> + I shudder, lest, from out the fray,<br/> + Only their blood-stained wrecks be sent! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + Nay, let him pass, and the gods’ help be his!<br/> + Next, Capaneus comes on, by lot to lead<br/> + The onset at the gates Electran styled:<br/> + A giant he, more huge than Tydeus’ self,<br/> + And more than human in his arrogance—<br/> + May fate forefend his threat against our walls!<br/> + <i>God willing, or unwilling</i>—such his vaunt—<br/> + <i>I will lay waste this city; Pallas’ self,<br/> + Zeus’ warrior maid, although she swoop to earth<br/> + And plant her in my path, shall stay me not</i>.<br/> + And, for the flashes of the levin-bolt,<br/> + He holds them harmless as the noontide rays.<br/> + Mark, too, the symbol on his shield—a man<br/> + Scornfully weaponless but torch in hand,<br/> + And the flame glows within his grasp, prepared<br/> + For ravin: lo, the legend, wrought in words,<br/> + <i>Fire for the city bring I</i>, flares in gold!<br/> + Against such wight, send forth—yet whom? what man<br/> + Will front that vaunting figure and not fear? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Aha, this profits also, gain on gain!<br/> + In sooth, for mortals, the tongue’s utterance<br/> + Bewrays unerringly a foolish pride!<br/> + Hither stalks Capaneus, with vaunt and threat<br/> + Defying god-like powers, equipt to act,<br/> + And, mortal though he be, he strains his tongue<br/> + In folly’s ecstasy, and casts aloft<br/> + High swelling words against the ears of Zeus.<br/> + Right well I trust—if justice grants the word—<br/> + That, by the might of Zeus, a bolt of flame<br/> + In more than semblance shall descend on him.<br/> + Against his vaunts, though reckless, I have set,<br/> + To make assurance sure, a warrior stern—<br/> + Strong Polyphontes, fervid for the fray;<br/> + A sturdy bulwark, he, by grace of Heaven<br/> + And favour of his champion Artemis!<br/> + Say on, who holdeth the next gate in ward? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Perish the wretch whose vaunt affronts our home!<br/> + On him the red bolt come,<br/> + Ere to the maiden bowers his way he cleave,<br/> + To ravage and bereave! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + I will say on. Eteoclus is third—<br/> + To him it fell, what time the third lot sprang<br/> + O’er the inverted helmet’s brazen rim,<br/> + To dash his stormers on Neistae gate.<br/> + He wheels his mares, who at their frontlets chafe<br/> + And yearn to charge upon the gates amain.<br/> + They snort the breath of pride, and, filled therewith,<br/> + Their nozzles whistle with barbaric sound.<br/> + High too and haughty is his shield’s device—<br/> + An armèd man who climbs, from rung to rung,<br/> + A scaling ladder, up a hostile wall,<br/> + Afire to sack and slay; and he too cries,<br/> + (By letters, full of sound, upon the shield)<br/> + <i>Not Ares’ self shall cast me from the wall</i>.<br/> + Look to it, send, against this man, a man<br/> + Strong to debar the slave’s yoke from our town. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +ETEOCLES (<i>pointing to</i> MEGAREUS)<br/> + Send will I—even this man, with luck to aid—<br/> + By his worth sent already, not by pride<br/> + And vain pretence, is he. ’Tis Megareus,<br/> + The child of Creon, of the Earth-sprung born!<br/> + He will not shrink from guarding of the gates,<br/> + Nor fear the maddened charger’s frenzied neigh,<br/> + But, if he dies, will nobly quit the score<br/> + For nurture to the land that gave him birth,<br/> + Or from the shield-side hew two warriors down<br/> + Eteoclus and the figure that he lifts—<br/> + Ay, and the city pictured, all in one,<br/> + And deck with spoils the temple of his sire!<br/> + Announce the next pair, stint not of thy tongue! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O thou, the warder of my home,<br/> + Grant, unto us, Fate’s favouring tide,<br/> + Send on the foemen doom!<br/> + They fling forth taunts of frenzied pride,<br/> + On them may Zeus with glare of vengeance come; +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + Lo, next him stands a fourth and shouts amain,<br/> + By Pallas Onca’s portal, and displays<br/> + A different challenge; ’tis Hippomedon!<br/> + Huge the device that starts up from his targe<br/> + In high relief; and, I deny it not,<br/> + I shuddered, seeing how, upon the rim,<br/> + It made a mighty circle round the shield—<br/> + No sorry craftsman he, who wrought that work<br/> + And clamped it all around the buckler’s edge!<br/> + The form was Typhon: from his glowing throat<br/> + Rolled lurid smoke, spark-litten, kin of fire!<br/> + The flattened edge-work, circling round the whole,<br/> + Made strong support for coiling snakes that grew<br/> + Erect above the concave of the shield:<br/> + Loud rang the warrior’s voice; inspired for war,<br/> + He raves to slay, as doth a Bacchanal,<br/> + His very glance a terror! of such wight<br/> + Beware the onset! closing on the gates,<br/> + He peals his vaunting and appalling cry! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Yet first our Pallas Onca—wardress she,<br/> + Planting her foot hard by her gate—shall stand,<br/> + The Maid against the ruffian, and repel<br/> + His force, as from her brood the mother-bird<br/> + Beats back the wintered serpent’s venom’d fang<br/> + And next, by her, is Oenops’ gallant son,<br/> + Hyperbius, chosen to confront this foe,<br/> + Ready to seek his fate at Fortune’s shrine!<br/> +<br/> + In form, in valour, and in skill of arms,<br/> + None shall gainsay him. See how wisely well<br/> + Hermes hath set the brave against the strong!<br/> + Confronted shall they stand, the shield of each<br/> + Bearing the image of opposing gods:<br/> + One holds aloft his Typhon breathing fire,<br/> + But, on the other’s shield, in symbol sits<br/> + Zeus, calm and strong, and fans his bolt to flame—<br/> + Zeus, seen of all, yet seen of none to fail!<br/> + Howbeit, weak is trust reposed in Heaven—<br/> + Yet are we upon Zeus’ victorious side,<br/> + The foe, with those he worsted—if in sooth<br/> + Zeus against Typhon held the upper hand,<br/> + And if Hyperbius, (as well may hap<br/> + When two such foes such diverse emblems bear)<br/> + Have Zeus upon his shield, a saving sign. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + High faith is mine that he whose shield<br/> + Bears, against Zeus, the thing of hate.<br/> + The giant Typhon, thus revealed,<br/> + A monster loathed of gods eterne<br/> + And mortal men—this doom shall earn<br/> + A shattered skull, before the gate! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + Heaven send it so!<br/> + A fifth assailant now<br/> + Is set against our fifth, the northern, gate,<br/> + Fronting the death-mound where Amphion lies<br/> + The child of Zeus.<br/> +<br/> + This foeman vows his faith,<br/> + Upon a mystic spear-head which he deems<br/> + More holy than a godhead and more sure<br/> + To find its mark than any glance of eye,<br/> + That, will they, nill they, he will storm and sack<br/> + The hold of the Cadmeans. Such his oath—<br/> + His, the bold warrior, yet of childish years,<br/> + A bud of beauty’s foremost flower, the son<br/> + Of Zeus and of the mountain maid. I mark<br/> + How the soft down is waxing on his cheek,<br/> + Thick and close-growing in its tender prime—<br/> + In name, not mood, is he a maiden’s child—<br/> + Parthenopaeus; large and bright his eyes<br/> + But fierce the wrath wherewith he fronts the gate:<br/> + Yet not unheralded he takes his stand<br/> + Before the portal; on his brazen shield,<br/> + The rounded screen and shelter of his form,<br/> + I saw him show the ravening Sphinx, the fiend<br/> + That shamed our city—how it glared and moved,<br/> + Clamped on the buckler, wrought in high relief!<br/> + And in its claws did a Cadmean bear—<br/> + Nor heretofore, for any single prey,<br/> + Sped she aloft, through such a storm of darts<br/> + As now awaits her. So our foe is here—<br/> + Like, as I deem, to ply no stinted trade<br/> + In blood and broil, but traffick as is meet<br/> + In fierce exchange for his long wayfaring! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Ah, may they meet the doom they think to bring—<br/> + They and their impious vaunts—from those on high!<br/> + So should they sink, hurled down to deepest death!<br/> + This foe, at least, by thee Arcadian styled,<br/> + Is faced by one who bears no braggart sign,<br/> + But his hand sees to smite, where blows avail—<br/> + Actor, own brother to Hyperbius!<br/> + He will not let a boast without a blow<br/> + Stream through our gates and nourish our despair,<br/> + Nor give him way who on his hostile shield<br/> + Bears the brute image of the loathly Sphinx!<br/> + Blocked at the gate, she will rebuke the man<br/> + Who strives to thrust her forward, when she feels<br/> + Thick crash of blows, up to the city wall.<br/> + With Heaven’s goodwill, my forecast shall be true. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Home to my heart the vaunting goes,<br/> + And, quick with terror, on my head<br/> + Rises my hair, at sound of those<br/> + Who wildly, impiously rave!<br/> + If gods there be, to them I plead—<br/> + <i>Give them to darkness and the grave</i>. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + Fronting the sixth gate stands another foe,<br/> + Wisest of warriors, bravest among seers—<br/> + Such must I name Amphiaraus: he,<br/> + Set steadfast at the Homoloid gate,<br/> + Berates strong Tydeus with reviling words—<br/> + <i>The man of blood, the bane of state and home,<br/> + To Argos, arch-allurer to all ill,<br/> + Evoker of the fury-fiend of hell,<br/> + Death’s minister, and counsellor of wrong<br/> + Unto Adrastus in this fatal field</i>.<br/> + Ay, and with eyes upturned and mien of scorn<br/> + He chides thy brother Polynices too<br/> + At his desert, and once and yet again<br/> + Dwells hard and meaningly upon his name<br/> + Where it saith <i>glory</i> yet importeth <i>feud</i>.<br/> + <i>Yea, such thou art in act, and such thy grace<br/> + In sight of Heaven, and such in aftertime<br/> + Thy fame, for lips and ears of mortal men!<br/> + “He strove to sack the city of his sires<br/> + And temples of her gods, and brought on her<br/> + An alien armament of foreign foes.<br/> + The fountain of maternal blood outpoured<br/> + What power can staunch? even so, thy fatherland<br/> + Once by thine ardent malice stormed and ta’en,<br/> + Shall ne’er join force with thee.” For me, I know<br/> + It doth remain to let my blood enrich<br/> + The border of this land that loves me not—<br/> + Blood of a prophet, in a foreign grave!<br/> + Now, for the battle! I foreknow my doom,<br/> + Yet it shall be with honour</i>. So he spake,<br/> + The prophet, holding up his targe of bronze<br/> + Wrought without blazon, to the ears of men<br/> + Who stood around and heeded not his word.<br/> + For on no bruit and rumour of great deeds,<br/> + But on their doing, is his spirit set,<br/> + And in his heart he reaps a furrow rich,<br/> + Wherefrom the foison of good counsel springs.<br/> + Against him, send brave heart and hand of might,<br/> + For the god-lover is man’s fiercest foe. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Out on the chance that couples mortal men,<br/> + Linking the just and impious in one!<br/> + In every issue, the one curse is this—<br/> + Companionship with men of evil heart!<br/> + A baneful harvest, let none gather it!<br/> + The field of sin is rank, and brings forth death<br/> + At whiles a righteous man who goes aboard<br/> + With reckless mates, a horde of villainy,<br/> + Dies by one death with that detested crew;<br/> + At whiles the just man, joined with citizens<br/> + Ruthless to strangers, recking nought of Heaven,<br/> + Trapped, against nature, in one net with them,<br/> + Dies by God’s thrust and all-including blow.<br/> + So will this prophet die, even Oecleus’ child,<br/> + Sage, just, and brave, and loyal towards Heaven,<br/> + Potent in prophecy, but mated here<br/> + With men of sin, too boastful to be wise!<br/> + Long is their road, and they return no more,<br/> + And, at their taking-off, by hand of Zeus,<br/> + The prophet too shall take the downward way.<br/> + He will not—so I deem—assail the gate—<br/> + Not as through cowardice or feeble will,<br/> + But as one knowing to what end shall be<br/> + Their struggle in the battle, if indeed<br/> + Fruit of fulfilment lie in Loxias’ word.<br/> + He speaketh not, unless to speak avails!<br/> + Yet, for more surety, we will post a man,<br/> + Strong Lasthenes, as warder of the gate,<br/> + Stern to the foeman; he hath age’s skill,<br/> + Mated with youthful vigour, and an eye<br/> + Forward, alert; swift too his hand, to catch<br/> + The fenceless interval ’twixt shield and spear!<br/> + Yet man’s good fortune lies in hand of Heaven. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Unto our loyal cry, ye gods, give ear!<br/> + Save, save the city! turn away the spear,<br/> + Send on the foemen fear!<br/> + Outside the rampart fall they, rent and riven<br/> + Beneath the bolt of heaven! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + Last, let me name yon seventh antagonist,<br/> + Thy brother’s self, at the seventh portal set—<br/> + Hear with what wrath he imprecates our doom,<br/> + Vowing to mount the wall, though banished hence,<br/> + And peal aloud the wild exulting cry—<br/> + <i>The town is ta’en</i>—then clash his sword with thine,<br/> + Giving and taking death in close embrace,<br/> + Or, if thou ’scapest, flinging upon thee,<br/> + As robber of his honour and his home,<br/> + The doom of exile such as he has borne.<br/> + So clamours he and so invokes the gods<br/> + Who guard his race and home, to hear and heed<br/> + The curse that sounds in Polynices’ name!<br/> + He bears a round shield, fresh from forge and fire,<br/> + And wrought upon it is a twofold sign—<br/> + For lo, a woman leads decorously<br/> + The figure of a warrior wrought in gold;<br/> + And thus the legend runs—<i>I Justice am,<br/> + And I will bring the hero home again,<br/> + To hold once more his place within this town,<br/> + Once more to pace his sire’s ancestral hall</i>.<br/> + Such are the symbols, by our foemen shown—<br/> + Now make thine own decision, whom to send<br/> + Against this last opponent! I have said—<br/> + Nor canst thou in my tidings find a flaw—<br/> + Thine is it, now, to steer the course aright. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Ah me, the madman, and the curse of Heaven!<br/> + And woe for us, the lamentable line<br/> + Of Oedipus, and woe that in this house<br/> + Our father’s curse must find accomplishment!<br/> + But now, a truce to tears and loud lament,<br/> + Lest they should breed a still more rueful wail!<br/> + As for this Polynices, named too well,<br/> + Soon shall we know how his device shall end—<br/> + Whether the gold-wrought symbols on his shield,<br/> + In their mad vaunting and bewildered pride,<br/> + Shall guide him as a victor to his home!<br/> + For had but Justice, maiden-child of Zeus,<br/> + Stood by his act and thought, it might have been!<br/> + Yet never, from the day he reached the light<br/> + Out of the darkness of his mother’s womb,<br/> + Never in childhood, nor in youthful prime,<br/> + Nor when his chin was gathering its beard,<br/> + Hath Justice hailed or claimed him as her own.<br/> + Therefore I deem not that she standeth now<br/> + To aid him in this outrage on his home!<br/> + Misnamed, in truth, were Justice, utterly,<br/> + If to impiety she lent her hand.<br/> + Sure in this faith, I will myself go forth<br/> + And match me with him; who hath fairer claim?<br/> + Ruler, against one fain to snatch the rule,<br/> + Brother with brother matched, and foe with foe,<br/> + Will I confront the issue. To the wall! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O thou true heart, O child of Oedipus,<br/> + Be not, in wrath, too like the man whose name<br/> + Murmurs an evil omen! ’Tis enough<br/> + That Cadmus’ clan should strive with Argos’ host,<br/> + For blood there is that can atone that stain!<br/> + But—brother upon brother dealing death—<br/> + Not time itself can expiate the sin! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + If man find hurt, yet clasp his honour still,<br/> + ’Tis well; the dead have honour, nought beside.<br/> + Hurt, with dishonour, wins no word of praise! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah, what is thy desire?<br/> + Let not the lust and ravin of the sword<br/> + Bear thee adown the tide accursed, abhorred!<br/> + Fling off thy passion’s rage, thy spirit’s prompting dire! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Nay—since the god is urgent for our doom,<br/> + Let Laius’ house, by Phoebus loathed and scorned,<br/> + Follow the gale of destiny, and win<br/> + Its great inheritance, the gulf of hell! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ruthless thy craving is—<br/> + Craving for kindred and forbidden blood<br/> + To be outpoured—a sacrifice imbrued<br/> + With sin, a bitter fruit of murderous enmities! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Yea, my own father’s fateful Curse proclaims—<br/> + A ghastly presence, and her eyes are dry—<br/> + <i>Strike! honour is the prize, not life prolonged!</i> +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah, be not urged of her! for none shall dare<br/> + To call thee <i>coward</i>, in thy throned estate!<br/> + Will not the Fury in her sable pall<br/> + Pass outward from these halls, what time the gods<br/> + Welcome a votive offering from our hands? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + The gods! long since they hold us in contempt,<br/> + Scornful of gifts thus offered by the lost!<br/> + Why should we fawn and flinch away from doom? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Now, when it stands beside thee! for its power<br/> + May, with a changing gust of milder mood,<br/> + Temper the blast that bloweth wild and rude<br/> + And frenzied, in this hour! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Ay, kindled by the curse of Oedipus—<br/> + All too prophetic, out of dreamland came<br/> + The vision, meting out our sire’s estate! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Heed women’s voices, though thou love them not! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Say aught that may avail, but stint thy words. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Go not thou forth to guard the seventh gate! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Words shall not blunt the edge of my resolve. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Yet the god loves to let the weak prevail. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + That to a swordsman, is no welcome word! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Shall thine own brother’s blood be victory’s palm? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ETEOCLES.<br/> + Ill which the gods have sent thou canst not shun! +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit <span class="charname">ETEOCLES</span>.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> +I shudder in dread of the power, abhorred by the gods of high heaven,<br/> +The ruinous curse of the home till roof-tree and rafter be riven!<br/> +Too true are the visions of ill, too true the fulfilment they bring<br/> +To the curse that was spoken of old by the frenzy and wrath of the king!<br/> +Her will is the doom of the children, and Discord is kindled amain,<br/> +And strange is the Lord of Division, who cleaveth the birthright in twain,—<br/> +The edged thing, born of the north, the steel that is ruthless and keen,<br/> +Dividing in bitter division the lot of the children of teen!<br/> +Not the wide lowland around, the realm of their sire, shall they have,<br/> +Yet enough for the dead to inherit, the pitiful space of a grave!<br/> +<br/> + Ah, but when kin meets kin, when sire and child,<br/> + Unknowing, are defiled<br/> + By shedding common blood, and when the pit<br/> + Of death devoureth it,<br/> + Drinking the clotted stain, the gory dye—<br/> + Who, who can purify?<br/> + Who cleanse pollution, where the ancient bane<br/> + Rises and reeks again?<br/> + Whilome in olden days the sin was wrought,<br/> + And swift requital brought—<br/> + Yea on the children of the child came still<br/> + New heritage of ill!<br/> + For thrice Apollo spoke this word divine,<br/> + From Delphi’s central shrine,<br/> + To Laius—<i>Die thou childless!</i> thus alone<br/> + Can the land’s weal be won!<br/> + But vainly with his wife’s desire he strove,<br/> + And gave himself to love,<br/> + Begetting Oedipus, by whom he died,<br/> + The fateful parricide!<br/> + The sacred seed-plot, his own mother’s womb,<br/> + He sowed, his house’s doom,<br/> + A root of blood! by frenzy lured, they came<br/> + Unto their wedded shame.<br/> + And now the waxing surge, the wave of fate,<br/> + Rolls on them, triply great—<br/> + One billow sinks, the next towers, high and dark,<br/> + Above our city’s bark—<br/> + Only the narrow barrier of the wall<br/> + Totters, as soon to fall;<br/> + And, if our chieftains in the storm go down,<br/> + What chance can save the town?<br/> + Curses, inherited from long ago,<br/> + Bring heavy freight of woe:<br/> + Rich stores of merchandise o’erload the deck,<br/> + Near, nearer comes the wreck—<br/> + And all is lost, cast out upon the wave,<br/> + Floating, with none to save!<br/> +<br/> + Whom did the gods, whom did the chief of men,<br/> + Whom did each citizen<br/> + In crowded concourse, in such honour hold,<br/> + As Oedipus of old,<br/> + When the grim fiend, that fed on human prey,<br/> + He took from us away?<br/> +<br/> +But when, in the fulness of days, he knew of his bridal unblest,<br/> +A twofold horror he wrought, in the frenzied despair of his breast—<br/> +Debarred from the grace of the banquet, the service of goblets of gold,<br/> +He flung on his children a curse for the splendour they dared to withhold,<br/> +A curse prophetic and bitter—<i>The glory of wealth and of pride,<br/> +With iron, not gold, in your hands, ye shall come, at the last, to divide!</i><br/> +Behold, how a shudder runs through me, lest now, in the fulness of time,<br/> +The house-fiend awake and return, to mete out the measure of crime! +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">THE SPY</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + Take heart, ye daughters whom your mothers’ milk<br/> + Made milky-hearted! lo, our city stands,<br/> + Saved from the yoke of servitude: the vaunts<br/> + Of overweening men are silent now,<br/> + And the State sails beneath a sky serene,<br/> + Nor in the manifold and battering waves<br/> + Hath shipped a single surge, and solid stands<br/> + The rampart, and the gates are made secure,<br/> + Each with a single champion’s trusty guard.<br/> + So in the main and at six gates we hold<br/> + A victory assured; but, at the seventh,<br/> + The god that on the seventh day was born,<br/> + Royal Apollo, hath ta’en up his rest<br/> + To wreak upon the sons of Oedipus<br/> + Their grandsire’s wilfulness of long ago. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + What further woefulness besets our home? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + The home stands safe—but ah, the princes twain— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Who? what of them? I am distraught with fear. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + Hear now, and mark! the sons of Oedipus— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah, my prophetic soul! I feel their doom. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + Have done with questions!—with their lives crushed out— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Lie they out yonder? the full horror speak!<br/> + Did hands meet hands more close than brotherly?<br/> + Came fate on each, and in the selfsame hour? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">THE SPY.<br/> + Yea, blotting out the lineage ill-starred!<br/> + Now mix your exultation and your tears,<br/> + Over a city saved, the while its lords,<br/> + Twin leaders of the fight, have parcelled out<br/> + With forged arbitrament of Scythian steel<br/> + The full division of their fatherland,<br/> + And, as their father’s imprecation bade,<br/> + Shall have their due of land, a twofold grave.<br/> + So is the city saved; the earth has drunk<br/> + Blood of twin princes, by each other slain. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O mighty Zeus and guardian powers,<br/> + The strength and stay of Cadmus’ towers!<br/> + Shall I send forth a joyous cry,<br/> + <i>Hail to the lord of weal renewed?</i><br/> + Or weep the misbegotten twain,<br/> + Born to a fatal destiny?<br/> + Each numbered now among the slain,<br/> + Each dying in ill fortitude,<br/> + Each <i>truly named</i>, each <i>child of feud?</i><br/> +<br/> + O dark and all-prevailing ill,<br/> + That broods o’er Oedipus and all his line,<br/> + Numbing my heart with mortal chill!<br/> + Ah me, this song of mine,<br/> + Which, Thyad-like, I woke, now falleth still,<br/> + Or only tells of doom,<br/> + And echoes round a tomb!<br/> +<br/> + Dead are they, dead! in their own blood they lie—<br/> + Ill-omened the concent that hails our victory!<br/> + The curse a father on his children spake<br/> + Hath faltered not, nor failed!<br/> + Nought, Laius! thy stubborn choice availed—<br/> + First to beget, then, in the after day<br/> + And for the city’s sake,<br/> + The child to slay!<br/> + For nought can blunt nor mar<br/> + The speech oracular!<br/> + Children of teen! by disbelief ye erred—<br/> + Yet in wild weeping came fulfilment of the word! +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> <span class="charname">ANTIGONE</span> and <span +class="charname">ISMENE</span> approach with a train of mourners, bearing the +bodies of <span class="charname">ETEOCLES</span> and <span +class="charname">POLYNICES</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent"> + Look up, look forth! the doom is plain,<br/> + Nor spake the messenger in vain!<br/> + A twofold sorrow, twofold strife—<br/> + Each brave against a brother’s life!<br/> + In double doom hath sorrow come—<br/> + How shall I speak it?—on the home!<br/> +<br/> + Alas, my sisters! be your sighs the gale,<br/> + The smiting of your brows the plash of oars,<br/> + Wafting the boat, to Acheron’s dim shores<br/> + That passeth ever, with its darkened sail,<br/> + On its uncharted voyage and sunless way,<br/> + Far from thy beams, Apollo, god of day—<br/> + The melancholy bark<br/> + Bound for the common bourn, the harbour of the dark!<br/> + Look up, look yonder! from the home<br/> + Antigone, Ismene come,<br/> + On the last, saddest errand bound,<br/> + To chant a dirge of doleful sound,<br/> + With agony of equal pain<br/> + Above their brethren slain!<br/> + Their sister-bosoms surely swell,<br/> + Heart with rent heart according well<br/> + In grief for those who fought and fell!<br/> + Yet—ere they utter forth their woe—<br/> + We must awake the rueful strain<br/> + To vengeful powers, in realms below,<br/> + And mourn hell’s triumph o’er the slain!<br/> +<br/> + Alas! of all, the breast who bind,—<br/> + Yea, all the race of womankind—<br/> + O maidens, ye are most bereaved!<br/> + For you, for you the tear-drops start—<br/> + Deem that in truth, and undeceived,<br/> + Ye hear the sorrows of my heart!<br/> + (<i>To the dead</i>.)<br/> + Children of bitterness, and sternly brave—<br/> + One, proud of heart against persuasion’s voice,<br/> + One, against exile proof! ye win your choice—<br/> + Each in your fatherland, a separate grave!<br/> +<br/> + Alack, on house and heritage<br/> + They brought a baneful doom, and death for wage!<br/> + One strove through tottering walls to force his way,<br/> + One claimed, in bitter arrogance, the sway,<br/> + And both alike, even now and here,<br/> + Have closed their suit, with steel for arbiter!<br/> + And lo, the Fury-fiend of Oedipus, their sire,<br/> + Hath brought his curse to consummation dire!<br/> + Each in the left side smitten, see them laid—<br/> + The children of one womb,<br/> + Slain by a mutual doom!<br/> + Alas, their fate! the combat murderous,<br/> + The horror of the house,<br/> + The curse of ancient bloodshed, now repaid!<br/> + Yea, deep and to the heart the deathblow fell,<br/> + Edged by their feud ineffable—<br/> + By the grim curse, their sire did imprecate—<br/> + Discord and deadly hate!<br/> + Hark, how the city and its towers make moan—<br/> + How the land mourns that held them for its own!<br/> + Fierce greed and fell division did they blend,<br/> + Till death made end!<br/> + They strove to part the heritage in twain,<br/> + Giving to each a gain—<br/> + Yet that which struck the balance in the strife,<br/> + The arbitrating sword,<br/> + By those who loved the twain is held abhorred—<br/> + Loathed is the god of death, who sundered each from life!<br/> + Here, by the stroke of steel, behold! they lie—<br/> + And rightly may we cry<br/> + <i>Beside their fathers, let them here be laid—<br/> + Iron gave their doom, with iron their graves be made—<br/> + Alack, the slaying sword, alack, th’ entombing spade!</i><br/> +<br/> + Alas, a piercing shriek, a rending groan,<br/> + A cry unfeigned of sorrow felt at heart!<br/> + With shuddering of grief, with tears that start,<br/> + With wailful escort, let them hither come—<br/> + For one or other make divided moan!<br/> + No light lament of pity mixed with gladness,<br/> + But with true tears, poured from the soul of sadness,<br/> + Over the princes dead and their bereavèd home<br/> +<br/> + Say we, above these brethren dead,<br/> + <i>On citizen, on foreign foe,<br/> + Brave was their rush, and stern their blow—<br/> + Now, lowly are they laid!</i><br/> + Beyond all women upon earth<br/> + Woe, woe for her who gave them birth!<br/> + Unknowingly, her son she wed—<br/> + The children of that marriage-bed,<br/> + Each in the self-same womb, were bred—<br/> + Each by a brother’s hand lies dead!<br/> +<br/> + Yea, from one seed they sprang, and by one fate<br/> + Their heritage is desolate,<br/> + The heart’s division sundered claim from claim,<br/> + And, from their feud, death came!<br/> + Now is their hate allayed,<br/> + Now is their life-stream shed,<br/> + Ensanguining the earth with crimson dye—<br/> + Lo, from one blood they sprang, and in one blood they lie!<br/> + A grievous arbiter was given the twain—<br/> + The stranger from the northern main,<br/> + The sharp, dividing sword,<br/> + Fresh from the forge and fire<br/> + The War-god treacherous gave ill award<br/> + And brought their father’s curse to a fulfilment dire!<br/> + They have their portion—each his lot and doom,<br/> + Given from the gods on high!<br/> + Yea, the piled wealth of fatherland, for tomb,<br/> + Shall underneath them lie!<br/> + Alas, alas! with flowers of fame and pride<br/> + Your home ye glorified;<br/> + But, in the end, the Furies gathered round<br/> + With chants of boding sound,<br/> +<br/> + Shrieking, <i>In wild defeat and disarray,<br/> + Behold, ye pass away!</i><br/> + The sign of Ruin standeth at the gate,<br/> + There, where they strove with Fate—<br/> + And the ill power beheld the brothers’ fall,<br/> + And triumphed over all! +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +ANTIGONE, ISMENE, <i>and</i> CHORUS<br/> +(<i>Processional Chant</i>)<br/> + Thou wert smitten, in smiting,<br/> + Thou didst slay, and wert slain—<br/> + By the spear of each other<br/> + Ye lie on the plain,<br/> + And ruthless the deed that ye wrought was, and ruthless the death of the twain!<br/> +<br/> + Take voice, O my sorrow!<br/> + Flow tear upon tear—<br/> + Lay the slain by the slayer,<br/> + Made one on the bier!<br/> + Our soul in distraction is lost, and we mourn o’er the prey of the spear!<br/> +<br/> + Ah, woe for your ending,<br/> + Unbrotherly wrought!<br/> + And woe for the issue,<br/> + The fray that ye fought,<br/> + The doom of a mutual slaughter whereby to the grave ye are brought!<br/> +<br/> + Ah, twofold the sorrow—<br/> + The heard and the seen!<br/> + And double the tide<br/> + Of our tears and our teen,<br/> + As we stand by our brothers in death and wail for the love that has been!<br/> +<br/> + O grievous the fate<br/> + That attends upon wrong!<br/> + Stern ghost of our sire,<br/> + Thy vengeance is long!<br/> + Dark Fury of hell and of death, the hands of thy kingdom are strong!<br/> +<br/> + O dark were the sorrows<br/> + That exile hath known!<br/> + He slew, but returned not<br/> + Alive to his own!<br/> + He struck down a brother, but fell, in the moment of triumph hewn down!<br/> +<br/> + O lineage accurst,<br/> + O doom and despair!<br/> + Alas, for their quarrel,<br/> + The brothers that were!<br/> + And woe! for their pitiful end, who once were our love and our care!<br/> +<br/> + O grievous the fate<br/> + That attends upon wrong!<br/> + Stern ghost of our sire,<br/> + Thy vengeance is long!<br/> + Dark Fury of hell and of death, the hands of thy kingdom are strong!<br/> +<br/> + By proof have ye learnt it!<br/> + At once and as one,<br/> + O brothers beloved,<br/> + To death ye were done!<br/> + Ye came to the strife of the sword, and behold! ye are both overthrown!<br/> +<br/> + O grievous the tale is,<br/> + And grievous their fall,<br/> + To the house, to the land,<br/> + And to me above all!<br/> + Ah God! for the curse that hath come, the sin and the ruin withal!<br/> +<br/> + O children distraught,<br/> + Who in madness have died!<br/> + Shall ye rest with old kings<br/> + In the place of their pride?<br/> + Alas for the wrath of your sire if he findeth you laid by his side! +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter a <span class="charname">HERALD</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +HERALD.<br/> + I bear command to tell to one and all<br/> + What hath approved itself and now is law,<br/> + Ruled by the counsellors of Cadmus’ town.<br/> + For this Eteocles, it is resolved<br/> + To lay him on his earth-bed, in this soil,<br/> + Not without care and kindly sepulture.<br/> + For why? he hated those who hated us,<br/> + And, with all duties blamelessly performed<br/> + Unto the sacred ritual of his sires,<br/> + He met such end as gains our city’s grace,—<br/> + With auspices that do ennoble death.<br/> + Such words I have in charge to speak of him:<br/> + But of his brother Polynices, this—<br/> + Be he cast out unburied, for the dogs<br/> + To rend and tear: for he presumed to waste<br/> + The land of the Cadmeans, had not Heaven—<br/> + Some god of those who aid our fatherland—<br/> + Opposed his onset, by his brother’s spear,<br/> + To whom, tho’ dead, shall consecration come!<br/> + Against him stood this wretch, and brought a horde<br/> + Of foreign foemen, to beset our town.<br/> + He therefore shall receive his recompense,<br/> + Buried ignobly in the maw of kites—<br/> + No women-wailers to escort his corpse<br/> + Nor pile his tomb nor shrill his dirge anew—<br/> + Unhouselled, unattended, cast away!<br/> + So, for these brothers, doth our State ordain. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ANTIGONE.<br/> + And I—to those who make such claims of rule<br/> + In Cadmus’ town—I, though no other help,<br/> + (<i>Pointing to the body of</i> POLYNICES)<br/> + I, I will bury this my brother’s corse<br/> + And risk your wrath and what may come of it!<br/> + It shames me not to face the State, and set<br/> + Will against power, rebellion resolute:<br/> + Deep in my heart is set my sisterhood,<br/> + My common birthright with my brothers, born<br/> + All of one womb, her children who, for woe,<br/> + Brought forth sad offspring to a sire ill-starred.<br/> + Therefore, my soul! take thou thy willing share,<br/> + In aid of him who now can will no more,<br/> + Against this outrage: be a sister true,<br/> + While yet thou livest, to a brother dead!<br/> + Him never shall the wolves with ravening maw<br/> + Rend and devour: I do forbid the thought!<br/> + I for him, I—albeit a woman weak—<br/> + In place of burial-pit, will give him rest<br/> + By this protecting handful of light dust<br/> + Which, in the lap of this poor linen robe,<br/> + I bear to hallow and bestrew his corpse<br/> + With the due covering. Let none gainsay!<br/> + Courage and craft shall arm me, this to do. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD.<br/> + I charge thee, not to flout the city’s law! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ANTIGONE.<br/> + I charge thee, use no useless heralding! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD.<br/> + Stern is a people newly ’scaped from death. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ANTIGONE.<br/> + Whet thou their sternness! Burial he shall have. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD.<br/> + How? Grace of burial, to the city’s foe? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ANTIGONE.<br/> + God hath not judged him separate in guilt. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD.<br/> + True—till he put this land in jeopardy. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ANTIGONE.<br/> + His rights usurped, he answered wrong with wrong. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD.<br/> + Nay—but for one man’s sin he smote the State. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">ANTIGONE.<br/> + Contention doth out-talk all other gods! + Prate thou no more—I will to bury him. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERALD.<br/> + Will, an thou wilt! but I forbid the deed. +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit the <span class="charname">HERALD</span>.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Exulting Fates, who waste the line<br/> + And whelm the house of Oedipus!<br/> + Fiends, who have slain, in wrath condign,<br/> + The father and the children thus!<br/> + What now befits it that I do,<br/> + What meditate, what undergo?<br/> + Can I the funeral rite refrain,<br/> + Nor weep for Polynices slain?<br/> + But yet, with fear I shrink and thrill,<br/> + Presageful of the city’s will!<br/> + Thou, O Eteocles, shalt have<br/> + Full rites, and mourners at thy grave,<br/> + But he, thy brother slain, shall he,<br/> + With none to weep or cry <i>Alas</i>,<br/> + To unbefriended burial pass?<br/> + Only one sister o’er his bier,<br/> + To raise the cry and pour the tear—<br/> + Who can obey such stern decree? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">SEMI-CHORUS.<br/> + Let those who hold our city’s sway<br/> + Wreak, or forbear to wreak, their will<br/> + On those who cry, <i>Ah, well-a-day!</i><br/> + Lamenting Polynices still!<br/> + We will go forth and, side by side<br/> + With her, due burial will provide!<br/> + Royal he was; to him be paid<br/> + Our grief, wherever he be laid!<br/> + The crowd may sway, and change, and still<br/> + Take its caprice for Justice’ will!<br/> + But we this dead Eteocles,<br/> + As Justice wills and Right decrees,<br/> + Will bear unto his grave!<br/> + For—under those enthroned on high<br/> + And Zeus’ eternal royalty—<br/> + He unto us salvation gave!<br/> + He saved us from a foreign yoke,—<br/> + A wild assault of outland folk,<br/> + A savage, alien wave! +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap05"></a>PROMETHEUS BOUND</h2> + +<h4>ARGUMENT</h4> + +<p class="noindent"> +In the beginning, Ouranos and Gaia held sway over Heaven and Earth. And +manifold children were born unto them, of whom were Cronos, and Okeanos, and +the Titans, and the Giants. But Cronos cast down his father Ouranos, and ruled +in his stead, until Zeus his son cast him down in his turn, and became King of +Gods and men. Then were the Titans divided, for some had good will unto Cronos, +and others unto Zeus; until Prometheus, son of the Titan Iapetos, by wise +counsel, gave the victory to Zeus. But Zeus held the race of mortal men in +scorn, and was fain to destroy them from the face of the earth; yet Prometheus +loved them, and gave secretly to them the gift of fire, and arts whereby they +could prosper upon the earth. Then was Zeus sorely angered with Prometheus, and +bound him upon a mountain, and afterward overwhelmed him in an earthquake, and +devised other torments against him for many ages; yet could he not slay +Prometheus, for he was a God. +</p> + +<h4>DRAMATIS PERSONAE</h4> + +<p class="letter"> +STRENGTH AND FORCE.<br/> +HEPHAESTUS.<br/> +PROMETHEUS.<br/> +CHORUS OF SEA-NYMPHS.<br/> +DAUGHTERS OF OCEANUS.<br/> +OCEANUS.<br/> +IO.<br/> +HERMES. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +<i>Scene—A rocky ravine in the mountains of Scythia</i>. +</p> + + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Lo, the earth’s bound and limitary land,<br/> + The Scythian steppe, the waste untrod of men!<br/> + Look to it now, Hephaestus—thine it is,<br/> + Thy Sire obeying, this arch-thief to clench<br/> + Against the steep-down precipice of rock,<br/> + With stubborn links of adamantine chain.<br/> + Look thou: thy flower, the gleaming plastic fire,<br/> + He stole and lent to mortal man—a sin<br/> + That gods immortal make him rue to-day,<br/> + Lessoned hereby to own th’ omnipotence<br/> + Of Zeus, and to repent his love to man! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + O Strength and Force, for you the best of Zeus<br/> + Stands all achieved, and nothing bars your will:<br/> + But I—I dare not bind to storm-vext cleft<br/> + One of our race, immortal as are we.<br/> + Yet, none the less, necessity constrains,<br/> + For Zeus, defied, is heavy in revenge!<br/> + (<i>To PROMETHEUS</i>)<br/> +<br/> + O deep-devising child of Themis sage,<br/> + Small will have I to do, or thou to bear,<br/> + What yet we must. Beyond the haunt of man<br/> + Unto this rock, with fetters grimly forged,<br/> + I must transfix and shackle up thy limbs,<br/> + Where thou shalt mark no voice nor human form,<br/> + But, parching in the glow and glare of sun,<br/> + Thy body’s flower shall suffer a sky-change;<br/> + And gladly wilt thou hail the hour when Night<br/> + Shall in her starry robe invest the day,<br/> + Or when the Sun shall melt the morning rime.<br/> + But, day or night, for ever shall the load<br/> + Of wasting agony, that may not pass,<br/> + Wear thee away; for know, the womb of Time<br/> + Hath not conceived a power to set thee free.<br/> + Such meed thou hast, for love toward mankind<br/> + For thou, a god defying wrath of gods,<br/> + Beyond the ordinance didst champion men,<br/> + And for reward shalt keep a sleepless watch,<br/> + Stiff-kneed, erect, nailed to this dismal rock,<br/> + With manifold laments and useless cries<br/> + Against the will inexorable of Zeus.<br/> + Hard is the heart of fresh-usurpèd power! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Enough of useless ruth! why tarriest thou?<br/> + Why pitiest one whom all gods wholly hate,<br/> + One who to man gave o’er thy privilege? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Kinship and friendship wring my heart for him. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Ay—but how disregard our Sire’s command?<br/> + Is not thy pity weaker than thy fear? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Ruthless as ever, brutal to the full! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Tears can avail him nothing: strive not thou,<br/> + Nor waste thine efforts thus unaidingly. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Out on my cursed mastery of steel! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Why curse it thus? In sooth that craft of thine<br/> + Standeth assoiled of all that here is wrought. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Would that some other were endowed therewith! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + All hath its burden, save the rule of Heaven,<br/> + And freedom is for Zeus, and Zeus alone. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + I know it; I gainsay no word hereof. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Up, then, and hasten to do on his bonds,<br/> + Lest Zeus behold thee indolent of will! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Ah well—behold the armlets ready now! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Then cast them round his arms and with sheer strength<br/> + Swing down the hammer, clinch him to the crags. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Lo, ’tis toward—no weakness in the work! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Smite harder, wedge it home—no faltering here!<br/> + He hath a craft can pass th’ impassable! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + This arm is fast, inextricably bound. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Then shackle safe the other, that he know<br/> + His utmost craft is weaker far than Zeus. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + He, but none other, can accuse mine art! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Now, strong and sheer, drive thro’ from breast to back<br/> + The adamantine wedge’s stubborn fang. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Alas, Prometheus! I lament thy pain. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Thou, faltering and weeping sore for those<br/> + Whom Zeus abhors! ’ware, lest thou rue thy tears! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Thou gazest on a scene that poisons sight. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + I gaze on one who suffers his desert.<br/> + Now between rib and shoulder shackle him— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Do it I must—hush thy superfluous charge! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Urge thee I will—ay, hound thee to the prey.<br/> + Step downward now, enring his legs amain! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Lo, it is done—’twas but a moment’s toil. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Now, strongly strike, drive in the piercing gyves—<br/> + Stern is the power that oversees thy task! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Brutish thy form, thy speech brutality! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">STRENGTH.<br/> + Be gentle, an thou wilt, but blame not me<br/> + For this my stubbornness and anger fell! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HEPHAESTUS.<br/> + Let us go hence; his legs are firmly chained. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +STRENGTH (<i>To</i> PROMETHEUS).<br/> +Aha! there play the insolent, and steal,<br/> +For creatures of a day, the rights of gods!<br/> +O deep delusion of the powers that named thee<br/> +Prometheus, the Fore-thinker! thou hast need<br/> +Of others’ forethought and device, whereby<br/> +Thou may’st elude this handicraft of ours! +</p> + +<p class="right"> +[<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">HEPHAESTUS, STRENGTH</span> and +<span class="charname">FORCE</span>.—A pause.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + O Sky divine, O Winds of pinions swift,<br/> + O fountain-heads of Rivers, and O thou,<br/> + Illimitable laughter of the Sea!<br/> + O Earth, the Mighty Mother, and thou Sun,<br/> + Whose orbed light surveyeth all—attest,<br/> + What ills I suffer from the gods, a god!<br/> + Behold me, who must here sustain<br/> + The marring agonies of pain,<br/> + Wrestling with torture, doomed to bear<br/> + Eternal ages, year on year!<br/> + Such and so shameful is the chain<br/> + Which Heaven’s new tyrant doth ordain<br/> + To bind me helpless here.<br/> + Woe! for the ruthless present doom!<br/> + Woe! for the Future’s teeming womb!<br/> + On what far dawn, in what dim skies,<br/> + Shall star of my deliverance rise?<br/> +<br/> + Truce to this utterance! to its dimmest verge<br/> + I do foreknow the future, hour by hour,<br/> + Nor can whatever pang may smite me now<br/> + Smite with surprise. The destiny ordained<br/> + I must endure to the best, for well I wot<br/> + That none may challenge with Necessity.<br/> + Yet is it past my patience, to reveal,<br/> + Or to conceal, these issues of my doom.<br/> + Since I to mortals brought prerogatives,<br/> + Unto this durance dismal am I bound:<br/> + Yea, I am he who in a fennel-stalk,<br/> + By stealthy sleight, purveyed the fount of fire,<br/> + The teacher, proven thus, and arch-resource<br/> + Of every art that aideth mortal men.<br/> + Such was my sin: I earn its recompense,<br/> + Rock-riveted, and chained in height and cold. +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>A pause.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent"> + Listen! what breath of sound,<br/> + what fragrance soft hath risen<br/> + Upward to me? is it some godlike essence,<br/> + Or being half-divine, or mortal presence?<br/> + Who to the world’s end comes, unto my craggy prison?<br/> + Craves he the sight of pain, or what would he behold?<br/> + Gaze on a god in tortures manifold,<br/> + Heinous to Zeus, and scorned by all<br/> + Whose footsteps tread the heavenly hall,<br/> + Because too deeply, from on high,<br/> + I pitied man’s mortality!<br/> + Hark, and again! that fluttering sound<br/> + Of wings that whirr and circle round,<br/> + And their light rustle thrills the air—<br/> + How all things that unseen draw near<br/> + Are to me Fear! +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter the <span class="charname">CHORUS OF +OCEANIDES</span> in winged cars.</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Ah, fear us not! as friends, with rivalry<br/> + Of swiftly-vying wings, we came together<br/> + Unto this rock and thee!<br/> + With our sea-sire we pleaded hard, until<br/> + We won him to our will,<br/> + And swift the wafting breezes bore us hither.<br/> + The heavy hammer’s steely blow<br/> + Thrilled to our ocean-cavern from afar,<br/> + Banished soft shyness from our maiden brow,<br/> + And with unsandalled feet we come, in winged car! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Ah well-a-day! ye come, ye come<br/> + From the Sea-Mother’s teeming home—<br/> + Children of Tethys and the sire<br/> + Who around Earth rolls, gyre on gyre,<br/> + His sleepless ocean-tide!<br/> + Look on me—shackled with what chain,<br/> + Upon this chasm’s beetling side<br/> + I must my dismal watch sustain! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Yea, I behold, Prometheus! and my fears<br/> + Draw swiftly o’er mine eyes a mist fulfilled of tears,<br/> + When I behold thy frame<br/> + Bound, wasting on the rock, and put to shame<br/> + By adamantine chains!<br/> + The rudder and the rule of Heaven<br/> + Are to strange pilots given:<br/> + Zeus with new laws and strong caprice holds sway,<br/> + Unkings the ancient Powers, their might constrains,<br/> + And thrusts their pride away! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Had he but hurled me, far beneath<br/> + The vast and ghostly halls of Death,<br/> + Down to the limitless profound<br/> + Of Tartarus, in fetters bound,<br/> + Fixed by his unrelenting hand!<br/> + So had no man, nor God on high,<br/> + Exulted o’er mine agony—<br/> + But now, a sport to wind and sky,<br/> + Mocked by my foes, I stand! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + What God can wear such ruthless heart<br/> + As to delight in ill?<br/> + Who in thy sorrow bears not part?<br/> + Zeus, Zeus alone! for he, with wrathful will,<br/> + Clenched and inflexible,<br/> + Bears down Heaven’s race—nor end shall be, till hate<br/> + His soul shall satiate,<br/> + Or till, by some device, some other hand<br/> + Shall wrest from him his sternly-clasped command! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Yet,—though in shackles close and strong<br/> + I lie in wasting torments long,—<br/> + Yet the new tyrant, ’neath whose nod<br/> + Cowers down each blest subservient god,<br/> + One day, far hence, my help shall need,<br/> + The destined stratagem to read,<br/> + Whereby, in some yet distant day,<br/> + Zeus shall be reaved of pride and sway:<br/> + And no persuasion’s honied spell<br/> + Shall lure me on, the tale to tell;<br/> + And no stern threat shall make me cower<br/> + And yield the secret to his power,<br/> + Until his purpose be foregone,<br/> + And shackles yield, and he atone<br/> + The deep despite that he hath done! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O strong in hardihood, thou striv’st amain<br/> + Against the stress of pain!<br/> + But yet too free, too resolute thy tongue<br/> + In challenging thy wrong!<br/> + Ah, shuddering dread doth make my spirit quiver,<br/> + And o’er thy fate sits Fear!<br/> + I see not to what shore of safety ever<br/> + Thy bark can steer—<br/> + In depths unreached the will of Zeus doth dwell,<br/> + Hidden, implacable! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Ay, stern is Zeus, and Justice stands,<br/> + Wrenched to his purpose, in his hands—<br/> + Yet shall he learn, perforce, to know<br/> + A milder mood, when falls the blow—<br/> + His ruthless wrath he shall lay still,<br/> + And he and I with mutual will<br/> + In concord’s bond shall go. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Unveil, say forth to us the tale entire,<br/> + Under what imputation Zeus laid hands<br/> + On thee, to rack thee thus with shameful pangs?<br/> + Tell us—unless the telling pain thee—all! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Grievous alike are these things for my tongue,<br/> + Grievous for silence—rueful everyway.<br/> + Know that, when first the gods began their strife,<br/> + And heaven was all astir with mutual feud—<br/> + Some willing to fling Cronos from his throne,<br/> + And set, forsooth, their Zeus on high as king,<br/> + And other some in contrariety<br/> + Striving to bar him from heaven’s throne for aye—<br/> + Thereon I sought to counsel for the best<br/> + The Titan brood of Ouranos and Earth;<br/> + Yet I prevailed not, for they held in scorn<br/> + My glozing wiles, and, in their hardy pride,<br/> + Deemed that sans effort they could grasp the sway.<br/> + But, for my sake, my mother Themis oft,<br/> + And Earth, one symbol of names manifold,<br/> + Had held me warned, how in futurity<br/> + It stood ordained that not by force or power,<br/> + But by some wile, the victors must prevail.<br/> + In such wise I interpreted; but they<br/> + Deigned not to cast their heed thereon at all.<br/> + Then, of things possible, I deemed it best,<br/> + Joining my mother’s wisdom to mine own,<br/> + To range myself with Zeus, two wills in one.<br/> + Thus, by device of mine, the murky depth<br/> + Of Tartarus enfoldeth Cronos old<br/> + And those who strove beside him. Such the aid<br/> + I gave the lord of heaven—my meed for which<br/> + He paid me thus, a penal recompense!<br/> + For ’tis the inward vice of tyranny,<br/> + To deem of friends as being secret foes.<br/> + Now, to your question—hear me clearly show<br/> + On what imputed fault he tortures me.<br/> + Scarce was he seated on his father’s throne,<br/> + When he began his doles of privilege<br/> + Among the lesser gods, allotting power<br/> + In trim division; while of mortal men<br/> + Nothing he recked, nor of their misery<br/> + Nay, even willed to blast their race entire<br/> + To nothingness, and breed another brood;<br/> + And none but I was found to cross his will.<br/> + I dared it, I alone; I rescued men<br/> + From crushing ruin and th’ abyss of hell—<br/> + Therefore am I constrained in chastisement<br/> + Grievous to bear and piteous to behold,—<br/> + Yea, firm to feel compassion for mankind,<br/> + Myself was held unworthy of the same—<br/> + Ay, beyond pity am I ranged and ruled<br/> + To sufferance—a sight that shames his sway! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + A heart of steel, a mould of stone were he,<br/> + Who could complacently behold thy pains<br/> + I came not here as craving for this sight,<br/> + And, seeing it, I stand heart-wrung with pain. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Yea truly, kindly eyes must pity me! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Say, didst thou push transgression further still? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Ay, man thro’ me ceased to foreknow his death. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + What cure couldst thou discover for this curse? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Blind hopes I sent to nestle in man’s heart. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + This was a goodly gift thou gavest them. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Yet more I gave them, even the boon of fire. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + What? radiant fire, to things ephemeral? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Yea—many an art too shall they learn thereby! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Then, upon imputation of such guilt,<br/> + Doth Zeus without surcease torment thee thus?<br/> + Is there no limit to thy course of pain? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + None, till his own will shall decree an end. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + And how shall he decree it? say, what hope?<br/> + Seëst thou not thy sin? yet of that sin<br/> + It irks me sore to speak, as thee to hear.<br/> + Nay, no more words hereof; bethink thee now,<br/> + From this ordeal how to find release. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Easy it is, for one whose foot is set<br/> + Outside the slough of pain, to lesson well<br/> + With admonitions him who lies therein.<br/> + With perfect knowledge did I all I did,<br/> + I willed to sin, and sinned, I own it all—<br/> + I championed men, unto my proper pain.<br/> + Yet scarce I deemed that, in such cruel doom,<br/> + Withering upon this skyey precipice,<br/> + I should inherit lonely mountain crags,<br/> + Here, in a vast tin-neighboured solitude.<br/> + Yet list not to lament my present pains,<br/> + But, stepping from your cars unto the ground,<br/> + Listen, the while I tell the future fates<br/> + Now drawing near, until ye know the whole.<br/> + Grant ye, O grant my prayer, be pitiful<br/> + To one now racked with woe! the doom of pain<br/> + Wanders, but settles, soon or late, on all. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + To willing hearts, and schooled to feel,<br/> + Prometheus, came thy tongue’s appeal;<br/> + Therefore we leave, with lightsome tread,<br/> + The flying cars in which we sped—<br/> + We leave the stainless virgin air<br/> + Where winged creatures float and fare,<br/> + And by thy side, on rocky land,<br/> + Thus gently we alight and stand,<br/> + Willing, from end to end, to know<br/> + Thine history of woe. +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> The <span class="charname">CHORUS</span> alight from +their winged cars.<br/> Enter <span class="charname">OCEANUS</span> mounted on +a griffin.</p> + +<p class="noindent">OCEANUS.<br/> + Thus, over leagues and leagues of space<br/> + I come, Prometheus, to thy place—<br/> + By will alone, not rein, I guide<br/> + The winged thing on which I ride;<br/> + And much, be sure, I mourn thy case—<br/> + Kinship is Pity’s bond, I trow;<br/> + And, wert thou not akin, I vow<br/> + None other should have more than thou<br/> + Of my compassion’s grace!<br/> + ’Tis said, and shall be proved; no skill<br/> + Have I to gloze and feign goodwill!<br/> + Name but some mode of helpfulness,<br/> + And thou wilt in a trice confess<br/> + That I, Oceanus, am best<br/> + Of all thy friends, and trustiest. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Ho, what a sight of marvel! what, thou too<br/> + Comest to contemplate my pains, and darest—<br/> + (Yet how, I wot not!) leaving far behind<br/> + The circling tide, thy namefellow, and those<br/> + Rock-arched, self-hollowed caverns—thus to come<br/> + Unto this land, whose womb bears iron ore?<br/> + Art come to see my lot, resent with me<br/> + The ills I bear? Well, gaze thy fill! behold<br/> + Me, friend of Zeus, part-author of his power—<br/> + Mark, in what ruthlessness he bows me down! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">OCEANUS.<br/> + Yea, I behold, Prometheus! and would warn<br/> + Thee, spite of all thy wisdom, for thy weal!<br/> + Learn now thyself to know, and to renew<br/> + A rightful spirit within thee, for, made new<br/> + With pride of place, sits Zeus among the gods!<br/> + Now, if thou choosest to fling forth on him<br/> + Words rough with anger thus and edged with scorn,<br/> + Zeus, though he sit aloof, afar, on high,<br/> + May hear thine utterance, and make thee deem<br/> + His present wrath a mere pretence of pain.<br/> + Banish, poor wretch! the passion of thy soul,<br/> + And seek, instead, acquittance from thy pangs!<br/> + Belike my words seem ancientry to thee—<br/> + Such, natheless, O Prometheus, is the meed<br/> + That doth await the overweening tongue!<br/> + Meek wert thou never, wilt not crouch to pain,<br/> + But, set amid misfortunes, cravest more!<br/> + Now—if thou let thyself be schooled by me—<br/> + Thou must not kick against the goad. Thou knowest,<br/> + A despot rules, harsh, resolute, supreme,<br/> + Whose law is will. Yet shall I go to him,<br/> + With all endeavour to relieve thy plight—<br/> + So thou wilt curb the tempest of thy tongue!<br/> + Surely thou knowest, in thy wisdom deep,<br/> + The saw—<i>Who vaunts amiss, quick pain is his</i>. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + O enviable thou, and unaccused—<br/> + Thou who wast art and part in all I dared!<br/> + And now, let be! make this no care of thine,<br/> + For Zeus is past persuasion—urge him not!<br/> + Look to thyself, lest thine emprise thou rue. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">OCEANUS.<br/> + Thou hast more skill to school thy neighbour’s fault<br/> + Than to amend thine own: ’tis proved and plain,<br/> + By fact, not hearsay, that I read this well.<br/> + Yet am I fixed to go—withhold me not—<br/> + Assured I am, assured, that Zeus will grant<br/> + The boon I crave, the loosening of thy bonds. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + In part I praise thee, to the end will praise;<br/> + Goodwill thou lackest not, but yet forbear<br/> + Thy further trouble! If thy heart be fain,<br/> + Bethink thee that thy toil avails me not.<br/> + Nay, rest thee well, aloof from danger’s brink!<br/> + I will not ease my woe by base relief<br/> + In knowing others too involved therein.<br/> + Away the thought! for deeply do I rue<br/> + My brother Atlas’ doom. Far off he stands<br/> + In sunset land, and on his shoulder bears<br/> + The pillar’d mountain-mass whose base is earth,<br/> + Whose top is heaven, and its ponderous load<br/> + Too great for any grasp. With pity too<br/> + I saw Earth’s child, the monstrous thing of war,<br/> + That in Cilicia’s hollow places dwelt—<br/> + Typho; I saw his hundred-headed form<br/> + Crushed and constrained; yet once his stride was fierce,<br/> + His jaws gaped horror and their hiss was death,<br/> + And all heaven’s host he challenged to the fray,<br/> + While, as one vowed to storm the power of Zeus,<br/> + Forth from his eyes he shot a demon glare.<br/> + It skilled not: the unsleeping bolt of Zeus,<br/> + The downward levin with its rush of flame,<br/> + Smote on him, and made dumb for evermore<br/> + The clamour of his vaunting: to the heart<br/> + Stricken he lay, and all that mould of strength<br/> + Sank thunder-shattered to a smouldering ash;<br/> + And helpless now and laid in ruin huge<br/> + He lieth by the narrow strait of sea,<br/> + Crushed at the root of Etna’s mountain-pile.<br/> + High on the pinnacles whereof there sits<br/> + Hephaestus, sweltering at the forge; and thence<br/> + On some hereafter day shall burst and stream<br/> + The lava-floods, that shall with ravening fangs<br/> + Gnaw thy smooth lowlands, fertile Sicily!<br/> + Such ire shall Typho from his living grave<br/> + Send seething up, such jets of fiery surge,<br/> + Hot and unslaked, altho’ himself be laid<br/> + In quaking ashes by Zeus’ thunderbolt.<br/> + But thou dost know hereof, nor needest me<br/> + To school thy sense: thou knowest safety’s road—<br/> + Walk then thereon! I to the dregs will drain,<br/> + Till Zeus relent from wrath, my present woe. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">OCEANUS.<br/> + Nay, but, Prometheus, know’st thou not the saw—<br/> + <i>Words can appease the angry soul’s disease?</i> +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Ay—if in season one apply their salve,<br/> + Not scorching wrath’s proud flesh with caustic tongue. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">OCEANUS.<br/> + But in wise thought and venturous essay<br/> + Perceivest thou a danger? prithee tell! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + I see a fool’s good nature, useless toil. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">OCEANUS.<br/> + Let me be sick of that disease; I know,<br/> + Loyalty, masked as folly, wins the way. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + But of thy blunder I shall bear the blame. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">OCEANUS.<br/> + Clearly, thy word would send me home again. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Lest thy lament for me should bring thee hate. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">OCEANUS.<br/> + Hate from the newly-throned Omnipotence? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Be heedful—lest his will be wroth with thee! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">OCEANUS.<br/> + Thy doom, Prometheus, cries to me <i>Beware!</i> +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Mount, make away, discretion at thy side! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">OCEANUS.<br/> + Thy word is said to me in act to go:<br/> + For lo, my hippogriff with waving wings<br/> + Fans the smooth course of air, and fain is he<br/> + To rest his limbs within his ocean stall. +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit <span class="charname">OCEANUS</span>.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> +For the woe and the wreck and the doom, Prometheus I utter my sighs;<br/> +O’er my cheek flows the fountain of tears from tender, compassionate eyes.<br/> +For stern and abhorred is the sway of Zeus on his self-sought throne,<br/> +And ruthless the spear of his scorn, to the gods of the days that are done.<br/> +And over the limitless earth goes up a disconsolate cry:<br/> +<i>Ye were all so fair, and have fallen; so great and your might has gone by!</i><br/> +So wails with a mighty lament the voice of the mortals, who dwell<br/> +In the Eastland, the home of the holy, for thee and the fate that befel;<br/> +And they of the Colchian land, the maidens whose arm is for war;<br/> +And the Scythian bowmen, who roam by the lake of Maeotis afar;<br/> +And the blossom of battling hordes, that flowers upon Caucasus’ height,<br/> +With clashing of lances that pierce, and with clamour of swords that smite.<br/> +Strange is thy sorrow! one only I know who has suffered thy pain—<br/> +Atlas the Titan, the god, in a ruthless, invincible chain!<br/> +He beareth for ever and ever the burden and poise of the sky,<br/> +The vault of the rolling heaven, and earth re-echoes his cry.<br/> +The depths of the sea are troubled; they mourn from their caverns profound,<br/> +And the darkest and innermost hell moans deep with a sorrowful sound;<br/> +And the rivers of waters, that flow from the fountains that spring without stain,<br/> +Are as one in the great lamentation, and moan for thy piteous pain. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Deem not that I in pride or wilful scorn<br/> + Restrain my speech; ’tis wistful memory<br/> + That rends my heart, when I behold myself<br/> + Abased to wretchedness. To these new gods<br/> + I and none other gave their lots of power<br/> + In full attainment; no more words hereof<br/> + I speak—the tale ye know. But listen now<br/> + Unto the rede of mortals and their woes,<br/> + And how their childish and unreasoning state<br/> + Was changed by me to consciousness and thought.<br/> + Yet not in blame of mortals will I speak,<br/> + But as in proof of service wrought to them.<br/> + For, in the outset, eyes they had and saw not;<br/> + And ears they had but heard not; age on age,<br/> + Like unsubstantial shapes in vision seen,<br/> + They groped at random in the world of sense,<br/> + Nor knew to link their building, brick with brick,<br/> + Nor how to turn its aspect to the sun,<br/> + Nor how to join the beams by carpentry,<br/> + In hollowed caves they dwelt, as emmets dwell,<br/> + Weak feathers for each blast, in sunless caves.<br/> + Nor had they certain forecast of the cold,<br/> + Nor of the advent of the flowery spring,<br/> + Nor of the fruitful summer. All they wrought,<br/> + Unreasoning they wrought, till I made clear<br/> + The laws of rising stars, and inference dim,<br/> + More hard to learn, of what their setting showed.<br/> + I taught to them withal that art of arts,<br/> + The lore of number, and the written word<br/> + That giveth sense to sound, the tool wherewith<br/> + The gift of memory was wrought in all,<br/> + And so came art and song. I too was first<br/> + To harness ’neath the yoke strong animals,<br/> + Obedient made to collar and to weight,<br/> + That they might bear whate’er of heaviest toil<br/> + Mortals endured before. For chariots too<br/> + I trained, and docile service of the rein,<br/> + Steeds, the delight of wealth and pomp and pride.<br/> + I too, none other, for seafarers wrought<br/> + Their ocean-roaming canvas-wingèd cars.<br/> + Such arts of craft did I, unhappy I,<br/> + Contrive for mortals: now, no feint I have<br/> + Whereby I may elude my present woe. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + A rueful doom is thine! distraught of soul,<br/> + And all astray, and like some sorry leech<br/> + Art thou, repining at thine own disease,<br/> + Unskilled, unknowing of the needful cure. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + More wilt thou wonder when the rest thou hearest—<br/> + What arts for them, what methods I devised.<br/> + Foremost was this: if any man fell sick,<br/> + No aiding art he knew, no saving food,<br/> + No curing oil nor draught, but all in lack<br/> + Of remedies they dwindled, till I taught<br/> + The medicinal blending of soft drugs,<br/> + Whereby they ward each sickness from their side.<br/> + I ranged for them the methods manifold<br/> + Of the diviner’s art; I first discerned<br/> + Which of night’s visions hold a truth for day,<br/> + I read for them the lore of mystic sounds,<br/> + Inscrutable before; the omens seen<br/> + Which bless or ban a journey, and the flight<br/> + Of crook-clawed birds, did I make clear to man—<br/> + And how they soar upon the right, for weal,<br/> + How, on the left, for evil; how they dwell,<br/> + Each in its kind, and what their loves and hates,<br/> + And which can flock and roost in harmony.<br/> + From me, men learned what deep significance<br/> + Lay in the smoothness of the entrails set<br/> + For sacrifice, and which, of various hues,<br/> + Showed them a gift accepted of the gods;<br/> + They learned what streaked and varied comeliness<br/> + Of gall and liver told; I led them, too,<br/> + (By passing thro’ the flame the thigh-bones, wrapt<br/> + In rolls of fat, and th’ undivided chine),<br/> + Unto the mystic and perplexing lore<br/> + Of omens; and I cleared unto their eyes<br/> + The forecasts, dim and indistinct before,<br/> + Shown in the flickering aspect of a flame.<br/> + Of these, enough is said. The other boons,<br/> + Stored in the womb of earth, in aid of men—<br/> + Copper and iron, silver, gold withal—<br/> + Who dares affirm he found them ere I found?<br/> + None—well I know—save who would babble lies!<br/> + Know thou, in compass of a single phrase—<br/> + All arts, for mortals’ use, Prometheus gave. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Nay, aid not mortal men beyond their due,<br/> + Holding too light a reckoning of thyself<br/> + And of thine own distress: good hope have I<br/> + To see thee once again from fetters free<br/> + And matched with Zeus in parity of power. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Not yet nor thus hath Fate ordained the end—<br/> + Not until age-long pains and countless woes<br/> + Have bent and bowed me, shall my shackles fall;<br/> + Art strives too feebly against destiny. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + But what hand rules the helm of destiny? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + The triform Fates, and Furies unforgiving. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Then is the power of Zeus more weak than theirs? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + He may not shun the fate ordained for him. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + What is ordained for him, save endless rule? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Seek not for answer: this thou may’st not learn. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Surely thy silence hides some solemn thing. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Think on some other theme: ’tis not the hour,<br/> + This secret to unveil; in deepest dark<br/> + Be it concealed: by guarding it shall I<br/> + Escape at last from bonds, and scorn, and pain. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O never may my weak and faint desire<br/> + Strive against God most high—<br/> + Never be slack in service, never tire<br/> + Of sacred loyalty;<br/> + Nor fail to wend unto the altar-side,<br/> + Where with the blood of kine<br/> + Steams up the offering, by the quenchless tide<br/> + Of Ocean, Sire divine!<br/> + Be this within my heart, indelible—<br/> + <i>Offend not with thy tongue!</i><br/> + Sweet, sweet it is, in cheering hopes to dwell,<br/> + Immortal, ever young,<br/> + In maiden gladness fostering evermore<br/> + A soft content of soul!<br/> + But ah, I shudder at thine anguish sore—<br/> + Thy doom thro’ years that roll!<br/> + Thou could’st not cower to Zeus: a love too great<br/> + Thou unto man hast given—<br/> + Too high of heart thou wert—ah, thankless fate!<br/> + What aid, ’gainst wrath of Heaven,<br/> + Could mortal man afford? in vain thy gift<br/> + To things so powerless!<br/> + Could’st thou not see? they are as dreams that drift;<br/> + Their strength is feebleness<br/> + A purblind race, in hopeless fetters bound,<br/> + They have no craft or skill,<br/> + That could o’erreach the ordinance profound<br/> + of the eternal will.<br/> + Alas, Prometheus! on thy woe condign<br/> + I looked, and learned this lore;<br/> + And a new strain floats to these lips of mine—<br/> + Not the glad song of yore,<br/> + When by the lustral wave I sang to see<br/> + My sister made thy bride,<br/> + Decked with thy gifts, thy loved Hesione,<br/> + And clasped unto thy side. +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">IO,</span> horned like a cow.</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Alack! what land, what folk are here?<br/> + Whom see I clenched in rocky fetters drear<br/> + Unto the stormy crag? for what thing done<br/> + Dost thou in agony atone?<br/> + Ah, tell me whither, well-a-day!<br/> + My feet have roamed their weary way?<br/> + Ah, but it maddens, the sting! it burns in my piteous side!<br/> + Ah, but the vision, the spectre, the earth-born, the myriad-eyed!<br/> + Avoid thee! Earth, hide him, thine offspring! he cometh—O aspect of ill!<br/> + Ghostly, and crafty of face, and dead, but pursuing me still!<br/> + Ah, woe upon me, woe ineffable!<br/> + He steals upon my track, a hound of hell—<br/> + Where’er I stray, along the sands and brine,<br/> + Weary and foodless, come his creeping eyne!<br/> + And ah, the ghostly sound—<br/> + The wax-stopped reed-flute’s weird and drowsy drone!<br/> + Alack my wandering woes, that round and round<br/> + Lead me in many mazes, lost, foredone!<br/> + O child of Cronos! for what deed of wrong<br/> + Am I enthralled by thee in penance long?<br/> + Why by the stinging bruise, the thing of fear,<br/> + Dost thou torment me, heart and brain?<br/> + Nay, give me rather to the flames that sear,<br/> + Or to some hidden grave,<br/> + Or to the rending jaws, the monsters of the main!<br/> + Nor grudge the boon for which I crave, O king!<br/> + Enough, enough of weary wandering,<br/> + Pangs from which none can save!<br/> + Hearken! in pity hold<br/> + Io, the ox-horned maid, thy love of old! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Hear Zeus or not, I hear and know thee well,<br/> + Daughter of Inachus; I know thee driven,<br/> + Stung by the gadfly, mazed with agony.<br/> + Ay, thou art she whose beauty fired the breast<br/> + Of Zeus with passion; she whom Hera’s hate<br/> + Now harasses o’er leagues and leagues of land. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Alack, thou namest Inachus my sire!<br/> + Wottest thou of him? how, from lips of pain,<br/> + Comes to my woeful ears truth’s very strain?<br/> + How knowest thou the curse, the burning fire<br/> + The god-sent, piercing pest that stings and clings?<br/> + Ah me! in frenzied, foodless wanderings<br/> + Hither I come, and on me from on high<br/> + Lies Hera’s angry craft! Ah, men unblest!<br/> + Not one there is, not one, that is unblest as I.<br/> + But thou—tell me the rest!<br/> + Utter the rede of woes to come for me;<br/> + Utter the aid, the cure, if aid or cure there be! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Lo, clearly will I show forth all thy quest—<br/> + Not in dark speech, but with such simple phrase<br/> + As doth befit the utterance of a friend.<br/> + I am Prometheus, who gave fire to men. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + O daring, proven champion of man’s race,<br/> + What sin, Prometheus, dost thou thus atone? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + One moment since, I told my woes and ceased. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Then should I plead my suit to thee in vain? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Nay, speak thy need; nought would I hide from thee. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Pronounce who nailed thee to the rocky cleft. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Zeus, by intent; Hephaestus, by his hand. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + For what wrongdoing do these pains atone? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + What I have said, is said; suffice it thee! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Yet somewhat add; forewarn me in my woe<br/> + What time shall bring my wandering to its goal? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Fore-knowledge is fore-sorrow; ask it not. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Nay, hide not from me destiny’s decree. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + I grudge thee not the gift which I withhold. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Then wherefore tarry ere thou tell me all? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Nothing I grudge, but would not rack thy soul. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Be not compassionate beyond my wish. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Well, thou art fain, and I will speak. Attend! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Nay—ere thou speak, hear me, bestow on me<br/> + A portion of the grace of granted prayers.<br/> + First let us learn how Io’s frenzy came—<br/> + (She telling her disasters manifold)<br/> + Then of their sequel let her know from thee. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Well were it, Io, thus to do their will—<br/> + Right well! they are the sisters of thy sire.<br/> + ’Tis worth the waste and effluence of time,<br/> + To tell, with tears of perfect moan, the doom<br/> + Of sorrows that have fallen, when ’tis sure<br/> + The listeners will greet the tale with tears. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + I know not how I should mistrust your prayer;<br/> + Therefore the whole that ye desire of me<br/> + Ye now shall learn in one straightforward tale.<br/> + Yet, as it leaves my lips, I blush with shame<br/> + To tell that tempest of the spite of Heaven,<br/> + And all the wreck and ruin of my form,<br/> + And whence they swooped upon me, woe is me!<br/> + Long, long in visions of the night there came<br/> + Voices and forms into my maiden bower,<br/> + Alluring me with smoothly glozing words—<br/> + <i>O maiden highly favoured of high Heaven,<br/> + Why cherish thy virginity so long?<br/> + Thine is it to win wedlock’s noblest crown!<br/> + Know that Zeus’ heart thro’ thee is all aflame,<br/> + Pierced with desire as with a dart, and longs<br/> + To join in utmost rite of love with thee.<br/> + Therefore, O maiden, shun not with disdain</i><br/> + <i>Th’ embrace of Zeus, but hie thee forth straightway<br/> + To the lush growth of Lerna’s meadow-land,<br/> + Where are the flocks and steadings of thy home,<br/> + And let Zeus’ eye be eased of its desire</i>.<br/> + Night after night, haunted by dreams like these,<br/> + Heartsick, I ventured at the last to tell<br/> + Unto my sire these visions of the dark.<br/> + Then sent he many a wight, on sacred quest,<br/> + To Delphi and to far Dodona’s shrine,<br/> + Being fall fain to learn what deed or word<br/> + Would win him favour from the powers of heaven.<br/> + But they came back repeating oracles<br/> + Mystic, ambiguous, inscrutable,<br/> + Till, at the last, an utterance direct,<br/> + Obscure no more, was brought to Inachus—<br/> + A peremptory charge to fling me forth<br/> + Beyond my home and fatherland, a thing<br/> + Sent loose in banishment o’er all the world;<br/> + And—should he falter—Zeus should launch on him<br/> + A fire-eyed bolt, to shatter and consume<br/> + Himself and all his race to nothingness.<br/> + Bowing before such utterance from the shrine<br/> + Of Loxias, he drave me from our halls,<br/> + Barring the gates against me: loth he was<br/> + To do, as I to suffer, this despite:<br/> + But the strong curb of Zeus had overborne<br/> + His will to me-ward. As I parted thence,<br/> + In form and mind I grew dishumanized,<br/> + And horned as now ye see me, poison-stung<br/> + By the envenomed bitings of the brize,<br/> + I leapt and flung in frenzy, rushed away<br/> + To the bright waters of Cerchneia’s stream<br/> + And Lerna’s beach: but ever at my side,<br/> + A herdsman by his heifer, Argus moved,<br/> + Earth-born, malevolent of mood, and peered,<br/> + With myriad eyes, where’er my feet would roam.<br/> + But on him in a moment, unforeseen,<br/> + Came Fate, and sundered him from life; but I,<br/> + Still maddened by the gadfly’s sting, the scourge<br/> + Of God’s infliction, roam the weary world.<br/> + How I have fared, thou hearest: be there aught<br/> + Of what remains to bear, that thou canst tell,<br/> + Speak on! but let not thy compassion warm<br/> + Thy words to cheering falsehood. Worst of woes<br/> + Are words that break their promise to our hope! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Woe! woe! avaunt—thou and thy tale of bane!<br/> + O never, never dared I dream<br/> + Such horror of strange sounds should pierce mine ear;<br/> + Such loathly sights, such tortures hard to bear,<br/> + Outrage, pollution, agony supreme,<br/> + Wasting my heart with double edge of pain!<br/> + Ah Fate, ah Fate! I gaze on Io’s dole,<br/> + And shudder to my soul! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Thou wailest all too soon, fulfilled of fear—<br/> + Tarry awhile, till thou have learned the whole. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Say on, reveal it! suffering souls are fain<br/> + To know aright what yet remains to bear. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Lightly, with help of mine, did ye achieve<br/> + That which ye first desired: from Io’s mouth<br/> + craved to hear, recounted by herself,<br/> + The story of her strivings. Listen now<br/> + To what shall follow, to what woefulness<br/> + The wrath of Hera must compel this maid.<br/> + (<i>To</i> Io)<br/> + And thou, O child of Inachus, within<br/> + Thine inmost heart store up these words of mine,<br/> + That thou may’st learn thy wanderings and their goal.<br/> + First from this spot toward the sunrise turn,<br/> + And cross the steppe that knoweth not the plough:<br/> + Thus to the nomad Scythians shalt thou come,<br/> + Who dwell in wattled homes, not built on earth<br/> + But borne along on wains of sturdy wheel—<br/> + Equipped, themselves, with bows of mighty reach.<br/> + Pass them avoidingly, and leave their land,<br/> + And skirt the beaches where the tides make moan,<br/> + Till lo! upon the left hand thou shalt find<br/> + The Chalybes, stout craftsmen of the steel—<br/> + Beware of them! no gentleness is theirs,<br/> + No kindly welcome to a stranger’s foot!<br/> + Thence to the Stream of Violence shalt thou come—<br/> + Like name, like nature; see thou cross it not,<br/> + (’Tis fatal to the forder!) till thou come<br/> + Right to the very Caucasus, the peak<br/> + That overtops the world, and from its brows<br/> + The river pants in spray its wrathful stream.<br/> + Thence, o’er the pinnacles that court the stars,<br/> + Onward and southward thou must take thy way,<br/> + And reach the warlike horde of Amazons,<br/> + Maidens through hate of man; and gladly they<br/> + Will guide thy maiden feet. That host, in days<br/> + That are not yet, shall fix their home and dwell<br/> + At Themiscyra, on Thermodon’s bank,<br/> + Nigh whereunto the grim projecting fang<br/> + Of Salmydessus’ cape affronts the main,<br/> + The seaman’s curse, to ships a stepmother!<br/> + Then at the jutting land, Cimmerian styled,<br/> + That screens the narrowing portal of the mere,<br/> + Thou shalt arrive; pass o’er it, brave at heart,<br/> + And ferry thee across Macotis’ ford.<br/> + So shall there be great rumour evermore,<br/> + In ears of mortals, of thy passage strange;<br/> + And Bosporos shall be that channel’s name,<br/> + Because the ox-horned thing did pass thereby.<br/> + So, from the wilds of Europe wander’d o’er,<br/> + To Asia’s continent thou com’st at last.<br/> + (<i>To the</i> CHORUS)<br/> + And ye, what think ye? Seems he not, that lord<br/> + And tyrant of the gods, as tyrannous<br/> + Unto all other lives? A high god’s lust<br/> + Constrained this mortal maid to roam the world!<br/> + (<i>To</i> Io)<br/> + Poor maid! a brutal wooer sure was thine!<br/> + For know that all which I have told thee now<br/> + Is scarce the prelude of thy woes to come. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Alas for me, alas! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Again thou criest, with a heifer’s low.<br/> + What wilt thou do, learning thy future woes? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + What, hast thou further sorrows for her ear? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Yea, a vext ocean of predestined pain. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + What profit then is life to me? Ah, why<br/> + Did I not cast me from this stubborn crag?<br/> + So with one spring, one crash upon the ground,<br/> + I had attained surcease from all my woes.<br/> + Better it is to die one death outright<br/> + Than linger out long life in misery. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Ill would’st thou bear these agonies of mine—<br/> + Mine, with whose fate it standeth not to win<br/> + The goal of death, which were release from pain!<br/> + Now, there is set no limit to my woe<br/> + Till Zeus be hurled from his omnipotence. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Zeus hurled from pride of place! Can such things be? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Thou wert full fain, methinks, to see that sight! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Even so—his overthrow who wrought my pain. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Then may’st thou know thereof; such fall shall be. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + And who shall wrench the sceptre from his hand? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + By his own mindless counsels shall he fall. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + And how? unless the telling harm, say on! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Wooing a bride, his ruin he shall win. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Goddess, or mortal? tell me, if thou may’st. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + No matter which—more must not be revealed. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Doth then a consort thrust him from his throne? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + The child she bears him shall o’ercome his sire. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + And hath he no avoidance of this doom? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + None, surely—till that I, released from bonds— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Who can release thee, but by will of Zeus? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Fate gives this duty to a child of thine! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + How? Shall a child of mine undo thy woes? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Yea, of thy lineage, thirteen times removed. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + Dark beyond guessing grows thine oracle. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Yea—seek not therefore to foreknow thy woes. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + As thou didst proffer hope, withdraw it not. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Two tales I have—choose! for I grant thee one. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + And which be they? reveal, and leave me choice. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + I grant it: shall I in all clearness show<br/> + Thy future woes, or my deliverance? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Nay! of the two, vouchsafe her wish to her<br/> + And mine to me, deigning a truth to each—<br/> + To her, reveal her future wanderings—<br/> + To me, thy future saviour, as I crave! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + I will not set myself to thwart your will<br/> + Withholding aught of what ye crave to know.<br/> + First to thee, Io, will I tell and trace<br/> + Thy scared circuitous wandering mark it well,<br/> + Deep in retentive tablets of the soul.<br/> + When thou hast overpast the ferry’s flow<br/> + That sunders continent from continent,<br/> + Straight to the eastward and the flaming face<br/> + Of dawn, and highways trodden by the sun,<br/> + Pass, till thou come unto the windy land<br/> + Of daughters born to Boreas: beware<br/> + Lest the strong spirit of the stormy blast<br/> + Snatch thee aloft, and sweep thee to the void,<br/> + On wings of raving wintry hurricane!<br/> + Wend by the noisy tumult of the wave,<br/> + Until thou reach the Gorgon-haunted plains<br/> + Beside Cisthene. In that solitude<br/> + Dwell Phorcys’ daughters, beldames worn with time,<br/> + Three, each swan-shapen, single-toothed, and all<br/> + Peering thro’ shared endowment of one eye;<br/> + Never on them doth the sun shed his rays,<br/> + Never falls radiance of the midnight moon.<br/> + But, hard by these, their sisters, clad with wings,<br/> + Serpentine-curled, dwell, loathed of mortal men,—<br/> + The Gorgons!—he of men who looks on them<br/> + Shall gasp away his life. Of such fell guard<br/> + I bid thee to beware. Now, mark my words<br/> + When I another sight of terror tell—<br/> + Beware the Gryphon pack, the hounds of Zeus,<br/> + As keen of fang as silent of their tongues!<br/> + Beware the one-eyed Arimaspian band<br/> + That tramp on horse-hoofs, dwelling by the ford<br/> + Of Pluto and the stream that flows with gold:<br/> + Keep thou aloof from these. To the world’s end<br/> + Thou comest at the last, the dark-faced tribe<br/> + That dwell beside the sources of the sun,<br/> + Where springs the river, Aethiopian named.<br/> + Make thou thy way along his bank, until<br/> + Thou come unto the mighty downward slope<br/> + Where from the overland of Bybline hills<br/> + Nile pours his hallowed earth-refreshing wave.<br/> + He by his course shall guide thee to the realm<br/> + Named from himself, three-angled, water-girt;<br/> + There, Io, at the last, hath Fate ordained,<br/> + For thee and for thy race, the charge to found,<br/> + Far from thy native shore, a new abode.<br/> + Lo, I have said: if aught hereof appear<br/> + Hard to thy sense and inarticulate,<br/> + Question me o’er again, and soothly learn—<br/> + God wot, I have too much of leisure here! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + If there be aught beyond, or aught pass’d o’er,<br/> + Which thou canst utter, of her woe-worn maze,<br/> + Speak on! if all is said, then grant to us<br/> + That which we asked, as thou rememberest. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + She now hath learned, unto its utmost end,<br/> + Her pilgrimage; but yet, that she may know<br/> + That ’tis no futile fable she hath heard,<br/> + I will recount her history of toil<br/> + Ere she came hither; let it stand for proof<br/> + Of what I told, my forecast of the end.<br/> + So, then—to sum in brief the weary tale—<br/> + I turn me to thine earlier exile’s close.<br/> + When to Molossia’s lowland thou hadst come,<br/> + Nigh to Dodona’s cliff and ridge sublime,<br/> + (Where is the shrine oracular and seat<br/> + Of Zeus, Thesprotian styled, and that strange thing<br/> + And marvel past belief, the prophet-oaks<br/> + That syllable his speech), thou by their tongues,<br/> + With clear acclaim and unequivocal,<br/> + Wert thus saluted—<i>Hail, O bride of Zeus<br/> + That art to be</i>—hast memory thereof?<br/> + Thence, stung anew with frenzy, thou didst hie<br/> + Along the shoreward track, to Rhea’s lap,<br/> + The mighty main; then, stormily distraught,<br/> + Backward again and eastward. To all time,<br/> + Be well assured, that inlet of the sea<br/> + All mortal men shall call Ionian,<br/> + In memory that Io fared thereby.<br/> + Take this for proof and witness that my mind<br/> + Hath more in ken than ever sense hath shown.<br/> + (<i>To the</i> CHORUS)<br/> + That which remains, to you and her alike<br/> + I will relate, and, to my former words<br/> + Reverting, add this final prophecy.<br/> + (<i>To</i> Io)<br/> + There lieth, at the verge of land and sea,<br/> + Where Nilus issues thro’ the silted sand,<br/> + A town, Canopus called: and there at length<br/> + Shall Zeus renew the reason in thy brain<br/> + With the mere touch and contact of his hand<br/> + Fraught now with fear no more: and thou shalt bear<br/> + A child, dark Epaphus—his very name<br/> + Memorial of Zeus’ touch that gave him life.<br/> + And his shall be the foison and the fruit<br/> + Of all the land enriched by spreading Nile.<br/> + Thence the fifth generation of his seed<br/> + Back unto Argos, yet unwillingly,<br/> + Shall flee for refuge—fifty maidens they,<br/> + Loathing a wedlock with their next in blood,<br/> + More kin than kind, from their sire’s brother sprung.<br/> + And on their track, astir with wild desire,<br/> + Like falcons fierce closing on doves that flee,<br/> + Shall speed the suitors, craving to achieve<br/> + A prey forbidden, a reluctant bride.<br/> + Yet power divine shall foil them, and forbid<br/> + Possession of the maids, whom Argive land<br/> + Shall hold protected, when unsleeping hate,<br/> + Horror, and watchful ambush of the night,<br/> + Have laid the suitors dead, by female hands.<br/> + For every maid shall smite a man to death,<br/> + Dyeing a dagger’s edges in his throat—<br/> + Such bed of love befall mine enemies!<br/> + Yet in one bride shall yearning conquer hate,<br/> + Bidding her spare the bridegroom at her side,<br/> + Blunting the keen edge of her set resolve.<br/> + Thus of two scorns the former shall she choose,<br/> + The name of coward, not of murderess.<br/> + In Argos shall she bear, in after time,<br/> + A royal offspring. Long it were to tell<br/> + In clear succession all that thence shall be.<br/> + Take this for sooth—in lineage from her<br/> + A hero shall arise, an archer great,<br/> + And he shall be my saviour from these woes.<br/> + Such knowledge of the future Themis gave,<br/> + The ancient Titaness, to me her son.<br/> + But how, and by what skill, ’twere long to say,<br/> + And no whit will the knowledge profit thee. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">IO.<br/> + O woe, O rending and convulsive pain,<br/> + Frenzy and agony, again, again<br/> + Searing my heart and brain!<br/> + O dagger of the sting, unforged with fire<br/> + Yet burning, burning ever! O my heart,<br/> + Pulsing with horror, beating at my breast!<br/> + O rolling maddened eyes! away, apart,<br/> + Raving with anguish dire,<br/> + I spring, by frenzy-fiends possest.<br/> + O wild and whirling words, that sweep in gloom<br/> + Down to dark waves of doom! +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Exit <span class="charname">IO</span>.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + O well and sagely was it said—<br/> + Yea, wise of heart was he who first<br/> + Gave forth in speech the thought he nursed—<br/> + <i>In thine own order see thou wed!</i><br/> +<br/> + Let not the humble heart aspire<br/> + To the gross home of wealth and pride;<br/> + Nor be it to a hearth allied<br/> + That vaunts of many a noble sire.<br/> +<br/> + O Fates, of awful empery!<br/> + Never may I by Zeus be wooed—<br/> + Never give o’er my maidenhood<br/> + To any god that dwells on high.<br/> +<br/> + A shudder to my soul is sent,<br/> + Beholding Io’s doom forlorn—<br/> + By Hera’s malice put to scorn,<br/> + Roaming in mateless banishment.<br/> +<br/> + From wedlock’s crown of fair desire<br/> + I would not shrink—an idle fear!<br/> + But may no god to me draw near<br/> + With shunless might and glance of fire!<br/> +<br/> + That were a strife wherein no chance<br/> + Of conquest lies: from Zeus most high<br/> + And his resolve, no subtlety<br/> + Could win me my deliverance. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + And yet shall Zeus, for all his stubborn pride,<br/> + Be brought to low estate! aha, he schemes<br/> + Such wedlock as shall bring his doom on him,<br/> + Flung from his kingship to oblivion’s lap!<br/> + Ay, then the curse his father Cronos spake<br/> + As he fell helpless from his agelong throne,<br/> + Shall be fulfilled unto the utterance!<br/> + No god but I can manifest to him<br/> + A rescue from such ruin as impends—<br/> + I know it, I, and how it may be foiled.<br/> + Go to, then, let him sit and blindly trust<br/> + His skyey rumblings, for security,<br/> + And wave his levin with its blast of flame!<br/> + All will avail him not, nor bar his fall<br/> + Down to dishonour vile, intolerable<br/> + So strong a wrestler is he moulding now<br/> + To his own proper downfall—yea, a shape<br/> + Portentous and unconquerably huge,<br/> + Who truly shall reveal a flame more strong<br/> + Than is the lightning, and a crash of sound<br/> + More loud than thunder, and shall dash to nought<br/> + Poseidon’s trident-spear, the ocean-bane<br/> + That makes the firm earth quiver. Let Zeus strike<br/> + Once on this rock, he speedily shall learn<br/> + How far the fall from power to slavery! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Beware! thy wish doth challenge Zeus himself. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + I voice my wish and its fulfilment too. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + What, dare we look for one to conquer Zeus? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Ay—Zeus shall wear more painful bonds than mine +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Darest thou speak such taunts and tremble not? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Why should I fear, who am immortal too? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Yet he might doom thee to worse agony. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Out on his dooming! I foreknow it all. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Yet do the wise revere Necessity. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Ay, ay—do reverence, cringe and crouch to power<br/> + Whene’er, where’er thou see it! But, for me,<br/> + I reck of Zeus as something less than nought.<br/> + Let him put forth his power, attest his sway,<br/> + Howe’er he will—a momentary show,<br/> + A little brief authority in heaven!<br/> + Aha, I see out yonder one who comes,<br/> + A bidden courier, truckling at Zeus’ nod,<br/> + A lacquey in his new lord’s livery,<br/> + Surely on some fantastic errand sped! +</p> + +<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">HERMES</span>.</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Thou, double-dyed in gall of bitterness,<br/> + Trickster and sinner against gods, by giving<br/> + The stolen fire to perishable men!<br/> + Attend—the Sire supreme doth bid thee tell<br/> + What is the wedlock which thou vauntest now,<br/> + Whereby he falleth from supremacy?<br/> + Speak forth the whole, make all thine utterance clear,<br/> + Have done with words inscrutable, nor cause<br/> + To me, Prometheus! any further toil<br/> + Or twofold journeying. Go to—thou seest<br/> + Zeus doth not soften at such words as thine! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Pompous, in sooth, thy word, and swoln with pride,<br/> + As doth befit the lacquey of thy lords!<br/> + O ye young gods! how, in your youthful sway,<br/> + Ye deem secure your citadels of sky,<br/> + Beyond the reach of sorrow or of fall!<br/> + Have I not seen two dynasties of gods<br/> + Already flung therefrom? and soon shall see<br/> + A third, that now in tyranny exults,<br/> + Shamed, ruined, in an hour! What sayest thou?<br/> + Crouch I and tremble at these stripling powers?<br/> + Small homage unto such from me, or none!<br/> + Betake thee hence, sweat back along thy road—<br/> + Look for no answer from me, get thee gone! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Think—it was such audacities of will<br/> + That drove thee erst to anchorage in woe! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Ay—but mark this: mine heritage of pain<br/> + I would not barter for thy servitude. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Better, forsooth, be bond-slave to a crag,<br/> + Than true-born herald unto Zeus the Sire! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Take thine own coin—taunts for a taunting slave! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Proud art thou in thy circumstance, methinks! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Proud? in such pride then be my foemen set,<br/> + And I to see—and of such foes art thou! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + What, blam’st thou me too for thy sufferings? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Mark a plain word—I loathe all gods that are,<br/> + Who reaped my kindness and repay with wrong. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + I hear no little madness in thy words. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Madness be mine, if scorn of foes be mad. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Past bearing were thy pride, in happiness. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Ah me! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Zeus knoweth nought of sorrow’s cry! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + He shall! Time’s lapse bringeth all lessons home. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + To thee it brings not yet discretion’s curb. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + No—else I had not wrangled with a slave! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Then thou concealest all that Zeus would learn? +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + As though I owed him aught and should repay! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Scornful thy word, as though I were a child— +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Child, ay—or whatsoe’er hath less of brain—<br/> + Thou, deeming thou canst wring my secret out!<br/> + No mangling torture, no, nor sleight of power<br/> + There is, by which he shall compel my speech,<br/> + Until these shaming bonds be loosed from me.<br/> + So, let him fling his blazing levin-bolt!<br/> + Let him with white and winged flakes of snow,<br/> + And rumbling earthquakes, whelm and shake the world!<br/> + For nought of this shall bend me to reveal<br/> + The power ordained to hurl him from his throne. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Bethink thee if such words can mend thy lot. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + All have I long foreseen, and all resolved. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Perverse of will! constrain, constrain thy soul<br/> + To think more wisely in the grasp of doom! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Truce to vain words! as wisely wouldst thou strive<br/> + To warn a swelling wave: imagine not<br/> + That ever I before thy lord’s resolve<br/> + Will shrink in womanish terror, and entreat,<br/> + As with soft suppliance of female hands,<br/> + The Power I scorn unto the utterance,<br/> + To loose me from the chains that bind me here—<br/> + A world’s division ’twixt that thought and me! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + So, I shall speak, whate’er I speak, in vain!<br/> + No prayer can melt or soften thy resolve;<br/> + But, as a colt new-harnessed champs the bit,<br/> + Thou strivest and art restive to the rein.<br/> + But all too feeble is the stratagem<br/> + In which thou art so confident: for know<br/> + That strong self-will is weak and less than nought<br/> + In one more proud than wise. Bethink thee now—<br/> + If these my words thou shouldest disregard—<br/> + What storm, what might as of a great third wave<br/> + Shall dash thy doom upon thee, past escape!<br/> + First shall the Sire, with thunder and the flame<br/> + Of lightning, rend the crags of this ravine,<br/> + And in the shattered mass o’erwhelm thy form,<br/> + Immured and morticed in a clasping rock.<br/> + Thence, after age on age of durance done,<br/> + Back to the daylight shall thou come, and there<br/> + The eagle-hound of Zeus, red-ravening, fell<br/> + With greed, shall tatter piecemeal all thy flesh<br/> + To shreds and ragged vestiges of form—<br/> + Yea, an unbidden guest, a day-long bane,<br/> + That feeds, and feeds—yea, he shall gorge his fill<br/> + On blackened fragments, from thy vitals gnawed.<br/> + Look for no respite from that agony<br/> + Until some other deity be found,<br/> + Ready to bear for thee the brunt of doom,<br/> + Choosing to pass into the lampless world<br/> + Of Hades and the murky depths of hell.<br/> + Hereat, advise thee! ’tis no feigned threat<br/> + Whereof I warn thee, but an o’er-true tale.<br/> + The lips of Zeus know nought of lying speech,<br/> + But wreak in action all their words foretell.<br/> + Therefore do thou look warily, and deem<br/> + Prudence a better saviour than self-will. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Meseems that Hermes speaketh not amiss,<br/> + Bidding thee leave thy wilfulness and seek<br/> + The wary walking of a counselled mind.<br/> + Give heed! to err through anger shames the wise. +</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + All, all I knew, whate’er his tongue<br/> + In idle arrogance hath flung.<br/> + ’Tis the world’s way, the common lot—<br/> + Foe tortures foe and pities not.<br/> + Therefore I challenge him to dash<br/> + His bolt on me, his zigzag flash<br/> + Of piercing, rending flame!<br/> + Now be the welkin stirred amain<br/> + With thunder-peal and hurricane,<br/> + And let the wild winds now displace<br/> + From its firm poise and rooted base<br/> + The stubborn earthly frame!<br/> + The raging sea with stormy surge<br/> + Rise up and ravin and submerge<br/> + Each high star-trodden way!<br/> + Me let him lift and dash to gloom<br/> + Of nether hell, in whirls of doom!<br/> + Yet—do he what extremes he may—<br/> + He cannot crush my life away! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Such are the counsels, such the strain,<br/> + Heard from wild lips and frenzied brain!<br/> + In word or thought, how fails his fate<br/> + Of madness wild and desperate?<br/> + (<i>To the</i> CHORUS)<br/> + But ye, who stand compassionate<br/> + Here at his side, depart in haste!<br/> + Lest of his penalty ye taste,<br/> + And shattered brain and reason feel<br/> + The roaring, ruthless thunder-peal! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">CHORUS.<br/> + Out on thee! if thy heart be fain<br/> + I should obey thee, change thy strain!<br/> + Vile is thine hinted cowardice,<br/> + And loathed of me thy base advice,<br/> + Weakly to shrink from pain!<br/> + Nay, at his side, whate’er befall,<br/> + I will abide, endure it all!<br/> + Among all things abhorr’d, accurst,<br/> + I hold betrayers for the worst! +</p> + +<p class="noindent">HERMES.<br/> + Nay, ye are warned! remember well—<br/> + Nor cry, when meshed in nets of hell,<br/> + <i>Ah cruel fate, ah Zeus unkind—<br/> + Thus, by a sentence undivined,<br/> + To dash us to the realms below!</i><br/> + It is no sudden, secret blow—<br/> + Nay, ye achieve your proper woe—<br/> + Warn’d and foreknowing shall ye go,<br/> + Through your own folly trapped and ta’en,<br/> + Into the net the Fates ordain—<br/> + The vast, illimitable pain! +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Thunder and lightning.</i>]</p> + +<p class="noindent">PROMETHEUS.<br/> + Hark! for no more in empty word,<br/> + But in sheer sooth, the world is stirred!<br/> + The massy earth doth heave and sway,<br/> + And thro’ their dark and secret way<br/> + The cavern’d thunders boom!<br/> + See, how they gleam athwart the sky,<br/> + The lightnings, through the gloom!<br/> + And whirlwinds roll the dust on high,<br/> + And right and left the storm-clouds leap<br/> + To battle in the skyey deep,<br/> + In wildest uproar unconfined,<br/> + An universe of warring wind!<br/> + And falling sky and heaving sea<br/> + Are blent in one! on me, on me,<br/> + Nearer and ever yet more near,<br/> + Flaunting its pageantry of fear,<br/> + Drives down in might its destined road<br/> + The tempest of the wrath of God!<br/> + O holy Earth, O mother mine!<br/> + O Sky, that biddest speed along<br/> + Thy vault the common Light divine,—<br/> + Be witness of my wrong! +</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>The rocks are rent with fire and earthquake, +and fall, burying <span class="charname">PROMETHEUS</span> in the ruins.</i>]</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOUR PLAYS OF AESCHYLUS ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Suppliant Maidens and Other Plays + +Author: AEschylus + +Translator: E.D.A. Morshead + + +Release Date: August, 2005 [EBook #8714] +This file was first posted on August 3, 2003 +Last Updated: May 17, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUPPLIANT MAIDENS AND OTHER PLAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Ted Garvin, Robert Prince, Charles Franks and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + + +FOUR PLAYS OF AESCHYLUS + + +THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS + +THE PERSIANS + +THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES + +THE PROMETHEUS BOUND + +By Aeschylus + + +Translated Into English Verse By E.D.A. Morshead, MA. + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +The surviving dramas of Aeschylus are seven in number, though he is +believed to have written nearly a hundred during his life of +sixty-nine years, from 525 B.C. to 456 B.C. That he fought at +Marathon in 490, and at Salamis in 480 B.C. is a strongly accredited +tradition, rendered almost certain by the vivid references to both +battles in his play of _The Persians_, which was produced in 472. +But his earliest extant play was, probably, not _The Persians_ but +_The Suppliant Maidens_--a mythical drama, the fame of which has +been largely eclipsed by the historic interest of _The Persians_, +and is undoubtedly the least known and least regarded of the seven. +Its topic--the flight of the daughters of Danaus from Egypt to Argos, +in order to escape from a forced bridal with their first-cousins, +the sons of Aegyptus--is legendary, and the lyric element +predominates in the play as a whole. We must keep ourselves reminded +that the ancient Athenian custom of presenting dramas in +_Trilogies_ --that is, in three consecutive plays dealing with different stages +of one legend--was probably not uniform: it survives, for us, in one +instance only, viz. the Orestean Trilogy, comprising the _Agamemnon_, +the _Libation-Bearers_, and the _Eumenides_, or _Furies_. This +Trilogy is the masterpiece of the Aeschylean Drama: the four +remaining plays of the poet, which are translated in this volume, are +all fragments of lost Trilogies--that is to say, the plays are +complete as _poems_, but in regard to the poet's larger design they +are fragments; they once had predecessors, or sequels, of which only +a few words, or lines, or short paragraphs, survive. It is not +certain, but seems probable, that the earliest of these single +completed plays is _The Suppliant Maidens_, and on that supposition +it has been placed first in the present volume. The maidens, +accompanied by their father Danaes, have fled from Egypt and arrived +at Argos, to take sanctuary there and to avoid capture by their +pursuing kinsmen and suitors. In the course of the play, the +pursuers' ship arrives to reclaim the maidens for a forced wedlock +in Egypt. The action of the drama turns on the attitude of the king +and people of Argos, in view of this intended abduction. The king +puts the question to the popular vote, and the demand of the suitors +is unanimously rejected: the play closes with thanks and gratitude +on the part of the fugitives, who, in lyrical strains of quiet beauty, +seem to refer the whole question of their marriage to the subsequent +decision of the gods, and, in particular, of Aphrodite. + +Of the second portion of the Trilogy we can only speak conjecturally. +There is a passage in the _Prometheus Bound_ (ll. 860-69), in which +we learn that the maidens were somehow reclaimed by the suitors, and +that all, except one, slew their bridegrooms on the wedding night. +There is a faint trace, among the Fragments of Aeschylus, of a play +called _Thalamopoioi_,--i.e. _The Preparers of the Chamber_,--which +may well have referred to this tragic scene. Its grim title will +recall to all classical readers the magnificent, though terrible, +version of the legend, in the final stanzas of the eleventh poem in +the third book of Horace's _Odes_. The final play was probably +called _The Danaides_, and described the acquittal of the brides +through some intervention of Aphrodite: a fragment of it survives, +in which the goddess appears to be pleading her special prerogative. +The legends which commit the daughters of Danaus to an eternal +penalty in Hades are, apparently, of later origin. Homer is silent +on any such penalty; and Pindar, Aeschylus' contemporary, actually +describes the once suppliant maidens as honourably enthroned +(_Pyth_. ix. 112: _Nem_. x. ll. 1-10). The Tartarean part of the +story is, in fact, post-Aeschylean. + +_The Suppliant Maidens_ is full of charm, though the text of the +part which describes the arrival of the pursuers at Argos is full of +uncertainties. It remains a fine, though archaic, poem, with this +special claim on our interest, that it is, probably, the earliest +extant poetic drama. We see in it the _tendency_ to grandiose +language, not yet fully developed as in the _Prometheus_: the +inclination of youth to simplicity, and even platitude, in religious +and general speculation: and yet we recognize, as in the germ, the +profound theology of the _Agamemnon_, and a touch of the political +vein which appears more fully in the _Furies_. If the precedence in +time here ascribed to it is correct, the play is perhaps worth more +recognition than it has received from the countrymen of Shakespeare. + +_The Persians_ has been placed second in this volume, as the +oldest play whose date is certainly known. It was brought out in 472 +B.C., eight years after the sea-fight of Salamis which it +commemorates, and five years before the _Seven against Thebes_ +(467 B.C.). It is thought to be the second play of a Trilogy, +standing between the _Phineus_ and the _Glaucus_. Phineus was a +legendary seer, of the Argonautic era--"Tiresias and Phineus, +prophets old"--and the play named after him may have contained a +prophecy of the great conflict which is actually described in +_The Persae_: the plot of the _Glaucus_ is unknown. In any case, +_The Persians_ was produced before the eyes of a generation which +had seen the struggles, West against East, at Marathon and Thermopyl, +Salamis and Plataea. It is as though Shakespeare had commemorated, +through the lips of a Spanish survivor, in the ears of old +councillors of Philip the Second, the dispersal of the Armada. + +Against the piteous want of manliness on the part of the returning +Xerxes, we may well set the grave and dignified patriotism of Atossa, +the Queen-mother of the Persian kingdom; the loyalty, in spite of +their bewilderment, of the aged men who form the Chorus; and, above +all, the royal phantom of Darius, evoked from the shadowland by the +libations of Atossa and by the appealing cries of the Chorus. The +latter, indeed, hardly dare to address the kingly ghost: but Atossa +bravely narrates to him the catastrophe, of which, in the lower world, +Darius has known nothing, though he realizes that disaster, soon or +late, is the lot of mortal power. As the tale is unrolled, a spirit +of prophecy possesses him, and he foretells the coming slaughter of +Plataea; then, with a last royal admonition that the defeated Xerxes +shall, on his return, be received with all ceremony and observance, +and with a characteristic warning to the aged men, that they must +take such pleasures as they may, in their waning years, he returns +to the shades. The play ends with the undignified reappearance of +Xerxes, and a melancholy procession into the palace of Susa. It was, +perhaps, inevitable that this close of the great drama should verge +on the farcical, and that the poltroonery of Xerxes should, in a +measure, obscure Aeschylus' generous portraiture of Atossa and Darius. +But his magnificent picture of the battle of Salamis is unequalled +in the poetic annals of naval war. No account of the flight of the +Armada, no record of Lepanto or Trafalgar, can be justly set beside +it. The Messenger might well, like Prospero, announce a tragedy by +one line-- + + Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. + +Five years after _The Persians_, in 467 B. C., the play which we +call the _Seven against Thebes_ was presented at Athens. It bears +now a title which Aeschylus can hardly have given to it for, though +the scene of the drama overlooks the region where the city of Thebes +afterwards came into being, yet, in the play itself, Thebes is +_never_ mentioned. The scene of action is the Cadmea, or Citadel +of Cadmus, and we know that, in Aeschylus' lifetime, that citadel +was no longer a mere fastness, but had so grown outwards and +enlarged itself that a new name, Thebes, was applied to the +collective city. (All this has been made abundantly clear by Dr. +Verrall in his Introduction to the _Seven against Thebes_, to which +every reader of the play itself will naturally and most profitably +refer.) In the time of Aeschylus, Thebes was, of course, a notable +city, his great contemporary Pindar was a citizen of it. But the +Thebes of Aeschylus' date is one thing, the fortress represented in +Aeschylus' play is quite another, and is never, by him, called Thebes. +That the play received, and retains, the name, _The Seven against +Thebes_, is believed to be due to two lines of Aristophanes in his +_Frogs_ (406 B.C.), where he describes Aeschylus' play as +"the Seven against Thebes, a drama instinct with War, which any one +who beheld must have yearned to be a warrior." This is rather an +excellent _description_ of the play than the title of it, and could +not be its Aeschylean name, for the very sufficient reason that +Thebes is not mentioned in the play at all. Aeschylus, in fact, was +poetizing an earlier legend of the fortress of Cadmus. This being +premised, we may adopt, under protest as it were, the Aristophanic +name which has accrued to the play. It is the third part of a +Trilogy which might have been called, collectively, _The House of +Laius_. Sophocles and Euripides give us _their_ versions of the +legend, which we may epitomize, without, however, affirming that +they followed exactly the lines of Aeschylus Trilogy--they, for +instance, speak freely of _Thebes_. Laius, King of Thebes, married +Iokaste; he was warned by Apollo that if he had any children ruin +would befall his house. But a child was born, and, to avoid the +threatened catastrophe, without actually killing the child he +exposed it on Mount Cithaeron, that it should die. Some herdsmen +saved it and gave it over to the care of a neighbouring king and +queen, who reared it. Later on, learning that there was a doubt of +his parentage, this child, grown now to maturity, left his foster +parents and went to Delphi to consult the oracle, and received a +mysterious and terrible warning, that he was fated to slay his +father and wed his mother. To avoid this horror, he resolved never +to approach the home of his supposed parents. Meantime his real +father, Laius, on _his_ way to consult the god at Delphi, met his +unknown son returning from that shrine--a quarrel fell out, and the +younger man slew the elder. Followed by his evil destiny, he +wandered on, and found the now kingless Thebes in the grasp of the +Sphinx monster, over whom he triumphed, and was rewarded by the hand +of Iokaste, his own mother! Not till four children--two sons and two +daughters--had been born to them, was the secret of the lineage +revealed. Iokaste slew herself in horror, and the wretched king tore +out his eyes, that he might never again see the children of his awful +union. The two sons quarrelled over the succession, then agreed on a +compromise; then fell at variance again, and finally slew each other +in single combat. These two sons, according to one tradition, were +twins: but the more usual view is that the elder was called Eteocles, +the younger, Polynices. + +To the point at which the internecine enmity between Eteocles and +Polynices arose, we have had to follow Sophocles and Euripides, the +first two parts of Aeschylus' Trilogy being lost. But the third part, +as we have said, survives under the name given to it by Aristophanes, +the _Seven against Thebes_: it opens with an exhortation by Eteocles +to his Cadmeans that they should "quit them like men" against the +onslaught of Polynices and his Argive allies: the Chorus is a bevy +of scared Cadmean maidens, to whom the very sound of war and tramp +of horsemen are new and terrific. It ends with the news of the death +of the two princes, and the lamentations of their two sisters, +Antigone and Ismene. The onslaught from without has been repulsed, +but the male line of the house of Laius is extinct. The Cadmeans +resolve that Eteocles shall be buried in honour, and Polynices flung +to the dogs and birds. Against the latter sentence Antigone protests, +and defies the decree: the Chorus, as is natural, are divided in +their sentiments. + +It is interesting to note that, in combination with the _Laius_ and +the _Oedipus_, this play won the dramatic crown in 467 B.C. On the +other hand, so excellent a judge as Mr. Gilbert Murray thinks that +it is "perhaps among Aeschylus' plays the one that bears least the +stamp of commanding genius." Perhaps the daring, practically +atheistic, character of Eteocles; the battle-fever that burns and +thrills through the play; the pathetic terror of the Chorus--may +have given it favour, in Athenian eyes, as the work of a poet +who--though recently (468 B.C.) defeated in the dramatic contest by the +young Sophocles--was yet present to tell, not by mere report, the +tale of Marathon and Salamis. Or the preceding plays, the _Laius_ +and the _Oedipus_, may have been of such high merit as to make up +for defects observable in the one that still survives. In any case, +we can hardly err in accepting Dr. Verral's judgment that "the story +of Aeschylus may be, and in the outlines probably is, the genuine +epic legend of the Cadmean war." + +There remains one Aeschylean play, the most famous--unless we except +the _Agamemnon_--in extant Greek literature, the _Prometheus Bound_. +That it was the first of a Trilogy, and that the second and third +parts were called the _Prometheus Freed_, and _Prometheus the +Fire-Bearer_, respectively, is accepted: but the date of its +performance is unknown. + +The _Prometheus Bound_ is conspicuous for its gigantic and strictly +superhuman plot. The _Agamemnon_ is human, though legendary the +_Prometheus_ presents to us the gods of Olympus in the days when +mankind crept like emmets upon the earth or dwelt in caves, scorned +by Zeus and the other powers of heaven, and--still aided by +Prometheus the Titan--wholly without art or science, letters or +handicrafts. For his benevolence towards oppressed mankind, +Prometheus is condemned by Zeus to uncounted ages of pain and torment, +shackled and impaled in a lonely cleft of a Scythian precipice. The +play opens with this act of divine resentment enforced by the will +of Zeus and by the handicraft of Hephaestus, who is aided by two +demons, impersonating Strength and Violence. These agents if the ire +of Zeus disappear after the first scene, the rest of the play +represents Prometheus in the mighty solitude, but visited after a +while by a Chorus of sea nymphs who, from the distant depths of ocean, +have heard the clang of the demons' hammers, and arrive, in a winged +car, from the submarine palace of their father Oceanus. To them +Prometheus relates his penalty and its cause: viz., his over +tenderness to the luckless race of mankind. Oceanus himself follows +on a hippogriff, and counsels Prometheus to submit to Zeus. But the +Titan who has handled the sea nymphs with all gentleness, receives +the advice with scorn and contempt, and Oceanus retires. But the +courage which he lacks his daughters possess to the full; they +remain by Prometheus to the end, and share his fate, literally in +the crack of doom. But before the end, the strange half human figure +of Io, victim of the lust of Zeus and the jealousy of Hera, comes +wandering by, and tells Prometheus of her wrongs. He, by his divine +power, recounts to her not only the past but also the future of her +wanderings. Then, in a fresh access of frenzy, she drifts away into +the unknown world. Then Prometheus partly reveals to the sea maidens +his secret, and the mysterious cause of Zeus' hatred against him--a +cause which would avail to hurl the tyrant from his power. So deadly +is this secret, that Zeus will, in the lapse of ages, be forced to +reconcile himself with Prometheus, to escape dethronement. Finally, +Hermes, the messenger of Zeus, appears with fresh threats, that he +may extort the mystery from the Titan. But Prometheus is firm, +defying both the tyrant and his envoy, though already the lightning +is flashing, the thunder rolling, and sky and sea are mingling their +fury. Hermes can say no more; the sea nymphs resolutely refuse to +retire, and wait their doom. In this crash of the world, Prometheus +flings his final defiance against Zeus, and amid the lightnings and +shattered rocks that are overwhelming him and his companions, speaks +his last word, "_It is unjust_!" + +Any spectacular representation of this finale must, it is clear, +have roused intense sympathy with the Titan and the nymphs alike. If, +however, the sequel-plays had survived to us, we might conceivably +have found and realized another and less intolerable solution. The +name _Zeus_, in Greek, like that of _God_, in English, comprises +very diverse views of divine personality. The Zeus in the _Prometheus_ +has little but the name in common with the Zeus in the first chorus +of the _Agamemnon_, or in _The Suppliant Maidens_ (ll. 86-103): and +parallel reflections will give us much food for thought. But, in any +case, let us realize that the _Prometheus_ is not a human play: with +the possible exception of Io, every character in it is an immortal +being. It is not as a vaunt, but as a fact, that Prometheus declares, +as against Zeus (l. 1053), that "Me at least He shall never give to +death." + +A stupendous theological drama of which two-thirds has been lost has +left an aching void, which now can never be filled, in our minds. No +reader of poetry needs to be reminded of the glorious attempt of +Shelley to work out a possible and worthy sequel to the _Prometheus_. +Who will not echo the words of Mr. Gilbert Murray, when he says that +"no piece of lost literature has been more ardently longed for than +the _Prometheus Freed_"? + +But, at the end of a rather prolonged attempt to understand and +translate the surviving tragedies of Aeschylus, one feels inclined +to repeat the words used by a powerful critic about one of the +greatest of modern poets--"For man, it is a weary way to God, but a +wearier far to any demigod." We shall not discover the full sequel +of Aeschylus' mighty dramatic conception: we "know in part, and we +prophesy in part." The Introduction (pp. xvi.-xviii.) prefixed by +Mr. A. O. Prickard to his edition of the _Prometheus_ is full of +persuasive grace, on this topic: to him, and to Dr. Verrall of +Cambridge--_lucida sidera_ of help and encouragement in the study of +Aeschylus--the translator's thanks are due, and are gratefully and +affectionately rendered. + + E. D. A. M. + + + + + +CONTENTS + +THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS + +THE PERSIANS + +THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES + +PROMETHEUS BOUND + + + + + +THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS + + + + +DEDICATION + + Take thou this gift from out the grave of Time. + The urns of Greece lie shattered, and the cup + That for Athenian lips the Muses filled, + And flowery crowns that on Athenian hair + Hid the cicala, freedom's golden sign, + Dust in the dust have fallen. Calmly sad, + The marble dead upon Athenian tombs + Speak from their eyes "Farewell": and well have fared + They and the saddened friends, whose clasping hands + Win from the solemn stone eternity. + Yea, well they fared unto the evening god, + Passing beyond the limit of the world, + Where face to face the son his mother saw, + A living man a shadow, while she spake + Words that Odysseus and that Homer heard,-- + _I too, O child, I reached the common doom, + The grave, the goal of fate, and passed away_. + --Such, Anticleia, as thy voice to him, + Across the dim gray gulf of death and time + Is that of Greece, a mother's to a child,-- + Mother of each whose dreams are grave and fair-- + Who sees the Naiad where the streams are bright + And in the sunny ripple of the sea + Cymodoce with floating golden hair: + And in the whisper of the waving oak + Hears still the Dryad's plaint, and, in the wind + That sighs through moonlit woodlands, knows the horn + Of Artemis, and silver shafts and bow. + Therefore if still around this broken vase, + Borne by rough hands, unworthy of their load, + Far from Cephisus and the wandering rills, + There cling a fragrance as of things once sweet, + Of honey from Hymettus' desert hill, + Take thou the gift and hold it close and dear; + For gifts that die have living memories-- + Voices of unreturning days, that breathe + The spirit of a day that never dies. + + + + +ARGUMENT + +Io, the daughter of Inachus, King of Argos, was beloved of Zeus. But +Hera was jealous of that love, and by her ill will was Io given over +to frenzy, and her body took the semblance of a heifer: and Argus, a +many-eyed herdsman, was set by Hera to watch Io whithersoever she +strayed. Yet, in despite of Argus, did Zeus draw nigh unto her in +the shape of a bull. And by the will of Zeus and the craft of Hermes +was Argus slain. Then Io was driven over far lands and seas by her +madness, and came at length to the land of Egypt. There was she +restored to herself by a touch of the hand of Zeus, and bare a child +called Epaphus. And from Epaphus sprang Libya, and from Libya, Belus; +and from Belus, Aegyptus and Danaus. And the sons of Aegyptus willed +to take the daughters of Danaus in marriage. But the maidens held +such wedlock in horror, and fled with their father over the sea to +Argos; and the king and citizens of Argos gave them shelter and +protection from their pursuers. + + + +THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + DANAUS, THE KING OF ARGOS, HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + _Chorus of the Daughters of Danaus. Attendants_. + + _Scene. --A sacred precinct near the gates of Argos: statue and + shrines of Zeus and other deities stand around_. + + +CHORUS + + ZEUS! Lord and guard of suppliant hands! + Look down benign on us who crave + Thine aid--whom winds and waters drave + From where, through drifting shifting sands, + Pours Nilus to the wave. + From where the green land, god-possest, + Closes and fronts the Syrian waste, + We flee as exiles, yet unbanned + By murder's sentence from our land; + But--since Aegyptus had decreed + His sons should wed his brother's seed,-- + Ourselves we tore from bonds abhorred, + From wedlock not of heart but hand, + Nor brooked to call a kinsman lord! + And Danaus, our sire and guide, + The king of counsel, pond'ring well + The dice of fortune as they fell, + Out of two griefs the kindlier chose, + And bade us fly, with him beside, + Heedless what winds or waves arose, + And o'er the wide sea waters haste, + Until to Argos' shore at last + Our wandering pinnace came-- + Argos, the immemorial home + Of her from whom we boast to come-- + Io, the ox-horned maiden, whom, + After long wandering, woe, and scathe, + Zeus with a touch, a mystic breath, + Made mother of our name. + Therefore, of all the lands of earth, + On this most gladly step we forth, + And in our hands aloft we bear-- + Sole weapon for a suppliant's wear-- + The olive-shoot, with wool enwound! + City, and land, and waters wan + Of Inachus, and gods most high, + And ye who, deep beneath the ground, + Bring vengeance weird on mortal man, + Powers of the grave, on you we cry! + And unto Zeus the Saviour, guard + Of mortals' holy purity! + Receive ye us--keep watch and ward + Above the suppliant maiden band! + Chaste be the heart of this your land + Towards the weak! but, ere the throng, + The wanton swarm, from Egypt sprung, + Leap forth upon the silted shore, + Thrust back their swift-rowed bark again, + Repel them, urge them to the main! + And there, 'mid storm and lightning's shine, + And scudding drift and thunder's roar, + Deep death be theirs, in stormy brine! + Before they foully grasp and win + Us, maiden-children of their kin, + And climb the couch by law denied, + And wrong each weak reluctant bride. + And now on her I call, + + Mine ancestress, who far on Egypt's shore + A young cow's semblance wore,-- + A maiden once, by Hera's malice changed! + And then on him withal, + Who, as amid the flowers the grazing creature + ranged, + Was in her by a breath of Zeus conceived; + And, as the hour of birth drew nigh, + By fate fulfilled, unto the light he came; + And Epaphus for name, + Born from the touch of Zeus, the child received. + On him, on him I cry, + And him for patron hold-- + While in this grassy vale I stand, + Where lo roamed of old! + And here, recounting all her toil and pain, + Signs will I show to those who rule the land + That I am child of hers; and all shall understand, + Hearing the doubtful tale of the dim past made plain. + And, ere the end shall be, + Each man the truth of what I tell shall see. + And if there dwell hard by + One skilled to read from bird-notes augury, + That man, when through his ears shall thrill our + tearful wail, + Shall deem he hears the voice, the plaintive tale + Of her, the piteous spouse of Tereus, lord of guile-- + Whom the hawk harries yet, the mourning nightingale. + She, from her happy home and fair streams scared + away, + Wails wild and sad for haunts beloved erewhile. + Yea, and for Itylus--ah, well-a-day! + Slain by her own, his mother's hand, + Maddened by lustful wrong, the deed by Tereus + planned. + Like her I wail and wail, in soft Ionian tones, + And as she wastes, even so + Wastes my soft cheek, once ripe with Nilus' suns + And all my heart dissolves in utter woe + Sad flowers of grief I cull, + + Fleeing from kinsmen's love unmerciful-- + Yea, from the clutching hands, the wanton crowd, + I sped across the waves, from Egypt's land of cloud[1] + +[Footnote: 1: _AeRas apogas_ This epithet may appear strange to +modern readers accustomed to think of Egypt as a land of cloudless +skies and pellucid atmosphere. Nevertheless both Pindar (_Pyth_ iv 93) +and Apollonius Rhodius (iv 267) speak of it in the same way as +Aeschylus. It has been conjectured that they allude to the fog banks +that often obscure the low coasts--a phenomenon likely to impress +the early navigators and to be reported by them.] + + Gods of the ancient cradle of my race, + Hear me, just gods! With righteous grace + On me, on me look down! + Grant not to youth its heart's unchaste desire, + But, swiftly spurning lust's unholy fire, + Bless only love and willing wedlock's crown + The war-worn fliers from the battle's wrack + Find refuge at the hallowed altar-side, + The sanctuary divine,-- + Ye gods! such refuge unto me provide-- + Such sanctuary be mine! + Though the deep will of Zeus be hard to track, + Yet doth it flame and glance, + A beacon in the dark, 'mid clouds of chance + That wrap mankind + Yea, though the counsel fall, undone it shall not be, + Whate'er be shaped and fixed within Zeus' ruling mind-- + Dark as a solemn grove, with sombre leafage shaded, + His paths of purpose wind, + A marvel to man's eye + + Smitten by him, from towering hopes degraded, + Mortals lie low and still + Tireless and effortless, works forth its will + The arm divine! + God from His holy seat, in calm of unarmed power, + Brings forth the deed, at its appointed hour! + Let Him look down on mortal wantonness! + Lo! how the youthful stock of Belus' line + Craves for me, uncontrolled-- + With greed and madness bold-- + Urged on by passion's sunless stress-- + And, cheated, learns too late the prey has 'scaped + their hold! + Ah, listen, listen to my grievous tale, + My sorrow's words, my shrill and tearful cries! + Ah woe, ah woe! + Loud with lament the accents use, + And from my living lips my own sad dirges flow! + O Apian land of hill and dale, + Thou kennest yet, O land, this faltered foreign wail-- + Have mercy, hear my prayer! + Lo, how again, again, I rend and tear + My woven raiment, and from off my hair + Cast the Sidonian veil! + + Ah, but if fortune smile, if death be driven away, + Vowed rites, with eager haste, we to the gods will pay! + Alas, alas again! + O wither drift the waves? and who shall loose the pain? + + O Apian land of hill and dale, + Thou kennest yet, O land, this faltered foreign wail! + Have mercy, hear my prayer! + Lo, how again, again, I rend and tear + My woven raiment, and from off my hair + Cast the Sidonian veil! + + The wafting oar, the bark with woven sail, + From which the sea foamed back, + Sped me, unharmed of storms, along the breeze's track-- + Be it unblamed of me! + But ah, the end, the end of my emprise! + May He, the Father, with all-seeing eyes, + Grant me that end to see! + Grant that henceforth unstained as heretofore + I may escape the forced embrace + Of those proud children of the race + That sacred Io bore. + + And thou, O maiden-goddess chaste and pure-- + Queen of the inner fane,-- + Look of thy grace on me, O Artemis, + Thy willing suppliant--thine, thine it is, + Who from the lustful onslaught fled secure, + To grant that I too without stain + The shelter of thy purity may gain! + + Grant that henceforth unstained as heretofore + I may escape the forced embrace + Of those proud children of the race + That sacred Io bore! + + Yet if this may not be, + We, the dark race sun-smitten, we + Will speed with suppliant wands + To Zeus who rules below, with hospitable hands + Who welcomes all the dead from all the lands: + Yea by our own hands strangled, we will go, + Spurned by Olympian gods, unto the gods below! + + Zeus, hear and save! + The searching, poisonous hate, that Io vexed and drave, + Was of a goddess: well I know + The bitter ire, the wrathful woe + Of Hera, queen of heaven--- + A storm, a storm her breath, whereby we yet are driven! + Bethink thee, what dispraise + Of Zeus himself mankind will raise, + If now he turn his face averted from our cries! + If now, dishonoured and alone, + The ox-horned maiden's race shall be undone, + Children of Epaphus, his own begotten son--- + Zeus, listen from on high!--to thee our prayers arise. + + Zeus, hear and save! + The searching poisonous hate, that Io vexed and drave, + Was of a goddess: well I know + The bitter ire, the wrathful woe + Of Hera, queen of heaven-- + A storm, a storm her breath, whereby we yet are driven! + +DANAUS + + Children, be wary--wary he with whom + Ye come, your trusty sire and steersman old: + And that same caution hold I here on land, + And bid you hoard my words, inscribing them + On memory's tablets. Lo, I see afar + Dust, voiceless herald of a host, arise; + And hark, within their grinding sockets ring + Axles of hurrying wheels! I see approach, + Borne in curved cars, by speeding horses drawn, + A speared and shielded band. The chiefs, perchance, + Of this their land are hitherward intent + To look on us, of whom they yet have heard + By messengers alone. But come who may, + And come he peaceful or in ravening wrath + Spurred on his path, 'twere best, in any case, + Damsels, to cling unto this altar-mound + Made sacred to their gods of festival,-- + A shrine is stronger than a tower to save, + A shield that none may cleave. Step swift thereto, + And in your left hands hold with reverence + The white-crowned wands of suppliance, the sign + Beloved of Zeus, compassion's lord, and speak + To those that question you, words meek and low + And piteous, as beseems your stranger state, + Clearly avowing of this flight of yours + The bloodless cause; and on your utterance + See to it well that modesty attend; + From downcast eyes, from brows of pure control, + Let chastity look forth; nor, when ye speak, + Be voluble nor eager--they that dwell + Within this land are sternly swift to chide. + And be your words submissive: heed this well; + For weak ye are, outcasts on stranger lands, + And froward talk beseems not strengthless hands. + +CHORUS + + O father, warily to us aware + Thy words are spoken, and thy wisdom's best + My mind shall hoard, with Zeus our sire to aid. + +DANAUS + + Even so--with gracious aspect let him aid. + +CHORUS + + Fain were I now to seat me by thy side. + +DANAUS + + Now dally not, but put our thought in act. + +CHORUS + + Zeus, pity our distress, or e'er we die. + +DANAUS + + If so he will, your toils to joy will turn. + +CHORUS + + Lo, on this shrine, the semblance of a bird.[2] + +DANAUS + + Zeus' bird of dawn it is; invoke the sign. + +CHORUS + + Thus I invoke the saving rays of morn. + +[Footnote: 2: The whole of this dialogue in alternate verses is +disarranged in the MSS. The re-arrangement which has approved itself +to Paley has been here followed. It involves, however, a hiatus, +instead of the line to which this note is appended. The substance of +the lost line being easily deducible from the context, it has been +supplied in the translation.] + +DANAUS + + Next, bright Apollo, exiled once from heaven. + +CHORUS + + The exiled god will pity our exile. + +DANAUS + + Yea, may he pity, giving grace and aid. + +CHORUS + + Whom next invoke I, of these other gods? + +DANAUS + + Lo, here a trident, symbol of a god. + +CHORUS + + Who [3] gave sea-safety; may he bless on land! + [Footnote: 3: Poseidon] DANAUS + + This next is Hermes, carved in Grecian wise. + +CHORUS + + Then let him herald help to freedom won. + +DANAUS + + Lastly, adore this altar consecrate + To many lesser gods in one; then crouch + On holy ground, a flock of doves that flee, + Scared by no alien hawks, a kin not kind, + Hateful, and fain of love more hateful still. + Foul is the bird that rends another bird, + And foul the men who hale unwilling maids, + From sire unwilling, to the bridal bed. + Never on earth, nor in the lower world, + Shall lewdness such as theirs escape the ban: + There too, if men say right, a God there is + Who upon dead men turns their sin to doom, + To final doom. Take heed, draw hitherward, + That from this hap your safety ye may win. + [_Enter the_ KING OF ARGOS. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Speak--of what land are ye? No Grecian band + Is this to whom I speak, with Eastern robes + And wrappings richly dight: no Argive maid, + No woman in all Greece such garb doth wear. + This too gives marvel, how unto this land, + Unheralded, unfriended, without guide, + And without fear, ye came? yet wands I see, + True sign of suppliance, by you laid down + On shrines of these our gods of festival. + No land but Greece can read such signs aright. + Much else there is, conjecture well might guess, + But let words teach the man who stands to hear. + +CHORUS + + True is the word thou spakest of my garb; + But speak I unto thee as citizen, + Or Hermes' wandbearer, or chieftain king? + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + For that, take heart and answer without fear. + I am Pelasgus, ruler of this land, + Child of Palaichthon, whom the earth brought forth; + And, rightly named from me, the race who reap + This country's harvests are Pelasgian called. + And o'er the wide and westward-stretching land, + Through which the lucent wave of Strymon flows + I rule; Perrhaebia's land my boundary is + Northward, and Pindus' further slopes, that watch + Paeonia, and Dodona's mountain ridge. + West, east, the limit of the washing seas + Restrains my rule--the interspace is mine. + But this whereon we stand is Apian land, + Styled so of old from the great healer's name; + For Apis, coming from Naupactus' shore + Beyond the strait, child of Apollo's self + And like him seer and healer, cleansed this land + From man-devouring monsters, whom the earth, + Stained with pollution of old bloodshedding, + Brought forth in malice, beasts of ravening jaws, + A grisly throng of serpents manifold. + And healings of their hurt, by knife and charm, + Apis devised, unblamed of Argive men, + And in their prayers found honour, for reward. + --Lo, thou hast heard the tokens that I give: + Speak now thy race, and tell a forthright tale; + In sooth, this people loves not many words. + +CHORUS + + Short is my word and clear. Of Argive race + We come, from her, the ox-horned maiden who + Erst bare the sacred child. My word shall give + Whate'er can 'stablish this my soothfast tale. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + O stranger maids, I may not trust this word, + That ye have share in this our Argive race. + No likeness of our country do ye bear, + But semblance as of Libyan womankind. + Even such a stock by Nilus' banks might grow; + Yea and the Cyprian stamp, in female forms, + Shows to the life, what males impressed the same. + And, furthermore, of roving Indian maids + Whose camping-grounds by Aethiopia lie, + And camels burdened even as mules, and bearing + Riders, as horses bear, mine ears have heard; + And tales of flesh-devouring mateless maids + Called Amazons: to these, if bows ye bare, + I most had deemed you like. Speak further yet, + That of your Argive birth the truth I learn. + +CHORUS + + Here in this Argive land--so runs the tale-- + Io was priestess once of Hera's fane. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Yea, truth it is, and far this word prevails: + Is't said that Zeus with mortal mingled love? + +CHORUS + + Ay, and that Hera that embrace surmised. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + How issued then this strife of those on high? + +CHORUS + + By Hera's will, a heifer she became. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Held Zeus aloof then from the horned beast? + +CHORUS + + 'Tis said, he loved, in semblance of a bull. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + And his stern consort, did she aught thereon? + +CHORUS + + One myriad-eyed she set, the heifer's guard. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + How namest thou this herdsman many-eyed? + +CHORUS + + Argus, the child of Earth, whom Hermes slew. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Still did the goddess vex the beast ill-starred? + +CHORUS + + She wrought a gadfly with a goading sting. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Thus drave she Io hence, to roam afar? + +CHORUS + + Yea--this thy word coheres exact with mine. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Then to Canopus and to Memphis came she? + +CHORUS + + And by Zeus' hand was touched, and bare a child. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Who vaunts him the Zeus-mated creature's son? + +CHORUS + + Epaphus, named rightly from the saving touch. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + And whom in turn did Epaphus beget?[4] + +[Footnote: 4: Here one verse at least has been lost. The conjecture +of Bothe seems to be verified, as far as substance is concerned, by +the next line, and has consequently been adopted.] + +CHORUS + + Libya, with name of a wide land endowed. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + And who from her was born unto the race? + +CHORUS + + Belus: from him two sons, my father one. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Speak now to me his name, this greybeard wise. + +CHORUS + + Revere the gods thus crowned, who steer the State. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Awe thrills me, seeing these shrines with leafage crowned. + +CHORUS + + Yea, stern the wrath of Zeus, the suppliants' lord. + Child of Palaichthon, royal chief + Of thy Pelasgians, hear! + Bow down thine heart to my relief-- + A fugitive, a suppliant, swift with fear, + A creature whom the wild wolves chase + O'er toppling crags; in piteous case + Aloud, afar she lows, + Calling the herdsman's trusty arm to save her from her foes! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Lo, with bowed heads beside our city shrines + Ye sit 'neath shade of new-plucked olive-boughs. + Our distant kin's resentment Heaven forefend! + Let not this hap, unhoped and unforeseen, + Bring war on us: for strife we covet not. + +CHORUS + + Justice, the daughter of right-dealing Zeus, + Justice, the queen of suppliants, look down, + That this our plight no ill may loose + Upon your town! + This word, even from the young, let age and wisdom learn: + If thou to suppliants show grace, + Thou shalt not lack Heaven's grace in turn, + So long as virtue's gifts on heavenly shrines have place. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Not at my private hearth ye sit and sue; + And if the city bear a common stain, + Be it the common toil to cleanse the same: + Therefore no pledge, no promise will I give, + Ere counsel with the commonwealth be held. + +CHORUS + + Nay, but the source of sway, the city's self, art thou, + A power unjudged! thine, only thine, + To rule the right of hearth and shrine! + Before thy throne and sceptre all men bow! + Thou, in all causes lord, beware the curse divine! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + May that curse fall upon mine enemies! + I cannot aid you without risk of scathe, + Nor scorn your prayers--unmerciful it were. + Perplexed, distraught I stand, and fear alike + The twofold chance, to do or not to do. + +CHORUS + + Have heed of him who looketh from on high, + The guard of woeful mortals, whosoe'er + Unto their fellows cry, + And find no pity, find no justice there. + Abiding in his wrath, the suppliants' lord + Doth smite, unmoved by cries, unbent by prayerful word. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + But if Aegyptus' children grasp you here, + Claiming, their country's right, to hold you theirs + As next of kin, who dares to counter this? + Plead ye your country's laws, if plead ye may, + That upon you they lay no lawful hand. + +CHORUS + + Let me not fall, O nevermore, + A prey into the young men's hand; + Rather than wed whom I abhor, + By pilot-stars I flee this land; + O king, take justice to thy side, + And with the righteous powers decide! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Hard is the cause--make me not judge thereof. + Already I have vowed it, to do nought + Save after counsel with my people ta'en, + King though I be; that ne'er in after time, + If ill fate chance, my people then may say-- + _In aid of strangers thou the state hast slain_. + +CHORUS + + Zeus, lord of kinship, rules at will + The swaying balance, and surveys + Evil and good; to men of ill + Gives evil, and to good men praise. + And thou--since true those scales do sway-- + Shall thou from justice shrink away? + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + A deep, a saving counsel here there needs-- + An eye that like a diver to the depth + Of dark perplexity can pass and see, + Undizzied, unconfused. First must we care + That to the State and to ourselves this thing + Shall bring no ruin; next, that wrangling hands + Shall grasp you not as prey, nor we ourselves + Betray you thus embracing sacred shrines, + Nor make the avenging all-destroying god, + Who not in hell itself sets dead men free, + A grievous inmate, an abiding bane.-- + Spake I not right, of saving counsel's need? + +CHORUS + + Yea, counsel take and stand to aid + At Justice' side and mine. + Betray not me, the timorous maid + Whom far beyond the brine + A godless violence cast forth forlorn. + O King, wilt thou behold-- + Lord of this land, wilt thou behold me torn + From altars manifold? + Bethink thee of the young men's wrath and lust, + Hold off their evil pride; + Steel not thyself to see the suppliant thrust + From hallowed statues' side, + Haled by the frontlet on my forehead bound, + As steeds are led, and drawn + By hands that drag from shrine and altar-mound + My vesture's fringed lawn. + Know thou that whether for Aegyptus' race + Thou dost their wish fulfil, + Or for the gods and for each holy place-- + Be thy choice good or ill, + Blow is with blow requited, grace with grace + Such is Zeus' righteous will. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Yea, I have pondered: from the sea of doubt + Here drives at length the bark of thought ashore; + Landward with screw and windlass haled, and firm, + Clamped to her props, she lies. The need is stern; + With men or gods a mighty strife we strive + Perforce, and either hap in grief concludes. + For, if a house be sacked, new wealth for old + Not hard it is to win--if Zeus the lord + Of treasure favour--more than quits the loss, + Enough to pile the store of wealth full high; + Or if a tongue shoot forth untimely speech, + Bitter and strong to goad a man to wrath, + Soft words there be to soothe that wrath away: + But what device shall make the war of kin + Bloodless? that woe, the blood of many beasts, + And victims manifold to many gods, + Alone can cure. Right glad I were to shun + This strife, and am more fain of ignorance + Than of the wisdom of a woe endured. + The gods send better than my soul foretells! + +CHORUS + + Of many cries for mercy, hear the end. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Say on, then, for it shall not 'scape mine ear. + +CHORUS + + Girdles we have, and bands that bind our robes. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Even so; such things beseem a woman's wear. + +CHORUS + + Know, then, with these a fair device there is-- + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Speak, then: what utterance doth this foretell? + +CHORUS + + Unless to us thou givest pledge secure-- + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + What can thy girdles' craft achieve for thee? + +CHORUS + + Strange votive tablets shall these statues deck. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Mysterious thy resolve--avow it clear. + +CHORUS + + Swiftly to hang me on these sculptured gods! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Thy word is as a lash to urge my heart. + +CHORUS + + Thou seest truth, for I have cleared thine eye + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Yea, and woes manifold, invincible, + A crowd of ills, sweep on me torrent-like. + My bark goes forth upon a sea of troubles + Unfathomed, ill to traverse, harbourless. + For if my deed shall match not your demand, + Dire, beyond shot of speech, shall be the bane + Your death's pollution leaves unto this land. + Yet if against your kin, Aegyptus' race, + Before our gates I front the doom of war, + Will not the city's loss be sore? Shall men + For women's sake incarnadine the ground? + But yet the wrath of Zeus, the suppliants' lord + I needs must fear: most awful unto man + The terror of his anger. Thou, old man, + The father of these maidens, gather up + Within your arms these wands of suppliance, + And lay them at the altars manifold + Of all our country's gods, that all the town + Know, by this sign, that ye come here to sue. + Nor, in thy haste, do thou say aught of me. + Swift is this folk to censure those who rule; + But, if they see these signs of suppliance, + It well may chance that each will pity you, + And loathe the young men's violent pursuit; + And thus a fairer favour you may find: + For, to the helpless, each man's heart is kind. + +DANAUS + + To us, beyond gifts manifold it is + To find a champion thus compassionate; + Yet send with me attendants, of thy folk, + Rightly to guide me, that I duly find + Each altar of your city's gods that stands + Before the fane, each dedicated shrine; + And that in safety through the city's ways + I may pass onwards: all unlike to yours + The outward semblance that I wear--the race + that Nilus rears is all dissimilar + That of Inachus. Keep watch and ward + Lest heedlessness bring death: full oft, I ween, + Friend hath slain friend, not knowing whom he slew. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Go at his side, attendants,--he saith well. + On to the city's consecrated shrines! + Nor be of many words to those ye meet, + The while this suppliant voyager ye lead. + [_Exit_ DANAUS _with attendants_. + +CHORUS + + Let him go forward, thy command obeying. + But me how biddest, how assurest thou? + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Leave there the new-plucked boughs, thy sorrow's sign. + +CHORUS + + Thus beckoned forth, at thy behest I leave them. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Now to this level precinct turn thyself. + +CHORUS + + Unconsecrate it is, and cannot shield me. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + We will not yield thee to those falcons' greed. + +CHORUS + + What help? more fierce they are than serpents fell + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + We spake thee fair--speak thou them fair in turn. + +CHORUS + + What marvel that we loathe them, scared in soul? + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Awe towards a king should other fears transcend. + +CHORUS + + Thus speak, thus act, and reassure my mind. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Not long thy sire shall leave thee desolate. + But I will call the country's indwellers, + And with soft words th' assembly will persuade, + And warn your sire what pleadings will avail. + Therefore abide ye, and with prayer entreat + The country's gods to compass your desire; + The while I go, this matter to provide, + Persuasion and fair fortune at my side. + [_Exit the_ KING OF ARGOS. + +CHORUS + + O King of Kings, among the blest + Thou highest and thou happiest, + Listen and grant our prayer, + And, deeply loathing, thrust + Away from us the young men's lust, + And deeply drown + In azure waters, down and ever down, + Benches and rowers dark, + The fatal and perfidious bark! + Unto the maidens turn thy gracious care; + Think yet again upon the tale of fame, + How from the maiden loved of thee there sprung + Mine ancient line, long since in many a legend sung! + Remember, O remember, thou whose hand + Did Io by a touch to human shape reclaim. + For from this Argos erst our mother came + Driven hence to Egypt's land, + Yet sprung of Zeus we were, and hence our birth we claim. + And now have I roamed back + Unto the ancient track + Where Io roamed and pastured among flowers, + Watched o'er by Argus' eyes, + Through the lush grasses and the meadow bowers. + Thence, by the gadfly maddened, forth she flies + Unto far lands and alien peoples driven + And, following fate, through paths of foam and surge, + Sees, as she goes, the cleaving strait divide + Greece, from the Eastland riven. + And swift through Asian borders doth she urge + Her course, o'er Phrygian mountains' sheep-clipt side; + Thence, where the Mysian realm of Teuthras lies + Towards Lydian lowlands hies, + And o'er Cilician and Pamphylian hills + And ever-flowing rills, + And thence to Aphrodite's fertile shore, [5] + [Footnote: 5: Cyprus.] + The land of garnered wheat and wealthy store + And thence, deep-stung by wild unrest, + By the winged fly that goaded her and drave, + Unto the fertile land, the god-possest, + (Where, fed from far-off snows, + Life-giving Nilus flows, + Urged on by Typho's strength, a fertilizing wave) + She roves, in harassed and dishonoured flight + Scathed by the blasting pangs of Hera's dread despite. + And they within the land + With terror shook and wanned, + So strange the sight they saw, and were afraid-- + A wild twy-natured thing, half heifer and half maid. + Whose hand was laid at last on Io, thus forlorn, + With many roamings worn? + Who bade the harassed maiden's peace return? + Zeus, lord of time eterne. + Yea, by his breath divine, by his unscathing strength, + She lays aside her bane, + And softened back to womanhood at length + Sheds human tears again. + Then, quickened with Zeus' veritable seed, + A progeny she bare, + A stainless babe, a child of heavenly breed. + Of life and fortune fair. + _His is the life of life_--so all men say,-- + _His is the seed of Zeus. + Who else had power stern Hera's craft to stay, + Her vengeful curse to loose_? + + Yea, all from Zeus befell! + And rightly wouldst thou tell + That we from Epaphus, his child, were born: + Justly his deed was done; + Unto what other one, + Of all the gods, should I for justice turn? + From him our race did spring; + Creator he and King, + Ancient of days and wisdom he, and might. + As bark before the wind, + So, wafted by his mind, + Moves every counsel, each device aright. + Beneath no stronger hand + Holds he a weak command, + No throne doth he abase him to adore; + Swift as a word, his deed + Acts out what stands decreed + In counsels of his heart, for evermore. + [_Re-enter_ DANAUS. + +DANAUS + + Take heart, my children: the land's heart is kind, + And to full issue has their voting come. + +CHORUS + + All hail, my sire; thy word brings utmost joy. + Say, to what issue is the vote made sure, + And how prevailed the people's crowding hands? + +DANAUS + + With one assent the Argives spake their will, + And, hearing, my old heart took youthful cheer, + The very sky was thrilled when high in air + The concourse raised right hands and swore their oath:-- + _Free shall the maidens sojourn in this land. + Unharried, undespoiled by mortal wight: + No native hand, no hand of foreigner + Shall drag them hence; if any man use force-- + Whoe'er of all our countrymen shall fail + To come unto their aid, let him go forth, + Beneath the people's curse, to banishment_. + So did the king of this Pelasgian folk + Plead on behalf of us, and bade them heed + That never, in the after-time, this realm + Should feed to fulness the great enmity + Of Zeus, the suppliants' guard, against itself! + A twofold curse, for wronging stranger-guests + Who are akin withal, confrontingly + Should rise before this city and be shown + A ruthless monster, fed on human doom. + Such things the Argive people heard, and straight, + Without proclaim of herald, gave assent: + Yea, in full conclave, the Pelasgian folk + Heard suasive pleas, and Zeus through them resolved. + +CHORUS + + Arouse we now to chant our prayer + For fair return of service fair + And Argos' kindly will. + Zeus, lord of guestright, look upon + The grace our stranger lips have won. + In right and truth, as they begun, + Guide them, with favouring hand, until + Thou dost their blameless wish fulfil! + + Now may the Zeus-born gods on high + Hear us pour forth + A votive prayer for Argos' clan!-- + Never may this Pelasgian earth, + Amid the fire-wrack, shrill the dismal cry + On Ares, ravening lord of fight, + Who in an alien harvest mows down man! + For lo, this land had pity on our plight, + And unto us were merciful and leal, + To us, the piteous flock, who at Zeus' altar kneel! + They scornd not the pleas of maidenhood, + Nor with the young men's will hath their will stood. + They knew right well. + + Th' unearthly watching fiend invincible, + The foul avenger--let him not draw near! + For he, on roofs ill-starred, + Defiling and polluting, keeps a ghastly ward! + They knew his vengeance, and took holy heed + To us, the sister suppliants, who cry + To Zeus, the lord of purity: + Therefore with altars pure they shall the gods revere. + + Thus, through the boughs that shade our lips, fly forth in air, + Fly forth, O eager prayer! + May never pestilence efface + This city's race, + Nor be the land with corpses strewed, + Nor stained with civic blood! + The stem of youth, unpluckt, to manhood come, + Nor Ares rise from Aphrodit's bower, + The lord of death and bane, to waste our youthful flower. + Long may the old + Crowd to the altars kindled to consume + Gifts rich and manifold-- + Offered to win from powers divine + A benison on city and on shrine: + Let all the sacred might adore + Of Zeus most high, the lord + Of guestright and the hospitable board, + Whose immemorial law doth rule Fate's scales aright: + The garners of earth's store + Be full for evermore, + And grace of Artemis make women's travail light; + No devastating curse of fell disease + This city seize; + No clamour of the State arouse to war + Ares, from whom afar + Shrinketh the lute, by whom the dances fail-- + Ares, the lord of wail. + Swarm far aloof from Argos' citizens + All plague and pestilence, + And may the Archer-God our children spare! + May Zeus with foison and with fruitfulness + The land's each season bless, + And, quickened with Heaven's bounty manifold, + Teem grazing flock and fold. + Beside the altars of Heaven's hallowing + Loud let the minstrels sing, + And from pure lips float forth the harp-led strain in air! + And let the people's voice, the power + That sways the State, in danger's hour + Be wary, wise for all; + Nor honour in dishonour hold, + But--ere the voice of war be bold-- + Let them to stranger peoples grant + Fair and unbloody covenant-- + Justice and peace withal; + And to the Argive powers divine + The sacrifice of laurelled kine, + By rite ancestral, pay. + Among three words of power and awe, + Stands this, the third, the mighty law-- + _Your gods, your fathers deified, + Ye shall adore_. Let this abide + For ever and for aye. + +DANAUS + + Dear children, well and wisely have ye prayed; + I bid you now not shudder, though ye hear + New and alarming tidings from your sire. + From this high place beside the suppliants' shrine + The bark of our pursuers I behold, + By divers tokens recognized too well. + Lo, the spread canvas and the hides that screen + The gunwale; lo, the prow, with painted eyes + That seem her onward pathway to descry, + Heeding too well the rudder at the stern + That rules her, coming for no friendly end. + And look, the seamen--all too plain their race-- + Their dark limbs gleam from out their snow-white garb; + Plain too the other barks, a fleet that comes + All swift to aid the purpose of the first, + That now, with furled sail and with pulse of oars + Which smite the wave together, comes aland. + But ye, be calm, and, schooled not scared by fear, + Confront this chance, be mindful of your trust + In these protecting gods. And I will hence, + And champions who shall plead your cause aright + Will bring unto your side. There come perchance + Heralds or envoys, eager to lay hand + And drag you captive hence; yet fear them not; + Foiled shall they be. Yet well it were for you + (If, ere with aid I come, I tarry long), + Not by one step this sanctuary to leave. + Farewell, fear nought: soon shall the hour be born + When he that scorns the gods shall rue his scorn + +CHORUS + + Ah but I shudder, father!--ah, even now, + Even as I speak, the swift-winged ships draw nigh! + + I shudder, I shiver, I perish with fear: + Overseas though I fled, + Yet nought it avails; my pursuers are near! + +DANAUS + + Children, take heart; they who decreed to aid + Thy cause will arm for battle, well I ween. + +CHORUS + + But desperate is Aegyptus' ravening race, + With fight unsated; thou too know'st it well. + + In their wrath they o'ertake us; the prow is deep-dark + In the which they have sped, + And dark is the bench and the crew of the bark! + +DANAUS + + Yea but a crew as stout they here shall find, + And arms well steeled beneath a noon-day sun. + +CHORUS + + Ah yet, O father, leave us not forlorn! + Alone, a maid is nought, a strengthless arm. + With guile they Pursue me, with counsel malign, + And unholy their soul; + And as ravens they seize me, unheeding the shrine! + +DANAUS + + Fair will befall us, children, in this chance, + If thus in wrath they wrong the gods and you. + +CHORUS + + Alas, nor tridents nor the sanctity + Of shrines will drive them, O my sire, from us! + + Unholy and daring and cursed is their ire, + Nor own they control + Of the gods, but like jackals they glut their desire! + +DANAUS + + Ay, but _Come wolf, flee jackal_, saith the saw; + Nor can the flax-plant overbear the corn. + +CHORUS + + Lustful, accursd, monstrous is their will + As of beasts ravening--'ware we of their power! + +DANAUS + + Look you, not swiftly puts a fleet to sea, + Nor swiftly to its moorings; long it is + Or e'er the saving cables to the shore + Are borne, and long or e'er the steersmen cry, + _The good ship swings at anchor--all is well_. + Longest of all, the task to come aland + Where haven there is none, when sunset fades + In night. _To pilot wise_, the adage saith, + _Night is a day of wakefulness and pain_. + Therefore no force of weaponed men, as yet + Scatheless can come ashore, before the bank + Lie at her anchorage securely moored. + Bethink thee therefore, nor in panic leave + The shrine of gods whose succour thou hast won + I go for aid--men shall not blame me long, + Old, but with youth at heart and on my tongue + [_Exit_ DANAUS. + +CHORUS + + O land of hill and dale, O holy land, + What shall befall us? whither shall we flee, + From Apian land to some dark lair of earth? + + O would that in vapour of smoke I might rise to the + clouds of the sky, + That as dust which flits up without wings I might pass + and evanish and die! + I dare not, I dare not abide: my heart yearns, eager + to fly; + And dark is the cast of my thought; I shudder and + tremble for fear. + My father looked forth and beheld: I die of the sight + that draws near. + And for me be the strangling cord, the halter made + ready by Fate, + Before to my body draws nigh the man of my horror + and hate. + Nay, ere I will own him as lord, as handmaid to + Hades I go! + And oh, that aloft in the sky, where the dark clouds + are frozen to snow, + A refuge for me might be found, or a mountain-top + smooth and too high + + For the foot of the goat, where the vulture sits lonely, + and none may descry + The pinnacle veiled in the cloud, + the highest and sheerest of all, + Ere to wedlock that rendeth my heart, + and love that is loveless, I fall! + Yea, a prey to the dogs and the birds of the mount + will I give me to be,-- + From wailing and curse and pollution it is death, + only death, sets me free: + Let death come upon me before + to the ravisher's bed I am thrust; + What champion, what saviour but death can I find, + or what refuge from lust? + I will utter my shriek of entreaty, + a prayer that shrills up to the sky, + That calleth the gods to compassion, + a tuneful, a pitiful cry, + That is loud to invoke the releaser. + O father, look down on the fight; + Look down in thy wrath on the wronger, + with eyes that are eager for right. + Zeus, thou that art lord of the world, + whose kingdom is strong over all, + Have mercy on us! At thine altar for refuge + and safety we call. + For the race of Aegyptus is fierce, + with greed and with malice afire; + They cry as the questing hounds, + they sweep with the speed of desire. + But thine is the balance of fate, + thou rulest the wavering scale, + And without thee no mortal emprise + shall have strength to achieve or prevail. + + Alack, alack! the ravisher-- + He leaps from boat to beach, he draweth near! + Away, thou plunderer accurst! + Death seize thee first, + Or e'er thou touch me--off! God, hear our cry, + Our maiden agony! + Ah, ah, the touch, the prelude of my shame. + Alas, my maiden fame! + O sister, sister, to the altar cling, + For he that seizeth me, + Grim is his wrath and stern, by land as on the sea. + Guard us, O king! + [_Enter the_ HERALD OF AEGYPTUS] + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Hence to my barge--step swiftly, tarry not. + +CHORUS + + Alack, he rends--he rends my hair! O wound on + wound! + Help! my lopped head will fall, my blood gush o'er + the ground! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Aboard, ye cursd--with a new curse, go! + +CHORUS + + Would God that on the wand'ring brine + Thou and this braggart tongue of thine + Had sunk beneath the main-- + Thy mast and planks, made fast in vain! + Thee would I drive aboard once more, + A slayer and a dastard, from the shore! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Be still, thou vain demented soul; + My force thy craving shall control. + Away, aboard! What, clingest to the shrine? + Away! this city's gods I hold not for divine. + +CHORUS + + Aid me, ye gods, that never, never + I may again behold + The mighty, the life-giving river, + Nilus, the quickener of field and fold! + Alack, O sire, unto the shrine I cling-- + Shrine of this land from which mine ancient line did spring! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Shrines, shrines, forsooth!--the ship, the ship be shrine! + Aboard, perforce and will-ye nill-ye, go! + Or e'er from hands of mine + Ye suffer torments worse and blow on blow. + +CHORUS + + Alack, God grant those hands may strive in vain + With the salt-streaming wave, + When 'gainst the wide-blown blasts thy bark shall strain + To round Sarpedon's cape, the sandbank's treach'rous grave. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Shrill ye and shriek unto what gods ye may, + Ye shall not leap from out Aegyptus' bark, + How bitterly soe'er ye wail your woe. + +CHORUS + + Alack, alack my wrong! + Stern is thy voice, thy vaunting loud and strong. + Thy sire, the mighty Nilus, drive thee hence + Turning to death and doom thy greedy violence! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Swift to the vessel of the double prow, + Go quickly! let none linger, else this hand + Ruthless will hale you by your tresses hence. + +CHORUS + + Alack, O father! from the shrine + Not aid but agony is mine. + As a spider he creeps and he clutches his prey, + And he hales me away. + A spectre of darkness, of darkness. Alas and alas! well-a-day! + O Earth, O my mother! O Zeus, thou king of the earth, and her child! + Turn back, we pray thee, from us his clamour and threatenings wild! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Peace! I fear not this country's deities. + They fostered not my childhood nor mine age. + +CHORUS + + Like a snake that is human he comes, + he shudders and crawls to my side; + As an adder that biteth the foot, + his clutch on my flesh doth abide. + O Earth, O my mother! O Zeus, thou king of the earth, + and her child! + Turn back, we pray thee, from us his clamour + and threatenings wild! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Swift each unto the ship; repine no more, + Or my hand shall not spare to rend your robe. + +CHORUS + + O chiefs, O leaders, aid me, or I yield! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Peace! if ye have not ears to hear my words, + Lo, by these tresses must I hale you hence. + +CHORUS + + Undone we are, O king! all hope is gone. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Ay, kings enow ye shall behold anon, + Aegyptus' sons--Ye shall not want for kings. + [_Enter the_ KING OF ARGOS. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Sirrah, what dost thou? in what arrogance + Darest thou thus insult Pelasgia's realm? + Deemest thou this a woman-hearted town? + Thou art too full of thy barbarian scorn + For us of Grecian blood, and, erring thus, + Thou dost bewray thyself a fool in all! + + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Say thou wherein my deeds transgress my right. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + First, that thou play'st a stranger's part amiss. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Wherein? I do but search and claim mine own. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + To whom of our guest-champions hast appealed? + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + To Hermes, herald's champion, lord of search. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Yea, to a god--yet dost thou wrong the gods! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + The gods that rule by Nilus I revere. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Hear I aright? our Argive gods are nought? + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + The prey is mine, unless force rend it from me. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + At thine own peril touch them--'ware, and soon! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + I hear thy speech, no hospitable word. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + I am no host for sacrilegious hands. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + I will go tell this to Aegyptus' sons. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Tell it! my pride will ponder not thy word. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Yet, that I have my message clear to say + (For it behooves that heralds' words be clear, + Be they or ill or good), how art thou named? + By whom despoild of this sister-band + Of maidens pass I homeward?--speak and say! + For lo, henceforth in Ares' court we stand, + Who judges not by witness but by war: + No pledge of silver now can bring the cause + To issue: ere this thing end, there must be + Corpse piled on corpse and many lives gasped forth. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + What skills it that I tell my name to thee? + Thou and thy mates shall learn it ere the end. + Know that if words unstained by violence + Can change these maidens' choice, then mayest thou, + With full consent of theirs, conduct them hence. + But thus the city with one voice ordained-- + + _No force shall bear away the maiden band_. + + Firmly this word upon the temple wall + Is by a rivet clenched, and shall abide: + Not upon wax inscribed and delible, + Nor upon parchment sealed and stored away.-- + Lo, thou hast heard our free mouths speak their will: + Out from our presence--tarry not, but go! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Methinks we stand on some new edge of war: + Be strength and triumph on the young men's side! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Nay but here also shall ye find young men, + Unsodden with the juices oozed from grain.[6] + [_Exit_ HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + But ye, O maids, with your attendants true, + Pass hence with trust into the fencd town, + Ringed with a wide confine of guarding towers. + Therein are many dwellings for such guests + As the State honours; there myself am housed + Within a palace neither scant nor strait. + There dwell ye, if ye will to lodge at ease + In halls well-thronged: yet, if your soul prefer, + Tarry secluded in a separate home. + Choose ye and cull, from these our proffered gifts, + Whiche'er is best and sweetest to your will: + And I and all these citizens whose vote + Stands thus decreed, will your protectors be. + Look not to find elsewhere more loyal guard. + +[Footnote: 6: For this curious taunt, strongly illustrative of what +Browning calls "nationality in drinks," see Herodotus, ii. 77. A +similar feeling may perhaps be traced in Tacitus' description of the +national beverage of the Germans: "Potui humor ex hordeo aut frumento, +_in quandam similitudinem vini corruptus_" (_Germania_, chap, xxiii).] + +CHORUS + + O godlike chief, God grant my prayer: + _Fair blessings on thy proffers fair, + Lord of Pelasgia's race_! + Yet, of thy grace, unto our side + Send thou the man of courage tried, + Of counsel deep and prudent thought,-- + Be Danaus to his children brought; + For his it is to guide us well + And warn where it behoves to dwell-- + What place shall guard and shelter us + From malice and tongues slanderous: + Swift always are the lips of blame + A stranger-maiden to defame-- + But Fortune give us grace! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + A stainless fame, a welcome kind + From all this people shall ye find: + Dwell therefore, damsels, loved of us, + Within our walls, as Danaus + Allots to each, in order due, + Her dower of attendants true. + [_Re-enter_ DANAUS. DANAUS + + High thanks, my children, unto Argos con, + And to this folk, as to Olympian gods, + Give offerings meet of sacrifice and wine; + For saviours are they in good sooth to you. + From me they heard, and bitter was their wrath, + How those your kinsmen strove to work you wrong, + And how of us were thwarted: then to me + This company of spearmen did they grant, + That honoured I might walk, nor unaware + Die by some secret thrust and on this land + Bring down the curse of death, that dieth not. + Such boons they gave me: it behoves me pay + A deeper reverence from a soul sincere. + Ye, to the many words of wariness + Spoken by me your father, add this word, + That, tried by time, our unknown company + Be held for honest: over-swift are tongues + To slander strangers, over-light is speech + To bring pollution on a stranger's name. + Therefore I rede you, bring no shame on me + Now when man's eye beholds your maiden prime. + Lovely is beauty's ripening harvest-field, + But ill to guard; and men and beasts, I wot, + And birds and creeping things make prey of it. + And when the fruit is ripe for love, the voice + Of Aphrodite bruiteth it abroad, + The while she guards the yet unripened growth. + On the fair richness of a maiden's bloom + Each passer looks, o'ercome with strong desire, + With eyes that waft the wistful dart of love. + Then be not such our hap, whose livelong toil + Did make our pinnace plough the mighty main: + Nor bring we shame upon ourselves, and joy + Unto my foes. Behold, a twofold home-- + One of the king's and one the people's gift-- + Unbought, 'tis yours to hold,--a gracious boon. + Go--but remember ye your sire's behest, + And hold your life less dear than chastity. + +CHORUS + + The gods above grant that all else be well. + But fear not thou, O sire, lest aught befall + Of ill unto our ripened maidenhood. + So long as Heaven have no new ill devised, + From its chaste path my spirit shall not swerve. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Pass and adore ye the Blessed, the gods of the city + who dwell + Around Erasinus, the gush of the swift immemorial + tide. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Chant ye, O maidens; aloud let the praise of + Pelasgia swell; + Hymn we no longer the shores where Nilus to ocean + doth glide. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Sing we the bounteous streams that ripple and gush + through the city; + Quickening flow they and fertile, the soft new life of + the plain. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Artemis, maiden most pure, look on us with grace + and with pity-- + Save us from forced embraces: such love hath no + crown but a pain. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Yet not in scorn we chant, but in honour of + Aphrodite; + She truly and Hera alone have power with Zeus and + control. + Holy the deeds of her rite, her craft is secret and + mighty, + And high is her honour on earth, and subtle her + sway of the soul. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Yea, and her child is Desire: in the train of his + mother he goeth-- + Yea and Persuasion soft-lipped, whom none can deny + or repel: + Cometh Harmonia too, on whom Aphrodite bestoweth + The whispering parley, the paths of the rapture that + lovers love well. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Ah, but I tremble and quake lest again they should + sail to reclaim! + Alas for the sorrow to come, the blood and the + carnage of war. + Ah, by whose will was it done that o'er the wide + ocean they came, + Guided by favouring winds, and wafted by sail and + by oar? + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Peace! for what Fate hath ordained will surely not + tarry but come; + Wide is the counsel of Zeus, by no man escaped or + withstood: + Only I Pray that whate'er, in the end, of this wedlock + he doom, + We as many a maiden of old, may win from the ill + to the good.[7] + +[Footnote: 7: The ambiguity of these two lines is reproduced from +the original. The Semi-Chorus appear to pray, in one aspiration, +that the threatened wedlock may never take place, and, _if_ it does +take place, may be for weal, not woe.] + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Great Zeus, this wedlock turn from me-- + Me from the kinsman bridegroom guard! + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Come what come may, 'tis Fate's decree. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Soft is thy word--the doom is hard. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Thou know'st not what the Fates provide. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + How should I scan Zeus' mighty will, + The depth of counsel undescried? + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Pray thou no word of omen ill. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + What timely warning wouldst thou teach? + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Beware, nor slight the gods in speech. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Zeus, hold from my body the wedlock detested, the + bridegroom abhorred! + It was thou, it was thou didst release + Mine ancestress Io from sorrow: thine healing it + was that restored, + The touch of thine hand gave her peace. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Be thy will for the cause of the maidens! of two ills, + the lesser I pray-- + The exile that leaveth me pure. + May thy justice have heed to my cause, my prayers + to thy mercy find way! + For the hands of thy saving are sure. + [_Exeunt omnes_. + + + + + +THE PERSIANS + + + + +ARGUMENT + +Xerxes, son of Darius and of his wife Atossa, daughter of Cyrus, +went forth against Hellas, to take vengeance upon those who had +defeated his father at Marathon. But ill fortune befell the king and +his army both by land and sea; neither did it avail him that he cast +a bridge over the Hellespont and made a canal across the promontory +of Mount Athos, and brought myriads of men, by land and sea, to +subdue the Greeks. For in the strait between Athens and the island +of Salamis the Persian ships were shattered and sunk or put to +flight by those of Athens and Lacedaemon and Aegina and Corinth, and +Xerxes went homewards on the way by which he had come, leaving his +general Mardonius with three hundred thousand men to strive with the +Greeks by land: but in the next year they were destroyed near +Plataea in Boeotia, by the Lacedaemonians and Athenians and Tegeans. +Such was the end of the army which Xerxes left behind him. But the +king himself had reached the bridge over the Hellespont, and late and +hardly and in sorry plight and with few companions came home unto +the Palace of Susa. + + + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + CHORUS OF PERSIAN ELDERS. + ATOSSA, WIDOW OF DARIUS AND MOTHER OF XERXES. + A MESSENGER. + THE GHOST OF DARIUS. + XERXES. + + _The Scene is laid at the Palace of Susa_. + + + +CHORUS + + Away unto the Grecian land + Hath passed the Persian armament: + We, by the monarch's high command, + We are the warders true who stand, + Chosen, for honour and descent, + To watch the wealth of him who went-- + Guards of the gold, and faithful styled + By Xerxes, great Darius' child! + + But the king went nor comes again-- + And for that host, we saw depart + Arrayed in gold, my boding heart + Aches with a pulse of anxious pain, + Presageful for its youthful king! + No scout, no steed, no battle-car + Comes speeding hitherward, to bring + News to our city from afar! + Erewhile they went, away, away, + From Susa, from Ecbatana, + From Kissa's timeworn fortress grey, + Passing to ravage and to war-- + Some upon steeds, on galleys some, + Some in close files, they passed from home, + All upon warlike errand bent-- + Amistres, Artaphernes went, + Astaspes, Megabazes high, + Lords of the Persian chivalry, + Marshals who serve the great king's word + Chieftains of all the mighty horde! + Horsemen and bowmen streamed away, + Grim in their aspect, fixed to slay, + And resolute to face the fray! + With troops of horse, careering fast, + Masistes, Artembres passed: + Imaeus too, the bowman brave, + Sosthnes, Pharandkes, drave-- + And others the all-nursing wave + Of Nilus to the battle gave; + Came Susisknes, warrior wild, + And Pegastgon, Egypt's child: + Thee, brave Arsmes! from afar + Did holy Memphis launch to war; + And Ariomardus, high in fame, + From Thebes the immemorial came, + And oarsmen skilled from Nilus' fen, + A countless crowd of warlike men: + And next, the dainty Lydians went-- + Soft rulers of a continent-- + Mitragathes and Arcteus bold + In twin command their ranks controlled, + And Sardis town, that teems with gold, + Sent forth its squadrons to the war-- + Horse upon horse, and car on car, + Double and triple teams, they rolled, + In onset awful to behold. + From Tmolus' sacred hill there came + The native hordes to join the fray, + And upon Hellas' neck to lay + The yoke of slavery and shame; + Mardon and Tharubis were there, + Bright anvils for the foemen's spear! + The Mysian dart-men sped to war, + And the long crowd that onward rolled + From Babylon enriched with gold-- + Captains of ships and archers skilled + To speed the shaft, and those who wield + The scimitar;--the eastern band + Who, by the great king's high command, + Swept to subdue the western land! + + Gone are they, gone--ah, welladay! + The flower and pride of our array; + And all the Eastland, from whose breast + Came forth her bravest and her best, + Craves longingly with boding dread-- + Parents for sons, and brides new-wed + For absent lords, and, day by day, + Shudder with dread at their delay! + + Ere now they have passed o'er the sea, + the manifold host of the king-- + They have gone forth to sack and to burn; + ashore on the Westland they spring! + With cordage and rope they have bridged + the sea-way of Helle, to pass + O'er the strait that is named by thy name, + O daughter of Athamas! + They have anchored their ships in the current, + they have bridled the neck of the sea-- + The Shepherd and Lord of the East + hath bidden a roadway to be! + From the land to the land they pass over, + a herd at the high king's best; + Some by the way of the waves, + and some o'er the planking have pressed. + For the king is a lord and a god: + he was born of the golden seed + That erst upon Danae fell-- + his captains are strong at the need! + And dark is the glare of his eyes, + as eyes of a serpent blood-fed, + And with manifold troops in his train + and with manifold ships hath he sped-- + Yea, sped with his Syrian cars: + he leads on the lords of the bow + To meet with the men of the West, + the spear-armed force of the foe! + Can any make head and resist him, + when he comes with the roll of a wave? + No barrier nor phalanx of might, + no chief, be he ever so brave! + For stern is the onset of Persia, + and gallant her children in fight. + But the guile of the god is deceitful, + and who shall elude him by flight? + And who is the lord of the leap, + that can spring and alight and evade? + For At deludes and allures, + till round him the meshes are laid, + And no man his doom can escape! + it was writ in the rule of high Heaven, + That in tramp of the steeds and in crash of the charge + the war-cry of Persia be given: + They have learned to behold the forbidden, + the sacred enclosure of sea, + Where the waters are wide and in stress + of the wind the billows roll hoary to lee! + And their trust is in cable and cordage, + too weak in the power of the blast, + And frail are the links of the bridge + whereby unto Hellas they passed. + + Therefore my gloom-wrapped heart + is rent with sorrow + For what may hap to-morrow! + Alack, for all the Persian armament-- + Alack, lest there be sent + Dread news of desolation, Susa's land + Bereft, forlorn, unmanned-- + Lest the grey Kissian fortress echo back + The wail, _Alack, Alack_! + The sound of women's shriek, who wail and mourn, + With fine-spun raiment torn! + The charioteers went forth nor come again, + And all the marching men + Even as a swarm of bees have flown afar, + Drawn by the king to war-- + Crossing the sea-bridge, linked from side to side, + That doth the waves divide: + And the soft bridal couch of bygone years + Is now bedewed with tears, + Each princess, clad in garments delicate, + Wails for her widowed fate-- + + _Alas my gallant bridegroom, lost and gone, + And I am left alone_! + + But now, ye warders of the state, + Here, in this hall of old renown, + Behoves that we deliberate + In counsel deep and wise debate, + For need is surely shown! + How fareth he, Darius' child, + The Persian king, from Perseus styled? + + Comes triumph to the eastern bow, + Or hath the lance-point conquered now? + [_Enter_ ATOSSA. + See, yonder comes the mother-queen, + Light of our eyes, in godlike sheen, + The royal mother of the king!-- + Fall we before her! well it were + That, all as one, we sue to her, + And round her footsteps cling! + + Queen, among deep-girded Persian dames thou highest and most royal, + Hoary mother, thou, of Xerxes, and Darius' wife of old! + To godlike sire, and godlike son, we bow us and are loyal-- + Unless, on us, an adverse tide of destiny has rolled! + +ATOSSA + + Therefore come I forth to you, from chambers decked and golden, + Where long ago Darius laid his head, with me beside, + And my heart is torn with anguish, and with terror am I holden, + And I plead unto your friendship and I bid you to my side. + + Darius, in the old time, by aid of some Immortal, + Raised up the stately fabric, our wealth of long-ago: + But I tremble lest it totter down, and ruin porch and portal, + And the whirling dust of downfall rise above its overthrow! + + Therefore a dread unspeakable within me never slumbers, Saying, + _Honour not the gauds of wealth if men have ceased to grow, + Nor deem that men, apart from wealth, + can find their strength in numbers_-- + We shudder for our light and king, though we have gold enow! + + _No light there is, in any house, save presence of the master_-- + So runs the saw, ye aged men! and truth it says indeed-- + On you I call, the wise and true, to ward us from disaster, + For all my hope is fixed on you, to prop us in our need! + +CHORUS + + Queen-Mother of the Persian land, to thy commandment bowing, + Whate'er thou wilt, in word or deed, we follow to fulfil-- + Not twice we need thine high behest, our faith and duty knowing, + In council and in act alike, thy loyal servants still! + +ATOSSA + + Long while by various visions of the night + Am I beset, since to Ionian lands + With marshalled host my son went forth to war. + Yet never saw I presage so distinct + As in the night now passed.--Attend my tale!-- + A dream I had: two women nobly clad + Came to my sight, one robed in Persian dress, + The other vested in the Dorian garb, + And both right stately and more tall by far + Than women of to-day, and beautiful + Beyond disparagement, and sisters sprung + Both of one race, but, by their natal lot, + One born in Hellas, one in Eastern land. + These, as it seemed unto my watching eyes, + Roused each the other to a mutual feud: + The which my son perceiving set himself + To check and soothe their struggle, and anon + Yoked them and set the collars on their necks; + And one, the Ionian, proud in this array, + Paced in high quietude, and lent her mouth, + Obedient, to the guidance of the rein. + But restively the other strove, and broke + The fittings of the car, and plunged away + With mouth un-bitted: o'er the broken yoke + My son was hurled, and lo! Darius stood + In lamentation o'er his fallen child. + Him Xerxes saw, and rent his robe in grief. + + Such was my vision of the night now past; + But when, arising, I had dipped my hand + In the fair lustral stream, I drew towards + The altar, in the act of sacrifice, + Having in mind to offer, as their due, + The sacred meal-cake to the averting powers, + Lords of the rite that banisheth ill dreams. + When lo! I saw an eagle fleeing fast + To Phoebus' shrine--O friends, I stayed my steps, + Too scared to speak! for, close upon his flight, + A little falcon dashed in winged pursuit, + Plucking with claws the eagle's head, while he + Could only crouch and cower and yield himself. + Scared was I by that sight, and eke to you + No less a terror must it be to hear! + For mark this well--if Xerxes have prevailed, + He shall come back the wonder of the world: + If not, still none can call him to account-- + So he but live, he liveth Persia's King! + +CHORUS + + Queen, it stands not with my purpose to abet these fears of thine, + Nor to speak with glazing comfort! nay, betake thee to the shrine! + If thy dream foretold disaster, sue to gods to bar its way, + And, for thyself, son, state, and friends, to bring fair fate + to-day. + Next, unto Earth and to the Dead be due libation poured, + And by thee let Darius' soul be wistfully implored-- + _I saw thee, lord, in last night's dream, a phantom from the grave, + I pray thee, lord, from earth beneath come forth to help and save! + To me and to thy son send up the bliss of triumph now, + And hold the gloomy fates of ill, dim in the dark below_! + Such be thy words! my inner heart good tidings doth foretell, + And that fair fate will spring thereof, if wisdom guide us well. + +ATOSSA + + Loyal thou that first hast read this dream, this vision of the + night, + With loyalty to me, the queen--be then thy presage right! + And therefore, as thy bidding is, what time I pass within + To dedicate these offerings, new prayers I will begin, + Alike to gods and the great dead who loved our lineage well. + Yet one more word--say, in what realm do the Athenians dwell? + +CHORUS + + Far hence, even where, in evening land, goes down our Lord the Sun. + +ATOSSA + + Say, had my son so keen desire, that region to o'errun? + +CHORUS + + Yea--if she fell, the rest of Greece were subject to our sway! + +ATOSSA + + Hath she so great predominance, such legions in array? + +CHORUS + + Ay--such a host as smote us sore upon an earlier day. + +ATOSSA + + And what hath she, besides her men? enow of wealth in store? + +CHORUS + + A mine of treasure in the earth, a fount of silver ore! + +ATOSSA + + Is it in skill of bow and shaft that Athens' men excel? + +CHORUS + + Nay, they bear bucklers in the fight, + and thrust the spear-point well. + +ATOSSA + + And who is shepherd of their host and holds them in command? + +CHORUS + + To no man do they bow as slaves, nor own a master's hand. + +ATOSSA + + How should they bide our brunt of war, the East upon the West? + +CHORUS + + That could Darius' valiant horde in days of yore attest! + +ATOSSA + + A boding word, to us who bore the men now far away! + +CHORUS + + Nay--as I deem, the very truth will dawn on us to-day. + A Persian by his garb and speed, a courier draws anear-- + He bringeth news, of good or ill, for Persia's land to hear. + [_Enter_ A MESSENGER. +MESSENGER + + O walls and towers of all the Asian realm, + O Persian land, O treasure-house of gold! + How, by one stroke, down to destruction, down, + Hath sunk our pride, and all the flower of war + That once was Persia's, lieth in the dust! + Woe on the man who first announceth woe-- + Yet must I all the tale of death unroll! + Hark to me, Persians! Persia's host lies low. + +CHORUS + + O ruin manifold, and woe, and fear! + Let the wild tears run down, for the great doom is here! + +MESSENGER + + This blow hath fallen, to the utterance, And I, past hope, behold +my safe return! + +CHORUS + + Too long, alack, too long this life of mine, + That in mine age I see this sudden woe condign! + +MESSENGER + + As one who saw, by no loose rumour led, + Lords, I would tell what doom was dealt to us. + +CHORUS + + Alack, how vainly have they striven! + Our myriad hordes with shaft and bow + Went from the Eastland, to lay low + Hellas, beloved of Heaven! + +MESSENGER + + Piled with men dead, yea, miserably slain, + Is every beach, each reef of Salamis! + +CHORUS + + Thou sayest sooth--ah well-a-day! + Battered amid the waves, and torn, + On surges hither, thither, borne, + Dead bodies, bloodstained and forlorn, + In their long cloaks they toss and stray! + +MESSENGER + + Their bows availed not! all have perished, all, + By charging galleys crushed and whelmed in death. + +CHORUS + + Shriek out your sorrow's wistful wail! + To their untimely doom they went; + Ill strove they, and to no avail, + And minished is their armament! + +MESSENGER + + Out on thee, hateful name of Salamis, + Out upon Athens, mournful memory! + +CHORUS + + Woe upon this day's evil fame! + Thou, Athens, art our murderess; + Alack, full many a Persian dame + Is left forlorn and husbandless! + +ATOSSA + + Mute have I been awhile, and overwrought + At this great sorrow, for it passeth speech, + And passeth all desire to ask of it. + Yet if the gods send evils, men must bear. + (_To the_ MESSENGER) + Unroll the record! stand composed and tell, + Although thy heart be groaning inwardly, + Who hath escaped, and, of our leaders, whom + Have we to weep? what chieftains in the van + Stood, sank, and died and left us leaderless? + +MESSENGER + + Xerxes himself survives and sees the day. + +ATOSSA + + Then to my line thy word renews the dawn + And golden dayspring after gloom of night! + +MESSENGER + + But the brave marshal of ten thousand horse, + Artembares, is tossed and flung in death + Along the rugged rocks Silenian. + And Dadaces no longer leads his troop, + But, smitten by the spear, from off the prow + Hath lightly leaped to death; and Tenagon, + In true descent a Bactrian nobly born, + Drifts by the sea-lashed reefs of Salamis, + The isle of Ajax. Gone Lilaeus too, + Gone are Arsames and Argestes! all, + Around the islet where the sea-doves breed, + Dashed their defeated heads on iron rocks; + Arcteus, who dwelt beside the founts of Nile, + Adeues, Pheresseues, and with them + Pharnuchus, from one galley's deck went down. + Matallus, too, of Chrysa, lord and king + Of myriad hordes, who led unto the fight + Three times ten thousand swarthy cavaliers, + Fell, with his swarthy and abundant beard + Incarnadined to red, a crimson stain + Outrivalling the purple of the sea! + There Magian Arabus and Artames + Of Bactra perished--taking up, alike, + In yonder stony land their long sojourn. + Amistris too, and he whose strenuous spear + Was foremost in the fight, Amphistreus fell, + And gallant Ariomardus, by whose death + Broods sorrow upon Sardis: Mysia mourns + For Seisames, and Tharubis lies low-- + Commander, he, of five times fifty ships, + Born in Lyrnessus: his heroic form + Is low in death, ungraced with sepulchre. + Dead too is he, the lord of courage high, + Cilicia's marshal, brave Syennesis, + Than whom none dealt more carnage on the foe, + Nor perished by a more heroic end. + So fell the brave: so speak I of their doom, + Summing in brief the fate of myriads! + +ATOSSA + + Ah well-a-day! these crowning woes I hear, + The shame of Persia and her shrieks of dole! + But yet renew the tale, repeat thy words, + Tell o'er the count of those Hellenic ships, + And how they ventured with their beakd prows + To charge upon the Persian armament. + +MESSENGER + + Know, if mere count of ships could win the day, + The Persians had prevailed. The Greeks, in sooth, + Had but three hundred galleys at the most, + And other ten, select and separate. + But--I am witness--Xerxes held command + Of full a thousand keels, and, those apart, + Two hundred more, and seven, for speed renowned!-- + So stands the reckoning, and who shall dare + To say we Persians had the lesser host? + +ATOSSA + + Nay, we were worsted by an unseen power + Who swayed the balance downward to our doom! + +MESSENGER + + In ward of heaven doth Pallas' city stand. + +ATOSSA + + How then? is Athens yet inviolate? + +MESSENGER + + While her men live, her bulwark standeth firm! + +ATOSSA + + Say, how began the struggle of the ships? + Who first joined issue? did the Greeks attack, + Or Xerxes, in his numbers confident? + +MESSENGER + + O queen, our whole disaster thus befell, + Through intervention of some fiend or fate-- + I know not what--that had ill will to us. + From the Athenian host some Greek came o'er, + To thy son Xerxes whispering this tale-- + _Once let the gloom of night have gathered in, + The Greeks will tarry not, but swiftly spring + Each to his galley-bench, in furtive flight, + Softly contriving safety for their life_. + Thy son believed the word and missed the craft + Of that Greek foeman, and the spite of Heaven, + And straight to all his captains gave this charge-- + _As soon as sunlight warms the ground no more, + And gloom enwraps the sanctuary of sky, + Range we our fleet in triple serried lines + To bar the passage from the seething strait, + This way and that: let other ships surround + The isle of Ajax, with this warning word-- + That if the Greeks their jeopardy should scape + By wary craft, and win their ships a road. + Each Persian captain shall his failure pay + By forfeit of his head_. So spake the king, + Inspired at heart with over-confidence, + Unwitting of the gods' predestined will. + Thereon our crews, with no disordered haste, + Did service to his bidding and purveyed + The meal of afternoon: each rower then + Over the fitted rowlock looped his oar. + Then, when the splendour of the sun had set, + And night drew on, each master of the oar + And each armed warrior straightway went aboard. + Forward the long ships moved, rank cheering rank, + Each forward set upon its ordered course. + And all night long the captains of the fleet + Kept their crews moving up and down the strait. + So the night waned, and not one Grecian ship + Made effort to elude and slip away. + But as dawn came and with her coursers white + Shone in fair radiance over all the earth, + First from the Grecian fleet rang out a cry, + A song of onset! and the island crags + Re-echoed to the shrill exulting sound. + Then on us Eastern men amazement fell + And fear in place of hope; for what we heard + Was not a call to flight! the Greeks rang out + Their holy, resolute, exulting chant, + Like men come forth to dare and do and die + Their trumpets pealed, and fire was in that sound, + And with the dash of simultaneous oars + Replying to the war-chant, on they came, + Smiting the swirling brine, and in a trice + They flashed upon the vision of the foe! + The right wing first in orderly advance + Came on, a steady column; following then, + The rest of their array moved out and on, + And to our ears there came a burst of sound, + A clamour manifold.--_On, sons of Greece! + On, for your country's freedom! strike to save + Wives, children, temples of ancestral gods, + Graves of your fathers! now is all at stake_. + Then from our side swelled up the mingled din + Of Persian tongues, and time brooked no delay-- + Ship into ship drave hard its brazen beak + With speed of thought, a shattering blow! and first + One Grecian bark plunged straight, and sheared away + Bowsprit and stem of a Phoenician ship. + And then each galley on some other's prow + Came crashing in. Awhile our stream of ships + Held onward, till within the narrowing creek + Our jostling vessels were together driven, + And none could aid another: each on each + Drave hard their brazen beaks, or brake away + The oar-banks of each other, stem to stern, + While the Greek galleys, with no lack of skill, + Hemmed them and battered in their sides, and soon + The hulls rolled over, and the sea was hid, + Crowded with wrecks and butchery of men. + No beach nor reef but was with corpses strewn, + And every keel of our barbarian host + Hurried to flee, in utter disarray. + Thereon the foe closed in upon the wrecks + And hacked and hewed, with oars and splintered planks, + As fishermen hack tunnies or a cast + Of netted dolphins, and the briny sea + Rang with the screams and shrieks of dying men, + Until the night's dark aspect hid the scene. + Had I a ten days' time to sum that count + Of carnage, 'twere too little! know this well-- + One day ne'er saw such myriad forms of death! + +ATOSSA + + Woe on us, woe! disaster's mighty sea + Hath burst on us and all the Persian realm! + +MESSENGER + + Be well assured, the tale is but begun-- + The further agony that on us fell + Doth twice outweigh the sufferings I have told! + +ATOSSA + + Nay, what disaster could be worse than this? + Say on! what woe upon the army came, + Swaying the scale to a yet further fall? + +MESSENGER + + The very flower and crown of Persia's race, + Gallant of soul and glorious in descent, + And highest held in trust before the king, + Lies shamefully and miserably slain. + +ATOSSA + + Alas for me and for this ruin, friends! + Dead, sayest thou? by what fate overthrown? + +MESSENGER + + An islet is there, fronting Salamis-- + Strait, and with evil anchorage: thereon + Pan treads the measure of the dance he loves + Along the sea-beach. Thither the king sent + His noblest, that, whene'er the Grecian foe + Should 'scape, with shattered ships, unto the isle, + We might make easy prey of fugitives + And slay them there, and from the washing tides + Rescue our friends. It fell out otherwise + Than he divined, for when, by aid of Heaven, + The Hellenes held the victory on the sea, + Their sailors then and there begirt themselves + With brazen mail and bounded from their ships, + And then enringed the islet, point by point, + So that our Persians in bewilderment + Knew not which way to turn. On every side, + Battered with stones, they fell, while arrows flew + From many a string, and smote them to the death. + Then, at the last, with simultaneous rush + The foe came bursting on us, hacked and hewed + To fragments all that miserable band, + Till not a soul of them was left alive. + Then Xerxes saw disaster's depth, and shrieked, + From where he sat on high, surveying all-- + A lofty eminence, beside the brine, + Whence all his armament lay clear in view. + His robe he rent, with loud and bitter wail, + And to his land-force swiftly gave command + And fled, with shame beside him! Now, lament + That second woe, upon the first imposed! + +ATOSSA + + Out on thee, Fortune! thou hast foiled the hope + And power of Persia: to this bitter end + My son went forth to wreak his great revenge + On famous Athens! all too few they seemed, + Our men who died upon the Fennel-field! + Vengeance for them my son had mind to take, + And drew on his own head these whelming woes. + But thou, say on! the ships that 'scaped from wreck-- + Where didst thou leave them? make thy story clear. + +MESSENGER + + The captains of the ships that still survived + Fled in disorder, scudding down the wind, + The while our land-force on Boeotian soil + Fell into ruin, some beside the springs + Dropping before they drank, and some outworn, + Pursued, and panting all their life away. + The rest of us our way to Phocis won, + And thence to Doris and the Melian gulf, + Where with soft stream Spercheus laves the soil. + Thence to the northward did Phthiotis' plain, + And some Thessalian fortress, lend us aid, + For famine-pinched we were, and many died + Of drought and hunger's twofold present scourge. + Thence to Magnesia came we, and the land + Where Macedonians dwell, and crossed the ford + Of Axius, and Bolbe's reedy fen, + And mount Pangaeus, in Edonian land. + There, in the very night we came, the god + Brought winter ere its time, from bank to bank + Freezing the holy Strymon's tide. Each man + Who heretofore held lightly of the gods, + Now crouched and proffered prayer to Earth and Heaven! + Then, after many orisons performed, + The army ventured on the frozen ford: + Yet only those who crossed before the sun + Shed its warm rays, won to the farther side. + For soon the fervour of the glowing orb + Did with its keen rays pierce the ice-bound stream, + And men sank through and thrust each other down-- + Best was his lot whose breath was stifled first! + But all who struggled through and gained the bank, + Toilfully wending through the land of Thrace + Have made their way, a sorry, scanted few, + Unto this homeland. Let the city now + Lament and yearn for all the loved and lost. + My tale is truth, yet much untold remains + Of ills that Heaven hath hurled upon our land. + +CHORUS + + Spirit of Fate, too heavy were thy feet, + Those ill to match! that sprang on Persia's realm. + +ATOSSA + + Woe for the host, to wrack and ruin hurled! + O warning of the night, prophetic dream! + Thou didst foreshadow clearly all the doom, + While ye, old men, made light of woman's fears! + Ah well--yet, as your divination ruled + The meaning of the sign, I hold it good, + First, that I put up prayer unto the gods, + And, after that, forth from my palace bring + The sacrificial cake, the offering due + To Earth and to the spirits of the dead. + Too well I know it is a timeless rite + Over a finished thing that cannot change! + But yet--I know not--there may come of it + Alleviation for the after time. + You it beseems, in view of what hath happed, + T' advise with loyal hearts our loyal guards: + And to my son--if, ere my coming forth, + He should draw hitherward--give comfort meet, + Escort him to the palace in all state, + Lest to these woes he add another woe! + [_Exit_ ATOSSA. + +CHORUS + + Zeus, lord and king! to death and nought + Our countless host by thee is brought. + Deep in the gloom of death, to-day, + Lie Susa and Ecbatana: + How many a maid in sorrow stands + And rends her tire with tender hands! + How tears run down, in common pain + And woeful mourning for the slain! + O delicate in dole and grief, + Ye Persian women! past relief + Is now your sorrow! to the war + Your loved ones went and come no more! + Gone from you is your joy and pride-- + Severed the bridegroom from the bride-- + The wedded couch luxurious + Is widowed now, and all the house + Pines ever with insatiate sighs, + And we stand here and bid arise, + For those who forth in ardour went + And come not back, the loud lament! + + Land of the East, thou mournest for the host, + Bereft of all thy sons, alas the day! + For them whom Xerxes led hath Xerxes lost-- + Xerxes who wrecked the fleet, and flung our hopes away! + + How came it that Darius once controlled, + And without scathe, the army of the bow, + Loved by the folk of Susa, wise and bold? + Now is the land-force lost, the shipmen sunk below! + + Ah for the ships that bore them, woe is me! + Bore them to death and doom! the crashing prows + Of fierce Ionian oarsmen swept the sea, + And death was in their wake, and shipwreck murderous! + + Late, late and hardly--if true tales they tell-- + Did Xerxes flee along the wintry way + And snows of Thrace--but ah, the first who fell + Lie by the rocks or float upon Cychrea's bay! + + Mourn, each and all! waft heavenward your cry, + Stung to the soul, bereaved, disconsolate! + Wail out your anguish, till it pierce the sky, + In shrieks of deep despair, ill-omened, desperate! + + The dead are drifting, yea, are gnawed upon + By voiceless children of the stainless sea, + Or battered by the surge! we mourn and groan + For husbands gone to death, for childless agony! + + Alas the aged men, who mourn to-day + The ruinous sorrows that the gods ordain! + O'er the wide Asian land, the Persian sway + Can force no tribute now, and can no rule sustain. + + Yea, men will crouch no more to fallen power + And kingship overthrown! the whole land o'er, + Men speak the thing they will, and from this hour + The folk whom Xerxes ruled obey his word no more. + + The yoke of force is broken from the neck-- + The isle of Ajax and th' encircling wave + Reek with a bloody crop of death and wreck + Of Persia's fallen power, that none can lift nor save! + [_Re-enter_ ATOSSA, _in mourning robes_. + +ATOSSA + + Friends, whosoe'er is versed in human ills, + Knoweth right well that when a wave of woe + Comes on a man, he sees in all things fear; + While, in flood-tide of fortune, 'tis his mood + To take that fortune as unchangeable, + Wafting him ever forward. Mark me now-- + The gods' thwart purpose doth confront mine eyes, + And all is terror to me; in mine ears + There sounds a cry, but not of triumph now-- + So am I scared at heart by woe so great. + Therefore I wend forth from the house anew, + Borne in no car of state, nor robed in pride + As heretofore, but bringing, for the sire + Who did beget my son, libations meet + For holy rites that shall appease the dead-- + The sweet white milk, drawn from a spotless cow, + The oozing drop of golden honey, culled + By the flower-haunting bee, and therewithal + Pure draughts of water from a virgin spring; + And lo! besides, the stainless effluence, + Born of the wild vine's bosom, shining store + Treasured to age, this bright and luscious wine. + And eke the fragrant fruit upon the bough + Of the grey olive-tree, which lives its life + In sprouting leafage, and the twining flowers, + Bright children of the earth's fertility. + But you, O friends! above these offerings poured + To reconcile the dead, ring out your dirge + To summon up Darius from the shades, + Himself a shade; and I will pour these draughts, + Which earth shall drink, unto the gods of hell. + +CHORUS + + Queen, by the Persian land adored, + By thee be this libation poured, + Passing to those who hold command + Of dead men in the spirit-land! + And we will sue, in solemn chant, + That gods who do escort the dead + In nether realms, our prayer may grant-- + Back to us be Darius led! + + O Earth, and Hermes, and the king + Of Hades, our Darius bring! + For if, beyond the prayers we prayed, + He knoweth aught of help or aid, + He, he alone, in realms below, + Can speak the limit of our woe! + + Doth he hear me, the king we adored, who is god + among gods of the dead? + Doth he hear me send out in my sorrow the pitiful, + manifold cry, + The sobbing lament and appeal? is the voice of my + suffering sped + To the realm of the shades? doth he hear me and + pity my sorrowful sigh? + O Earth, and ye Lords of the dead! release ye that + spirit of might, + Who in Susa the palace was born! let him rise up + once more to the light! + + There is none like him, none of all + That e'er were laid in Persian sepulchres! + Borne forth he was to honoured burial, + A royal heart! and followed by our tears. + God of the dead, O give him back to us, + Darius, ruler glorious! + He never wasted us with reckless war-- + God, counsellor, and king, beneath a happy star! + Ancient of days and king, awake and come-- + Rise o'er the mounded tomb! + Rise, plant thy foot, with saffron sandal shod + Father to us, and god! + Rise with thy diadem, O sire benign, + Upon thy brow! + List to the strange new sorrows of thy line, + Sire of a woeful son! + + A mist of fate and hell is round us now, + And all the city's flower to death is done! + Alas, we wept thee once, and weep again! + O Lord of lords, by recklessness twofold + The land is wasted of its men, + And down to death are rolled + Wreckage of sail and oar, + Ships that are ships no more, + And bodies of the slain! + [The GHOST OF DARIUS _rises_. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Ye aged Persians, truest of the true, + Coevals of the youth that once was mine, + What troubleth now our city? harken, how + It moans and beats the breast and rends the plain! + And I, beholding how my consort stood + Beside my tomb, was moved with awe, and took + The gift of her libation graciously. + But ye are weeping by my sepulchre, + And, shrilling forth a sad, evoking cry, + Summon me mournfully, _Arise, arise_. + No light thing is it, to come back from death, + For, in good sooth, the gods of nether gloom + Are quick to seize but late and loth to free! + Yet among them I dwell as one in power-- + And lo, I come! now speak, and speed your words, + Lest I be blamed for tarrying overlong! + What new disaster broods o'er Persia's realm? + + CHORUS + + With awe on thee I gaze, + And, standing face to face, + I tremble as I did in olden days! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Nay, but as I rose to earth again, obedient to your call, + Prithee, tarry not in parley! be one word enough for all-- + Speak and gaze on me unshrinking, neither let my face appal! + +CHORUS + + + I tremble to reveal, + Yet tremble to conceal + Things hard for friends to feel! + + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Nay, but if the old-time terror on your spirit keeps its hold, + Speak thou, O royal lady who didst couch with me of old! + Stay thy weeping and lamenting and to me reveal the truth-- + Speak! for man is born to sorrow; yea, the proverb sayeth sooth! + 'Tis the doom of mortal beings, if they live to see old age, + To suffer bale, by land and sea, through war and tempest's rage. + +ATOSSA + + O thou whose blissful fate on earth all mortal weal excelled-- + Who, while the sunlight touched thine eyes, the lord of all wert + held! + A god to Persian men thou wert, in bliss and pride and fame-- + I hold thee blest too in thy death, or e'er the ruin came! + Alas, Darius! one brief word must tell thee all the tale-- + The Persian power is in the dust, gone down in blood and bale! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Speak--by what chance? did man rebel, or pestilence descend? + +ATOSSA + + Neither! by Athens' fatal shores our army met its end. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Which of my children led our host to Athens? speak and say. + +ATOSSA + + The froward Xerxes, leaving all our realm to disarray. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Was it with army or with fleet on folly's quest he went? + +ATOSSA + + With both alike, a twofold front of double armament. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + And how then did so large a host on foot pass o'er the sea? + +ATOSSA + + He bridged the ford of Helle's strait by artful carpentry. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + How? could his craft avail to span the torrent of that tide? + +ATOSSA + + 'Tis sooth I say--some unknown power did fatal help provide! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Alas, that power in malice came, to his bewilderment! + +ATOSSA + + Alas, we see the end of all, the ruin on us sent. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Speak, tell me how they fared therein, that thus ye mourn and weep? + +ATOSSA + + Disaster to the army came, through ruin on the deep! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Is all undone? hath all the folk gone down before the foe? + +ATOSSA + + Yea, hark to Susa's mourning cry for warriors laid low! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Alas for all our gallant aids, our Persia's help and pride! + +ATOSSA + + Ay! old with young, the Bactrian force hath perished at our side! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Alas, my son! what gallant youths hath he sent down to death! + +ATOSSA + + Alone, or with a scanty guard--for so the rumour saith-- + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + He came--but how, and to what end? doth aught of hope remain? + +ATOSSA + + With joy he reached the bridge that spanned the Hellespontine main. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + How? is he safe, in Persian land? speak soothly, yea or nay! + +ATOSSA + + Clear and more clear the rumour comes, for no man to gainsay. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Woe for the oracle fulfilled, the presage of the war + Launched on my son, by will of Zeus! I deemed our doom afar + In lap of time; but, if a king push forward to his fate, + The god himself allures to death that man infatuate! + So now the very fount of woe streams out on those I loved, + And mine own son, unwisely bold, the truth hereof hath proved! + He sought to shackle and control the Hellespontine wave, + That rushes from the Bosphorus, with fetters of a slave!-- + To curb and bridge, with welded links, the streaming water-way, + And guide across the passage broad his manifold array! + Ah, folly void of counsel! he deemed that mortal wight + Could thwart the will of Heaven itself and curb Poseidon's might! + Was it not madness? much I fear lest all my wealth and store + Pass from my treasure-house, to be the snatcher's prize once more! + +ATOSSA + + Such is the lesson, ah, too late! to eager Xerxes taught-- + Trusting random counsellors and hare-brained men of nought, + Who said _Darius mighty wealth and fame to us did bring, + But thou art nought, a blunted spear, a palace-keeping king_! + Unto those sorry counsellors a ready ear he lent, + And led away to Hellas' shore his fated armament. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Therefore through them hath come calamity + Most huge and past forgetting; nor of old + Did ever such extermination fall + Upon the city Susa. Long ago + Zeus in his power this privilege bestowed, + That with a guiding sceptre one sole man + Should rule this Asian land of flock and herd. + Over the folk a Mede, Astyages, + Did grasp the power: then Cyaxares ruled + In his sire's place, and held the sway aright, + Steering his state with watchful wariness. + Third in succession, Cyrus, blest of Heaven, + Held rule and 'stablished peace for all his clan: + Lydian and Phrygian won he to his sway, + And wide Ionia to his yoke constrained, + For the god favoured his discretion sage. + Fourth in the dynasty was Cyrus' son, + And fifth was Mardus, scandal of his land + And ancient lineage. Him Artaphrenes, + Hardy of heart, within his palace slew, + Aided by loyal plotters, set for this. + And I too gained the lot for which I craved, + And oftentimes led out a goodly host, + Yet never brought disaster such as this + Upon the city. But my son is young + And reckless in his youth, and heedeth not + The warnings of my mouth. Mark this, my friends, + Born with my birth, coeval with mine age-- + Not all we kings who held successive rule + Have wrought, combined, such ruin as my son! + +CHORUS + + How then, O King Darius? whitherward + Dost thou direct thy warning? from this plight + How can we Persians fare towards hope again? + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + By nevermore assailing Grecian lands, + Even tho' our Median force be double theirs-- + For the land's self protects its denizens. + +CHORUS + + How meanest thou? by what defensive power? + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + She wastes by famine a too countless foe. + +CHORUS + + But we will bring a host more skilled than huge. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Why, e'en that army, camped in Hellas still, + Shall never win again to home and weal! + +CHORUS + + How say'st thou? will not all the Asian host + Pass back from Europe over Helle's ford? + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Nay--scarce a tithe of all those myriads, + If man may trust the oracles of Heaven + When he beholds the things already wrought, + Not false with true, but true with no word false + If what I trow be truth, my son has left + A chosen rear-guard of our host, in whom + He trusts, now, with a random confidence! + They tarry where Asopus laves the ground + With rills that softly bless Boeotia's plain-- + There is it fated for them to endure + The very crown of misery and doom, + Requital for their god-forgetting pride! + For why? they raided Hellas, had the heart + To wrong the images of holy gods, + And give the shrines and temples to the flame! + Defaced and dashed from sight the altars fell, + And each god's image, from its pedestal + Thrust and flung down, in dim confusion lies! + Therefore, for outrage vile, a doom as dark + They suffer, and yet more shall undergo-- + They touch no bottom in the swamp of doom, + But round them rises, bubbling up, the ooze! + So deep shall lie the gory clotted mass + Of corpses by the Dorian spear transfixed + Upon Plataea's field! yea, piles of slain + To the third generation shall attest + By silent eloquence to those that see-- + _Let not a mortal vaunt him overmuch_. + For pride grows rankly, and to ripeness brings + The curse of fate, and reaps, for harvest, tears! + Therefore when ye behold, for deeds like these, + Such stern requital paid, remember then + Athens and Hellas. Let no mortal wight, + Holding too lightly of his present weal + And passionate for more, cast down and spill + The mighty cup of his prosperity! + Doubt not that over-proud and haughty souls + Zeus lours in wrath, exacting the account. + Therefore, with wary warning, school my son, + Though he be lessoned by the gods already, + To curb the vaunting that affronts high Heaven! + And thou, O venerable Mother-queen, + Beloved of Xerxes, to the palace pass + And take therefrom such raiment as befits + Thy son, and go to meet him: for his garb + In this extremity of grief hangs rent + Around his body, woefully unstitched, + Mere tattered fragments of once royal robes! + Go thou to him, speak soft and soothing words-- + Thee, and none other, will he bear to hear, + As well I know. But I must pass away + From earth above, unto the nether gloom; + Therefore, old men, take my farewell, and clasp, + Even amid the ruin of this time, + Unto your souls the pleasure of the day, + For dead men have no profit of their gold! + [_The_ GHOST OF DARIUS _sinks_. + +CHORUS + + Alas, I thrill with pain for Persia's woes-- + Many fulfilled, and others hard at hand! + +ATOSSA + + O spirit of the race, what sorrows crowd + Upon me! and this anguish stings me worst, + That round my royal son's dishonoured form + Hang rags and tatters, degradation deep! + I will away, and, bringing from within + A seemly royal robe, will straightway strive + To meet and greet my son: foul scorn it were + To leave our dearest in his hour of shame. + [_Exit_ ATOSSA. + +CHORUS + + Ah glorious and goodly they were, + the life and the lot that we gained, + The cities we held in our hand + when the monarch invincible reigned, + The king that was good to his realm, + sufficing, fulfilled of his sway, + A lord that was peer of the gods, + the pride of the bygone day! + Then could we show to the skies + great hosts and a glorious name, + And laws that were stable in might; + as towers they guarded our fame! + There without woe or disaster + we came from the foe and the fight, + In triumph, enriched with the spoil, + to the land and the city's delight. + What towns ere the Halys he passed! + what towns ere he came to the West, + To the main and the isles of the Strymon, + and the Thracian region possess'd! + And those that stand back from the main, + enringed by their fortified wall, + Gave o'er to Darius, the king, + the sceptre and sway over all! + Those too by the channel of Helle, + where southward it broadens and glides, + By the inlets, Propontis! of thee, + and the strait of the Pontic tides, + And the isles that lie fronting our sea-board, + and the Eastland looks on each one, + Lesbo and Chios and Paros, + and Samos with olive-trees grown, + And Naxos, and Myconos' rock, + and Tenos with Andros hard by, + And isles that in midmost Aegean, + aloof from the continent, lie-- + And Lemnos and Icaros' hold-- + all these to his sceptre were bowed, + And Cnidos and neighbouring Rhodes, + and Soli, and Paphos the proud, + And Cyprian Salamis, name-child of her + who hath wrought us this wrong! + Yea, and all the Ionian tract, + where the Greek-born inhabitants throng, + And the cities are teeming with gold-- + Darius was lord of them all, + And, great by his wisdom, he ruled, + and ever there came to his call, + In stalwart array and unfailing, + the warrior chiefs of our land, + And mingled allies from the tribes + who bowed to his conquering hand! + But now there are none to gainsay + that the gods are against us; we lie + Subdued in the havoc of wreck, + and whelmed by the wrath of the sky! + [_Enter_ XERXES _in disarray_. + +XERXES + + Alas the day, that I should fall + Into this grimmest fate of all, + This ruin doubly unforeseen! + On Persia's land what power of Fate + Descends, what louring gloom of hate? + How shall I bear my teen? + My limbs are loosened where they stand, + When I behold this aged band-- + Oh God! I would that I too, I, + Among the men who went to die, + Were whelmed in earth by Fate's command! + +CHORUS + + Ah welladay, my King! ah woe + For all our heroes' overthrow-- + For all the gallant host's array, + For Persia's honour, pass'd away, + For glory and heroic sway + Mown down by Fortune's hand to-day! + Hark, how the kingdom makes its moan, + For youthful valour lost and gone, + By Xerxes shattered and undone! + He, he hath crammed the maw of hell + With bowmen brave, who nobly fell, + Their country's mighty armament, + Ten thousand heroes deathward sent! + Alas, for all the valiant band, + O king and lord! thine Asian land + Down, down upon its knee is bent! + +XERXES + + Alas, a lamentable sound, + A cry of ruth! for I am found + A curse to land and lineage, + With none my sorrow to assuage! + +CHORUS + + Alas, a death-song desolate + I send forth, for thy home-coming! + A scream, a dirge for woe and fate, + Such as the Asian mourners sing, + A sorry and ill-omened tale + Of tears and shrieks and Eastern wail! + +XERXES + + Ay, launch the woeful sorrow's cry, + The harsh, discordant melody, + For lo, the power, we held for sure, + Hath turned to my discomfiture! + +CHORUS + + Yea, dirges, dirges manifold + Will I send forth, for warriors bold, + For the sea-sorrow of our host! + The city mourns, and I must wail + With plashing tears our sorrow's tale, + Lamenting for the loved and lost! + +XERXES + + Alas, the god of war, who sways + The scales of fight in diverse ways, + Gives glory to Ionia! + Ionian ships, in fenced array, + Have reaped their harvest in the bay, + A darkling harvest-field of Fate, + A sea, a shore, of doom and hate! + +CHORUS + + Cry out, and learn the tale of woe! + Where are thy comrades? where the band + Who stood beside thee, hand in hand, + A little while ago? + Where now hath Pharandkes gone, + Where Psammis, and where Pelagon? + Where now is brave Agdabatas, + And Susas too, and Datamas? + Hath Susiscanes past away, + The chieftain of Ecbatana? + +XERXES + + I left them, mangled castaways, + Flung from their Tyrian deck, and tossed + On Salaminian water-ways, + From surging tides to rocky coast! + +CHORUS + + Alack, and is Pharnuchus slain, + And Ariomardus, brave in vain? + Where is Seualces' heart of fire? + Lilaeus, child of noble sire? + Are Tharubis and Memphis sped? + Hystaechmas, Artembres dead? + And where is brave Masistes, where? + Sum up death's count, that I may hear! + +XERXES + + Alas, alas, they came, their eyes surveyed + Ancestral Athens on that fatal day. + Then with a rending struggle were they laid + Upon the land, and gasped their life away! + +CHORUS + + And Batanochus' child, Alpistus great, + Surnamed the Eye of State-- + Saw you and left you him who once of old + Ten thousand thousand fighting-men enrolled? + His sire was child of Sesamas, and he + From Megabates sprang. Ah, woe is me, + Thou king of evil fate! + Hast thou lost Parthus, lost Oebares great? + Alas, the sorrow! blow succeedeth blow + On Persia's pride; thou tellest woe on woe! + +XERXES + + Bitter indeed the pang for comrades slain, + The brave and bold! thou strikest to my soul + Pain, pain beyond forgetting, hateful pain. + My inner spirit sobs and sighs with dole! + +CHORUS + + Another yet we yearn to see, + And see not! ah, thy chivalry, + Xanthis, thou chief of Mardian men + Countless! and thou, Anchares bright, + And ye, whose cars controlled the fight, + Arsaces and Diaixis wight, + Kegdadatas, Lythimnas dear, + And Tolmus, greedy of the spear! + I stand bereft! not in thy train + Come they, as erst! ah, ne'er again + Shall they return unto our eyes, + Car-borne, 'neath silken canopies! + +XERXES + + Yea, gone are they who mustered once the host! + +CHORUS + + Yea, yea, forgotten, lost! + +XERXES + + Alas, the woe and cost! + +CHORUS + + Alas, ye heavenly powers! + Ye wrought a sorrow past belief, + A woe, of woes the chief! + With aspect stern, upon us Ate looms! + +XERXES + + Smitten are we--time tells no heavier blow! + +CHORUS + + Smitten! the doom is plain! + +XERXES + + Curse upon curse and pang on pang we know! + +CHORUS + + With the Ionian power + We clashed, in evil hour! + Woe falls on Persia's race, yea, woe again, again! + +XERXES + + Yea, smitten am I, and my host is all to ruin hurled! + +CHORUS + + Yea verily--in mighty wreck hath sunk the Persian world! + +XERXES (_holding up a torn robe and a quiver_) + + See you this tattered rag of pride? + +CHORUS + + I see it, welladay! + +XERXES + + See you this quiver? + +CHORUS + + Say, hath aught survived and 'scaped the fray? + +XERXES + + A store for darts it was, erewhile! + +CHORUS + + Remain but two or three! + +XERXES + + No aid is left! + +CHORUS + + Ionian folk such darts, unfearing, see! + +XERXES + + Right resolute they are! I saw disaster unforeseen. + +CHORUS + + Ah, speakest thou of wreck, of flight, of carnage that hath been? + +XERXES + + Yea, and my royal robe I rent, in terror at their fall! + +CHORUS + + Alas, alas! + +XERXES + + Yea, thrice alas! + +CHORUS + + For all have perished, all! + +XERXES + + Ah woe to us, ah joy to them who stood against our pride! + +CHORUS + + And all our strength is minished and sundered from our side! + +XERXES + + No escort have I! + +CHORUS + + Nay, thy friends are whelmed beneath the tide! + +XERXES + + Wail, wail the miserable doom, and to the palace hie! + +CHORUS + + Alas, alas, and woe again! + +XERXES + + Shriek, smite the breast, as I! + +CHORUS + + An evil gift, a sad exchange, of tears poured out in vain! + +XERXES + + Shrill out your simultaneous wail! + +CHORUS + + Alas the woe and pain! + +XERXES + + O, bitter is this adverse fate! + +CHORUS + + I voice the moan with thee! + +XERXES + + Smite, smite thy bosom, groan aloud for my calamity! + +CHORUS + + I mourn and am dissolved in tears! + +XERXES + + Cry, beat thy breast amain! + +CHORUS + + O king, my heart is in thy woe! + +XERXES + + Shriek, wail, and shriek again! + +CHORUS + + O agony! + +XERXES + + A blackening blow-- + +CHORUS + + A grievous stripe shall fall! + +XERXES + + Yea, beat anew thy breast, ring out the doleful Mysian call! + +CHORUS + + An agony, an agony! + +XERXES + + Pluck out thy whitening beard! + +CHORUS + + By handfuls, ay, by handfuls, with dismal tear-drops smeared! + +XERXES + + Sob out thine aching sorrow! + +CHORUS + + I will thine best obey. + +XERXES + + With thine hands rend thy mantle's fold-- + +CHORUS + + Alas, woe worth the day! + +XERXES + + With thine own fingers tear thy locks, bewail the army's weird! + +CHORUS + + By handfuls, yea, by handfuls, with tears of dole besmeared! + +XERXES + + Now let thine eyes find overflow-- + +CHORUS + + I wend in wail and pain! + +XERXES + + Cry out for me an answering moan-- + +CHORUS + + Alas, alas again! + +XERXES + + Shriek with a cry of agony, and lead the doleful train! + +CHORUS + + Alas, alas, the Persian land is woeful now to tread! + +XERXES + + Cry out and mourn! the city now doth wail above the dead! + +CHORUS + + I sob and moan! + +XERXES + + I bid ye now be delicate in grief! + +CHORUS + + Alas, the Persian land is sad and knoweth not relief! + +XERXES + + Alas, the triple banks of oars and those who died thereby! + +CHORUS + + Pass! I will lead you, bring you home, with many a broken sigh! + [_Exeunt_ + + + + +THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES + + + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + ETEOCLES. + A SPY. + CHORUS OF CADMEAN MAIDENS. + ANTIGONE. + ISMENE. + A HERALD. + + +ETEOCLES + + Clansmen of Cadmus, at the signal given + By time and season must the ruler speak + Who sets the course and steers the ship of State + With hand upon the tiller, and with eye + Watchful against the treachery of sleep. + For if all go aright, _thank Heaven_, men say, + But if adversely--which may God forefend!-- + One name on many lips, from street to street, + Would bear the bruit and rumour of the time, + _Down with Eteocles_!--a clamorous curse, + A dirge of ruin. May averting Zeus + Make good his title here, in Cadmus' hold! + You it beseems now boys unripened yet + To lusty manhood, men gone past the prime + And increase of the full begetting seed, + And those whom youth and manhood well combined + Array for action--all to rise in aid + Of city, shrines, and altars of all powers + Who guard our land; that ne'er, to end of time, + Be blotted out the sacred service due + To our sweet mother-land and to her brood. + For she it was who to their guest-right called + Your waxing youth, was patient of the toil, + And cherished you on the land's gracious lap, + Alike to plant the hearth and bear the shield + In loyal service, for an hour like this. + Mark now! until to-day, luck rules our scale; + For we, though long beleaguered, in the main + Have with our sallies struck the foemen hard. + But now the seer, the feeder of the birds, + (Whose art unerring and prophetic skill + Of ear and mind divines their utterance + Without the lore of fire interpreted) + Foretelleth, by the mastery of his art, + That now an onset of Achaea's host + Is by a council of the night designed + To fall in double strength upon our walls. + Up and away, then, to the battlements, + The gates, the bulwarks! don your panoplies, + Array you at the breast-work, take your stand + On floorings of the towers, and with good heart + Stand firm for sudden sallies at the gates, + Nor hold too heinous a respect for hordes + Sent on you from afar: some god will guard! + I too, for shrewd espial of their camp, + Have sent forth scouts, and confidence is mine + They will not fail nor tremble at their task, + And, with their news, I fear no foeman's guile. + [_Enter_ A SPY. + +THE SPY + + Eteocles, high king of Cadmus' folk, + I stand here with news certified and sure + From Argos' camp, things by myself descried. + Seven warriors yonder, doughty chiefs of might, + Into the crimsoned concave of a shield + Have shed a bull's blood, and, with hands immersed + Into the gore of sacrifice, have sworn + By Ares, lord of fight, and by thy name, + Blood-lapping Terror, _Let our oath be heard-- + Either to raze the walls, make void the hold + Of Cadmus--strive his children as they may-- + Or, dying here, to make the foemen's land + With blood impasted_. Then, as memory's gift + Unto their parents at the far-off home, + Chaplets they hung upon Adrastus' car, + With eyes tear-dropping, but no word of moan. + For their steeled spirit glowed with high resolve, + As lions pant, with battle in their eyes. + For them, no weak alarm delays the clear + Issues of death or life! I parted thence + Even as they cast the lots, how each should lead, + Against which gate, his serried company. + Rank then thy bravest, with what speed thou may'st, + Hard by the gates, to dash on them, for now, + Full-armed, the onward ranks of Argos come! + The dust whirls up, and from their panting steeds + White foamy flakes like snow bedew the plain. + Thou therefore, chieftain! like a steersman skilled, + Enshield the city's bulwarks, ere the blast + Of war comes darting on them! hark, the roar + Of the great landstorm with its waves of men! + Take Fortune by the forelock! for the rest, + By yonder dawn-light will I scan the field + Clear and aright, and surety of my word + Shall keep thee scatheless of the coming storm. + +ETEOCLES + + O Zeus and Earth and city-guarding gods, + And thou, my father's Curse, of baneful might, + Spare ye at least this town, nor root it up, + By violence of the foemen, stock and stem! + For here, from home and hearth, rings Hellas' tongue. + Forbid that e'er the yoke of slavery + Should bow this land of freedom, Cadmus' hold! + Be ye her help! your cause I plead with mine-- + A city saved doth honour to her gods! + [_Exit_ ETEOCLES, _etc. Enter the_ CHORUS OF MAIDENS. + +CHORUS + + I wail in the stress of my terror, + and shrill is my cry of despair. + The foemen roll forth from their camp + as a billow, and onward they bear! + Their horsemen are swift in the forefront, + the dust rises up to the sky, + A signal, though speechless, of doom, + a herald more clear than a cry! + Hoof-trampled, the land of my love + bears onward the din to mine ears. + As a torrent descending a mountain, + it thunders and echoes and nears! + The doom is unloosened and cometh! + O kings and O queens of high Heaven, + Prevail that it fall not upon us: + the sign for their onset is given-- + They stream to the walls from without, + white-shielded and keen for the fray. + They storm to the citadel gates-- + what god or what goddess can stay + The rush of their feet? to what shrine + shall I bow me in terror and pray? + O gods high-throned in bliss, + we must crouch at the shrines in your home! + Not here must we tarry and wail: + shield clashes on shield as they come-- + And now, even now is the hour + for the robes and the chaplets of prayer! + Mine eyes feel the flash of the sword, + the clang is instinct with the spear! + Is thy hand set against us, O Ares, + in ruin and wrath to o'erwhelm + Thine own immemorial land, + O god of the golden helm? + Look down upon us, we beseech thee, + on the land that thou lovest of old, + And ye, O protecting gods, + in pity your people behold! + Yea, save us, the maidenly troop, + from the doom and despair of the slave, + For the crests of the foemen come onward, + their rush is the rush of a wave + Rolled on by the war-god's breath! + almighty one, hear us and save + From the grasp of the Argives' might! + to the ramparts of Cadmus they crowd, + And, clenched in the teeth of the steeds, + the bits clink horror aloud! + And seven high chieftains of war, + with spear and with panoply bold, + Are set, by the law of the lot, + to storm the seven gates of our hold! + Be near and befriend us, O Pallas, + the Zeus-born maiden of might! + O lord of the steed and the sea, + be thy trident uplifted to smite + In eager desire of the fray, Poseidon! + and Ares come down, + In fatherly presence revealed, + to rescue Harmonia's town! + Thine too, Aphrodite, we are! + thou art mother and queen of our race, + To thee we cry out in our need, + from thee let thy children have grace! + Ye too, to scare back the foe, + be your cry as a wolf's howl wild, + Thou, O the wolf-lord, and thou, + of she-wolf Leto the child! + Woe and alack for the sound, + for the rattle of cars to the wall, + And the creak of the grinding axles! + O Hera, to thee is our call! + Artemis, maiden beloved! + the air is distraught with the spears, + And whither doth destiny drive us, + and where is the goal of our fears? + The blast of the terrible stones + on the ridge of our wall is not stayed, + At the gates is the brazen clash + of the bucklers--Apollo to aid! + Thou too, O daughter of Zeus, + who guidest the wavering fray + To the holy decision of fate, + Athena! be with us to-day! + Come down to the sevenfold gates + and harry the foemen away! + O gods and O sisters of gods, + our bulwark and guard! we beseech + That ye give not our war-worn hold + to a rabble of alien speech! + List to the call of the maidens, + the hands held up for the right, + Be near us, protect us, and show + that the city is dear in your sight! + + Have heed for her sacrifice holy, + and thought of her offerings take, + Forget not her love and her worship, + be near her and smite for her sake! + [_Re-enter_ ETEOCLES. +ETEOCLES + + Hark to my question, things detestable! + Is this aright and for the city's weal, + And helpful to our army thus beset, + That ye before the statues of our gods + Should fling yourselves, and scream and shriek your fears? + Immodest, uncontrolled! Be this my lot-- + Never in troublous nor in peaceful days + To dwell with aught that wears a female form! + Where womankind has power, no man can house, + Where womankind feeds panic, ruin rules + Alike in house and city! Look you now-- + Your flying feet, and rumour of your fears, + Have spread a soulless panic on our walls, + And they without do go from strength to strength, + And we within make breach upon ourselves! + Such fate it brings, to house with womankind. + Therefore if any shall resist my rule-- + Or man, or woman, or some sexless thing-- + The vote of sentence shall decide their doom, + And stones of execution, past escape, + Shall finish all. Let not a woman's voice + Be loud in council! for the things without, + A man must care; let women keep within-- + Even then is mischief all too probable! + Hear ye? or speak I to unheeding ears? + +CHORUS + + Ah, but I shudder, child of Oedipus! + I heard the clash and clang! + The axles rolled and rumbled; woe to us + Fire-welded bridles rang! + +ETEOCLES + + Say--when a ship is strained and deep in brine, + Did e'er a seaman mend his chance, who left + The helm, t'invoke the image at the prow? + +CHORUS + + Ah, but I fled to the shrines, I called to our helpers on high, + When the stone-shower roared at the portals! + I sped to the temples aloft, and loud was my call and my cry, + _Look down and deliver. Immortals_! + +ETEOCLES + + Ay, pray amain that stone may vanquish steel! + Were not that grace of gods? ay, ay--methinks, + When cities fall, the gods go forth from them! + +CHORUS + + Ah, let me die, or ever I behold + The gods go forth, in conflagration dire! + The foemen's rush and raid, and all our hold + Wrapt in the burning fire! + +ETEOCLES + + Cry not: on Heaven, in impotent debate! + What saith the saw?--_Good saving Strength, in verity, + Out of Obedience breeds the babe Prosperity_. + +CHORUS + + 'Tis true: yet stronger is the power divine, + And oft, when man's estate is overbowed + With bitter pangs, disperses from his eyne + The heavy, hanging cloud! + +ETEOCLES + + Let men with sacrifice and augury + Approach the gods, when comes the tug of war; + Maids must be silent and abide within. + +CHORUS + + By grace of the gods we hold it, + a city untamed of the spear, + And the battlement wards from the wall + the foe and his aspect of fear! + What need of displeasure herein? + +ETEOCLES + + Ay, pay thy vows to Heaven; I grudge them not, + But--so thou strike no fear into our men-- + Have calm at heart, nor be too much afraid. + +CHORUS + + Alack, it is fresh in mine ears, + the clamour and crash of the fray, + And up to our holiest height + I sped on my timorous way, + Bewildered, beset by the din! + +ETEOCLES + + Now, if ye hear the bruit of death or wounds, + Give not yourselves o'ermuch to shriek and scream, + For Ares ravens upon human flesh. + +CHORUS + + Ah, but the snorting of the steeds I hear! + +ETEOCLES + + Then, if thou hearts, hear them not too well! + +CHORUS + + Hark, the earth rumbles, as they close us round! + +ETEOCLES + + Enough if I am here, with plans prepared. + +CHORUS + + Alack, the battering at the gates is loud! + +ETEOCLES + + Peace! stay your tongue, or else the town may hear! + +CHORUS + + O warders of the walls, betray them not! + +ETEOCLES + + Bestrew your cries! in silence face your fate. + +CHORUS + + Gods of our city, see me not enslaved! + +ETEOCLES + + On me, on all, thy cries bring slavery. + +CHORUS + + Zeus, strong to smite, turn upon foes thy blow! + +ETEOCLES + + Zeus, what a curse are women, wrought by thee! + +CHORUS + + Weak wretches, even as men, when cities fall. + +ETEOCLES + + What! clasping gods, yet voicing thy despair? + +CHORUS + + In the sick heart, fear machete prey of speech. + +ETEOCLES + + Light is the thing I ask thee--do my will! + +CHORUS + + Ask swiftly: swiftly shall I know my power. + +ETEOCLES + + Silence, weak wretch! nor put thy friends in fear. + +CHORUS + + I speak no more: the general fate be mine! + +ETEOCLES + + I take that word as wiser than the rest. + Nay, more: these images possess thy will-- + Pray, in their strength, that Heaven be on our side! + Then hear my prayers withal, and then ring out + The female triumph-note, thy privilege-- + Yea, utter forth the usage Hellas knows, + The cry beside the altars, sounding clear + Encouragement to friends, alarm to foes. + But I unto all gods that guard our walls, + Lords of the plain or warders of the mart + And to Isthmus' stream and Dirge's rills, + I swear, if Fortune smiles and saves our town, + That we will make our altars reek with blood + Of sheep and kine, shed forth unto the gods, + And with victorious tokens front our fannies-- + Corsets and cases that once our foemen wore, + Spear-shattered now--to deck these holy homes! + Be such thy vows to Heaven--away with sighs, + Away with outcry vain and barbarous, + That shall avail not, in a general doom! + But I will back, and, with six chosen men + Myself the seventh, to confront the foe + In this great aspect of a poisd war, + Return and plant them at the sevenfold gates, + Or e'er the prompt and clamorous battle-scouts + Haste to inflame our counsel with the need. + [_Exit_ ETEOCLES. + +CHORUS + + I mark his words, yet, dark and deep, + My heart's alarm forbiddeth sleep! + Close-clinging cares around my soul + Enkindle fears beyond control, + Presageful of what doom may fall + From the great leaguer of the wall! + So a poor dove is faint with fear + For her weak nestlings, while anew + Glides on the snaky ravisher! + In troop and squadron, hand on hand, + They climb and throng, and hemmed we stand, + While on the warders of our town + The flinty shower comes hurtling down! + + Gods born of Zeus! put forth your might + For Cadmus' city, realm, and right! + What nobler land shall e'er be yours, + If once ye give to hostile powers + The deep rich soil, and Dirce's wave, + The nursing stream, Poseidon gave + And Tethys' children? Up and save! + Cast on the ranks that hem us round + A deadly panic, make them fling + Their arms in terror on the ground, + And die in carnage! thence shall spring + High honour for our clan and king! + Come at our wailing cry, and stand + As thrond sentries of our land! + + For pity and sorrow it were + that this immemorial town + Should sink to be slave of the spear, + to dust and to ashes gone down, + By the gods of Achaean worship + and arms of Achaean might + Sacked and defiled and dishonoured, + its women the prize of the fight-- + That, haled by the hair as a steed, + their mantles dishevelled and torn, + The maiden and matron alike + should pass to the wedlock of scorn! + I hear it arise from the city, + the manifold wail of despair-- + _Woe, woe for the doom that shall be_-- + as in grasp of the foeman they fare! + For a woe and a weeping it is, + if the maiden inviolate flower + Is plucked by the foe in his might, + not culled in the bridal bower! + Alas for the hate and the horror-- + how say it?--less hateful by far + Is the doom to be slain by the sword, + hewn down in the carnage of war! + For wide, ah! wide is the woe + when the foeman has mounted the wall; + There is havoc and terror and flame, + and the dark smoke broods over all, + And wild is the war-god's breath, + as in frenzy of conquest he springs, + And pollutes with the blast of his lips + the glory of holiest things! + + Up to the citadel rise clash and din, + The war-net closes in, + The spear is in the heart: with blood imbrued + Young mothers wail aloud, + For children at their breast who scream and die! + And boys and maidens fly, + Yet scape not the pursuer, in his greed + To thrust and grasp and feed! + Robber with robber joins, each calls his mate + Unto the feast of hate-- + _The banquet, lo! is spread-- + seize, rend, and tear! + No need to choose or share_! + And all the wealth of earth to waste is poured-- + A sight by all abhorred! + The grieving housewives eye it; + heaped and blent, + Earth's boons are spoiled and spent, + And waste to nothingness; and O alas, + Young maids, forlorn ye pass-- + Fresh horror at your hearts--beneath the power + Of those who crop the flower! + Ye own the ruffian ravisher for lord, + And night brings rites abhorred! + Woe, woe for you! upon your grief and pain + There comes a fouler stain. + [_Enter, on one side_, THE SPY; + _on the other_, ETEOCLES + _and the_ SIX CHAMPIONS. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Look, friends! methinks the scout, who parted hence + To spy upon the foemen, comes with news, + His feet as swift as wafting chariot-wheels. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Ay, and our king, the son of Oedipus, + Comes prompt to time, to learn the spy's report-- + His heart is fainter than his foot is fast! + +THE SPY + + Well have I scanned the foe, and well can say + Unto which chief, by lot, each gate is given. + Tydeus already with his onset-cry + Storms at the gate called Proetides; but him + The seer Amphiaraus holds at halt, + Nor wills that he should cross Ismenus' ford, + Until the sacrifices promise fair. + But Tydeus, mad with lust of blood and broil, + Like to a cockatrice at noontide hour, + Hisses out wrath and smites with scourge of tongue + The prophet-son of Oecleus--_Wise thou art, + Faint against war, and holding back from death_! + With such revilings loud upon his lips + He waves the triple plumes that o'er his helm + Float overshadowing, as a courser's mane; + And at his shield's rim, terror in their tone, + Clang and reverberate the brazen bells. + And this proud sign, wrought on his shield, he bears-- + The vault of heaven, inlaid with blazing stars; + And, for the boss, the bright moon glows at full, + The eye of night, the first and lordliest star. + Thus with high-vaunted armour, madly bold, + He clamours by the stream-bank, wild for war, + As a steed panting grimly on his bit, + Held in and chafing for the trumpet's bray! + Whom wilt thou set against him? when the gates + Of Proetus yield, who can his rush repel? + +ETEOCLES + + To me, no blazon on a foeman's shield + Shall e'er present a fear! such pointed threats + Are powerless to wound; his plumes and bells, + Without a spear, are snakes without a sting. + Nay, more--that pageant of which thou tellest-- + The nightly sky displayed, ablaze with stars, + Upon his shield, palters with double sense-- + One headstrong fool will find its truth anon! + For, if night fall upon his eyes in death, + Yon vaunting blazon will its own truth prove, + And he is prophet of his folly's fall. + Mine shall it be, to pit against his power + The loyal son of Astacus, as guard + To hold the gateways--a right valiant soul, + Who has in heed the throne of Modesty + And loathes the speech of Pride, and evermore + Shrinks from the base, but knows no other fear. + He springs by stock from those whom Ares spared, + The men called Sown, a right son of the soil, + And Melanippus styled. Now, what his arm + To-day shall do, rests with the dice of war, + And Ares shall ordain it; but his cause + Hath the true badge of Right, to urge him on + To guard, as son, his motherland from wrong. + +CHORUS + + Then may the gods give fortune fair + Unto our chief, sent forth to dare + War's terrible arbitrament! + But ah! when champions wend away, + I shudder, lest, from out the fray, + Only their blood-stained wrecks be sent! + +THE SPY + + Nay, let him pass, and the gods' help be his! + Next, Capaneus comes on, by lot to lead + The onset at the gates Electran styled: + A giant he, more huge than Tydeus' self, + And more than human in his arrogance-- + May fate forefend his threat against our walls! + _God willing, or unwilling_--such his vaunt-- + _I will lay waste this city; Pallas' self, + Zeus' warrior maid, although she swoop to earth + And plant her in my path, shall stay me not_. + And, for the flashes of the levin-bolt, + He holds them harmless as the noontide rays. + Mark, too, the symbol on his shield--a man + Scornfully weaponless but torch in hand, + And the flame glows within his grasp, prepared + For ravin: lo, the legend, wrought in words, + _Fire for the city bring I_, flares in gold! + Against such wight, send forth--yet whom? what man + Will front that vaunting figure and not fear? + +ETEOCLES + + Aha, this profits also, gain on gain! + In sooth, for mortals, the tongue's utterance + Bewrays unerringly a foolish pride! + Hither stalks Capaneus, with vaunt and threat + Defying god-like powers, equipt to act, + And, mortal though he be, he strains his tongue + In folly's ecstasy, and casts aloft + High swelling words against the ears of Zeus. + Right well I trust--if justice grants the word-- + That, by the might of Zeus, a bolt of flame + In more than semblance shall descend on him. + Against his vaunts, though reckless, I have set, + To make assurance sure, a warrior stern-- + Strong Polyphontes, fervid for the fray; + A sturdy bulwark, he, by grace of Heaven + And favour of his champion Artemis! + Say on, who holdeth the next gate in ward? + +CHORUS + + Perish the wretch whose vaunt affronts our home! + On him the red bolt come, + Ere to the maiden bowers his way he cleave, + To ravage and bereave! + +THE SPY + + I will say on. Eteoclus is third-- + To him it fell, what time the third lot sprang + O'er the inverted helmet's brazen rim, + To dash his stormers on Neistae gate. + He wheels his mares, who at their frontlets chafe + And yearn to charge upon the gates amain. + They snort the breath of pride, and, filled therewith, + Their nozzles whistle with barbaric sound. + High too and haughty is his shield's device-- + An armd man who climbs, from rung to rung, + A scaling ladder, up a hostile wall, + Afire to sack and slay; and he too cries, + (By letters, full of sound, upon the shield) + _Not Ares' self shall cast me from the wall_. + Look to it, send, against this man, a man + Strong to debar the slave's yoke from our town. + ETEOCLES (_pointing to_ MEGAREUS) + + Send will I--even this man, with luck to aid-- + By his worth sent already, not by pride + And vain pretence, is he. 'Tis Megareus, + The child of Creon, of the Earth-sprung born! + He will not shrink from guarding of the gates, + Nor fear the maddened charger's frenzied neigh, + But, if he dies, will nobly quit the score + For nurture to the land that gave him birth, + Or from the shield-side hew two warriors down + Eteoclus and the figure that he lifts-- + Ay, and the city pictured, all in one, + And deck with spoils the temple of his sire! + Announce the next pair, stint not of thy tongue! + +CHORUS + + O thou, the warder of my home, + Grant, unto us, Fate's favouring tide, + Send on the foemen doom! + They fling forth taunts of frenzied pride, + On them may Zeus with glare of vengeance come; + +THE SPY + + Lo, next him stands a fourth and shouts amain, + By Pallas Onca's portal, and displays + A different challenge; 'tis Hippomedon! + Huge the device that starts up from his targe + In high relief; and, I deny it not, + I shuddered, seeing how, upon the rim, + It made a mighty circle round the shield-- + No sorry craftsman he, who wrought that work + And clamped it all around the buckler's edge! + The form was Typhon: from his glowing throat + Rolled lurid smoke, spark-litten, kin of fire! + The flattened edge-work, circling round the whole, + Made strong support for coiling snakes that grew + Erect above the concave of the shield: + Loud rang the warrior's voice; inspired for war, + He raves to slay, as doth a Bacchanal, + His very glance a terror! of such wight + Beware the onset! closing on the gates, + He peals his vaunting and appalling cry! + +ETEOCLES + + Yet first our Pallas Onca--wardress she, + Planting her foot hard by her gate--shall stand, + The Maid against the ruffian, and repel + His force, as from her brood the mother-bird + Beats back the wintered serpent's venom'd fang + And next, by her, is Oenops' gallant son, + Hyperbius, chosen to confront this foe, + Ready to seek his fate at Fortune's shrine! + + In form, in valour, and in skill of arms, + None shall gainsay him. See how wisely well + Hermes hath set the brave against the strong! + Confronted shall they stand, the shield of each + Bearing the image of opposing gods: + One holds aloft his Typhon breathing fire, + But, on the other's shield, in symbol sits + Zeus, calm and strong, and fans his bolt to flame-- + Zeus, seen of all, yet seen of none to fail! + Howbeit, weak is trust reposed in Heaven-- + Yet are we upon Zeus' victorious side, + The foe, with those he worsted--if in sooth + Zeus against Typhon held the upper hand, + And if Hyperbius, (as well may hap + When two such foes such diverse emblems bear) + Have Zeus upon his shield, a saving sign. + +CHORUS + + High faith is mine that he whose shield + Bears, against Zeus, the thing of hate. + The giant Typhon, thus revealed, + A monster loathed of gods eterne + And mortal men--this doom shall earn + A shattered skull, before the gate! + +THE SPY + + Heaven send it so! + A fifth assailant now + Is set against our fifth, the northern, gate, + Fronting the death-mound where Amphion lies + The child of Zeus. + + This foeman vows his faith, + Upon a mystic spear-head which he deems + More holy than a godhead and more sure + To find its mark than any glance of eye, + That, will they, nill they, he will storm and sack + The hold of the Cadmeans. Such his oath-- + His, the bold warrior, yet of childish years, + A bud of beauty's foremost flower, the son + Of Zeus and of the mountain maid. I mark + How the soft down is waxing on his cheek, + Thick and close-growing in its tender prime-- + In name, not mood, is he a maiden's child-- + Parthenopaeus; large and bright his eyes + But fierce the wrath wherewith he fronts the gate: + Yet not unheralded he takes his stand + Before the portal; on his brazen shield, + The rounded screen and shelter of his form, + I saw him show the ravening Sphinx, the fiend + That shamed our city--how it glared and moved, + Clamped on the buckler, wrought in high relief! + And in its claws did a Cadmean bear-- + Nor heretofore, for any single prey, + Sped she aloft, through such a storm of darts + As now awaits her. So our foe is here-- + Like, as I deem, to ply no stinted trade + In blood and broil, but traffick as is meet + In fierce exchange for his long wayfaring! + +ETEOCLES + + Ah, may they meet the doom they think to bring-- + They and their impious vaunts--from those on high! + So should they sink, hurled down to deepest death! + This foe, at least, by thee Arcadian styled, + Is faced by one who bears no braggart sign, + But his hand sees to smite, where blows avail-- + Actor, own brother to Hyperbius! + He will not let a boast without a blow + Stream through our gates and nourish our despair, + Nor give him way who on his hostile shield + Bears the brute image of the loathly Sphinx! + Blocked at the gate, she will rebuke the man + Who strives to thrust her forward, when she feels + Thick crash of blows, up to the city wall. + With Heaven's goodwill, my forecast shall be true. + +CHORUS + + Home to my heart the vaunting goes, + And, quick with terror, on my head + Rises my hair, at sound of those + Who wildly, impiously rave! + If gods there be, to them I plead-- + _Give them to darkness and the grave_. + +THE SPY + + Fronting the sixth gate stands another foe, + Wisest of warriors, bravest among seers-- + Such must I name Amphiaraus: he, + Set steadfast at the Homoloid gate, + Berates strong Tydeus with reviling words-- + _The man of blood, the bane of state and home, + To Argos, arch-allurer to all ill, + Evoker of the fury-fiend of hell, + Death's minister, and counsellor of wrong + Unto Adrastus in this fatal field_. + Ay, and with eyes upturned and mien of scorn + He chides thy brother Polynices too + At his desert, and once and yet again + Dwells hard and meaningly upon his name + Where it saith _glory_ yet importeth _feud_. + _Yea, such thou art in act, and such thy grace + In sight of Heaven, and such in aftertime + Thy fame, for lips and ears of mortal men! + "He strove to sack the city of his sires + And temples of her gods, and brought on her + An alien armament of foreign foes. + The fountain of maternal blood outpoured + What power can staunch? even so, thy fatherland + Once by thine ardent malice stormed and ta'en, + Shall ne'er join force with thee." For me, I know + It doth remain to let my blood enrich + The border of this land that loves me not-- + Blood of a prophet, in a foreign grave! + Now, for the battle! I foreknow my doom, + Yet it shall be with honour_. So he spake, + The prophet, holding up his targe of bronze + Wrought without blazon, to the ears of men + Who stood around and heeded not his word. + For on no bruit and rumour of great deeds, + But on their doing, is his spirit set, + And in his heart he reaps a furrow rich, + Wherefrom the foison of good counsel springs. + Against him, send brave heart and hand of might, + For the god-lover is man's fiercest foe. + +ETEOCLES + + Out on the chance that couples mortal men, + Linking the just and impious in one! + In every issue, the one curse is this-- + Companionship with men of evil heart! + A baneful harvest, let none gather it! + The field of sin is rank, and brings forth death + At whiles a righteous man who goes aboard + With reckless mates, a horde of villainy, + Dies by one death with that detested crew; + At whiles the just man, joined with citizens + Ruthless to strangers, recking nought of Heaven, + Trapped, against nature, in one net with them, + Dies by God's thrust and all-including blow. + So will this prophet die, even Oecleus' child, + Sage, just, and brave, and loyal towards Heaven, + Potent in prophecy, but mated here + With men of sin, too boastful to be wise! + Long is their road, and they return no more, + And, at their taking-off, by hand of Zeus, + The prophet too shall take the downward way. + He will not--so I deem--assail the gate-- + Not as through cowardice or feeble will, + But as one knowing to what end shall be + Their struggle in the battle, if indeed + Fruit of fulfilment lie in Loxias' word. + He speaketh not, unless to speak avails! + Yet, for more surety, we will post a man, + Strong Lasthenes, as warder of the gate, + Stern to the foeman; he hath age's skill, + Mated with youthful vigour, and an eye + Forward, alert; swift too his hand, to catch + The fenceless interval 'twixt shield and spear! + Yet man's good fortune lies in hand of Heaven. + +CHORUS + + Unto our loyal cry, ye gods, give ear! + Save, save the city! turn away the spear, + Send on the foemen fear! + Outside the rampart fall they, rent and riven + Beneath the bolt of heaven! + +THE SPY + + Last, let me name yon seventh antagonist, + Thy brother's self, at the seventh portal set-- + Hear with what wrath he imprecates our doom, + Vowing to mount the wall, though banished hence, + And peal aloud the wild exulting cry-- + _The town is ta'en_--then clash his sword with thine, + Giving and taking death in close embrace, + Or, if thou 'scapest, flinging upon thee, + As robber of his honour and his home, + The doom of exile such as he has borne. + So clamours he and so invokes the gods + Who guard his race and home, to hear and heed + The curse that sounds in Polynices' name! + He bears a round shield, fresh from forge and fire, + And wrought upon it is a twofold sign-- + For lo, a woman leads decorously + The figure of a warrior wrought in gold; + And thus the legend runs--_I Justice am, + And I will bring the hero home again, + To hold once more his place within this town, + Once more to pace his sire's ancestral hall_. + Such are the symbols, by our foemen shown-- + Now make thine own decision, whom to send + Against this last opponent! I have said-- + Nor canst thou in my tidings find a flaw-- + Thine is it, now, to steer the course aright. + +ETEOCLES + + Ah me, the madman, and the curse of Heaven! + And woe for us, the lamentable line + Of Oedipus, and woe that in this house + Our father's curse must find accomplishment! + But now, a truce to tears and loud lament, + Lest they should breed a still more rueful wail! + As for this Polynices, named too well, + Soon shall we know how his device shall end-- + Whether the gold-wrought symbols on his shield, + In their mad vaunting and bewildered pride, + Shall guide him as a victor to his home! + For had but Justice, maiden-child of Zeus, + Stood by his act and thought, it might have been! + Yet never, from the day he reached the light + Out of the darkness of his mother's womb, + Never in childhood, nor in youthful prime, + Nor when his chin was gathering its beard, + Hath Justice hailed or claimed him as her own. + Therefore I deem not that she standeth now + To aid him in this outrage on his home! + Misnamed, in truth, were Justice, utterly, + If to impiety she lent her hand. + Sure in this faith, I will myself go forth + And match me with him; who hath fairer claim? + Ruler, against one fain to snatch the rule, + Brother with brother matched, and foe with foe, + Will I confront the issue. To the wall! + +CHORUS + + O thou true heart, O child of Oedipus, + Be not, in wrath, too like the man whose name + Murmurs an evil omen! 'Tis enough + That Cadmus' clan should strive with Argos' host, + For blood there is that can atone that stain! + But--brother upon brother dealing death-- + Not time itself can expiate the sin! + +ETEOCLES + + If man find hurt, yet clasp his honour still, + 'Tis well; the dead have honour, nought beside. + Hurt, with dishonour, wins no word of praise! + +CHORUS + + Ah, what is thy desire? + Let not the lust and ravin of the sword + Bear thee adown the tide accursed, abhorred! + Fling off thy passion's rage, thy spirit's prompting dire! + +ETEOCLES + + Nay--since the god is urgent for our doom, + Let Laius' house, by Phoebus loathed and scorned, + Follow the gale of destiny, and win + Its great inheritance, the gulf of hell! + +CHORUS + + Ruthless thy craving is-- + Craving for kindred and forbidden blood + To be outpoured--a sacrifice imbrued + With sin, a bitter fruit of murderous enmities! + +ETEOCLES + + Yea, my own father's fateful Curse proclaims-- + A ghastly presence, and her eyes are dry-- + _Strike! honour is the prize, not life prolonged_! + +CHORUS + + Ah, be not urged of her! for none shall dare + To call thee _coward_, in thy throned estate! + Will not the Fury in her sable pall + Pass outward from these halls, what time the gods + Welcome a votive offering from our hands? + +ETEOCLES + + The gods! long since they hold us in contempt, + Scornful of gifts thus offered by the lost! + Why should we fawn and flinch away from doom? + +CHORUS + + Now, when it stands beside thee! for its power + May, with a changing gust of milder mood, + Temper the blast that bloweth wild and rude + And frenzied, in this hour! + +ETEOCLES + + Ay, kindled by the curse of Oedipus-- + All too prophetic, out of dreamland came + The vision, meting out our sire's estate! + +CHORUS + + Heed women's voices, though thou love them not! + +ETEOCLES + + Say aught that may avail, but stint thy words. + +CHORUS + + Go not thou forth to guard the seventh gate! + +ETEOCLES + + Words shall not blunt the edge of my resolve. + +CHORUS + + Yet the god loves to let the weak prevail. + +ETEOCLES + + That to a swordsman, is no welcome word! + +CHORUS + + Shall thine own brother's blood be victory's palm? + +ETEOCLES + + Ill which the gods have sent thou canst not shun! + [_Exit_ ETEOCLES. CHORUS + + I shudder in dread of the power, + abhorred by the gods of high heaven, + The ruinous curse of the home + till roof-tree and rafter be riven! + Too true are the visions of ill, + too true the fulfilment they bring + To the curse that was spoken of old + by the frenzy and wrath of the king! + Her will is the doom of the children, + and Discord is kindled amain, + And strange is the Lord of Division, + who cleaveth the birthright in twain,-- + The edged thing, born of the north, + the steel that is ruthless and keen, + Dividing in bitter division + the lot of the children of teen! + Not the wide lowland around, + the realm of their sire, shall they have, + Yet enough for the dead to inherit, + the pitiful space of a grave! + + Ah, but when kin meets kin, when sire and child, + Unknowing, are defiled + By shedding common blood, and when the pit + Of death devoureth it, + Drinking the clotted stain, the gory dye-- + Who, who can purify? + Who cleanse pollution, where the ancient bane + Rises and reeks again? + Whilome in olden days the sin was wrought, + And swift requital brought-- + Yea on the children of the child came still + New heritage of ill! + For thrice Apollo spoke this word divine, + From Delphi's central shrine, + To Laius--_Die thou childless_! thus alone + Can the land's weal be won! + But vainly with his wife's desire he strove, + And gave himself to love, + Begetting Oedipus, by whom he died, + The fateful parricide! + The sacred seed-plot, his own mother's womb, + He sowed, his house's doom, + A root of blood! by frenzy lured, they came + Unto their wedded shame. + And now the waxing surge, the wave of fate, + Rolls on them, triply great-- + One billow sinks, the next towers, high and dark, + Above our city's bark-- + Only the narrow barrier of the wall + Totters, as soon to fall; + And, if our chieftains in the storm go down, + What chance can save the town? + Curses, inherited from long ago, + Bring heavy freight of woe: + Rich stores of merchandise o'erload the deck, + Near, nearer comes the wreck-- + And all is lost, cast out upon the wave, + Floating, with none to save! + + Whom did the gods, whom did the chief of men, + Whom did each citizen + In crowded concourse, in such honour hold, + As Oedipus of old, + When the grim fiend, that fed on human prey, + He took from us away? + + But when, in the fulness of days, + he knew of his bridal unblest, + A twofold horror he wrought, + in the frenzied despair of his breast-- + Debarred from the grace of the banquet, + the service of goblets of gold, + He flung on his children a curse + for the splendour they dared to withhold, + A curse prophetic and bitter-- + _The glory of wealth and of pride, + With iron, not gold, in your hands, + ye shall come, at the last, to divide_! + Behold, how a shudder runs through me, + lest now, in the fulness of time, + The house-fiend awake and return, + to mete out the measure of crime! + [_Enter_ THE SPY. + +THE SPY + + Take heart, ye daughters whom your mothers' milk + Made milky-hearted! lo, our city stands, + Saved from the yoke of servitude: the vaunts + Of overweening men are silent now, + And the State sails beneath a sky serene, + Nor in the manifold and battering waves + Hath shipped a single surge, and solid stands + The rampart, and the gates are made secure, + Each with a single champion's trusty guard. + So in the main and at six gates we hold + A victory assured; but, at the seventh, + The god that on the seventh day was born, + Royal Apollo, hath ta'en up his rest + To wreak upon the sons of Oedipus + Their grandsire's wilfulness of long ago. + +CHORUS + + What further woefulness besets our home? + +THE SPY + + The home stands safe--but ah, the princes twain-- + +CHORUS + + Who? what of them? I am distraught with fear. + +THE SPY + + Hear now, and mark! the sons of Oedipus-- + +CHORUS + + Ah, my prophetic soul! I feel their doom. + +THE SPY + + Have done with questions!--with their lives crushed out-- + +CHORUS + + Lie they out yonder? the full horror speak! + Did hands meet hands more close than brotherly? + Came fate on each, and in the selfsame hour? + +THE SPY + + Yea, blotting out the lineage ill-starred! + Now mix your exultation and your tears, + Over a city saved, the while its lords, + Twin leaders of the fight, have parcelled out + With forged arbitrament of Scythian steel + The full division of their fatherland, + And, as their father's imprecation bade, + Shall have their due of land, a twofold grave. + So is the city saved; the earth has drunk + Blood of twin princes, by each other slain. + +CHORUS + + O mighty Zeus and guardian powers, + The strength and stay of Cadmus' towers! + Shall I send forth a joyous cry, + _Hail to the lord of weal renewed_? + Or weep the misbegotten twain, + Born to a fatal destiny? + Each numbered now among the slain, + Each dying in ill fortitude, + Each _truly named_, each _child of feud_? + + O dark and all-prevailing ill, + That broods o'er Oedipus and all his line, + Numbing my heart with mortal chill! + Ah me, this song of mine, + Which, Thyad-like, I woke, now falleth still, + Or only tells of doom, + And echoes round a tomb! + + Dead are they, dead! in their own blood they lie-- + Ill-omened the concent that hails our victory! + The curse a father on his children spake + Hath faltered not, nor failed! + Nought, Laius! thy stubborn choice availed-- + First to beget, then, in the after day + And for the city's sake, + The child to slay! + For nought can blunt nor mar + The speech oracular! + Children of teen! by disbelief ye erred-- + Yet in wild weeping came fulfilment of the word! + [ANTIGONE _and_ ISMENE _approach, + with a train of mourners, bearing the + bodies of_ ETEOCLES _and_ POLYNICES. + + Look up, look forth! the doom is plain, + Nor spake the messenger in vain! + A twofold sorrow, twofold strife-- + Each brave against a brother's life! + In double doom hath sorrow come-- + How shall I speak it?--on the home! + + Alas, my sisters! be your sighs the gale, + The smiting of your brows the plash of oars, + Wafting the boat, to Acheron's dim shores + That passeth ever, with its darkened sail, + On its uncharted voyage and sunless way, + Far from thy beams, Apollo, god of day-- + The melancholy bark + Bound for the common bourn, the harbour of the dark! + Look up, look yonder! from the home + Antigone, Ismene come, + On the last, saddest errand bound, + To chant a dirge of doleful sound, + With agony of equal pain + Above their brethren slain! + Their sister-bosoms surely swell, + Heart with rent heart according well + In grief for those who fought and fell! + Yet--ere they utter forth their woe-- + We must awake the rueful strain + To vengeful powers, in realms below, + And mourn hell's triumph o'er the slain! + + Alas! of all, the breast who bind,-- + Yea, all the race of womankind-- + O maidens, ye are most bereaved! + For you, for you the tear-drops start-- + Deem that in truth, and undeceived, + Ye hear the sorrows of my heart! + (_To the dead_.) + Children of bitterness, and sternly brave-- + One, proud of heart against persuasion's voice, + One, against exile proof! ye win your choice-- + Each in your fatherland, a separate grave! + + Alack, on house and heritage + They brought a baneful doom, and death for wage! + One strove through tottering walls to force his way, + One claimed, in bitter arrogance, the sway, + And both alike, even now and here, + Have closed their suit, with steel for arbiter! + And lo, the Fury-fiend of Oedipus, their sire, + Hath brought his curse to consummation dire! + Each in the left side smitten, see them laid-- + The children of one womb, + Slain by a mutual doom! + Alas, their fate! the combat murderous, + The horror of the house, + The curse of ancient bloodshed, now repaid! + Yea, deep and to the heart the deathblow fell, + Edged by their feud ineffable-- + By the grim curse, their sire did imprecate-- + Discord and deadly hate! + Hark, how the city and its towers make moan-- + How the land mourns that held them for its own! + Fierce greed and fell division did they blend, + Till death made end! + They strove to part the heritage in twain, + Giving to each a gain-- + Yet that which struck the balance in the strife, + The arbitrating sword, + By those who loved the twain is held abhorred-- + Loathed is the god of death, who sundered each from life! + Here, by the stroke of steel, behold! they lie-- + And rightly may we cry + _Beside their fathers, let them here be laid-- + Iron gave their doom, with iron their graves be made-- + Alack, the slaying sword, alack, th' entombing spade_! + + Alas, a piercing shriek, a rending groan, + A cry unfeigned of sorrow felt at heart! + With shuddering of grief, with tears that start, + With wailful escort, let them hither come-- + For one or other make divided moan! + No light lament of pity mixed with gladness, + But with true tears, poured from the soul of sadness, + Over the princes dead and their bereavd home + + Say we, above these brethren dead, + _On citizen, on foreign foe, + Brave was their rush, and stern their blow-- + Now, lowly are they laid_! + Beyond all women upon earth + Woe, woe for her who gave them birth! + Unknowingly, her son she wed-- + The children of that marriage-bed, + Each in the self-same womb, were bred-- + Each by a brother's hand lies dead! + + Yea, from one seed they sprang, and by one fate + Their heritage is desolate, + The heart's division sundered claim from claim, + And, from their feud, death came! + Now is their hate allayed, + Now is their life-stream shed, + Ensanguining the earth with crimson dye-- + Lo, from one blood they sprang, and in one blood they lie! + A grievous arbiter was given the twain-- + The stranger from the northern main, + The sharp, dividing sword, + Fresh from the forge and fire + The War-god treacherous gave ill award + And brought their father's curse to a fulfilment dire! + They have their portion--each his lot and doom, + Given from the gods on high! + Yea, the piled wealth of fatherland, for tomb, + Shall underneath them lie! + Alas, alas! with flowers of fame and pride + Your home ye glorified; + But, in the end, the Furies gathered round + With chants of boding sound, + + Shrieking, _In wild defeat and disarray, + Behold, ye pass away_! + The sign of Ruin standeth at the gate, + There, where they strove with Fate-- + And the ill power beheld the brothers' fall, + And triumphed over all! + ANTIGONE, ISMENE, _and_ CHORUS + (_Processional Chant_) + + Thou wert smitten, in smiting, + Thou didst slay, and wert slain-- + By the spear of each other + Ye lie on the plain, + And ruthless the deed that ye wrought was, + and ruthless the death of the twain! + + Take voice, O my sorrow! + Flow tear upon tear-- + Lay the slain by the slayer, + Made one on the bier! + Our soul in distraction is lost, + and we mourn o'er the prey of the spear! + + Ah, woe for your ending, + Unbrotherly wrought! + And woe for the issue, + The fray that ye fought, + The doom of a mutual slaughter + whereby to the grave ye are brought! + + Ah, twofold the sorrow-- + The heard and the seen! + And double the tide + Of our tears and our teen, + As we stand by our brothers in death + and wail for the love that has been! + + O grievous the fate + That attends upon wrong! + Stern ghost of our sire, + Thy vengeance is long! + Dark Fury of hell and of death, the hands of thy + kingdom are strong! + + O dark were the sorrows + That exile hath known! + He slew, but returned not + Alive to his own! + He struck down a brother, but fell, in the moment of + triumph hewn down! + + O lineage accurst, + O doom and despair! + Alas, for their quarrel, + The brothers that were! + And woe! for their pitiful end, who once were our + love and our care! + + O grievous the fate + That attends upon wrong! + Stern ghost of our sire, + Thy vengeance is long! + Dark Fury of hell and of death, the hands of thy + kingdom are strong! + + By proof have ye learnt it! + At once and as one, + O brothers beloved, + To death ye were done! + Ye came to the strife of the sword, and behold! ye + are both overthrown! + + O grievous the tale is, + And grievous their fall, + To the house, to the land, + And to me above all! + Ah God! for the curse that hath come, the sin and + the ruin withal! + + O children distraught, + Who in madness have died! + Shall ye rest with old kings + In the place of their pride? + Alas for the wrath of your sire if he findeth you laid + by his side! + [_Enter a_ HERALD. + +HERALD + + I bear command to tell to one and all + What hath approved itself and now is law, + Ruled by the counsellors of Cadmus' town. + For this Eteocles, it is resolved + To lay him on his earth-bed, in this soil, + Not without care and kindly sepulture. + For why? he hated those who hated us, + And, with all duties blamelessly performed + Unto the sacred ritual of his sires, + He met such end as gains our city's grace,-- + With auspices that do ennoble death. + Such words I have in charge to speak of him: + But of his brother Polynices, this-- + Be he cast out unburied, for the dogs + To rend and tear: for he presumed to waste + The land of the Cadmeans, had not Heaven-- + Some god of those who aid our fatherland-- + Opposed his onset, by his brother's spear, + To whom, tho' dead, shall consecration come! + Against him stood this wretch, and brought a horde + Of foreign foemen, to beset our town. + He therefore shall receive his recompense, + Buried ignobly in the maw of kites-- + No women-wailers to escort his corpse + Nor pile his tomb nor shrill his dirge anew-- + Unhouselled, unattended, cast away! + So, for these brothers, doth our State ordain. + +ANTIGONE + + And I--to those who make such claims of rule + In Cadmus' town--I, though no other help, + (_Pointing to the body of_ POLYNICES) + I, I will bury this my brother's corse + And risk your wrath and what may come of it! + It shames me not to face the State, and set + Will against power, rebellion resolute: + Deep in my heart is set my sisterhood, + My common birthright with my brothers, born + All of one womb, her children who, for woe, + Brought forth sad offspring to a sire ill-starred. + Therefore, my soul! take thou thy willing share, + In aid of him who now can will no more, + Against this outrage: be a sister true, + While yet thou livest, to a brother dead! + Him never shall the wolves with ravening maw + Rend and devour: I do forbid the thought! + I for him, I--albeit a woman weak-- + In place of burial-pit, will give him rest + By this protecting handful of light dust + Which, in the lap of this poor linen robe, + I bear to hallow and bestrew his corpse + With the due covering. Let none gainsay! + Courage and craft shall arm me, this to do. + +HERALD + + I charge thee, not to flout the city's law! + +ANTIGONE + + I charge thee, use no useless heralding! + +HERALD + + Stern is a people newly 'scaped from death. + +ANTIGONE + + Whet thou their sternness! Burial he shall have. + +HERALD + + How? Grace of burial, to the city's foe? + +ANTIGONE + + God hath not judged him separate in guilt. + +HERALD + + True--till he put this land in jeopardy. + +ANTIGONE + + His rights usurped, he answered wrong with wrong. + +HERALD + + Nay--but for one man's sin he smote the State. + +ANTIGONE + + Contention doth out-talk all other gods! + Prate thou no more--I will to bury him. + +HERALD + + Will, an thou wilt! but I forbid the deed. + [_Exit_ the HERALD. + +CHORUS + + Exulting Fates, who waste the line + And whelm the house of Oedipus! + Fiends, who have slain, in wrath condign, + The father and the children thus! + What now befits it that I do, + What meditate, what undergo? + Can I the funeral rite refrain, + Nor weep for Polynices slain? + But yet, with fear I shrink and thrill, + Presageful of the city's will! + Thou, O Eteocles, shalt have + Full rites, and mourners at thy grave, + But he, thy brother slain, shall he, + With none to weep or cry _Alas_, + To unbefriended burial pass? + Only one sister o'er his bier, + To raise the cry and pour the tear-- + Who can obey such stern decree? + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Let those who hold our city's sway + Wreak, or forbear to wreak, their will + On those who cry, _Ah, well-a-day_! + Lamenting Polynices still! + We will go forth and, side by side + With her, due burial will provide! + Royal he was; to him be paid + Our grief, wherever he be laid! + The crowd may sway, and change, and still + Take its caprice for Justice' will! + But we this dead Eteocles, + As Justice wills and Right decrees, + Will bear unto his grave! + For--under those enthroned on high + And Zeus' eternal royalty-- + He unto us salvation gave! + He saved us from a foreign yoke,-- + A wild assault of outland folk, + A savage, alien wave! + [_Exeunt_. + + + + +PROMETHEUS BOUND + + + + +ARGUMENT + +In the beginning, Ouranos and Gaia held sway over Heaven and Earth. +And manifold children were born unto them, of whom were Cronos, and +Okeanos, and the Titans, and the Giants. But Cronos cast down his +father Ouranos, and ruled in his stead, until Zeus his son cast him +down in his turn, and became King of Gods and men. Then were the +Titans divided, for some had good will unto Cronos, and others unto +Zeus; until Prometheus, son of the Titan lapetos, by wise counsel, +gave the victory to Zeus. But Zeus held the race of mortal men in +scorn, and was fain to destroy them from the face of the earth; yet +Prometheus loved them, and gave secretly to them the gift of fire, +and arts whereby they could prosper upon the earth. Then was Zeus +sorely angered with Prometheus, and bound him upon a mountain, and +afterward overwhelmed him in an earthquake, and devised other +torments against him for many ages; yet could he not slay Prometheus, +for he was a God. + + + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + STRENGTH AND FORCE. + HEPHAESTUS. + PROMETHEUS. + CHORUS OF SEA-NYMPHS, + DAUGHTERS OF OCEANUS. + OCEANUS. + IO. + HERMES. + + _Scene--A rocky ravine in the mountains of Scythia_. + + +STRENGTH + + Lo, the earth's bound and limitary land, + The Scythian steppe, the waste untrod of men! + Look to it now, Hephaestus--thine it is, + Thy Sire obeying, this arch-thief to clench + Against the steep-down precipice of rock, + With stubborn links of adamantine chain. + Look thou: thy flower, the gleaming plastic fire, + He stole and lent to mortal man--a sin + That gods immortal make him rue to-day, + Lessoned hereby to own th' omnipotence + Of Zeus, and to repent his love to man! + +HEPHAESTUS + + O Strength and Force, for you the best of Zeus + Stands all achieved, and nothing bars your will: + But I--I dare not bind to storm-vext cleft + One of our race, immortal as are we. + Yet, none the less, necessity constrains, + For Zeus, defied, is heavy in revenge! + (_To PROMETHEUS_) + + O deep-devising child of Themis sage, + Small will have I to do, or thou to bear, + What yet we must. Beyond the haunt of man + Unto this rock, with fetters grimly forged, + I must transfix and shackle up thy limbs, + Where thou shalt mark no voice nor human form, + But, parching in the glow and glare of sun, + Thy body's flower shall suffer a sky-change; + And gladly wilt thou hail the hour when Night + Shall in her starry robe invest the day, + Or when the Sun shall melt the morning rime. + But, day or night, for ever shall the load + Of wasting agony, that may not pass, + Wear thee away; for know, the womb of Time + Hath not conceived a power to set thee free. + Such meed thou hast, for love toward mankind + For thou, a god defying wrath of gods, + Beyond the ordinance didst champion men, + And for reward shalt keep a sleepless watch, + Stiff-kneed, erect, nailed to this dismal rock, + With manifold laments and useless cries + Against the will inexorable of Zeus. + Hard is the heart of fresh-usurpd power! + +STRENGTH + + Enough of useless ruth! why tarriest thou? + Why pitiest one whom all gods wholly hate, + One who to man gave o'er thy privilege? + +HEPHAESTUS + + Kinship and friendship wring my heart for him. + +STRENGTH + + Ay--but how disregard our Sire's command? + Is not thy pity weaker than thy fear? + +HEPHAESTUS + + Ruthless as ever, brutal to the full! + +STRENGTH + + Tears can avail him nothing: strive not thou, + Nor waste thine efforts thus unaidingly. + + +HEPHAESTUS + + Out on my cursed mastery of steel! + +STRENGTH + + Why curse it thus? In sooth that craft of thine + Standeth assoiled of all that here is wrought. + +HEPHAESTUS + + Would that some other were endowed therewith! + +STRENGTH + + All hath its burden, save the rule of Heaven, + And freedom is for Zeus, and Zeus alone. + +HEPHAESTUS + + I know it; I gainsay no word hereof. + +STRENGTH + + Up, then, and hasten to do on his bonds, + Lest Zeus behold thee indolent of will! + +HEPHAESTUS + + Ah well--behold the armlets ready now! + +STRENGTH + + Then cast them round his arms and with sheer strength + Swing down the hammer, clinch him to the crags. + +HEPHAESTUS + + Lo, 'tis toward--no weakness in the work! + +STRENGTH + + Smite harder, wedge it home--no faltering here! + He hath a craft can pass th' impassable! + +HEPHAESTUS + + This arm is fast, inextricably bound. + +STRENGTH + + Then shackle safe the other, that he know + His utmost craft is weaker far than Zeus. + +HEPHAESTUS + + He, but none other, can accuse mine art! + +STRENGTH + + Now, strong and sheer, drive thro' from breast to back + The adamantine wedge's stubborn fang. + +HEPHAESTUS + + Alas, Prometheus! I lament thy pain. + +STRENGTH + + Thou, faltering and weeping sore for those + Whom Zeus abhors! 'ware, lest thou rue thy tears! + +HEPHAESTUS + + Thou gazest on a scene that poisons sight. + +STRENGTH + + I gaze on one who suffers his desert. + Now between rib and shoulder shackle him-- + +HEPHAESTUS + + Do it I must--hush thy superfluous charge! + +STRENGTH + + Urge thee I will--ay, hound thee to the prey. + Step downward now, enring his legs amain! + +HEPHAESTUS + + Lo, it is done--'twas but a moment's toil. + +STRENGTH + + Now, strongly strike, drive in the piercing gyves-- + Stern is the power that oversees thy task! + +HEPHAESTUS + + Brutish thy form, thy speech brutality! + +STRENGTH + + Be gentle, an thou wilt, but blame not me + For this my stubbornness and anger fell! + +HEPHAESTUS + + Let us go hence; his legs are firmly chained. + +STRENGTH (_To_ PROMETHEUS) + + Aha! there play the insolent, and steal, + For creatures of a day, the rights of gods! + O deep delusion of the powers that named thee + Prometheus, the Fore-thinker! thou hast need + Of others' forethought and device, whereby + Thou may'st elude this handicraft of ours! + [_Exeunt_ HEPHAESTUS, STRENGTH, + _and_ FORCE.--_A pause_. + + +PROMETHEUS + + O Sky divine, O Winds of pinions swift, + O fountain-heads of Rivers, and O thou, + Illimitable laughter of the Sea! + O Earth, the Mighty Mother, and thou Sun, + Whose orbed light surveyeth all--attest, + What ills I suffer from the gods, a god! + Behold me, who must here sustain + The marring agonies of pain, + Wrestling with torture, doomed to bear + Eternal ages, year on year! + Such and so shameful is the chain + Which Heaven's new tyrant doth ordain + To bind me helpless here. + Woe! for the ruthless present doom! + Woe! for the Future's teeming womb! + On what far dawn, in what dim skies, + Shall star of my deliverance rise? + + Truce to this utterance! to its dimmest verge + I do foreknow the future, hour by hour, + Nor can whatever pang may smite me now + Smite with surprise. The destiny ordained + I must endure to the best, for well I wot + That none may challenge with Necessity. + Yet is it past my patience, to reveal, + Or to conceal, these issues of my doom. + Since I to mortals brought prerogatives, + Unto this durance dismal am I bound: + Yea, I am he who in a fennel-stalk, + By stealthy sleight, purveyed the fount of fire, + The teacher, proven thus, and arch-resource + Of every art that aideth mortal men. + Such was my sin: I earn its recompense, + Rock-riveted, and chained in height and cold. + [_A pause_. + Listen! what breath of sound, + what fragrance soft hath risen + Upward to me? is it some godlike essence, + Or being half-divine, or mortal presence? + Who to the world's end comes, unto my craggy prison? + Craves he the sight of pain, or what would he behold? + Gaze on a god in tortures manifold, + Heinous to Zeus, and scorned by all + Whose footsteps tread the heavenly hall, + Because too deeply, from on high, + I pitied man's mortality! + Hark, and again! that fluttering sound + Of wings that whirr and circle round, + And their light rustle thrills the air-- + How all things that unseen draw near + Are to me Fear! + [_Enter the_ CHORUS OF OCEANIDES, + _in winged cars_] + CHORUS + + Ah, fear us not! as friends, with rivalry + Of swiftly-vying wings, we came together + Unto this rock and thee! + With our sea-sire we pleaded hard, until + We won him to our will, + And swift the wafting breezes bore us hither. + The heavy hammer's steely blow + Thrilled to our ocean-cavern from afar, + Banished soft shyness from our maiden brow, + And with unsandalled feet we come, in winged car! + +PROMETHEUS + + Ah well-a-day! ye come, ye come + From the Sea-Mother's teeming home-- + Children of Tethys and the sire + Who around Earth rolls, gyre on gyre, + His sleepless ocean-tide! + Look on me--shackled with what chain, + Upon this chasm's beetling side + I must my dismal watch sustain! + +CHORUS + + Yea, I behold, Prometheus! and my fears + Draw swiftly o'er mine eyes a mist fulfilled of tears, + When I behold thy frame + Bound, wasting on the rock, and put to shame + By adamantine chains! + The rudder and the rule of Heaven + Are to strange pilots given: + Zeus with new laws and strong caprice holds sway, + Unkings the ancient Powers, their might constrains, + And thrusts their pride away! + +PROMETHEUS + + Had he but hurled me, far beneath + The vast and ghostly halls of Death, + Down to the limitless profound Of Tartarus, + in fetters bound, Fixed by his unrelenting hand! + So had no man, nor God on high, + Exulted o'er mine agony-- + But now, a sport to wind and sky, + Mocked by my foes, I stand! + +CHORUS + + What God can wear such ruthless heart + As to delight in ill? + Who in thy sorrow bears not part? + Zeus, Zeus alone! for he, with wrathful will, + Clenched and inflexible, + Bears down Heaven's race--nor end shall be, till hate + His soul shall satiate, + Or till, by some device, some other hand + Shall wrest from him his sternly-clasped command! + +PROMETHEUS + + Yet,--though in shackles close and strong + I lie in wasting torments long,--- + Yet the new tyrant, 'neath whose nod + Cowers down each blest subservient god, + One day, far hence, my help shall need, + The destined stratagem to read, + Whereby, in some yet distant day, + Zeus shall be reaved of pride and sway: + And no persuasion's honied spell + Shall lure me on, the tale to tell; + And no stern threat shall make me cower + And yield the secret to his power, + Until his purpose be foregone, + And shackles yield, and he atone + The deep despite that he hath done! + +CHORUS + + O strong in hardihood, thou striv'st amain + Against the stress of pain! + But yet too free, too resolute thy tongue + In challenging thy wrong! + Ah, shuddering dread doth make my spirit quiver, + And o'er thy fate sits Fear! + I see not to what shore of safety ever + Thy bark can steer-- + In depths unreached the will of Zeus doth dwell, + Hidden, implacable! + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay, stern is Zeus, and Justice stands, + Wrenched to his purpose, in his hands-- + Yet shall he learn, perforce, to know + A milder mood, when falls the blow-- + His ruthless wrath he shall lay still, + And he and I with mutual will + In concord's bond shall go. + +CHORUS + + Unveil, say forth to us the tale entire, + Under what imputation Zeus laid hands + On thee, to rack thee thus with shameful pangs? + Tell us--unless the telling pain thee--all! + +PROMETHEUS + + Grievous alike are these things for my tongue, + Grievous for silence--rueful everyway. + Know that, when first the gods began their strife, + And heaven was all astir with mutual feud-- + Some willing to fling Cronos from his throne, + And set, forsooth, their Zeus on high as king, + And other some in contrariety + Striving to bar him from heaven's throne for aye-- + Thereon I sought to counsel for the best + The Titan brood of Ouranos and Earth; + Yet I prevailed not, for they held in scorn + My glozing wiles, and, in their hardy pride, + Deemed that sans effort they could grasp the sway. + But, for my sake, my mother Themis oft, + And Earth, one symbol of names manifold, + Had held me warned, how in futurity + It stood ordained that not by force or power, + But by some wile, the victors must prevail. + In such wise I interpreted; but they + Deigned not to cast their heed thereon at all. + Then, of things possible, I deemed it best, + Joining my mother's wisdom to mine own, + To range myself with Zeus, two wills in one. + Thus, by device of mine, the murky depth + Of Tartarus enfoldeth Cronos old + And those who strove beside him. Such the aid + I gave the lord of heaven--my meed for which + He paid me thus, a penal recompense! + For 'tis the inward vice of tyranny, + To deem of friends as being secret foes. + Now, to your question--hear me clearly show + On what imputed fault he tortures me. + Scarce was he seated on his father's throne, + When he began his doles of privilege + Among the lesser gods, allotting power + In trim division; while of mortal men + Nothing he recked, nor of their misery + Nay, even willed to blast their race entire + To nothingness, and breed another brood; + And none but I was found to cross his will. + I dared it, I alone; I rescued men + From crushing ruin and th' abyss of hell-- + Therefore am I constrained in chastisement + Grievous to bear and piteous to behold,-- + Yea, firm to feel compassion for mankind, + Myself was held unworthy of the same-- + Ay, beyond pity am I ranged and ruled + To sufferance--a sight that shames his sway! + +CHORUS + + A heart of steel, a mould of stone were he, + Who could complacently behold thy pains + I came not here as craving for this sight, + And, seeing it, I stand heart-wrung with pain. + +PROMETHEUS + + Yea truly, kindly eyes must pity me! + +CHORUS + + Say, didst thou push transgression further still? + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay, man thro' me ceased to foreknow his death. + +CHORUS + + What cure couldst thou discover for this curse? + +PROMETHEUS + + Blind hopes I sent to nestle in man's heart. + +CHORUS + + This was a goodly gift thou gavest them. + +PROMETHEUS + + Yet more I gave them, even the boon of fire. + +CHORUS + + What? radiant fire, to things ephemeral? + +PROMETHEUS + + Yea--many an art too shall they learn thereby! + +CHORUS + + Then, upon imputation of such guilt, + Doth Zeus without surcease torment thee thus? + Is there no limit to thy course of pain? + +PROMETHEUS + + None, till his own will shall decree an end. + +CHORUS + + And how shall he decree it? say, what hope? + Sest thou not thy sin? yet of that sin + It irks me sore to speak, as thee to hear. + Nay, no more words hereof; bethink thee now, + From this ordeal how to find release. + +PROMETHEUS + + Easy it is, for one whose foot is set + Outside the slough of pain, to lesson well + With admonitions him who lies therein. + With perfect knowledge did I all I did, + I willed to sin, and sinned, I own it all-- + I championed men, unto my proper pain. + Yet scarce I deemed that, in such cruel doom, + Withering upon this skyey precipice, + I should inherit lonely mountain crags, + Here, in a vast tin-neighboured solitude. + Yet list not to lament my present pains, + But, stepping from your cars unto the ground, + Listen, the while I tell the future fates + Now drawing near, until ye know the whole. + Grant ye, O grant my prayer, be pitiful + To one now racked with woe! the doom of pain + Wanders, but settles, soon or late, on all. + +CHORUS + + To willing hearts, and schooled to feel, + Prometheus, came thy tongue's appeal; + Therefore we leave, with lightsome tread, + The flying cars in which we sped-- + We leave the stainless virgin air + Where winged creatures float and fare, + And by thy side, on rocky land, + Thus gently we alight and stand, + Willing, from end to end, to know + Thine history of woe. + [_The_ CHORUS _alight from their winged cars. + Enter_ OCEANUS, _mounted on a griffin_. +OCEANUS + + Thus, over leagues and leagues of space + I come, Prometheus, to thy place-- + By will alone, not rein, I guide + The winged thing on which I ride; + And much, be sure, I mourn thy case-- + Kinship is Pity's bond, I trow; + And, wert thou not akin, I vow + None other should have more than thou + Of my compassion's grace! + 'Tis said, and shall be proved; no skill + Have I to gloze and feign goodwill! + Name but some mode of helpfulness, + And thou wilt in a trice confess + That I, Oceanus, am best + Of all thy friends, and trustiest. + +PROMETHEUS + + Ho, what a sight of marvel! what, thou too + Comest to contemplate my pains, and darest-- + (Yet how, I wot not!) leaving far behind + The circling tide, thy namefellow, and those + Rock-arched, self-hollowed caverns--thus to come + Unto this land, whose womb bears iron ore? + Art come to see my lot, resent with me + The ills I bear? Well, gaze thy fill! behold + Me, friend of Zeus, part-author of his power-- + Mark, in what ruthlessness he bows me down! + +OCEANUS + + Yea, I behold, Prometheus! and would warn + Thee, spite of all thy wisdom, for thy weal! + Learn now thyself to know, and to renew + A rightful spirit within thee, for, made new + With pride of place, sits Zeus among the gods! + Now, if thou choosest to fling forth on him + Words rough with anger thus and edged with scorn, + Zeus, though he sit aloof, afar, on high, + May hear thine utterance, and make thee deem + His present wrath a mere pretence of pain. + Banish, poor wretch! the passion of thy soul, + And seek, instead, acquittance from thy pangs! + Belike my words seem ancientry to thee-- + Such, natheless, O Prometheus, is the meed + That doth await the overweening tongue! + Meek wert thou never, wilt not crouch to pain, + But, set amid misfortunes, cravest more! + Now--if thou let thyself be schooled by me-- + Thou must not kick against the goad. Thou knowest, + A despot rules, harsh, resolute, supreme, + Whose law is will. Yet shall I go to him, + With all endeavour to relieve thy plight-- + So thou wilt curb the tempest of thy tongue! + Surely thou knowest, in thy wisdom deep, + The saw--_Who vaunts amiss, quick pain is his_. + +PROMETHEUS + + O enviable thou, and unaccused-- + Thou who wast art and part in all I dared! + And now, let be! make this no care of thine, + For Zeus is past persuasion--urge him not! + Look to thyself, lest thine emprise thou rue. + +OCEANUS + + Thou hast more skill to school thy neighbour's fault + Than to amend thine own: 'tis proved and plain, + By fact, not hearsay, that I read this well. + Yet am I fixed to go--withhold me not-- + Assured I am, assured, that Zeus will grant + The boon I crave, the loosening of thy bonds. + +PROMETHEUS + + In part I praise thee, to the end will praise; + Goodwill thou lackest not, but yet forbear + Thy further trouble! If thy heart be fain, + Bethink thee that thy toil avails me not. + Nay, rest thee well, aloof from danger's brink! + I will not ease my woe by base relief + In knowing others too involved therein. + Away the thought! for deeply do I rue + My brother Atlas' doom. Far off he stands + In sunset land, and on his shoulder bears + The pillar'd mountain-mass whose base is earth, + Whose top is heaven, and its ponderous load + Too great for any grasp. With pity too + I saw Earth's child, the monstrous thing of war, + That in Cilicia's hollow places dwelt-- + Typho; I saw his hundred-headed form + Crushed and constrained; yet once his stride was fierce, + His jaws gaped horror and their hiss was death, + And all heaven's host he challenged to the fray, + While, as one vowed to storm the power of Zeus, + Forth from his eyes he shot a demon glare. + It skilled not: the unsleeping bolt of Zeus, + The downward levin with its rush of flame, + Smote on him, and made dumb for evermore + The clamour of his vaunting: to the heart + Stricken he lay, and all that mould of strength + Sank thunder-shattered to a smouldering ash; + And helpless now and laid in ruin huge + He lieth by the narrow strait of sea, + Crushed at the root of Etna's mountain-pile. + High on the pinnacles whereof there sits + Hephaestus, sweltering at the forge; and thence + On some hereafter day shall burst and stream + The lava-floods, that shall with ravening fangs + Gnaw thy smooth lowlands, fertile Sicily! + Such ire shall Typho from his living grave + Send seething up, such jets of fiery surge, + Hot and unslaked, altho' himself be laid + In quaking ashes by Zeus' thunderbolt. + But thou dost know hereof, nor needest me + To school thy sense: thou knowest safety's road-- + Walk then thereon! I to the dregs will drain, + Till Zeus relent from wrath, my present woe. + +OCEANUS + + Nay, but, Prometheus, know'st thou not the saw-- + _Words can appease the angry soul's disease_? + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay--if in season one apply their salve, + Not scorching wrath's proud flesh with caustic tongue. + +OCEANUS + + But in wise thought and venturous essay + Perceivest thou a danger? prithee tell! + +PROMETHEUS + + I see a fool's good nature, useless toil. + +OCEANUS + + Let me be sick of that disease; I know, + Loyalty, masked as folly, wins the way. + +PROMETHEUS + + But of thy blunder I shall bear the blame. + +OCEANUS + + Clearly, thy word would send me home again. + +PROMETHEUS + + Lest thy lament for me should bring thee hate. + +OCEANUS + + Hate from the newly-throned Omnipotence? + +PROMETHEUS + + Be heedful--lest his will be wroth with thee! + +OCEANUS + + Thy doom, Prometheus, cries to me _Beware_! + +PROMETHEUS + + Mount, make away, discretion at thy side! + +OCEANUS + + Thy word is said to me in act to go: + For lo, my hippogriff with waving wings + Fans the smooth course of air, and fain is he + To rest his limbs within his ocean stall. + [_Exit_ OCEANUS. CHORUS + + For the woe and the wreck and the doom, + Prometheus I utter my sighs; + O'er my cheek flows the fountain of tears + from tender, compassionate eyes. + For stern and abhorred is the sway + of Zeus on his self-sought throne, + And ruthless the spear of his scorn, + to the gods of the days that are done. + And over the limitless earth + goes up a disconsolate cry: + _Ye were all so fair, and have fallen; + so great and your might has gone by_! + So wails with a mighty lament + the voice of the mortals, who dwell + In the Eastland, the home of the holy, + for thee and the fate that befel; + And they of the Colchian land, the + maidens whose arm is for war; + And the Scythian bowmen, who roam + by the lake of Maeotis afar; + And the blossom of battling hordes, + that flowers upon Caucasus' height, + With clashing of lances that pierce, + and with clamour of swords that smite. + Strange is thy sorrow! one only I know + who has suffered thy pain-- + Atlas the Titan, the god, + in a ruthless, invincible chain! + He beareth for ever and ever + the burden and poise of the sky, + The vault of the rolling heaven, + and earth re-echoes his cry. + The depths of the sea are troubled; + they mourn from their caverns profound, + And the darkest and innermost hell + moans deep with a sorrowful sound; + And the rivers of waters, that flow + from the fountains that spring without stain, + Are as one in the great lamentation, + and moan for thy piteous pain. + +PROMETHEUS + + Deem not that I in pride or wilful scorn + Restrain my speech; 'tis wistful memory + That rends my heart, when I behold myself + Abased to wretchedness. To these new gods + I and none other gave their lots of power + In full attainment; no more words hereof + I speak--the tale ye know. But listen now + Unto the rede of mortals and their woes, + And how their childish and unreasoning state + Was changed by me to consciousness and thought. + Yet not in blame of mortals will I speak, + But as in proof of service wrought to them. + For, in the outset, eyes they had and saw not; + And ears they had but heard not; age on age, + Like unsubstantial shapes in vision seen, + They groped at random in the world of sense, + Nor knew to link their building, brick with brick, + Nor how to turn its aspect to the sun, + Nor how to join the beams by carpentry, + In hollowed caves they dwelt, as emmets dwell, + Weak feathers for each blast, in sunless caves. + Nor had they certain forecast of the cold, + Nor of the advent of the flowery spring, + Nor of the fruitful summer. All they wrought, + Unreasoning they wrought, till I made clear + The laws of rising stars, and inference dim, + More hard to learn, of what their setting showed. + I taught to them withal that art of arts, + The lore of number, and the written word + That giveth sense to sound, the tool wherewith + The gift of memory was wrought in all, + And so came art and song. I too was first + To harness 'neath the yoke strong animals, + Obedient made to collar and to weight, + That they might bear whate'er of heaviest toil + Mortals endured before. For chariots too + I trained, and docile service of the rein, + Steeds, the delight of wealth and pomp and pride. + I too, none other, for seafarers wrought + Their ocean-roaming canvas-wingd cars. + Such arts of craft did I, unhappy I, + Contrive for mortals: now, no feint I have + Whereby I may elude my present woe. + +CHORUS + + A rueful doom is thine! distraught of soul, + And all astray, and like some sorry leech + Art thou, repining at thine own disease, + Unskilled, unknowing of the needful cure. + +PROMETHEUS + + More wilt thou wonder when the rest thou hearest-- + What arts for them, what methods I devised. + Foremost was this: if any man fell sick, + No aiding art he knew, no saving food, + No curing oil nor draught, but all in lack + Of remedies they dwindled, till I taught + The medicinal blending of soft drugs, + Whereby they ward each sickness from their side. + I ranged for them the methods manifold + Of the diviner's art; I first discerned + Which of night's visions hold a truth for day, + I read for them the lore of mystic sounds, + Inscrutable before; the omens seen + Which bless or ban a journey, and the flight + Of crook-clawed birds, did I make clear to man-- + And how they soar upon the right, for weal, + How, on the left, for evil; how they dwell, + Each in its kind, and what their loves and hates, + And which can flock and roost in harmony. + From me, men learned what deep significance + Lay in the smoothness of the entrails set + For sacrifice, and which, of various hues, + Showed them a gift accepted of the gods; + They learned what streaked and varied comeliness + Of gall and liver told; I led them, too, + (By passing thro' the flame the thigh-bones, wrapt + In rolls of fat, and th' undivided chine), + Unto the mystic and perplexing lore + Of omens; and I cleared unto their eyes + The forecasts, dim and indistinct before, + Shown in the flickering aspect of a flame. + Of these, enough is said. The other boons, + Stored in the womb of earth, in aid of men-- + Copper and iron, silver, gold withal-- + Who dares affirm he found them ere I found? + None--well I know--save who would babble lies! + Know thou, in compass of a single phrase-- + All arts, for mortals' use, Prometheus gave. + +CHORUS + + Nay, aid not mortal men beyond their due, + Holding too light a reckoning of thyself + And of thine own distress: good hope have I + To see thee once again from fetters free + And matched with Zeus in parity of power. + +PROMETHEUS + + Not yet nor thus hath Fate ordained the end-- + Not until age-long pains and countless woes + Have bent and bowed me, shall my shackles fall; + Art strives too feebly against destiny. + +CHORUS + + But what hand rules the helm of destiny? + +PROMETHEUS + + The triform Fates, and Furies unforgiving. + +CHORUS + + Then is the power of Zeus more weak than theirs? + +PROMETHEUS + + He may not shun the fate ordained for him. + +CHORUS + + What is ordained for him, save endless rule? + +PROMETHEUS + + Seek not for answer: this thou may'st not learn. + +CHORUS + + Surely thy silence hides some solemn thing. + +PROMETHEUS + + Think on some other theme: 'tis not the hour, + This secret to unveil; in deepest dark + Be it concealed: by guarding it shall I + Escape at last from bonds, and scorn, and pain. + +CHORUS + + O never may my weak and faint desire + Strive against God most high-- + Never be slack in service, never tire + Of sacred loyalty; + Nor fail to wend unto the altar-side, + Where with the blood of kine + Steams up the offering, by the quenchless tide + Of Ocean, Sire divine! + Be this within my heart, indelible-- + _Offend not with thy tongue_! + Sweet, sweet it is, in cheering hopes to dwell, + Immortal, ever young, + In maiden gladness fostering evermore + A soft content of soul! + But ah, I shudder at thine anguish sore-- + Thy doom thro' years that roll! + Thou could'st not cower to Zeus: a love too great + Thou unto man hast given-- + Too high of heart thou wert--ah, thankless fate! + What aid, 'gainst wrath of Heaven, + Could mortal man afford? in vain thy gift + To things so powerless! + Could'st thou not see? they are as dreams that drift; + Their strength is feebleness + A purblind race, in hopeless fetters bound, + They have no craft or skill, + That could o'erreach the ordinance profound + of the eternal will. + Alas, Prometheus! on thy woe condign + I looked, and learned this lore; + And a new strain floats to these lips of mine-- + Not the glad song of yore, + When by the lustral wave I sang to see + My sister made thy bride, + Decked with thy gifts, thy loved Hesione, + And clasped unto thy side. + [_Enter_ IO, _horned like a cow_.] + +IO + + Alack! what land, what folk are here? + Whom see I clenched in rocky fetters drear + Unto the stormy crag? + for what thing done + Dost thou in agony atone? + Ah, tell me whither, well-a-day! + My feet have roamed their weary way? + Ah, but it maddens, the sting! + it burns in my piteous side! + Ah, but the vision, the spectre, + the earth-born, the myriad-eyed! + Avoid thee! Earth, hide him, + thine offspring! he cometh--O aspect of ill! + Ghostly, and crafty of face, + and dead, but pursuing me still! + Ah, woe upon me, woe ineffable! + He steals upon my track, a hound of hell-- + Where'er I stray, along the sands and brine, + Weary and foodless, come his creeping eyne! + And ah, the ghostly sound-- + The wax-stopped reed-flute's weird and drowsy drone! + Alack my wandering woes, that round and round + Lead me in many mazes, lost, foredone! + O child of Cronos! for what deed of wrong + Am I enthralled by thee in penance long? + Why by the stinging bruise, the thing of fear, + Dost thou torment me, heart and brain? + Nay, give me rather to the flames that sear, + Or to some hidden grave, + Or to the rending jaws, the monsters of the main! + Nor grudge the boon for which I crave, O king! + Enough, enough of weary wandering, + Pangs from which none can save! + Hearken! in pity hold + Io, the ox-horned maid, thy love of old! + +PROMETHEUS + + Hear Zeus or not, I hear and know thee well, + Daughter of Inachus; I know thee driven, + Stung by the gadfly, mazed with agony. + Ay, thou art she whose beauty fired the breast + Of Zeus with passion; she whom Hera's hate + Now harasses o'er leagues and leagues of land. + +IO + + Alack, thou namest Inachus my sire! + Wottest thou of him? how, from lips of pain, + Comes to my woeful ears truth's very strain? + How knowest thou the curse, the burning fire + The god-sent, piercing pest that stings and clings? + Ah me! in frenzied, foodless wanderings + Hither I come, and on me from on high + Lies Hera's angry craft! Ah, men unblest! + Not one there is, not one, that is unblest as I. + But thou--tell me the rest! + Utter the rede of woes to come for me; + Utter the aid, the cure, if aid or cure there be! + +PROMETHEUS + + Lo, clearly will I show forth all thy quest-- + Not in dark speech, but with such simple phrase + As doth befit the utterance of a friend. + I am Prometheus, who gave fire to men. + +IO + + O daring, proven champion of man's race, + What sin, Prometheus, dost thou thus atone? + +PROMETHEUS + + One moment since, I told my woes and ceased. + +IO + + Then should I plead my suit to thee in vain? + +PROMETHEUS + + Nay, speak thy need; nought would I hide from thee. + +IO + + Pronounce who nailed thee to the rocky cleft. + +PROMETHEUS + + Zeus, by intent; Hephaestus, by his hand. + +IO + + For what wrongdoing do these pains atone? + +PROMETHEUS + + What I have said, is said; suffice it thee! + +IO + + Yet somewhat add; forewarn me in my woe + What time shall bring my wandering to its goal? + +PROMETHEUS + + Fore-knowledge is fore-sorrow; ask it not. + +IO + + Nay, hide not from me destiny's decree. + +PROMETHEUS + + I grudge thee not the gift which I withhold. + +IO + + Then wherefore tarry ere thou tell me all? + +PROMETHEUS + + Nothing I grudge, but would not rack thy soul. + +IO + + Be not compassionate beyond my wish. + +PROMETHEUS + + Well, thou art fain, and I will speak. Attend! + +CHORUS + + Nay--ere thou speak, hear me, bestow on me + A portion of the grace of granted prayers. + First let us learn how lo's frenzy came-- + (She telling her disasters manifold) + Then of their sequel let her know from thee. + +PROMETHEUS + + Well were it, Io, thus to do their will-- + Right well! they are the sisters of thy sire. + 'Tis worth the waste and effluence of time, + To tell, with tears of perfect moan, the doom + Of sorrows that have fallen, when 'tis sure + The listeners will greet the tale with tears. + +IO + + I know not how I should mistrust your prayer; + Therefore the whole that ye desire of me + Ye now shall learn in one straightforward tale. + Yet, as it leaves my lips, I blush with shame + To tell that tempest of the spite of Heaven, + And all the wreck and ruin of my form, + And whence they swooped upon me, woe is me! + Long, long in visions of the night there came + Voices and forms into my maiden bower, + Alluring me with smoothly glozing words-- + _O maiden highly favoured of high Heaven, + Why cherish thy virginity so long? + Thine is it to win wedlock's noblest crown! + Know that Zeus' heart thro' thee is all aflame, + Pierced with desire as with a dart, and longs + To join in utmost rite of love with thee. + Therefore, O maiden, shun not with disdain_ + _Th' embrace of Zeits, but hie thee forth straightway + To the lush growth of Lerna's meadow-land, + Where are the flocks and steadings of thy home, + And let Zeus' eye be eased of its desire_. + Night after night, haunted by dreams like these, + Heartsick, I ventured at the last to tell + Unto my sire these visions of the dark. + Then sent he many a wight, on sacred quest, + To Delphi and to far Dodona's shrine, + Being fall fain to learn what deed or word + Would win him favour from the powers of heaven. + But they came back repeating oracles + Mystic, ambiguous, inscrutable, + Till, at the last, an utterance direct, + Obscure no more, was brought to Inachus-- + A peremptory charge to fling me forth + Beyond my home and fatherland, a thing + Sent loose in banishment o'er all the world; + And--should he falter--Zeus should launch on him + A fire-eyed bolt, to shatter and consume + Himself and all his race to nothingness. + Bowing before such utterance from the shrine + Of Loxias, he drave me from our halls, + Barring the gates against me: loth he was + To do, as I to suffer, this despite: + But the strong curb of Zeus had overborne + His will to me-ward. As I parted thence, + In form and mind I grew dishumanized, + And horned as now ye see me, poison-stung + By the envenomed bitings of the brize, + I leapt and flung in frenzy, rushed away + To the bright waters of Cerchneia's stream + And Lerna's beach: but ever at my side, + A herdsman by his heifer, Argus moved, + Earth-born, malevolent of mood, and peered, + With myriad eyes, where'er my feet would roam. + But on him in a moment, unforeseen, + Came Fate, and sundered him from life; but I, + Still maddened by the gadfly's sting, the scourge + Of God's infliction, roam the weary world. + How I have fared, thou hearest: be there aught + Of what remains to bear, that thou canst tell, + Speak on! but let not thy compassion warm + Thy words to cheering falsehood. Worst of woes + Are words that break their promise to our hope! + +CHORUS + + Woe! woe! avaunt--thou and thy tale of bane! + O never, never dared I dream + Such horror of strange sounds should pierce mine ear; + Such loathly sights, such tortures hard to bear, + Outrage, pollution, agony supreme, + Wasting my heart with double edge of pain! + Ah Fate, ah Fate! I gaze on Io's dole, + And shudder to my soul! + +PROMETHEUS + + Thou wailest all too soon, fulfilled of fear-- + Tarry awhile, till thou have learned the whole. + +CHORUS + + Say on, reveal it! suffering souls are fain + To know aright what yet remains to bear. + +PROMETHEUS + + Lightly, with help of mine, did ye achieve + That which ye first desired: from Io's mouth + craved to hear, recounted by herself, + The story of her strivings. Listen now + To what shall follow, to what woefulness + The wrath of Hera must compel this maid. + (_To_ Io) + And thou, O child of Inachus, within + Thine inmost heart store up these words of mine, + That thou may'st learn thy wanderings and their goal. + First from this spot toward the sunrise turn, + And cross the steppe that knoweth not the plough: + Thus to the nomad Scythians shalt thou come, + Who dwell in wattled homes, not built on earth + But borne along on wains of sturdy wheel-- + Equipped, themselves, with bows of mighty reach. + Pass them avoidingly, and leave their land, + And skirt the beaches where the tides make moan, + Till lo! upon the left hand thou shalt find + The Chalybes, stout craftsmen of the steel-- + Beware of them! no gentleness is theirs, + No kindly welcome to a stranger's foot! + Thence to the Stream of Violence shalt thou come-- + Like name, like nature; see thou cross it not, + ('Tis fatal to the forder!) till thou come + Right to the very Caucasus, the peak + That overtops the world, and from its brows + The river pants in spray its wrathful stream. + Thence, o'er the pinnacles that court the stars, + Onward and southward thou must take thy way, + And reach the warlike horde of Amazons, + Maidens through hate of man; and gladly they + Will guide thy maiden feet. That host, in days + That are not yet, shall fix their home and dwell + At Themiscyra, on Thermodon's bank, + Nigh whereunto the grim projecting fang + Of Salmydessus' cape affronts the main, + The seaman's curse, to ships a stepmother! + Then at the jutting land, Cimmerian styled, + That screens the narrowing portal of the mere, + Thou shalt arrive; pass o'er it, brave at heart, + And ferry thee across Macotis' ford. + So shall there be great rumour evermore, + In ears of mortals, of thy passage strange; + And Bosporos shall be that channel's name, + Because the ox-horned thing did pass thereby. + So, from the wilds of Europe wander'd o'er, + To Asia's continent thou com'st at last. + (_To the_ CHORUS) + And ye, what think ye? Seems he not, that lord + And tyrant of the gods, as tyrannous + Unto all other lives? A high god's lust + Constrained this mortal maid to roam the world! + (_To_ Io) + Poor maid! a brutal wooer sure was thine! + For know that all which I have told thee now + Is scarce the prelude of thy woes to come. + +IO + + Alas for me, alas! + +PROMETHEUS + + Again thou criest, with a heifer's low. + What wilt thou do, learning thy future woes? + +CHORUS + + What, hast thou further sorrows for her ear? + +PROMETHEUS + + Yea, a vext ocean of predestined pain. + +IO + + What profit then is life to me? Ah, why + Did I not cast me from this stubborn crag? + So with one spring, one crash upon the ground, + I had attained surcease from all my woes. + Better it is to die one death outright + Than linger out long life in misery. + +PROMETHEUS + + Ill would'st thou bear these agonies of mine-- + Mine, with whose fate it standeth not to win + The goal of death, which were release from pain! + Now, there is set no limit to my woe + Till Zeus be hurled from his omnipotence. + +IO + + Zeus hurled from pride of place! Can such things be? + +PROMETHEUS + + Thou wert full fain, methinks, to see that sight! + +IO + + Even so--his overthrow who wrought my pain. + +PROMETHEUS + + Then may'st thou know thereof; such fall shall be. + +IO + + And who shall wrench the sceptre from his hand? + +PROMETHEUS + + By his own mindless counsels shall he fall. + +IO + + And how? unless the telling harm, say on! + +PROMETHEUS + + Wooing a bride, his ruin he shall win. + +IO + + Goddess, or mortal? tell me, if thou may'st. + +PROMETHEUS + + No matter which--more must not be revealed. + +IO + + Doth then a consort thrust him from his throne? + +PROMETHEUS + + The child she bears him shall o'ercome his sire. + +IO + + And hath he no avoidance of this doom? + +PROMETHEUS + + None, surely--till that I, released from bonds-- + +IO + + Who can release thee, but by will of Zeus? + +PROMETHEUS + + Fate gives this duty to a child of thine! + +IO + + How? Shall a child of mine undo thy woes? + +PROMETHEUS + + Yea, of thy lineage, thirteen times removed. + +IO + + Dark beyond guessing grows thine oracle. + +PROMETHEUS + + Yea--seek not therefore to foreknow thy woes. + +IO + + As thou didst proffer hope, withdraw it not. + +PROMETHEUS + + Two tales I have--choose! for I grant thee one. + +IO + + And which be they? reveal, and leave me choice. + +PROMETHEUS + + I grant it: shall I in all clearness show + Thy future woes, or my deliverance? + +CHORUS + + Nay! of the two, vouchsafe her wish to her + And mine to me, deigning a truth to each-- + To her, reveal her future wanderings-- + To me, thy future saviour, as I crave! + +PROMETHEUS + + I will not set myself to thwart your will + Withholding aught of what ye crave to know. + First to thee, Io, will I tell and trace + Thy scared circuitous wandering mark it well, + Deep in retentive tablets of the soul. + When thou hast overpast the ferry's flow + That sunders continent from continent, + Straight to the eastward and the flaming face + Of dawn, and highways trodden by the sun, + Pass, till thou come unto the windy land + Of daughters born to Boreas: beware + Lest the strong spirit of the stormy blast + Snatch thee aloft, and sweep thee to the void, + On wings of raving wintry hurricane! + Wend by the noisy tumult of the wave, + Until thou reach the Gorgon-haunted plains + Beside Cisthene. In that solitude + Dwell Phorcys' daughters, beldames worn with time, + Three, each swan-shapen, single-toothed, and all + Peering thro' shared endowment of one eye; + Never on them doth the sun shed his rays, + Never falls radiance of the midnight moon. + But, hard by these, their sisters, clad with wings, + Serpentine-curled, dwell, loathed of mortal men,-- + The Gorgons!--he of men who looks on them + Shall gasp away his life. Of such fell guard + I bid thee to beware. Now, mark my words + When I another sight of terror tell-- + Beware the Gryphon pack, the hounds of Zeus, + As keen of fang as silent of their tongues! + Beware the one-eyed Arimaspian band + That tramp on horse-hoofs, dwelling by the ford + Of Pluto and the stream that flows with gold: + Keep thou aloof from these. To the world's end + Thou comest at the last, the dark-faced tribe + That dwell beside the sources of the sun, + Where springs the river, Aethiopian named. + Make thou thy way along his bank, until + Thou come unto the mighty downward slope + Where from the overland of Bybline hills + Nile pours his hallowed earth-refreshing wave. + He by his course shall guide thee to the realm + Named from himself, three-angled, water-girt; + There, Io, at the last, hath Fate ordained, + For thee and for thy race, the charge to found, + Far from thy native shore, a new abode. + Lo, I have said: if aught hereof appear + Hard to thy sense and inarticulate, + Question me o'er again, and soothly learn-- + God wot, I have too much of leisure here! + +CHORUS + + If there be aught beyond, or aught pass'd o'er, + Which thou canst utter, of her woe-worn maze, + Speak on! if all is said, then grant to us + That which we asked, as thou rememberest. + +PROMETHEUS + + She now hath learned, unto its utmost end, + Her pilgrimage; but yet, that she may know + That 'tis no futile fable she hath heard, + I will recount her history of toil + Ere she came hither; let it stand for proof + Of what I told, my forecast of the end. + So, then--to sum in brief the weary tale-- + I turn me to thine earlier exile's close. + When to Molossia's lowland thou hadst come, + Nigh to Dodona's cliff and ridge sublime, + (Where is the shrine oracular and seat + Of Zeus, Thesprotian styled, and that strange thing + And marvel past belief, the prophet-oaks + That syllable his speech), thou by their tongues, + With clear acclaim and unequivocal, + Wert thus saluted--_Hail, O bride of Zeus + That art to be_--hast memory thereof? + Thence, stung anew with frenzy, thou didst hie + Along the shoreward track, to Rhea's lap, + The mighty main; then, stormily distraught, + Backward again and eastward. To all time, + Be well assured, that inlet of the sea + All mortal men shall call Ionian, + In memory that Io fared thereby. + Take this for proof and witness that my mind + Hath more in ken than ever sense hath shown. + (_To the_ CHORUS) + That which remains, to you and her alike + I will relate, and, to my former words + Reverting, add this final prophecy. + (_To_ Io) + There lieth, at the verge of land and sea, + Where Nilus issues thro' the silted sand, + A town, Canopus called: and there at length + Shall Zeus renew the reason in thy brain + With the mere touch and contact of his hand + Fraught now with fear no more: and thou shalt bear + A child, dark Epaphus--his very name + Memorial of Zeus' touch that gave him life. + And his shall be the foison and the fruit + Of all the land enriched by spreading Nile. + Thence the fifth generation of his seed + Back unto Argos, yet unwillingly, + Shall flee for refuge--fifty maidens they, + Loathing a wedlock with their next in blood, + More kin than kind, from their sire's brother sprung. + And on their track, astir with wild desire, + Like falcons fierce closing on doves that flee, + Shall speed the suitors, craving to achieve + A prey forbidden, a reluctant bride. + Yet power divine shall foil them, and forbid + Possession of the maids, whom Argive land + Shall hold protected, when unsleeping hate, + Horror, and watchful ambush of the night, + Have laid the suitors dead, by female hands. + For every maid shall smite a man to death, + Dyeing a dagger's edges in his throat-- + Such bed of love befall mine enemies! + Yet in one bride shall yearning conquer hate, + Bidding her spare the bridegroom at her side, + Blunting the keen edge of her set resolve. + Thus of two scorns the former shall she choose, + The name of coward, not of murderess. + In Argos shall she bear, in after time, + A royal offspring. Long it were to tell + In clear succession all that thence shall be. + Take this for sooth--in lineage from her + A hero shall arise, an archer great, + And he shall be my saviour from these woes. + Such knowledge of the future Themis gave, + The ancient Titaness, to me her son. + But how, and by what skill, 'twere long to say, + And no whit will the knowledge profit thee. + +IO + + O woe, O rending and convulsive pain, + Frenzy and agony, again, again + Searing my heart and brain! + O dagger of the sting, unforged with fire + Yet burning, burning ever! O my heart, + Pulsing with horror, beating at my breast! + O rolling maddened eyes! away, apart, + Raving with anguish dire, + I spring, by frenzy-fiends possest. + O wild and whirling words, that sweep in gloom + Down to dark waves of doom! + [_Exit_ IO. + +CHORUS + + O well and sagely was it said-- + Yea, wise of heart was he who first + Gave forth in speech the thought he nursed-- + _In thine own order see thou wed_! + + Let not the humble heart aspire + To the gross home of wealth and pride; + Nor be it to a hearth allied + That vaunts of many a noble sire. + + O Fates, of awful empery! + Never may I by Zeus be wooed-- + Never give o'er my maidenhood + To any god that dwells on high. + + A shudder to my soul is sent, + Beholding Io's doom forlorn-- + By Hera's malice put to scorn, + Roaming in mateless banishment. + + From wedlock's crown of fair desire + I would not shrink--an idle fear! + But may no god to me draw near + With shunless might and glance of fire! + + That were a strife wherein no chance + Of conquest lies: from Zeus most high + And his resolve, no subtlety + Could win me my deliverance. + +PROMETHEUS + + And yet shall Zeus, for all his stubborn pride, + Be brought to low estate! aha, he schemes + Such wedlock as shall bring his doom on him, + Flung from his kingship to oblivion's lap! + Ay, then the curse his father Cronos spake + As he fell helpless from his agelong throne, + Shall be fulfilled unto the utterance! + No god but I can manifest to him + A rescue from such ruin as impends-- + I know it, I, and how it may be foiled. + Go to, then, let him sit and blindly trust + His skyey rumblings, for security, + And wave his levin with its blast of flame! + All will avail him not, nor bar his fall + Down to dishonour vile, intolerable + So strong a wrestler is he moulding now + To his own proper downfall--yea, a shape + Portentous and unconquerably huge, + Who truly shall reveal a flame more strong + Than is the lightning, and a crash of sound + More loud than thunder, and shall dash to nought + Poseidon's trident-spear, the ocean-bane + That makes the firm earth quiver. Let Zeus strike + Once on this rock, he speedily shall learn + How far the fall from power to slavery! + +CHORUS + + Beware! thy wish doth challenge Zeus himself. + +PROMETHEUS + + I voice my wish and its fulfilment too. + +CHORUS + + What, dare we look for one to conquer Zeus? + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay--Zeus shall wear more painful bonds than mine + +CHORUS + + Darest thou speak such taunts and tremble not? + +PROMETHEUS + + Why should I fear, who am immortal too? + +CHORUS + + Yet he might doom thee to worse agony. + +PROMETHEUS + + Out on his dooming! I foreknow it all. + +CHORUS + + Yet do the wise revere Necessity. + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay, ay--do reverence, cringe and crouch to power + Whene'er, where'er thou see it! But, for me, + I reck of Zeus as something less than nought. + Let him put forth his power, attest his sway, + Howe'er he will--a momentary show, + A little brief authority in heaven! + Aha, I see out yonder one who comes, + A bidden courier, truckling at Zeus' nod, + A lacquey in his new lord's livery, + Surely on some fantastic errand sped! + [_Enter_ HERMES. +HERMES + + Thou, double-dyed in gall of bitterness, + Trickster and sinner against gods, by giving + The stolen fire to perishable men! + Attend--the Sire supreme doth bid thee tell + What is the wedlock which thou vauntest now, + Whereby he falleth from supremacy? + Speak forth the whole, make all thine utterance clear, + Have done with words inscrutable, nor cause + To me, Prometheus! any further toil + Or twofold journeying. Go to--thou seest + Zeus doth not soften at such words as thine! + +PROMETHEUS + + Pompous, in sooth, thy word, and swoln with pride, + As doth befit the lacquey of thy lords! + O ye young gods! how, in your youthful sway, + Ye deem secure your citadels of sky, + Beyond the reach of sorrow or of fall! + Have I not seen two dynasties of gods + Already flung therefrom? and soon shall see + A third, that now in tyranny exults, + Shamed, ruined, in an hour! What sayest thou? + Crouch I and tremble at these stripling powers? + Small homage unto such from me, or none! + Betake thee hence, sweat back along thy road-- + Look for no answer from me, get thee gone! + +HERMES + + Think--it was such audacities of will + That drove thee erst to anchorage in woe! + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay--but mark this: mine heritage of pain + I would not barter for thy servitude. + +HERMES + + Better, forsooth, be bond-slave to a crag, + Than true-born herald unto Zeus the Sire! + +PROMETHEUS + + Take thine own coin--taunts for a taunting slave! + +HERMES + + Proud art thou in thy circumstance, methinks! + +PROMETHEUS + + Proud? in such pride then be my foemen set, + And I to see--and of such foes art thou! + +HERMES + + What, blam'st thou me too for thy sufferings? + +PROMETHEUS + + Mark a plain word--I loathe all gods that are, + Who reaped my kindness and repay with wrong. + +HERMES + + I hear no little madness in thy words. + +PROMETHEUS + + Madness be mine, if scorn of foes be mad. + +HERMES + + Past bearing were thy pride, in happiness. + +PROMETHEUS + + Ah me! + +HERMES + + Zeus knoweth nought of sorrow's cry! + +PROMETHEUS + + He shall! Time's lapse bringeth all lessons home. + +HERMES + + To thee it brings not yet discretion's curb. + +PROMETHEUS + + No--else I had not wrangled with a slave! + +HERMES + + Then thou concealest all that Zeus would learn? + +PROMETHEUS + + As though I owed him aught and should repay! + +HERMES + + Scornful thy word, as though I were a child-- + +PROMETHEUS + + Child, ay--or whatsoe'er hath less of brain-- + Thou, deeming thou canst wring my secret out! + No mangling torture, no, nor sleight of power + There is, by which he shall compel my speech, + Until these shaming bonds be loosed from me. + So, let him fling his blazing levin-bolt! + Let him with white and winged flakes of snow, + And rumbling earthquakes, whelm and shake the world! + For nought of this shall bend me to reveal + The power ordained to hurl him from his throne. + +HERMES + + Bethink thee if such words can mend thy lot + +PROMETHEUS + + All have I long foreseen, and all resolved. + +HERMES + + Perverse of will! constrain, constrain thy soul + To think more wisely in the grasp of doom! + +PROMETHEUS + + Truce to vain words! as wisely wouldst thou strive + To warn a swelling wave: imagine not + That ever I before thy lord's resolve + Will shrink in womanish terror, and entreat, + As with soft suppliance of female hands, + The Power I scorn unto the utterance, + To loose me from the chains that bind me here-- + A world's division 'twixt that thought and me! + +HERMES + + So, I shall speak, whate'er I speak, in vain! + No prayer can melt or soften thy resolve; + But, as a colt new-harnessed champs the bit, + Thou strivest and art restive to the rein. + But all too feeble is the stratagem + In which thou art so confident: for know + That strong self-will is weak and less than nought + In one more proud than wise. Bethink thee now-- + If these my words thou shouldest disregard-- + What storm, what might as of a great third wave + Shall dash thy doom upon thee, past escape! + First shall the Sire, with thunder and the flame + Of lightning, rend the crags of this ravine, + And in the shattered mass o'erwhelm thy form, + Immured and morticed in a clasping rock. + Thence, after age on age of durance done, + Back to the daylight shall thou come, and there + The eagle-hound of Zeus, red-ravening, fell + With greed, shall tatter piecemeal all thy flesh + To shreds and ragged vestiges of form-- + Yea, an unbidden guest, a day-long bane, + That feeds, and feeds--yea, he shall gorge his fill + On blackened fragments, from thy vitals gnawed. + Look for no respite from that agony + Until some other deity be found, + Ready to bear for thee the brunt of doom, + Choosing to pass into the lampless world + Of Hades and the murky depths of hell. + Hereat, advise thee! 'tis no feigned threat + Whereof I warn thee, but an o'er-true tale. + The lips of Zeus know nought of lying speech, + But wreak in action all their words foretell. + Therefore do thou look warily, and deem + Prudence a better saviour than self-will. + +CHORUS + + Meseems that Hermes speaketh not amiss, + Bidding thee leave thy wilfulness and seek + The wary walking of a counselled mind. + Give heed! to err through anger shames the wise. + +PROMETHEUS + + All, all I knew, whate'er his tongue + In idle arrogance hath flung. + 'Tis the world's way, the common lot-- + Foe tortures foe and pities not. + Therefore I challenge him to dash + His bolt on me, his zigzag flash + Of piercing, rending flame! + Now be the welkin stirred amain + With thunder-peal and hurricane, + And let the wild winds now displace + From its firm poise and rooted base + The stubborn earthly frame! + The raging sea with stormy surge + Rise up and ravin and submerge + Each high star-trodden way! + Me let him lift and dash to gloom + Of nether hell, in whirls of doom! + Yet--do he what extremes he may-- + He cannot crush my life away! + +HERMES + + Such are the counsels, such the strain, + Heard from wild lips and frenzied brain! + In word or thought, how fails his fate + Of madness wild and desperate? + (_To the_ CHORUS) + But ye, who stand compassionate + Here at his side, depart in haste! + Lest of his penalty ye taste, + And shattered brain and reason feel + The roaring, ruthless thunder-peal! + +CHORUS + + Out on thee! if thy heart be fain + I should obey thee, change thy strain! + Vile is thine hinted cowardice, + And loathed of me thy base advice, + Weakly to shrink from pain! + Nay, at his side, whate'er befall, + I will abide, endure it all! + Among all things abhorr'd, accurst, + I hold betrayers for the worst! + +HERMES + + Nay, ye are warned! remember well-- + Nor cry, when meshed in nets of hell, + _Ah cruel fate, ah Zeus unkind-- + Thus, by a sentence undivined, + To dash us to the realms below_! + It is no sudden, secret blow-- + Nay, ye achieve your proper woe-- + Warn'd and foreknowing shall ye go, + Through your own folly trapped and ta'en, + Into the net the Fates ordain-- + The vast, illimitable pain! + [_Thunder and lightning_. + +PROMETHEUS + + Hark! for no more in empty word, + But in sheer sooth, the world is stirred! + The massy earth doth heave and sway, + And thro' their dark and secret way + The cavern'd thunders boom! + See, how they gleam athwart the sky, + The lightnings, through the gloom! + And whirlwinds roll the dust on high, + And right and left the storm-clouds leap + To battle in the skyey deep, + In wildest uproar unconfined, + An universe of warring wind! + And falling sky and heaving sea + Are blent in one! on me, on me, + Nearer and ever yet more near, + Flaunting its pageantry of fear, + Drives down in might its destined road + The tempest of the wrath of God! + O holy Earth, O mother mine! + O Sky, that biddest speed along + Thy vault the common Light divine,-- + Be witness of my wrong! + [_The rocks are rent with fire and earthquake, + and fall, burying_ PROMETHEUS _in the ruins_. + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Suppliant Maidens and Other Plays, by AEschylus + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUPPLIANT MAIDENS AND OTHER PLAYS *** + +***** This file should be named 8714-8.txt or 8714-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/7/1/8714/ + +Produced by Ted Garvin, Robert Prince, Charles Franks and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Suppliant Maidens and Other Plays + +Author: AEschylus + +Translator: E.D.A. Morshead + + +Release Date: August, 2005 [EBook #8714] +This file was first posted on August 3, 2003 +Last Updated: May 17, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUPPLIANT MAIDENS AND OTHER PLAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Ted Garvin, Robert Prince, Charles Franks and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + + +FOUR PLAYS OF AESCHYLUS + + +THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS + +THE PERSIANS + +THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES + +THE PROMETHEUS BOUND + +By Aeschylus + + +Translated Into English Verse By E.D.A. Morshead, MA. + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +The surviving dramas of Aeschylus are seven in number, though he is +believed to have written nearly a hundred during his life of +sixty-nine years, from 525 B.C. to 456 B.C. That he fought at +Marathon in 490, and at Salamis in 480 B.C. is a strongly accredited +tradition, rendered almost certain by the vivid references to both +battles in his play of _The Persians_, which was produced in 472. +But his earliest extant play was, probably, not _The Persians_ but +_The Suppliant Maidens_--a mythical drama, the fame of which has +been largely eclipsed by the historic interest of _The Persians_, +and is undoubtedly the least known and least regarded of the seven. +Its topic--the flight of the daughters of Danaus from Egypt to Argos, +in order to escape from a forced bridal with their first-cousins, +the sons of Aegyptus--is legendary, and the lyric element +predominates in the play as a whole. We must keep ourselves reminded +that the ancient Athenian custom of presenting dramas in +_Trilogies_ --that is, in three consecutive plays dealing with different stages +of one legend--was probably not uniform: it survives, for us, in one +instance only, viz. the Orestean Trilogy, comprising the _Agamemnon_, +the _Libation-Bearers_, and the _Eumenides_, or _Furies_. This +Trilogy is the masterpiece of the Aeschylean Drama: the four +remaining plays of the poet, which are translated in this volume, are +all fragments of lost Trilogies--that is to say, the plays are +complete as _poems_, but in regard to the poet's larger design they +are fragments; they once had predecessors, or sequels, of which only +a few words, or lines, or short paragraphs, survive. It is not +certain, but seems probable, that the earliest of these single +completed plays is _The Suppliant Maidens_, and on that supposition +it has been placed first in the present volume. The maidens, +accompanied by their father Danaes, have fled from Egypt and arrived +at Argos, to take sanctuary there and to avoid capture by their +pursuing kinsmen and suitors. In the course of the play, the +pursuers' ship arrives to reclaim the maidens for a forced wedlock +in Egypt. The action of the drama turns on the attitude of the king +and people of Argos, in view of this intended abduction. The king +puts the question to the popular vote, and the demand of the suitors +is unanimously rejected: the play closes with thanks and gratitude +on the part of the fugitives, who, in lyrical strains of quiet beauty, +seem to refer the whole question of their marriage to the subsequent +decision of the gods, and, in particular, of Aphrodite. + +Of the second portion of the Trilogy we can only speak conjecturally. +There is a passage in the _Prometheus Bound_ (ll. 860-69), in which +we learn that the maidens were somehow reclaimed by the suitors, and +that all, except one, slew their bridegrooms on the wedding night. +There is a faint trace, among the Fragments of Aeschylus, of a play +called _Thalamopoioi_,--i.e. _The Preparers of the Chamber_,--which +may well have referred to this tragic scene. Its grim title will +recall to all classical readers the magnificent, though terrible, +version of the legend, in the final stanzas of the eleventh poem in +the third book of Horace's _Odes_. The final play was probably +called _The Danaides_, and described the acquittal of the brides +through some intervention of Aphrodite: a fragment of it survives, +in which the goddess appears to be pleading her special prerogative. +The legends which commit the daughters of Danaus to an eternal +penalty in Hades are, apparently, of later origin. Homer is silent +on any such penalty; and Pindar, Aeschylus' contemporary, actually +describes the once suppliant maidens as honourably enthroned +(_Pyth_. ix. 112: _Nem_. x. ll. 1-10). The Tartarean part of the +story is, in fact, post-Aeschylean. + +_The Suppliant Maidens_ is full of charm, though the text of the +part which describes the arrival of the pursuers at Argos is full of +uncertainties. It remains a fine, though archaic, poem, with this +special claim on our interest, that it is, probably, the earliest +extant poetic drama. We see in it the _tendency_ to grandiose +language, not yet fully developed as in the _Prometheus_: the +inclination of youth to simplicity, and even platitude, in religious +and general speculation: and yet we recognize, as in the germ, the +profound theology of the _Agamemnon_, and a touch of the political +vein which appears more fully in the _Furies_. If the precedence in +time here ascribed to it is correct, the play is perhaps worth more +recognition than it has received from the countrymen of Shakespeare. + +_The Persians_ has been placed second in this volume, as the +oldest play whose date is certainly known. It was brought out in 472 +B.C., eight years after the sea-fight of Salamis which it +commemorates, and five years before the _Seven against Thebes_ +(467 B.C.). It is thought to be the second play of a Trilogy, +standing between the _Phineus_ and the _Glaucus_. Phineus was a +legendary seer, of the Argonautic era--"Tiresias and Phineus, +prophets old"--and the play named after him may have contained a +prophecy of the great conflict which is actually described in +_The Persae_: the plot of the _Glaucus_ is unknown. In any case, +_The Persians_ was produced before the eyes of a generation which +had seen the struggles, West against East, at Marathon and Thermopylae, +Salamis and Plataea. It is as though Shakespeare had commemorated, +through the lips of a Spanish survivor, in the ears of old +councillors of Philip the Second, the dispersal of the Armada. + +Against the piteous want of manliness on the part of the returning +Xerxes, we may well set the grave and dignified patriotism of Atossa, +the Queen-mother of the Persian kingdom; the loyalty, in spite of +their bewilderment, of the aged men who form the Chorus; and, above +all, the royal phantom of Darius, evoked from the shadowland by the +libations of Atossa and by the appealing cries of the Chorus. The +latter, indeed, hardly dare to address the kingly ghost: but Atossa +bravely narrates to him the catastrophe, of which, in the lower world, +Darius has known nothing, though he realizes that disaster, soon or +late, is the lot of mortal power. As the tale is unrolled, a spirit +of prophecy possesses him, and he foretells the coming slaughter of +Plataea; then, with a last royal admonition that the defeated Xerxes +shall, on his return, be received with all ceremony and observance, +and with a characteristic warning to the aged men, that they must +take such pleasures as they may, in their waning years, he returns +to the shades. The play ends with the undignified reappearance of +Xerxes, and a melancholy procession into the palace of Susa. It was, +perhaps, inevitable that this close of the great drama should verge +on the farcical, and that the poltroonery of Xerxes should, in a +measure, obscure Aeschylus' generous portraiture of Atossa and Darius. +But his magnificent picture of the battle of Salamis is unequalled +in the poetic annals of naval war. No account of the flight of the +Armada, no record of Lepanto or Trafalgar, can be justly set beside +it. The Messenger might well, like Prospero, announce a tragedy by +one line-- + + Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. + +Five years after _The Persians_, in 467 B. C., the play which we +call the _Seven against Thebes_ was presented at Athens. It bears +now a title which Aeschylus can hardly have given to it for, though +the scene of the drama overlooks the region where the city of Thebes +afterwards came into being, yet, in the play itself, Thebes is +_never_ mentioned. The scene of action is the Cadmea, or Citadel +of Cadmus, and we know that, in Aeschylus' lifetime, that citadel +was no longer a mere fastness, but had so grown outwards and +enlarged itself that a new name, Thebes, was applied to the +collective city. (All this has been made abundantly clear by Dr. +Verrall in his Introduction to the _Seven against Thebes_, to which +every reader of the play itself will naturally and most profitably +refer.) In the time of Aeschylus, Thebes was, of course, a notable +city, his great contemporary Pindar was a citizen of it. But the +Thebes of Aeschylus' date is one thing, the fortress represented in +Aeschylus' play is quite another, and is never, by him, called Thebes. +That the play received, and retains, the name, _The Seven against +Thebes_, is believed to be due to two lines of Aristophanes in his +_Frogs_ (406 B.C.), where he describes Aeschylus' play as +"the Seven against Thebes, a drama instinct with War, which any one +who beheld must have yearned to be a warrior." This is rather an +excellent _description_ of the play than the title of it, and could +not be its Aeschylean name, for the very sufficient reason that +Thebes is not mentioned in the play at all. Aeschylus, in fact, was +poetizing an earlier legend of the fortress of Cadmus. This being +premised, we may adopt, under protest as it were, the Aristophanic +name which has accrued to the play. It is the third part of a +Trilogy which might have been called, collectively, _The House of +Laius_. Sophocles and Euripides give us _their_ versions of the +legend, which we may epitomize, without, however, affirming that +they followed exactly the lines of Aeschylus Trilogy--they, for +instance, speak freely of _Thebes_. Laius, King of Thebes, married +Iokaste; he was warned by Apollo that if he had any children ruin +would befall his house. But a child was born, and, to avoid the +threatened catastrophe, without actually killing the child he +exposed it on Mount Cithaeron, that it should die. Some herdsmen +saved it and gave it over to the care of a neighbouring king and +queen, who reared it. Later on, learning that there was a doubt of +his parentage, this child, grown now to maturity, left his foster +parents and went to Delphi to consult the oracle, and received a +mysterious and terrible warning, that he was fated to slay his +father and wed his mother. To avoid this horror, he resolved never +to approach the home of his supposed parents. Meantime his real +father, Laius, on _his_ way to consult the god at Delphi, met his +unknown son returning from that shrine--a quarrel fell out, and the +younger man slew the elder. Followed by his evil destiny, he +wandered on, and found the now kingless Thebes in the grasp of the +Sphinx monster, over whom he triumphed, and was rewarded by the hand +of Iokaste, his own mother! Not till four children--two sons and two +daughters--had been born to them, was the secret of the lineage +revealed. Iokaste slew herself in horror, and the wretched king tore +out his eyes, that he might never again see the children of his awful +union. The two sons quarrelled over the succession, then agreed on a +compromise; then fell at variance again, and finally slew each other +in single combat. These two sons, according to one tradition, were +twins: but the more usual view is that the elder was called Eteocles, +the younger, Polynices. + +To the point at which the internecine enmity between Eteocles and +Polynices arose, we have had to follow Sophocles and Euripides, the +first two parts of Aeschylus' Trilogy being lost. But the third part, +as we have said, survives under the name given to it by Aristophanes, +the _Seven against Thebes_: it opens with an exhortation by Eteocles +to his Cadmeans that they should "quit them like men" against the +onslaught of Polynices and his Argive allies: the Chorus is a bevy +of scared Cadmean maidens, to whom the very sound of war and tramp +of horsemen are new and terrific. It ends with the news of the death +of the two princes, and the lamentations of their two sisters, +Antigone and Ismene. The onslaught from without has been repulsed, +but the male line of the house of Laius is extinct. The Cadmeans +resolve that Eteocles shall be buried in honour, and Polynices flung +to the dogs and birds. Against the latter sentence Antigone protests, +and defies the decree: the Chorus, as is natural, are divided in +their sentiments. + +It is interesting to note that, in combination with the _Laius_ and +the _Oedipus_, this play won the dramatic crown in 467 B.C. On the +other hand, so excellent a judge as Mr. Gilbert Murray thinks that +it is "perhaps among Aeschylus' plays the one that bears least the +stamp of commanding genius." Perhaps the daring, practically +atheistic, character of Eteocles; the battle-fever that burns and +thrills through the play; the pathetic terror of the Chorus--may +have given it favour, in Athenian eyes, as the work of a poet +who--though recently (468 B.C.) defeated in the dramatic contest by the +young Sophocles--was yet present to tell, not by mere report, the +tale of Marathon and Salamis. Or the preceding plays, the _Laius_ +and the _Oedipus_, may have been of such high merit as to make up +for defects observable in the one that still survives. In any case, +we can hardly err in accepting Dr. Verral's judgment that "the story +of Aeschylus may be, and in the outlines probably is, the genuine +epic legend of the Cadmean war." + +There remains one Aeschylean play, the most famous--unless we except +the _Agamemnon_--in extant Greek literature, the _Prometheus Bound_. +That it was the first of a Trilogy, and that the second and third +parts were called the _Prometheus Freed_, and _Prometheus the +Fire-Bearer_, respectively, is accepted: but the date of its +performance is unknown. + +The _Prometheus Bound_ is conspicuous for its gigantic and strictly +superhuman plot. The _Agamemnon_ is human, though legendary the +_Prometheus_ presents to us the gods of Olympus in the days when +mankind crept like emmets upon the earth or dwelt in caves, scorned +by Zeus and the other powers of heaven, and--still aided by +Prometheus the Titan--wholly without art or science, letters or +handicrafts. For his benevolence towards oppressed mankind, +Prometheus is condemned by Zeus to uncounted ages of pain and torment, +shackled and impaled in a lonely cleft of a Scythian precipice. The +play opens with this act of divine resentment enforced by the will +of Zeus and by the handicraft of Hephaestus, who is aided by two +demons, impersonating Strength and Violence. These agents if the ire +of Zeus disappear after the first scene, the rest of the play +represents Prometheus in the mighty solitude, but visited after a +while by a Chorus of sea nymphs who, from the distant depths of ocean, +have heard the clang of the demons' hammers, and arrive, in a winged +car, from the submarine palace of their father Oceanus. To them +Prometheus relates his penalty and its cause: viz., his over +tenderness to the luckless race of mankind. Oceanus himself follows +on a hippogriff, and counsels Prometheus to submit to Zeus. But the +Titan who has handled the sea nymphs with all gentleness, receives +the advice with scorn and contempt, and Oceanus retires. But the +courage which he lacks his daughters possess to the full; they +remain by Prometheus to the end, and share his fate, literally in +the crack of doom. But before the end, the strange half human figure +of Io, victim of the lust of Zeus and the jealousy of Hera, comes +wandering by, and tells Prometheus of her wrongs. He, by his divine +power, recounts to her not only the past but also the future of her +wanderings. Then, in a fresh access of frenzy, she drifts away into +the unknown world. Then Prometheus partly reveals to the sea maidens +his secret, and the mysterious cause of Zeus' hatred against him--a +cause which would avail to hurl the tyrant from his power. So deadly +is this secret, that Zeus will, in the lapse of ages, be forced to +reconcile himself with Prometheus, to escape dethronement. Finally, +Hermes, the messenger of Zeus, appears with fresh threats, that he +may extort the mystery from the Titan. But Prometheus is firm, +defying both the tyrant and his envoy, though already the lightning +is flashing, the thunder rolling, and sky and sea are mingling their +fury. Hermes can say no more; the sea nymphs resolutely refuse to +retire, and wait their doom. In this crash of the world, Prometheus +flings his final defiance against Zeus, and amid the lightnings and +shattered rocks that are overwhelming him and his companions, speaks +his last word, "_It is unjust_!" + +Any spectacular representation of this finale must, it is clear, +have roused intense sympathy with the Titan and the nymphs alike. If, +however, the sequel-plays had survived to us, we might conceivably +have found and realized another and less intolerable solution. The +name _Zeus_, in Greek, like that of _God_, in English, comprises +very diverse views of divine personality. The Zeus in the _Prometheus_ +has little but the name in common with the Zeus in the first chorus +of the _Agamemnon_, or in _The Suppliant Maidens_ (ll. 86-103): and +parallel reflections will give us much food for thought. But, in any +case, let us realize that the _Prometheus_ is not a human play: with +the possible exception of Io, every character in it is an immortal +being. It is not as a vaunt, but as a fact, that Prometheus declares, +as against Zeus (l. 1053), that "Me at least He shall never give to +death." + +A stupendous theological drama of which two-thirds has been lost has +left an aching void, which now can never be filled, in our minds. No +reader of poetry needs to be reminded of the glorious attempt of +Shelley to work out a possible and worthy sequel to the _Prometheus_. +Who will not echo the words of Mr. Gilbert Murray, when he says that +"no piece of lost literature has been more ardently longed for than +the _Prometheus Freed_"? + +But, at the end of a rather prolonged attempt to understand and +translate the surviving tragedies of Aeschylus, one feels inclined +to repeat the words used by a powerful critic about one of the +greatest of modern poets--"For man, it is a weary way to God, but a +wearier far to any demigod." We shall not discover the full sequel +of Aeschylus' mighty dramatic conception: we "know in part, and we +prophesy in part." The Introduction (pp. xvi.-xviii.) prefixed by +Mr. A. O. Prickard to his edition of the _Prometheus_ is full of +persuasive grace, on this topic: to him, and to Dr. Verrall of +Cambridge--_lucida sidera_ of help and encouragement in the study of +Aeschylus--the translator's thanks are due, and are gratefully and +affectionately rendered. + + E. D. A. M. + + + + + +CONTENTS + +THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS + +THE PERSIANS + +THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES + +PROMETHEUS BOUND + + + + + +THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS + + + + +DEDICATION + + Take thou this gift from out the grave of Time. + The urns of Greece lie shattered, and the cup + That for Athenian lips the Muses filled, + And flowery crowns that on Athenian hair + Hid the cicala, freedom's golden sign, + Dust in the dust have fallen. Calmly sad, + The marble dead upon Athenian tombs + Speak from their eyes "Farewell": and well have fared + They and the saddened friends, whose clasping hands + Win from the solemn stone eternity. + Yea, well they fared unto the evening god, + Passing beyond the limit of the world, + Where face to face the son his mother saw, + A living man a shadow, while she spake + Words that Odysseus and that Homer heard,-- + _I too, O child, I reached the common doom, + The grave, the goal of fate, and passed away_. + --Such, Anticleia, as thy voice to him, + Across the dim gray gulf of death and time + Is that of Greece, a mother's to a child,-- + Mother of each whose dreams are grave and fair-- + Who sees the Naiad where the streams are bright + And in the sunny ripple of the sea + Cymodoce with floating golden hair: + And in the whisper of the waving oak + Hears still the Dryad's plaint, and, in the wind + That sighs through moonlit woodlands, knows the horn + Of Artemis, and silver shafts and bow. + Therefore if still around this broken vase, + Borne by rough hands, unworthy of their load, + Far from Cephisus and the wandering rills, + There cling a fragrance as of things once sweet, + Of honey from Hymettus' desert hill, + Take thou the gift and hold it close and dear; + For gifts that die have living memories-- + Voices of unreturning days, that breathe + The spirit of a day that never dies. + + + + +ARGUMENT + +Io, the daughter of Inachus, King of Argos, was beloved of Zeus. But +Hera was jealous of that love, and by her ill will was Io given over +to frenzy, and her body took the semblance of a heifer: and Argus, a +many-eyed herdsman, was set by Hera to watch Io whithersoever she +strayed. Yet, in despite of Argus, did Zeus draw nigh unto her in +the shape of a bull. And by the will of Zeus and the craft of Hermes +was Argus slain. Then Io was driven over far lands and seas by her +madness, and came at length to the land of Egypt. There was she +restored to herself by a touch of the hand of Zeus, and bare a child +called Epaphus. And from Epaphus sprang Libya, and from Libya, Belus; +and from Belus, Aegyptus and Danaus. And the sons of Aegyptus willed +to take the daughters of Danaus in marriage. But the maidens held +such wedlock in horror, and fled with their father over the sea to +Argos; and the king and citizens of Argos gave them shelter and +protection from their pursuers. + + + +THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + DANAUS, THE KING OF ARGOS, HERALD OF AEGYPTUS. + _Chorus of the Daughters of Danaus. Attendants_. + + _Scene. --A sacred precinct near the gates of Argos: statue and + shrines of Zeus and other deities stand around_. + + +CHORUS + + ZEUS! Lord and guard of suppliant hands! + Look down benign on us who crave + Thine aid--whom winds and waters drave + From where, through drifting shifting sands, + Pours Nilus to the wave. + From where the green land, god-possest, + Closes and fronts the Syrian waste, + We flee as exiles, yet unbanned + By murder's sentence from our land; + But--since Aegyptus had decreed + His sons should wed his brother's seed,-- + Ourselves we tore from bonds abhorred, + From wedlock not of heart but hand, + Nor brooked to call a kinsman lord! + And Danaus, our sire and guide, + The king of counsel, pond'ring well + The dice of fortune as they fell, + Out of two griefs the kindlier chose, + And bade us fly, with him beside, + Heedless what winds or waves arose, + And o'er the wide sea waters haste, + Until to Argos' shore at last + Our wandering pinnace came-- + Argos, the immemorial home + Of her from whom we boast to come-- + Io, the ox-horned maiden, whom, + After long wandering, woe, and scathe, + Zeus with a touch, a mystic breath, + Made mother of our name. + Therefore, of all the lands of earth, + On this most gladly step we forth, + And in our hands aloft we bear-- + Sole weapon for a suppliant's wear-- + The olive-shoot, with wool enwound! + City, and land, and waters wan + Of Inachus, and gods most high, + And ye who, deep beneath the ground, + Bring vengeance weird on mortal man, + Powers of the grave, on you we cry! + And unto Zeus the Saviour, guard + Of mortals' holy purity! + Receive ye us--keep watch and ward + Above the suppliant maiden band! + Chaste be the heart of this your land + Towards the weak! but, ere the throng, + The wanton swarm, from Egypt sprung, + Leap forth upon the silted shore, + Thrust back their swift-rowed bark again, + Repel them, urge them to the main! + And there, 'mid storm and lightning's shine, + And scudding drift and thunder's roar, + Deep death be theirs, in stormy brine! + Before they foully grasp and win + Us, maiden-children of their kin, + And climb the couch by law denied, + And wrong each weak reluctant bride. + And now on her I call, + + Mine ancestress, who far on Egypt's shore + A young cow's semblance wore,-- + A maiden once, by Hera's malice changed! + And then on him withal, + Who, as amid the flowers the grazing creature + ranged, + Was in her by a breath of Zeus conceived; + And, as the hour of birth drew nigh, + By fate fulfilled, unto the light he came; + And Epaphus for name, + Born from the touch of Zeus, the child received. + On him, on him I cry, + And him for patron hold-- + While in this grassy vale I stand, + Where lo roamed of old! + And here, recounting all her toil and pain, + Signs will I show to those who rule the land + That I am child of hers; and all shall understand, + Hearing the doubtful tale of the dim past made plain. + And, ere the end shall be, + Each man the truth of what I tell shall see. + And if there dwell hard by + One skilled to read from bird-notes augury, + That man, when through his ears shall thrill our + tearful wail, + Shall deem he hears the voice, the plaintive tale + Of her, the piteous spouse of Tereus, lord of guile-- + Whom the hawk harries yet, the mourning nightingale. + She, from her happy home and fair streams scared + away, + Wails wild and sad for haunts beloved erewhile. + Yea, and for Itylus--ah, well-a-day! + Slain by her own, his mother's hand, + Maddened by lustful wrong, the deed by Tereus + planned. + Like her I wail and wail, in soft Ionian tones, + And as she wastes, even so + Wastes my soft cheek, once ripe with Nilus' suns + And all my heart dissolves in utter woe + Sad flowers of grief I cull, + + Fleeing from kinsmen's love unmerciful-- + Yea, from the clutching hands, the wanton crowd, + I sped across the waves, from Egypt's land of cloud[1] + +[Footnote: 1: _AeRas apogas_ This epithet may appear strange to +modern readers accustomed to think of Egypt as a land of cloudless +skies and pellucid atmosphere. Nevertheless both Pindar (_Pyth_ iv 93) +and Apollonius Rhodius (iv 267) speak of it in the same way as +Aeschylus. It has been conjectured that they allude to the fog banks +that often obscure the low coasts--a phenomenon likely to impress +the early navigators and to be reported by them.] + + Gods of the ancient cradle of my race, + Hear me, just gods! With righteous grace + On me, on me look down! + Grant not to youth its heart's unchaste desire, + But, swiftly spurning lust's unholy fire, + Bless only love and willing wedlock's crown + The war-worn fliers from the battle's wrack + Find refuge at the hallowed altar-side, + The sanctuary divine,-- + Ye gods! such refuge unto me provide-- + Such sanctuary be mine! + Though the deep will of Zeus be hard to track, + Yet doth it flame and glance, + A beacon in the dark, 'mid clouds of chance + That wrap mankind + Yea, though the counsel fall, undone it shall not be, + Whate'er be shaped and fixed within Zeus' ruling mind-- + Dark as a solemn grove, with sombre leafage shaded, + His paths of purpose wind, + A marvel to man's eye + + Smitten by him, from towering hopes degraded, + Mortals lie low and still + Tireless and effortless, works forth its will + The arm divine! + God from His holy seat, in calm of unarmed power, + Brings forth the deed, at its appointed hour! + Let Him look down on mortal wantonness! + Lo! how the youthful stock of Belus' line + Craves for me, uncontrolled-- + With greed and madness bold-- + Urged on by passion's sunless stress-- + And, cheated, learns too late the prey has 'scaped + their hold! + Ah, listen, listen to my grievous tale, + My sorrow's words, my shrill and tearful cries! + Ah woe, ah woe! + Loud with lament the accents use, + And from my living lips my own sad dirges flow! + O Apian land of hill and dale, + Thou kennest yet, O land, this faltered foreign wail-- + Have mercy, hear my prayer! + Lo, how again, again, I rend and tear + My woven raiment, and from off my hair + Cast the Sidonian veil! + + Ah, but if fortune smile, if death be driven away, + Vowed rites, with eager haste, we to the gods will pay! + Alas, alas again! + O wither drift the waves? and who shall loose the pain? + + O Apian land of hill and dale, + Thou kennest yet, O land, this faltered foreign wail! + Have mercy, hear my prayer! + Lo, how again, again, I rend and tear + My woven raiment, and from off my hair + Cast the Sidonian veil! + + The wafting oar, the bark with woven sail, + From which the sea foamed back, + Sped me, unharmed of storms, along the breeze's track-- + Be it unblamed of me! + But ah, the end, the end of my emprise! + May He, the Father, with all-seeing eyes, + Grant me that end to see! + Grant that henceforth unstained as heretofore + I may escape the forced embrace + Of those proud children of the race + That sacred Io bore. + + And thou, O maiden-goddess chaste and pure-- + Queen of the inner fane,-- + Look of thy grace on me, O Artemis, + Thy willing suppliant--thine, thine it is, + Who from the lustful onslaught fled secure, + To grant that I too without stain + The shelter of thy purity may gain! + + Grant that henceforth unstained as heretofore + I may escape the forced embrace + Of those proud children of the race + That sacred Io bore! + + Yet if this may not be, + We, the dark race sun-smitten, we + Will speed with suppliant wands + To Zeus who rules below, with hospitable hands + Who welcomes all the dead from all the lands: + Yea by our own hands strangled, we will go, + Spurned by Olympian gods, unto the gods below! + + Zeus, hear and save! + The searching, poisonous hate, that Io vexed and drave, + Was of a goddess: well I know + The bitter ire, the wrathful woe + Of Hera, queen of heaven--- + A storm, a storm her breath, whereby we yet are driven! + Bethink thee, what dispraise + Of Zeus himself mankind will raise, + If now he turn his face averted from our cries! + If now, dishonoured and alone, + The ox-horned maiden's race shall be undone, + Children of Epaphus, his own begotten son--- + Zeus, listen from on high!--to thee our prayers arise. + + Zeus, hear and save! + The searching poisonous hate, that Io vexed and drave, + Was of a goddess: well I know + The bitter ire, the wrathful woe + Of Hera, queen of heaven-- + A storm, a storm her breath, whereby we yet are driven! + +DANAUS + + Children, be wary--wary he with whom + Ye come, your trusty sire and steersman old: + And that same caution hold I here on land, + And bid you hoard my words, inscribing them + On memory's tablets. Lo, I see afar + Dust, voiceless herald of a host, arise; + And hark, within their grinding sockets ring + Axles of hurrying wheels! I see approach, + Borne in curved cars, by speeding horses drawn, + A speared and shielded band. The chiefs, perchance, + Of this their land are hitherward intent + To look on us, of whom they yet have heard + By messengers alone. But come who may, + And come he peaceful or in ravening wrath + Spurred on his path, 'twere best, in any case, + Damsels, to cling unto this altar-mound + Made sacred to their gods of festival,-- + A shrine is stronger than a tower to save, + A shield that none may cleave. Step swift thereto, + And in your left hands hold with reverence + The white-crowned wands of suppliance, the sign + Beloved of Zeus, compassion's lord, and speak + To those that question you, words meek and low + And piteous, as beseems your stranger state, + Clearly avowing of this flight of yours + The bloodless cause; and on your utterance + See to it well that modesty attend; + From downcast eyes, from brows of pure control, + Let chastity look forth; nor, when ye speak, + Be voluble nor eager--they that dwell + Within this land are sternly swift to chide. + And be your words submissive: heed this well; + For weak ye are, outcasts on stranger lands, + And froward talk beseems not strengthless hands. + +CHORUS + + O father, warily to us aware + Thy words are spoken, and thy wisdom's best + My mind shall hoard, with Zeus our sire to aid. + +DANAUS + + Even so--with gracious aspect let him aid. + +CHORUS + + Fain were I now to seat me by thy side. + +DANAUS + + Now dally not, but put our thought in act. + +CHORUS + + Zeus, pity our distress, or e'er we die. + +DANAUS + + If so he will, your toils to joy will turn. + +CHORUS + + Lo, on this shrine, the semblance of a bird.[2] + +DANAUS + + Zeus' bird of dawn it is; invoke the sign. + +CHORUS + + Thus I invoke the saving rays of morn. + +[Footnote: 2: The whole of this dialogue in alternate verses is +disarranged in the MSS. The re-arrangement which has approved itself +to Paley has been here followed. It involves, however, a hiatus, +instead of the line to which this note is appended. The substance of +the lost line being easily deducible from the context, it has been +supplied in the translation.] + +DANAUS + + Next, bright Apollo, exiled once from heaven. + +CHORUS + + The exiled god will pity our exile. + +DANAUS + + Yea, may he pity, giving grace and aid. + +CHORUS + + Whom next invoke I, of these other gods? + +DANAUS + + Lo, here a trident, symbol of a god. + +CHORUS + + Who [3] gave sea-safety; may he bless on land! + [Footnote: 3: Poseidon] DANAUS + + This next is Hermes, carved in Grecian wise. + +CHORUS + + Then let him herald help to freedom won. + +DANAUS + + Lastly, adore this altar consecrate + To many lesser gods in one; then crouch + On holy ground, a flock of doves that flee, + Scared by no alien hawks, a kin not kind, + Hateful, and fain of love more hateful still. + Foul is the bird that rends another bird, + And foul the men who hale unwilling maids, + From sire unwilling, to the bridal bed. + Never on earth, nor in the lower world, + Shall lewdness such as theirs escape the ban: + There too, if men say right, a God there is + Who upon dead men turns their sin to doom, + To final doom. Take heed, draw hitherward, + That from this hap your safety ye may win. + [_Enter the_ KING OF ARGOS. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Speak--of what land are ye? No Grecian band + Is this to whom I speak, with Eastern robes + And wrappings richly dight: no Argive maid, + No woman in all Greece such garb doth wear. + This too gives marvel, how unto this land, + Unheralded, unfriended, without guide, + And without fear, ye came? yet wands I see, + True sign of suppliance, by you laid down + On shrines of these our gods of festival. + No land but Greece can read such signs aright. + Much else there is, conjecture well might guess, + But let words teach the man who stands to hear. + +CHORUS + + True is the word thou spakest of my garb; + But speak I unto thee as citizen, + Or Hermes' wandbearer, or chieftain king? + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + For that, take heart and answer without fear. + I am Pelasgus, ruler of this land, + Child of Palaichthon, whom the earth brought forth; + And, rightly named from me, the race who reap + This country's harvests are Pelasgian called. + And o'er the wide and westward-stretching land, + Through which the lucent wave of Strymon flows + I rule; Perrhaebia's land my boundary is + Northward, and Pindus' further slopes, that watch + Paeonia, and Dodona's mountain ridge. + West, east, the limit of the washing seas + Restrains my rule--the interspace is mine. + But this whereon we stand is Apian land, + Styled so of old from the great healer's name; + For Apis, coming from Naupactus' shore + Beyond the strait, child of Apollo's self + And like him seer and healer, cleansed this land + From man-devouring monsters, whom the earth, + Stained with pollution of old bloodshedding, + Brought forth in malice, beasts of ravening jaws, + A grisly throng of serpents manifold. + And healings of their hurt, by knife and charm, + Apis devised, unblamed of Argive men, + And in their prayers found honour, for reward. + --Lo, thou hast heard the tokens that I give: + Speak now thy race, and tell a forthright tale; + In sooth, this people loves not many words. + +CHORUS + + Short is my word and clear. Of Argive race + We come, from her, the ox-horned maiden who + Erst bare the sacred child. My word shall give + Whate'er can 'stablish this my soothfast tale. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + O stranger maids, I may not trust this word, + That ye have share in this our Argive race. + No likeness of our country do ye bear, + But semblance as of Libyan womankind. + Even such a stock by Nilus' banks might grow; + Yea and the Cyprian stamp, in female forms, + Shows to the life, what males impressed the same. + And, furthermore, of roving Indian maids + Whose camping-grounds by Aethiopia lie, + And camels burdened even as mules, and bearing + Riders, as horses bear, mine ears have heard; + And tales of flesh-devouring mateless maids + Called Amazons: to these, if bows ye bare, + I most had deemed you like. Speak further yet, + That of your Argive birth the truth I learn. + +CHORUS + + Here in this Argive land--so runs the tale-- + Io was priestess once of Hera's fane. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Yea, truth it is, and far this word prevails: + Is't said that Zeus with mortal mingled love? + +CHORUS + + Ay, and that Hera that embrace surmised. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + How issued then this strife of those on high? + +CHORUS + + By Hera's will, a heifer she became. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Held Zeus aloof then from the horned beast? + +CHORUS + + 'Tis said, he loved, in semblance of a bull. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + And his stern consort, did she aught thereon? + +CHORUS + + One myriad-eyed she set, the heifer's guard. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + How namest thou this herdsman many-eyed? + +CHORUS + + Argus, the child of Earth, whom Hermes slew. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Still did the goddess vex the beast ill-starred? + +CHORUS + + She wrought a gadfly with a goading sting. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Thus drave she Io hence, to roam afar? + +CHORUS + + Yea--this thy word coheres exact with mine. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Then to Canopus and to Memphis came she? + +CHORUS + + And by Zeus' hand was touched, and bare a child. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Who vaunts him the Zeus-mated creature's son? + +CHORUS + + Epaphus, named rightly from the saving touch. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + And whom in turn did Epaphus beget?[4] + +[Footnote: 4: Here one verse at least has been lost. The conjecture +of Bothe seems to be verified, as far as substance is concerned, by +the next line, and has consequently been adopted.] + +CHORUS + + Libya, with name of a wide land endowed. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + And who from her was born unto the race? + +CHORUS + + Belus: from him two sons, my father one. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Speak now to me his name, this greybeard wise. + +CHORUS + + Revere the gods thus crowned, who steer the State. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Awe thrills me, seeing these shrines with leafage crowned. + +CHORUS + + Yea, stern the wrath of Zeus, the suppliants' lord. + Child of Palaichthon, royal chief + Of thy Pelasgians, hear! + Bow down thine heart to my relief-- + A fugitive, a suppliant, swift with fear, + A creature whom the wild wolves chase + O'er toppling crags; in piteous case + Aloud, afar she lows, + Calling the herdsman's trusty arm to save her from her foes! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Lo, with bowed heads beside our city shrines + Ye sit 'neath shade of new-plucked olive-boughs. + Our distant kin's resentment Heaven forefend! + Let not this hap, unhoped and unforeseen, + Bring war on us: for strife we covet not. + +CHORUS + + Justice, the daughter of right-dealing Zeus, + Justice, the queen of suppliants, look down, + That this our plight no ill may loose + Upon your town! + This word, even from the young, let age and wisdom learn: + If thou to suppliants show grace, + Thou shalt not lack Heaven's grace in turn, + So long as virtue's gifts on heavenly shrines have place. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Not at my private hearth ye sit and sue; + And if the city bear a common stain, + Be it the common toil to cleanse the same: + Therefore no pledge, no promise will I give, + Ere counsel with the commonwealth be held. + +CHORUS + + Nay, but the source of sway, the city's self, art thou, + A power unjudged! thine, only thine, + To rule the right of hearth and shrine! + Before thy throne and sceptre all men bow! + Thou, in all causes lord, beware the curse divine! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + May that curse fall upon mine enemies! + I cannot aid you without risk of scathe, + Nor scorn your prayers--unmerciful it were. + Perplexed, distraught I stand, and fear alike + The twofold chance, to do or not to do. + +CHORUS + + Have heed of him who looketh from on high, + The guard of woeful mortals, whosoe'er + Unto their fellows cry, + And find no pity, find no justice there. + Abiding in his wrath, the suppliants' lord + Doth smite, unmoved by cries, unbent by prayerful word. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + But if Aegyptus' children grasp you here, + Claiming, their country's right, to hold you theirs + As next of kin, who dares to counter this? + Plead ye your country's laws, if plead ye may, + That upon you they lay no lawful hand. + +CHORUS + + Let me not fall, O nevermore, + A prey into the young men's hand; + Rather than wed whom I abhor, + By pilot-stars I flee this land; + O king, take justice to thy side, + And with the righteous powers decide! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Hard is the cause--make me not judge thereof. + Already I have vowed it, to do nought + Save after counsel with my people ta'en, + King though I be; that ne'er in after time, + If ill fate chance, my people then may say-- + _In aid of strangers thou the state hast slain_. + +CHORUS + + Zeus, lord of kinship, rules at will + The swaying balance, and surveys + Evil and good; to men of ill + Gives evil, and to good men praise. + And thou--since true those scales do sway-- + Shall thou from justice shrink away? + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + A deep, a saving counsel here there needs-- + An eye that like a diver to the depth + Of dark perplexity can pass and see, + Undizzied, unconfused. First must we care + That to the State and to ourselves this thing + Shall bring no ruin; next, that wrangling hands + Shall grasp you not as prey, nor we ourselves + Betray you thus embracing sacred shrines, + Nor make the avenging all-destroying god, + Who not in hell itself sets dead men free, + A grievous inmate, an abiding bane.-- + Spake I not right, of saving counsel's need? + +CHORUS + + Yea, counsel take and stand to aid + At Justice' side and mine. + Betray not me, the timorous maid + Whom far beyond the brine + A godless violence cast forth forlorn. + O King, wilt thou behold-- + Lord of this land, wilt thou behold me torn + From altars manifold? + Bethink thee of the young men's wrath and lust, + Hold off their evil pride; + Steel not thyself to see the suppliant thrust + From hallowed statues' side, + Haled by the frontlet on my forehead bound, + As steeds are led, and drawn + By hands that drag from shrine and altar-mound + My vesture's fringed lawn. + Know thou that whether for Aegyptus' race + Thou dost their wish fulfil, + Or for the gods and for each holy place-- + Be thy choice good or ill, + Blow is with blow requited, grace with grace + Such is Zeus' righteous will. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Yea, I have pondered: from the sea of doubt + Here drives at length the bark of thought ashore; + Landward with screw and windlass haled, and firm, + Clamped to her props, she lies. The need is stern; + With men or gods a mighty strife we strive + Perforce, and either hap in grief concludes. + For, if a house be sacked, new wealth for old + Not hard it is to win--if Zeus the lord + Of treasure favour--more than quits the loss, + Enough to pile the store of wealth full high; + Or if a tongue shoot forth untimely speech, + Bitter and strong to goad a man to wrath, + Soft words there be to soothe that wrath away: + But what device shall make the war of kin + Bloodless? that woe, the blood of many beasts, + And victims manifold to many gods, + Alone can cure. Right glad I were to shun + This strife, and am more fain of ignorance + Than of the wisdom of a woe endured. + The gods send better than my soul foretells! + +CHORUS + + Of many cries for mercy, hear the end. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Say on, then, for it shall not 'scape mine ear. + +CHORUS + + Girdles we have, and bands that bind our robes. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Even so; such things beseem a woman's wear. + +CHORUS + + Know, then, with these a fair device there is-- + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Speak, then: what utterance doth this foretell? + +CHORUS + + Unless to us thou givest pledge secure-- + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + What can thy girdles' craft achieve for thee? + +CHORUS + + Strange votive tablets shall these statues deck. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Mysterious thy resolve--avow it clear. + +CHORUS + + Swiftly to hang me on these sculptured gods! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Thy word is as a lash to urge my heart. + +CHORUS + + Thou seest truth, for I have cleared thine eye + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Yea, and woes manifold, invincible, + A crowd of ills, sweep on me torrent-like. + My bark goes forth upon a sea of troubles + Unfathomed, ill to traverse, harbourless. + For if my deed shall match not your demand, + Dire, beyond shot of speech, shall be the bane + Your death's pollution leaves unto this land. + Yet if against your kin, Aegyptus' race, + Before our gates I front the doom of war, + Will not the city's loss be sore? Shall men + For women's sake incarnadine the ground? + But yet the wrath of Zeus, the suppliants' lord + I needs must fear: most awful unto man + The terror of his anger. Thou, old man, + The father of these maidens, gather up + Within your arms these wands of suppliance, + And lay them at the altars manifold + Of all our country's gods, that all the town + Know, by this sign, that ye come here to sue. + Nor, in thy haste, do thou say aught of me. + Swift is this folk to censure those who rule; + But, if they see these signs of suppliance, + It well may chance that each will pity you, + And loathe the young men's violent pursuit; + And thus a fairer favour you may find: + For, to the helpless, each man's heart is kind. + +DANAUS + + To us, beyond gifts manifold it is + To find a champion thus compassionate; + Yet send with me attendants, of thy folk, + Rightly to guide me, that I duly find + Each altar of your city's gods that stands + Before the fane, each dedicated shrine; + And that in safety through the city's ways + I may pass onwards: all unlike to yours + The outward semblance that I wear--the race + that Nilus rears is all dissimilar + That of Inachus. Keep watch and ward + Lest heedlessness bring death: full oft, I ween, + Friend hath slain friend, not knowing whom he slew. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Go at his side, attendants,--he saith well. + On to the city's consecrated shrines! + Nor be of many words to those ye meet, + The while this suppliant voyager ye lead. + [_Exit_ DANAUS _with attendants_. + +CHORUS + + Let him go forward, thy command obeying. + But me how biddest, how assurest thou? + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Leave there the new-plucked boughs, thy sorrow's sign. + +CHORUS + + Thus beckoned forth, at thy behest I leave them. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Now to this level precinct turn thyself. + +CHORUS + + Unconsecrate it is, and cannot shield me. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + We will not yield thee to those falcons' greed. + +CHORUS + + What help? more fierce they are than serpents fell + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + We spake thee fair--speak thou them fair in turn. + +CHORUS + + What marvel that we loathe them, scared in soul? + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Awe towards a king should other fears transcend. + +CHORUS + + Thus speak, thus act, and reassure my mind. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Not long thy sire shall leave thee desolate. + But I will call the country's indwellers, + And with soft words th' assembly will persuade, + And warn your sire what pleadings will avail. + Therefore abide ye, and with prayer entreat + The country's gods to compass your desire; + The while I go, this matter to provide, + Persuasion and fair fortune at my side. + [_Exit the_ KING OF ARGOS. + +CHORUS + + O King of Kings, among the blest + Thou highest and thou happiest, + Listen and grant our prayer, + And, deeply loathing, thrust + Away from us the young men's lust, + And deeply drown + In azure waters, down and ever down, + Benches and rowers dark, + The fatal and perfidious bark! + Unto the maidens turn thy gracious care; + Think yet again upon the tale of fame, + How from the maiden loved of thee there sprung + Mine ancient line, long since in many a legend sung! + Remember, O remember, thou whose hand + Did Io by a touch to human shape reclaim. + For from this Argos erst our mother came + Driven hence to Egypt's land, + Yet sprung of Zeus we were, and hence our birth we claim. + And now have I roamed back + Unto the ancient track + Where Io roamed and pastured among flowers, + Watched o'er by Argus' eyes, + Through the lush grasses and the meadow bowers. + Thence, by the gadfly maddened, forth she flies + Unto far lands and alien peoples driven + And, following fate, through paths of foam and surge, + Sees, as she goes, the cleaving strait divide + Greece, from the Eastland riven. + And swift through Asian borders doth she urge + Her course, o'er Phrygian mountains' sheep-clipt side; + Thence, where the Mysian realm of Teuthras lies + Towards Lydian lowlands hies, + And o'er Cilician and Pamphylian hills + And ever-flowing rills, + And thence to Aphrodite's fertile shore, [5] + [Footnote: 5: Cyprus.] + The land of garnered wheat and wealthy store + And thence, deep-stung by wild unrest, + By the winged fly that goaded her and drave, + Unto the fertile land, the god-possest, + (Where, fed from far-off snows, + Life-giving Nilus flows, + Urged on by Typho's strength, a fertilizing wave) + She roves, in harassed and dishonoured flight + Scathed by the blasting pangs of Hera's dread despite. + And they within the land + With terror shook and wanned, + So strange the sight they saw, and were afraid-- + A wild twy-natured thing, half heifer and half maid. + Whose hand was laid at last on Io, thus forlorn, + With many roamings worn? + Who bade the harassed maiden's peace return? + Zeus, lord of time eterne. + Yea, by his breath divine, by his unscathing strength, + She lays aside her bane, + And softened back to womanhood at length + Sheds human tears again. + Then, quickened with Zeus' veritable seed, + A progeny she bare, + A stainless babe, a child of heavenly breed. + Of life and fortune fair. + _His is the life of life_--so all men say,-- + _His is the seed of Zeus. + Who else had power stern Hera's craft to stay, + Her vengeful curse to loose_? + + Yea, all from Zeus befell! + And rightly wouldst thou tell + That we from Epaphus, his child, were born: + Justly his deed was done; + Unto what other one, + Of all the gods, should I for justice turn? + From him our race did spring; + Creator he and King, + Ancient of days and wisdom he, and might. + As bark before the wind, + So, wafted by his mind, + Moves every counsel, each device aright. + Beneath no stronger hand + Holds he a weak command, + No throne doth he abase him to adore; + Swift as a word, his deed + Acts out what stands decreed + In counsels of his heart, for evermore. + [_Re-enter_ DANAUS. + +DANAUS + + Take heart, my children: the land's heart is kind, + And to full issue has their voting come. + +CHORUS + + All hail, my sire; thy word brings utmost joy. + Say, to what issue is the vote made sure, + And how prevailed the people's crowding hands? + +DANAUS + + With one assent the Argives spake their will, + And, hearing, my old heart took youthful cheer, + The very sky was thrilled when high in air + The concourse raised right hands and swore their oath:-- + _Free shall the maidens sojourn in this land. + Unharried, undespoiled by mortal wight: + No native hand, no hand of foreigner + Shall drag them hence; if any man use force-- + Whoe'er of all our countrymen shall fail + To come unto their aid, let him go forth, + Beneath the people's curse, to banishment_. + So did the king of this Pelasgian folk + Plead on behalf of us, and bade them heed + That never, in the after-time, this realm + Should feed to fulness the great enmity + Of Zeus, the suppliants' guard, against itself! + A twofold curse, for wronging stranger-guests + Who are akin withal, confrontingly + Should rise before this city and be shown + A ruthless monster, fed on human doom. + Such things the Argive people heard, and straight, + Without proclaim of herald, gave assent: + Yea, in full conclave, the Pelasgian folk + Heard suasive pleas, and Zeus through them resolved. + +CHORUS + + Arouse we now to chant our prayer + For fair return of service fair + And Argos' kindly will. + Zeus, lord of guestright, look upon + The grace our stranger lips have won. + In right and truth, as they begun, + Guide them, with favouring hand, until + Thou dost their blameless wish fulfil! + + Now may the Zeus-born gods on high + Hear us pour forth + A votive prayer for Argos' clan!-- + Never may this Pelasgian earth, + Amid the fire-wrack, shrill the dismal cry + On Ares, ravening lord of fight, + Who in an alien harvest mows down man! + For lo, this land had pity on our plight, + And unto us were merciful and leal, + To us, the piteous flock, who at Zeus' altar kneel! + They scorned not the pleas of maidenhood, + Nor with the young men's will hath their will stood. + They knew right well. + + Th' unearthly watching fiend invincible, + The foul avenger--let him not draw near! + For he, on roofs ill-starred, + Defiling and polluting, keeps a ghastly ward! + They knew his vengeance, and took holy heed + To us, the sister suppliants, who cry + To Zeus, the lord of purity: + Therefore with altars pure they shall the gods revere. + + Thus, through the boughs that shade our lips, fly forth in air, + Fly forth, O eager prayer! + May never pestilence efface + This city's race, + Nor be the land with corpses strewed, + Nor stained with civic blood! + The stem of youth, unpluckt, to manhood come, + Nor Ares rise from Aphrodite's bower, + The lord of death and bane, to waste our youthful flower. + Long may the old + Crowd to the altars kindled to consume + Gifts rich and manifold-- + Offered to win from powers divine + A benison on city and on shrine: + Let all the sacred might adore + Of Zeus most high, the lord + Of guestright and the hospitable board, + Whose immemorial law doth rule Fate's scales aright: + The garners of earth's store + Be full for evermore, + And grace of Artemis make women's travail light; + No devastating curse of fell disease + This city seize; + No clamour of the State arouse to war + Ares, from whom afar + Shrinketh the lute, by whom the dances fail-- + Ares, the lord of wail. + Swarm far aloof from Argos' citizens + All plague and pestilence, + And may the Archer-God our children spare! + May Zeus with foison and with fruitfulness + The land's each season bless, + And, quickened with Heaven's bounty manifold, + Teem grazing flock and fold. + Beside the altars of Heaven's hallowing + Loud let the minstrels sing, + And from pure lips float forth the harp-led strain in air! + And let the people's voice, the power + That sways the State, in danger's hour + Be wary, wise for all; + Nor honour in dishonour hold, + But--ere the voice of war be bold-- + Let them to stranger peoples grant + Fair and unbloody covenant-- + Justice and peace withal; + And to the Argive powers divine + The sacrifice of laurelled kine, + By rite ancestral, pay. + Among three words of power and awe, + Stands this, the third, the mighty law-- + _Your gods, your fathers deified, + Ye shall adore_. Let this abide + For ever and for aye. + +DANAUS + + Dear children, well and wisely have ye prayed; + I bid you now not shudder, though ye hear + New and alarming tidings from your sire. + From this high place beside the suppliants' shrine + The bark of our pursuers I behold, + By divers tokens recognized too well. + Lo, the spread canvas and the hides that screen + The gunwale; lo, the prow, with painted eyes + That seem her onward pathway to descry, + Heeding too well the rudder at the stern + That rules her, coming for no friendly end. + And look, the seamen--all too plain their race-- + Their dark limbs gleam from out their snow-white garb; + Plain too the other barks, a fleet that comes + All swift to aid the purpose of the first, + That now, with furled sail and with pulse of oars + Which smite the wave together, comes aland. + But ye, be calm, and, schooled not scared by fear, + Confront this chance, be mindful of your trust + In these protecting gods. And I will hence, + And champions who shall plead your cause aright + Will bring unto your side. There come perchance + Heralds or envoys, eager to lay hand + And drag you captive hence; yet fear them not; + Foiled shall they be. Yet well it were for you + (If, ere with aid I come, I tarry long), + Not by one step this sanctuary to leave. + Farewell, fear nought: soon shall the hour be born + When he that scorns the gods shall rue his scorn + +CHORUS + + Ah but I shudder, father!--ah, even now, + Even as I speak, the swift-winged ships draw nigh! + + I shudder, I shiver, I perish with fear: + Overseas though I fled, + Yet nought it avails; my pursuers are near! + +DANAUS + + Children, take heart; they who decreed to aid + Thy cause will arm for battle, well I ween. + +CHORUS + + But desperate is Aegyptus' ravening race, + With fight unsated; thou too know'st it well. + + In their wrath they o'ertake us; the prow is deep-dark + In the which they have sped, + And dark is the bench and the crew of the bark! + +DANAUS + + Yea but a crew as stout they here shall find, + And arms well steeled beneath a noon-day sun. + +CHORUS + + Ah yet, O father, leave us not forlorn! + Alone, a maid is nought, a strengthless arm. + With guile they Pursue me, with counsel malign, + And unholy their soul; + And as ravens they seize me, unheeding the shrine! + +DANAUS + + Fair will befall us, children, in this chance, + If thus in wrath they wrong the gods and you. + +CHORUS + + Alas, nor tridents nor the sanctity + Of shrines will drive them, O my sire, from us! + + Unholy and daring and cursed is their ire, + Nor own they control + Of the gods, but like jackals they glut their desire! + +DANAUS + + Ay, but _Come wolf, flee jackal_, saith the saw; + Nor can the flax-plant overbear the corn. + +CHORUS + + Lustful, accursed, monstrous is their will + As of beasts ravening--'ware we of their power! + +DANAUS + + Look you, not swiftly puts a fleet to sea, + Nor swiftly to its moorings; long it is + Or e'er the saving cables to the shore + Are borne, and long or e'er the steersmen cry, + _The good ship swings at anchor--all is well_. + Longest of all, the task to come aland + Where haven there is none, when sunset fades + In night. _To pilot wise_, the adage saith, + _Night is a day of wakefulness and pain_. + Therefore no force of weaponed men, as yet + Scatheless can come ashore, before the bank + Lie at her anchorage securely moored. + Bethink thee therefore, nor in panic leave + The shrine of gods whose succour thou hast won + I go for aid--men shall not blame me long, + Old, but with youth at heart and on my tongue + [_Exit_ DANAUS. + +CHORUS + + O land of hill and dale, O holy land, + What shall befall us? whither shall we flee, + From Apian land to some dark lair of earth? + + O would that in vapour of smoke I might rise to the + clouds of the sky, + That as dust which flits up without wings I might pass + and evanish and die! + I dare not, I dare not abide: my heart yearns, eager + to fly; + And dark is the cast of my thought; I shudder and + tremble for fear. + My father looked forth and beheld: I die of the sight + that draws near. + And for me be the strangling cord, the halter made + ready by Fate, + Before to my body draws nigh the man of my horror + and hate. + Nay, ere I will own him as lord, as handmaid to + Hades I go! + And oh, that aloft in the sky, where the dark clouds + are frozen to snow, + A refuge for me might be found, or a mountain-top + smooth and too high + + For the foot of the goat, where the vulture sits lonely, + and none may descry + The pinnacle veiled in the cloud, + the highest and sheerest of all, + Ere to wedlock that rendeth my heart, + and love that is loveless, I fall! + Yea, a prey to the dogs and the birds of the mount + will I give me to be,-- + From wailing and curse and pollution it is death, + only death, sets me free: + Let death come upon me before + to the ravisher's bed I am thrust; + What champion, what saviour but death can I find, + or what refuge from lust? + I will utter my shriek of entreaty, + a prayer that shrills up to the sky, + That calleth the gods to compassion, + a tuneful, a pitiful cry, + That is loud to invoke the releaser. + O father, look down on the fight; + Look down in thy wrath on the wronger, + with eyes that are eager for right. + Zeus, thou that art lord of the world, + whose kingdom is strong over all, + Have mercy on us! At thine altar for refuge + and safety we call. + For the race of Aegyptus is fierce, + with greed and with malice afire; + They cry as the questing hounds, + they sweep with the speed of desire. + But thine is the balance of fate, + thou rulest the wavering scale, + And without thee no mortal emprise + shall have strength to achieve or prevail. + + Alack, alack! the ravisher-- + He leaps from boat to beach, he draweth near! + Away, thou plunderer accurst! + Death seize thee first, + Or e'er thou touch me--off! God, hear our cry, + Our maiden agony! + Ah, ah, the touch, the prelude of my shame. + Alas, my maiden fame! + O sister, sister, to the altar cling, + For he that seizeth me, + Grim is his wrath and stern, by land as on the sea. + Guard us, O king! + [_Enter the_ HERALD OF AEGYPTUS] + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Hence to my barge--step swiftly, tarry not. + +CHORUS + + Alack, he rends--he rends my hair! O wound on + wound! + Help! my lopped head will fall, my blood gush o'er + the ground! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Aboard, ye cursed--with a new curse, go! + +CHORUS + + Would God that on the wand'ring brine + Thou and this braggart tongue of thine + Had sunk beneath the main-- + Thy mast and planks, made fast in vain! + Thee would I drive aboard once more, + A slayer and a dastard, from the shore! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Be still, thou vain demented soul; + My force thy craving shall control. + Away, aboard! What, clingest to the shrine? + Away! this city's gods I hold not for divine. + +CHORUS + + Aid me, ye gods, that never, never + I may again behold + The mighty, the life-giving river, + Nilus, the quickener of field and fold! + Alack, O sire, unto the shrine I cling-- + Shrine of this land from which mine ancient line did spring! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Shrines, shrines, forsooth!--the ship, the ship be shrine! + Aboard, perforce and will-ye nill-ye, go! + Or e'er from hands of mine + Ye suffer torments worse and blow on blow. + +CHORUS + + Alack, God grant those hands may strive in vain + With the salt-streaming wave, + When 'gainst the wide-blown blasts thy bark shall strain + To round Sarpedon's cape, the sandbank's treach'rous grave. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Shrill ye and shriek unto what gods ye may, + Ye shall not leap from out Aegyptus' bark, + How bitterly soe'er ye wail your woe. + +CHORUS + + Alack, alack my wrong! + Stern is thy voice, thy vaunting loud and strong. + Thy sire, the mighty Nilus, drive thee hence + Turning to death and doom thy greedy violence! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Swift to the vessel of the double prow, + Go quickly! let none linger, else this hand + Ruthless will hale you by your tresses hence. + +CHORUS + + Alack, O father! from the shrine + Not aid but agony is mine. + As a spider he creeps and he clutches his prey, + And he hales me away. + A spectre of darkness, of darkness. Alas and alas! well-a-day! + O Earth, O my mother! O Zeus, thou king of the earth, and her child! + Turn back, we pray thee, from us his clamour and threatenings wild! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Peace! I fear not this country's deities. + They fostered not my childhood nor mine age. + +CHORUS + + Like a snake that is human he comes, + he shudders and crawls to my side; + As an adder that biteth the foot, + his clutch on my flesh doth abide. + O Earth, O my mother! O Zeus, thou king of the earth, + and her child! + Turn back, we pray thee, from us his clamour + and threatenings wild! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Swift each unto the ship; repine no more, + Or my hand shall not spare to rend your robe. + +CHORUS + + O chiefs, O leaders, aid me, or I yield! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Peace! if ye have not ears to hear my words, + Lo, by these tresses must I hale you hence. + +CHORUS + + Undone we are, O king! all hope is gone. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Ay, kings enow ye shall behold anon, + Aegyptus' sons--Ye shall not want for kings. + [_Enter the_ KING OF ARGOS. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Sirrah, what dost thou? in what arrogance + Darest thou thus insult Pelasgia's realm? + Deemest thou this a woman-hearted town? + Thou art too full of thy barbarian scorn + For us of Grecian blood, and, erring thus, + Thou dost bewray thyself a fool in all! + + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Say thou wherein my deeds transgress my right. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + First, that thou play'st a stranger's part amiss. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Wherein? I do but search and claim mine own. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + To whom of our guest-champions hast appealed? + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + To Hermes, herald's champion, lord of search. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Yea, to a god--yet dost thou wrong the gods! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + The gods that rule by Nilus I revere. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Hear I aright? our Argive gods are nought? + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + The prey is mine, unless force rend it from me. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + At thine own peril touch them--'ware, and soon! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + I hear thy speech, no hospitable word. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + I am no host for sacrilegious hands. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + I will go tell this to Aegyptus' sons. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Tell it! my pride will ponder not thy word. + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Yet, that I have my message clear to say + (For it behooves that heralds' words be clear, + Be they or ill or good), how art thou named? + By whom despoiled of this sister-band + Of maidens pass I homeward?--speak and say! + For lo, henceforth in Ares' court we stand, + Who judges not by witness but by war: + No pledge of silver now can bring the cause + To issue: ere this thing end, there must be + Corpse piled on corpse and many lives gasped forth. + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + What skills it that I tell my name to thee? + Thou and thy mates shall learn it ere the end. + Know that if words unstained by violence + Can change these maidens' choice, then mayest thou, + With full consent of theirs, conduct them hence. + But thus the city with one voice ordained-- + + _No force shall bear away the maiden band_. + + Firmly this word upon the temple wall + Is by a rivet clenched, and shall abide: + Not upon wax inscribed and delible, + Nor upon parchment sealed and stored away.-- + Lo, thou hast heard our free mouths speak their will: + Out from our presence--tarry not, but go! + +HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + + Methinks we stand on some new edge of war: + Be strength and triumph on the young men's side! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + Nay but here also shall ye find young men, + Unsodden with the juices oozed from grain.[6] + [_Exit_ HERALD OF AEGYPTUS + But ye, O maids, with your attendants true, + Pass hence with trust into the fenced town, + Ringed with a wide confine of guarding towers. + Therein are many dwellings for such guests + As the State honours; there myself am housed + Within a palace neither scant nor strait. + There dwell ye, if ye will to lodge at ease + In halls well-thronged: yet, if your soul prefer, + Tarry secluded in a separate home. + Choose ye and cull, from these our proffered gifts, + Whiche'er is best and sweetest to your will: + And I and all these citizens whose vote + Stands thus decreed, will your protectors be. + Look not to find elsewhere more loyal guard. + +[Footnote: 6: For this curious taunt, strongly illustrative of what +Browning calls "nationality in drinks," see Herodotus, ii. 77. A +similar feeling may perhaps be traced in Tacitus' description of the +national beverage of the Germans: "Potui humor ex hordeo aut frumento, +_in quandam similitudinem vini corruptus_" (_Germania_, chap, xxiii).] + +CHORUS + + O godlike chief, God grant my prayer: + _Fair blessings on thy proffers fair, + Lord of Pelasgia's race_! + Yet, of thy grace, unto our side + Send thou the man of courage tried, + Of counsel deep and prudent thought,-- + Be Danaus to his children brought; + For his it is to guide us well + And warn where it behoves to dwell-- + What place shall guard and shelter us + From malice and tongues slanderous: + Swift always are the lips of blame + A stranger-maiden to defame-- + But Fortune give us grace! + +THE KING OF ARGOS + + A stainless fame, a welcome kind + From all this people shall ye find: + Dwell therefore, damsels, loved of us, + Within our walls, as Danaus + Allots to each, in order due, + Her dower of attendants true. + [_Re-enter_ DANAUS. DANAUS + + High thanks, my children, unto Argos con, + And to this folk, as to Olympian gods, + Give offerings meet of sacrifice and wine; + For saviours are they in good sooth to you. + From me they heard, and bitter was their wrath, + How those your kinsmen strove to work you wrong, + And how of us were thwarted: then to me + This company of spearmen did they grant, + That honoured I might walk, nor unaware + Die by some secret thrust and on this land + Bring down the curse of death, that dieth not. + Such boons they gave me: it behoves me pay + A deeper reverence from a soul sincere. + Ye, to the many words of wariness + Spoken by me your father, add this word, + That, tried by time, our unknown company + Be held for honest: over-swift are tongues + To slander strangers, over-light is speech + To bring pollution on a stranger's name. + Therefore I rede you, bring no shame on me + Now when man's eye beholds your maiden prime. + Lovely is beauty's ripening harvest-field, + But ill to guard; and men and beasts, I wot, + And birds and creeping things make prey of it. + And when the fruit is ripe for love, the voice + Of Aphrodite bruiteth it abroad, + The while she guards the yet unripened growth. + On the fair richness of a maiden's bloom + Each passer looks, o'ercome with strong desire, + With eyes that waft the wistful dart of love. + Then be not such our hap, whose livelong toil + Did make our pinnace plough the mighty main: + Nor bring we shame upon ourselves, and joy + Unto my foes. Behold, a twofold home-- + One of the king's and one the people's gift-- + Unbought, 'tis yours to hold,--a gracious boon. + Go--but remember ye your sire's behest, + And hold your life less dear than chastity. + +CHORUS + + The gods above grant that all else be well. + But fear not thou, O sire, lest aught befall + Of ill unto our ripened maidenhood. + So long as Heaven have no new ill devised, + From its chaste path my spirit shall not swerve. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Pass and adore ye the Blessed, the gods of the city + who dwell + Around Erasinus, the gush of the swift immemorial + tide. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Chant ye, O maidens; aloud let the praise of + Pelasgia swell; + Hymn we no longer the shores where Nilus to ocean + doth glide. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Sing we the bounteous streams that ripple and gush + through the city; + Quickening flow they and fertile, the soft new life of + the plain. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Artemis, maiden most pure, look on us with grace + and with pity-- + Save us from forced embraces: such love hath no + crown but a pain. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Yet not in scorn we chant, but in honour of + Aphrodite; + She truly and Hera alone have power with Zeus and + control. + Holy the deeds of her rite, her craft is secret and + mighty, + And high is her honour on earth, and subtle her + sway of the soul. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Yea, and her child is Desire: in the train of his + mother he goeth-- + Yea and Persuasion soft-lipped, whom none can deny + or repel: + Cometh Harmonia too, on whom Aphrodite bestoweth + The whispering parley, the paths of the rapture that + lovers love well. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Ah, but I tremble and quake lest again they should + sail to reclaim! + Alas for the sorrow to come, the blood and the + carnage of war. + Ah, by whose will was it done that o'er the wide + ocean they came, + Guided by favouring winds, and wafted by sail and + by oar? + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Peace! for what Fate hath ordained will surely not + tarry but come; + Wide is the counsel of Zeus, by no man escaped or + withstood: + Only I Pray that whate'er, in the end, of this wedlock + he doom, + We as many a maiden of old, may win from the ill + to the good.[7] + +[Footnote: 7: The ambiguity of these two lines is reproduced from +the original. The Semi-Chorus appear to pray, in one aspiration, +that the threatened wedlock may never take place, and, _if_ it does +take place, may be for weal, not woe.] + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Great Zeus, this wedlock turn from me-- + Me from the kinsman bridegroom guard! + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Come what come may, 'tis Fate's decree. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Soft is thy word--the doom is hard. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Thou know'st not what the Fates provide. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + How should I scan Zeus' mighty will, + The depth of counsel undescried? + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Pray thou no word of omen ill. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + What timely warning wouldst thou teach? + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Beware, nor slight the gods in speech. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Zeus, hold from my body the wedlock detested, the + bridegroom abhorred! + It was thou, it was thou didst release + Mine ancestress Io from sorrow: thine healing it + was that restored, + The touch of thine hand gave her peace. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Be thy will for the cause of the maidens! of two ills, + the lesser I pray-- + The exile that leaveth me pure. + May thy justice have heed to my cause, my prayers + to thy mercy find way! + For the hands of thy saving are sure. + [_Exeunt omnes_. + + + + + +THE PERSIANS + + + + +ARGUMENT + +Xerxes, son of Darius and of his wife Atossa, daughter of Cyrus, +went forth against Hellas, to take vengeance upon those who had +defeated his father at Marathon. But ill fortune befell the king and +his army both by land and sea; neither did it avail him that he cast +a bridge over the Hellespont and made a canal across the promontory +of Mount Athos, and brought myriads of men, by land and sea, to +subdue the Greeks. For in the strait between Athens and the island +of Salamis the Persian ships were shattered and sunk or put to +flight by those of Athens and Lacedaemon and Aegina and Corinth, and +Xerxes went homewards on the way by which he had come, leaving his +general Mardonius with three hundred thousand men to strive with the +Greeks by land: but in the next year they were destroyed near +Plataea in Boeotia, by the Lacedaemonians and Athenians and Tegeans. +Such was the end of the army which Xerxes left behind him. But the +king himself had reached the bridge over the Hellespont, and late and +hardly and in sorry plight and with few companions came home unto +the Palace of Susa. + + + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + CHORUS OF PERSIAN ELDERS. + ATOSSA, WIDOW OF DARIUS AND MOTHER OF XERXES. + A MESSENGER. + THE GHOST OF DARIUS. + XERXES. + + _The Scene is laid at the Palace of Susa_. + + + +CHORUS + + Away unto the Grecian land + Hath passed the Persian armament: + We, by the monarch's high command, + We are the warders true who stand, + Chosen, for honour and descent, + To watch the wealth of him who went-- + Guards of the gold, and faithful styled + By Xerxes, great Darius' child! + + But the king went nor comes again-- + And for that host, we saw depart + Arrayed in gold, my boding heart + Aches with a pulse of anxious pain, + Presageful for its youthful king! + No scout, no steed, no battle-car + Comes speeding hitherward, to bring + News to our city from afar! + Erewhile they went, away, away, + From Susa, from Ecbatana, + From Kissa's timeworn fortress grey, + Passing to ravage and to war-- + Some upon steeds, on galleys some, + Some in close files, they passed from home, + All upon warlike errand bent-- + Amistres, Artaphernes went, + Astaspes, Megabazes high, + Lords of the Persian chivalry, + Marshals who serve the great king's word + Chieftains of all the mighty horde! + Horsemen and bowmen streamed away, + Grim in their aspect, fixed to slay, + And resolute to face the fray! + With troops of horse, careering fast, + Masistes, Artembares passed: + Imaeus too, the bowman brave, + Sosthanes, Pharandakes, drave-- + And others the all-nursing wave + Of Nilus to the battle gave; + Came Susiskanes, warrior wild, + And Pegastagon, Egypt's child: + Thee, brave Arsames! from afar + Did holy Memphis launch to war; + And Ariomardus, high in fame, + From Thebes the immemorial came, + And oarsmen skilled from Nilus' fen, + A countless crowd of warlike men: + And next, the dainty Lydians went-- + Soft rulers of a continent-- + Mitragathes and Arcteus bold + In twin command their ranks controlled, + And Sardis town, that teems with gold, + Sent forth its squadrons to the war-- + Horse upon horse, and car on car, + Double and triple teams, they rolled, + In onset awful to behold. + From Tmolus' sacred hill there came + The native hordes to join the fray, + And upon Hellas' neck to lay + The yoke of slavery and shame; + Mardon and Tharubis were there, + Bright anvils for the foemen's spear! + The Mysian dart-men sped to war, + And the long crowd that onward rolled + From Babylon enriched with gold-- + Captains of ships and archers skilled + To speed the shaft, and those who wield + The scimitar;--the eastern band + Who, by the great king's high command, + Swept to subdue the western land! + + Gone are they, gone--ah, welladay! + The flower and pride of our array; + And all the Eastland, from whose breast + Came forth her bravest and her best, + Craves longingly with boding dread-- + Parents for sons, and brides new-wed + For absent lords, and, day by day, + Shudder with dread at their delay! + + Ere now they have passed o'er the sea, + the manifold host of the king-- + They have gone forth to sack and to burn; + ashore on the Westland they spring! + With cordage and rope they have bridged + the sea-way of Helle, to pass + O'er the strait that is named by thy name, + O daughter of Athamas! + They have anchored their ships in the current, + they have bridled the neck of the sea-- + The Shepherd and Lord of the East + hath bidden a roadway to be! + From the land to the land they pass over, + a herd at the high king's best; + Some by the way of the waves, + and some o'er the planking have pressed. + For the king is a lord and a god: + he was born of the golden seed + That erst upon Danae fell-- + his captains are strong at the need! + And dark is the glare of his eyes, + as eyes of a serpent blood-fed, + And with manifold troops in his train + and with manifold ships hath he sped-- + Yea, sped with his Syrian cars: + he leads on the lords of the bow + To meet with the men of the West, + the spear-armed force of the foe! + Can any make head and resist him, + when he comes with the roll of a wave? + No barrier nor phalanx of might, + no chief, be he ever so brave! + For stern is the onset of Persia, + and gallant her children in fight. + But the guile of the god is deceitful, + and who shall elude him by flight? + And who is the lord of the leap, + that can spring and alight and evade? + For Ate deludes and allures, + till round him the meshes are laid, + And no man his doom can escape! + it was writ in the rule of high Heaven, + That in tramp of the steeds and in crash of the charge + the war-cry of Persia be given: + They have learned to behold the forbidden, + the sacred enclosure of sea, + Where the waters are wide and in stress + of the wind the billows roll hoary to lee! + And their trust is in cable and cordage, + too weak in the power of the blast, + And frail are the links of the bridge + whereby unto Hellas they passed. + + Therefore my gloom-wrapped heart + is rent with sorrow + For what may hap to-morrow! + Alack, for all the Persian armament-- + Alack, lest there be sent + Dread news of desolation, Susa's land + Bereft, forlorn, unmanned-- + Lest the grey Kissian fortress echo back + The wail, _Alack, Alack_! + The sound of women's shriek, who wail and mourn, + With fine-spun raiment torn! + The charioteers went forth nor come again, + And all the marching men + Even as a swarm of bees have flown afar, + Drawn by the king to war-- + Crossing the sea-bridge, linked from side to side, + That doth the waves divide: + And the soft bridal couch of bygone years + Is now bedewed with tears, + Each princess, clad in garments delicate, + Wails for her widowed fate-- + + _Alas my gallant bridegroom, lost and gone, + And I am left alone_! + + But now, ye warders of the state, + Here, in this hall of old renown, + Behoves that we deliberate + In counsel deep and wise debate, + For need is surely shown! + How fareth he, Darius' child, + The Persian king, from Perseus styled? + + Comes triumph to the eastern bow, + Or hath the lance-point conquered now? + [_Enter_ ATOSSA. + See, yonder comes the mother-queen, + Light of our eyes, in godlike sheen, + The royal mother of the king!-- + Fall we before her! well it were + That, all as one, we sue to her, + And round her footsteps cling! + + Queen, among deep-girded Persian dames thou highest and most royal, + Hoary mother, thou, of Xerxes, and Darius' wife of old! + To godlike sire, and godlike son, we bow us and are loyal-- + Unless, on us, an adverse tide of destiny has rolled! + +ATOSSA + + Therefore come I forth to you, from chambers decked and golden, + Where long ago Darius laid his head, with me beside, + And my heart is torn with anguish, and with terror am I holden, + And I plead unto your friendship and I bid you to my side. + + Darius, in the old time, by aid of some Immortal, + Raised up the stately fabric, our wealth of long-ago: + But I tremble lest it totter down, and ruin porch and portal, + And the whirling dust of downfall rise above its overthrow! + + Therefore a dread unspeakable within me never slumbers, Saying, + _Honour not the gauds of wealth if men have ceased to grow, + Nor deem that men, apart from wealth, + can find their strength in numbers_-- + We shudder for our light and king, though we have gold enow! + + _No light there is, in any house, save presence of the master_-- + So runs the saw, ye aged men! and truth it says indeed-- + On you I call, the wise and true, to ward us from disaster, + For all my hope is fixed on you, to prop us in our need! + +CHORUS + + Queen-Mother of the Persian land, to thy commandment bowing, + Whate'er thou wilt, in word or deed, we follow to fulfil-- + Not twice we need thine high behest, our faith and duty knowing, + In council and in act alike, thy loyal servants still! + +ATOSSA + + Long while by various visions of the night + Am I beset, since to Ionian lands + With marshalled host my son went forth to war. + Yet never saw I presage so distinct + As in the night now passed.--Attend my tale!-- + A dream I had: two women nobly clad + Came to my sight, one robed in Persian dress, + The other vested in the Dorian garb, + And both right stately and more tall by far + Than women of to-day, and beautiful + Beyond disparagement, and sisters sprung + Both of one race, but, by their natal lot, + One born in Hellas, one in Eastern land. + These, as it seemed unto my watching eyes, + Roused each the other to a mutual feud: + The which my son perceiving set himself + To check and soothe their struggle, and anon + Yoked them and set the collars on their necks; + And one, the Ionian, proud in this array, + Paced in high quietude, and lent her mouth, + Obedient, to the guidance of the rein. + But restively the other strove, and broke + The fittings of the car, and plunged away + With mouth un-bitted: o'er the broken yoke + My son was hurled, and lo! Darius stood + In lamentation o'er his fallen child. + Him Xerxes saw, and rent his robe in grief. + + Such was my vision of the night now past; + But when, arising, I had dipped my hand + In the fair lustral stream, I drew towards + The altar, in the act of sacrifice, + Having in mind to offer, as their due, + The sacred meal-cake to the averting powers, + Lords of the rite that banisheth ill dreams. + When lo! I saw an eagle fleeing fast + To Phoebus' shrine--O friends, I stayed my steps, + Too scared to speak! for, close upon his flight, + A little falcon dashed in winged pursuit, + Plucking with claws the eagle's head, while he + Could only crouch and cower and yield himself. + Scared was I by that sight, and eke to you + No less a terror must it be to hear! + For mark this well--if Xerxes have prevailed, + He shall come back the wonder of the world: + If not, still none can call him to account-- + So he but live, he liveth Persia's King! + +CHORUS + + Queen, it stands not with my purpose to abet these fears of thine, + Nor to speak with glazing comfort! nay, betake thee to the shrine! + If thy dream foretold disaster, sue to gods to bar its way, + And, for thyself, son, state, and friends, to bring fair fate + to-day. + Next, unto Earth and to the Dead be due libation poured, + And by thee let Darius' soul be wistfully implored-- + _I saw thee, lord, in last night's dream, a phantom from the grave, + I pray thee, lord, from earth beneath come forth to help and save! + To me and to thy son send up the bliss of triumph now, + And hold the gloomy fates of ill, dim in the dark below_! + Such be thy words! my inner heart good tidings doth foretell, + And that fair fate will spring thereof, if wisdom guide us well. + +ATOSSA + + Loyal thou that first hast read this dream, this vision of the + night, + With loyalty to me, the queen--be then thy presage right! + And therefore, as thy bidding is, what time I pass within + To dedicate these offerings, new prayers I will begin, + Alike to gods and the great dead who loved our lineage well. + Yet one more word--say, in what realm do the Athenians dwell? + +CHORUS + + Far hence, even where, in evening land, goes down our Lord the Sun. + +ATOSSA + + Say, had my son so keen desire, that region to o'errun? + +CHORUS + + Yea--if she fell, the rest of Greece were subject to our sway! + +ATOSSA + + Hath she so great predominance, such legions in array? + +CHORUS + + Ay--such a host as smote us sore upon an earlier day. + +ATOSSA + + And what hath she, besides her men? enow of wealth in store? + +CHORUS + + A mine of treasure in the earth, a fount of silver ore! + +ATOSSA + + Is it in skill of bow and shaft that Athens' men excel? + +CHORUS + + Nay, they bear bucklers in the fight, + and thrust the spear-point well. + +ATOSSA + + And who is shepherd of their host and holds them in command? + +CHORUS + + To no man do they bow as slaves, nor own a master's hand. + +ATOSSA + + How should they bide our brunt of war, the East upon the West? + +CHORUS + + That could Darius' valiant horde in days of yore attest! + +ATOSSA + + A boding word, to us who bore the men now far away! + +CHORUS + + Nay--as I deem, the very truth will dawn on us to-day. + A Persian by his garb and speed, a courier draws anear-- + He bringeth news, of good or ill, for Persia's land to hear. + [_Enter_ A MESSENGER. +MESSENGER + + O walls and towers of all the Asian realm, + O Persian land, O treasure-house of gold! + How, by one stroke, down to destruction, down, + Hath sunk our pride, and all the flower of war + That once was Persia's, lieth in the dust! + Woe on the man who first announceth woe-- + Yet must I all the tale of death unroll! + Hark to me, Persians! Persia's host lies low. + +CHORUS + + O ruin manifold, and woe, and fear! + Let the wild tears run down, for the great doom is here! + +MESSENGER + + This blow hath fallen, to the utterance, And I, past hope, behold +my safe return! + +CHORUS + + Too long, alack, too long this life of mine, + That in mine age I see this sudden woe condign! + +MESSENGER + + As one who saw, by no loose rumour led, + Lords, I would tell what doom was dealt to us. + +CHORUS + + Alack, how vainly have they striven! + Our myriad hordes with shaft and bow + Went from the Eastland, to lay low + Hellas, beloved of Heaven! + +MESSENGER + + Piled with men dead, yea, miserably slain, + Is every beach, each reef of Salamis! + +CHORUS + + Thou sayest sooth--ah well-a-day! + Battered amid the waves, and torn, + On surges hither, thither, borne, + Dead bodies, bloodstained and forlorn, + In their long cloaks they toss and stray! + +MESSENGER + + Their bows availed not! all have perished, all, + By charging galleys crushed and whelmed in death. + +CHORUS + + Shriek out your sorrow's wistful wail! + To their untimely doom they went; + Ill strove they, and to no avail, + And minished is their armament! + +MESSENGER + + Out on thee, hateful name of Salamis, + Out upon Athens, mournful memory! + +CHORUS + + Woe upon this day's evil fame! + Thou, Athens, art our murderess; + Alack, full many a Persian dame + Is left forlorn and husbandless! + +ATOSSA + + Mute have I been awhile, and overwrought + At this great sorrow, for it passeth speech, + And passeth all desire to ask of it. + Yet if the gods send evils, men must bear. + (_To the_ MESSENGER) + Unroll the record! stand composed and tell, + Although thy heart be groaning inwardly, + Who hath escaped, and, of our leaders, whom + Have we to weep? what chieftains in the van + Stood, sank, and died and left us leaderless? + +MESSENGER + + Xerxes himself survives and sees the day. + +ATOSSA + + Then to my line thy word renews the dawn + And golden dayspring after gloom of night! + +MESSENGER + + But the brave marshal of ten thousand horse, + Artembares, is tossed and flung in death + Along the rugged rocks Silenian. + And Dadaces no longer leads his troop, + But, smitten by the spear, from off the prow + Hath lightly leaped to death; and Tenagon, + In true descent a Bactrian nobly born, + Drifts by the sea-lashed reefs of Salamis, + The isle of Ajax. Gone Lilaeus too, + Gone are Arsames and Argestes! all, + Around the islet where the sea-doves breed, + Dashed their defeated heads on iron rocks; + Arcteus, who dwelt beside the founts of Nile, + Adeues, Pheresseues, and with them + Pharnuchus, from one galley's deck went down. + Matallus, too, of Chrysa, lord and king + Of myriad hordes, who led unto the fight + Three times ten thousand swarthy cavaliers, + Fell, with his swarthy and abundant beard + Incarnadined to red, a crimson stain + Outrivalling the purple of the sea! + There Magian Arabus and Artames + Of Bactra perished--taking up, alike, + In yonder stony land their long sojourn. + Amistris too, and he whose strenuous spear + Was foremost in the fight, Amphistreus fell, + And gallant Ariomardus, by whose death + Broods sorrow upon Sardis: Mysia mourns + For Seisames, and Tharubis lies low-- + Commander, he, of five times fifty ships, + Born in Lyrnessus: his heroic form + Is low in death, ungraced with sepulchre. + Dead too is he, the lord of courage high, + Cilicia's marshal, brave Syennesis, + Than whom none dealt more carnage on the foe, + Nor perished by a more heroic end. + So fell the brave: so speak I of their doom, + Summing in brief the fate of myriads! + +ATOSSA + + Ah well-a-day! these crowning woes I hear, + The shame of Persia and her shrieks of dole! + But yet renew the tale, repeat thy words, + Tell o'er the count of those Hellenic ships, + And how they ventured with their beaked prows + To charge upon the Persian armament. + +MESSENGER + + Know, if mere count of ships could win the day, + The Persians had prevailed. The Greeks, in sooth, + Had but three hundred galleys at the most, + And other ten, select and separate. + But--I am witness--Xerxes held command + Of full a thousand keels, and, those apart, + Two hundred more, and seven, for speed renowned!-- + So stands the reckoning, and who shall dare + To say we Persians had the lesser host? + +ATOSSA + + Nay, we were worsted by an unseen power + Who swayed the balance downward to our doom! + +MESSENGER + + In ward of heaven doth Pallas' city stand. + +ATOSSA + + How then? is Athens yet inviolate? + +MESSENGER + + While her men live, her bulwark standeth firm! + +ATOSSA + + Say, how began the struggle of the ships? + Who first joined issue? did the Greeks attack, + Or Xerxes, in his numbers confident? + +MESSENGER + + O queen, our whole disaster thus befell, + Through intervention of some fiend or fate-- + I know not what--that had ill will to us. + From the Athenian host some Greek came o'er, + To thy son Xerxes whispering this tale-- + _Once let the gloom of night have gathered in, + The Greeks will tarry not, but swiftly spring + Each to his galley-bench, in furtive flight, + Softly contriving safety for their life_. + Thy son believed the word and missed the craft + Of that Greek foeman, and the spite of Heaven, + And straight to all his captains gave this charge-- + _As soon as sunlight warms the ground no more, + And gloom enwraps the sanctuary of sky, + Range we our fleet in triple serried lines + To bar the passage from the seething strait, + This way and that: let other ships surround + The isle of Ajax, with this warning word-- + That if the Greeks their jeopardy should scape + By wary craft, and win their ships a road. + Each Persian captain shall his failure pay + By forfeit of his head_. So spake the king, + Inspired at heart with over-confidence, + Unwitting of the gods' predestined will. + Thereon our crews, with no disordered haste, + Did service to his bidding and purveyed + The meal of afternoon: each rower then + Over the fitted rowlock looped his oar. + Then, when the splendour of the sun had set, + And night drew on, each master of the oar + And each armed warrior straightway went aboard. + Forward the long ships moved, rank cheering rank, + Each forward set upon its ordered course. + And all night long the captains of the fleet + Kept their crews moving up and down the strait. + So the night waned, and not one Grecian ship + Made effort to elude and slip away. + But as dawn came and with her coursers white + Shone in fair radiance over all the earth, + First from the Grecian fleet rang out a cry, + A song of onset! and the island crags + Re-echoed to the shrill exulting sound. + Then on us Eastern men amazement fell + And fear in place of hope; for what we heard + Was not a call to flight! the Greeks rang out + Their holy, resolute, exulting chant, + Like men come forth to dare and do and die + Their trumpets pealed, and fire was in that sound, + And with the dash of simultaneous oars + Replying to the war-chant, on they came, + Smiting the swirling brine, and in a trice + They flashed upon the vision of the foe! + The right wing first in orderly advance + Came on, a steady column; following then, + The rest of their array moved out and on, + And to our ears there came a burst of sound, + A clamour manifold.--_On, sons of Greece! + On, for your country's freedom! strike to save + Wives, children, temples of ancestral gods, + Graves of your fathers! now is all at stake_. + Then from our side swelled up the mingled din + Of Persian tongues, and time brooked no delay-- + Ship into ship drave hard its brazen beak + With speed of thought, a shattering blow! and first + One Grecian bark plunged straight, and sheared away + Bowsprit and stem of a Phoenician ship. + And then each galley on some other's prow + Came crashing in. Awhile our stream of ships + Held onward, till within the narrowing creek + Our jostling vessels were together driven, + And none could aid another: each on each + Drave hard their brazen beaks, or brake away + The oar-banks of each other, stem to stern, + While the Greek galleys, with no lack of skill, + Hemmed them and battered in their sides, and soon + The hulls rolled over, and the sea was hid, + Crowded with wrecks and butchery of men. + No beach nor reef but was with corpses strewn, + And every keel of our barbarian host + Hurried to flee, in utter disarray. + Thereon the foe closed in upon the wrecks + And hacked and hewed, with oars and splintered planks, + As fishermen hack tunnies or a cast + Of netted dolphins, and the briny sea + Rang with the screams and shrieks of dying men, + Until the night's dark aspect hid the scene. + Had I a ten days' time to sum that count + Of carnage, 'twere too little! know this well-- + One day ne'er saw such myriad forms of death! + +ATOSSA + + Woe on us, woe! disaster's mighty sea + Hath burst on us and all the Persian realm! + +MESSENGER + + Be well assured, the tale is but begun-- + The further agony that on us fell + Doth twice outweigh the sufferings I have told! + +ATOSSA + + Nay, what disaster could be worse than this? + Say on! what woe upon the army came, + Swaying the scale to a yet further fall? + +MESSENGER + + The very flower and crown of Persia's race, + Gallant of soul and glorious in descent, + And highest held in trust before the king, + Lies shamefully and miserably slain. + +ATOSSA + + Alas for me and for this ruin, friends! + Dead, sayest thou? by what fate overthrown? + +MESSENGER + + An islet is there, fronting Salamis-- + Strait, and with evil anchorage: thereon + Pan treads the measure of the dance he loves + Along the sea-beach. Thither the king sent + His noblest, that, whene'er the Grecian foe + Should 'scape, with shattered ships, unto the isle, + We might make easy prey of fugitives + And slay them there, and from the washing tides + Rescue our friends. It fell out otherwise + Than he divined, for when, by aid of Heaven, + The Hellenes held the victory on the sea, + Their sailors then and there begirt themselves + With brazen mail and bounded from their ships, + And then enringed the islet, point by point, + So that our Persians in bewilderment + Knew not which way to turn. On every side, + Battered with stones, they fell, while arrows flew + From many a string, and smote them to the death. + Then, at the last, with simultaneous rush + The foe came bursting on us, hacked and hewed + To fragments all that miserable band, + Till not a soul of them was left alive. + Then Xerxes saw disaster's depth, and shrieked, + From where he sat on high, surveying all-- + A lofty eminence, beside the brine, + Whence all his armament lay clear in view. + His robe he rent, with loud and bitter wail, + And to his land-force swiftly gave command + And fled, with shame beside him! Now, lament + That second woe, upon the first imposed! + +ATOSSA + + Out on thee, Fortune! thou hast foiled the hope + And power of Persia: to this bitter end + My son went forth to wreak his great revenge + On famous Athens! all too few they seemed, + Our men who died upon the Fennel-field! + Vengeance for them my son had mind to take, + And drew on his own head these whelming woes. + But thou, say on! the ships that 'scaped from wreck-- + Where didst thou leave them? make thy story clear. + +MESSENGER + + The captains of the ships that still survived + Fled in disorder, scudding down the wind, + The while our land-force on Boeotian soil + Fell into ruin, some beside the springs + Dropping before they drank, and some outworn, + Pursued, and panting all their life away. + The rest of us our way to Phocis won, + And thence to Doris and the Melian gulf, + Where with soft stream Spercheus laves the soil. + Thence to the northward did Phthiotis' plain, + And some Thessalian fortress, lend us aid, + For famine-pinched we were, and many died + Of drought and hunger's twofold present scourge. + Thence to Magnesia came we, and the land + Where Macedonians dwell, and crossed the ford + Of Axius, and Bolbe's reedy fen, + And mount Pangaeus, in Edonian land. + There, in the very night we came, the god + Brought winter ere its time, from bank to bank + Freezing the holy Strymon's tide. Each man + Who heretofore held lightly of the gods, + Now crouched and proffered prayer to Earth and Heaven! + Then, after many orisons performed, + The army ventured on the frozen ford: + Yet only those who crossed before the sun + Shed its warm rays, won to the farther side. + For soon the fervour of the glowing orb + Did with its keen rays pierce the ice-bound stream, + And men sank through and thrust each other down-- + Best was his lot whose breath was stifled first! + But all who struggled through and gained the bank, + Toilfully wending through the land of Thrace + Have made their way, a sorry, scanted few, + Unto this homeland. Let the city now + Lament and yearn for all the loved and lost. + My tale is truth, yet much untold remains + Of ills that Heaven hath hurled upon our land. + +CHORUS + + Spirit of Fate, too heavy were thy feet, + Those ill to match! that sprang on Persia's realm. + +ATOSSA + + Woe for the host, to wrack and ruin hurled! + O warning of the night, prophetic dream! + Thou didst foreshadow clearly all the doom, + While ye, old men, made light of woman's fears! + Ah well--yet, as your divination ruled + The meaning of the sign, I hold it good, + First, that I put up prayer unto the gods, + And, after that, forth from my palace bring + The sacrificial cake, the offering due + To Earth and to the spirits of the dead. + Too well I know it is a timeless rite + Over a finished thing that cannot change! + But yet--I know not--there may come of it + Alleviation for the after time. + You it beseems, in view of what hath happed, + T' advise with loyal hearts our loyal guards: + And to my son--if, ere my coming forth, + He should draw hitherward--give comfort meet, + Escort him to the palace in all state, + Lest to these woes he add another woe! + [_Exit_ ATOSSA. + +CHORUS + + Zeus, lord and king! to death and nought + Our countless host by thee is brought. + Deep in the gloom of death, to-day, + Lie Susa and Ecbatana: + How many a maid in sorrow stands + And rends her tire with tender hands! + How tears run down, in common pain + And woeful mourning for the slain! + O delicate in dole and grief, + Ye Persian women! past relief + Is now your sorrow! to the war + Your loved ones went and come no more! + Gone from you is your joy and pride-- + Severed the bridegroom from the bride-- + The wedded couch luxurious + Is widowed now, and all the house + Pines ever with insatiate sighs, + And we stand here and bid arise, + For those who forth in ardour went + And come not back, the loud lament! + + Land of the East, thou mournest for the host, + Bereft of all thy sons, alas the day! + For them whom Xerxes led hath Xerxes lost-- + Xerxes who wrecked the fleet, and flung our hopes away! + + How came it that Darius once controlled, + And without scathe, the army of the bow, + Loved by the folk of Susa, wise and bold? + Now is the land-force lost, the shipmen sunk below! + + Ah for the ships that bore them, woe is me! + Bore them to death and doom! the crashing prows + Of fierce Ionian oarsmen swept the sea, + And death was in their wake, and shipwreck murderous! + + Late, late and hardly--if true tales they tell-- + Did Xerxes flee along the wintry way + And snows of Thrace--but ah, the first who fell + Lie by the rocks or float upon Cychrea's bay! + + Mourn, each and all! waft heavenward your cry, + Stung to the soul, bereaved, disconsolate! + Wail out your anguish, till it pierce the sky, + In shrieks of deep despair, ill-omened, desperate! + + The dead are drifting, yea, are gnawed upon + By voiceless children of the stainless sea, + Or battered by the surge! we mourn and groan + For husbands gone to death, for childless agony! + + Alas the aged men, who mourn to-day + The ruinous sorrows that the gods ordain! + O'er the wide Asian land, the Persian sway + Can force no tribute now, and can no rule sustain. + + Yea, men will crouch no more to fallen power + And kingship overthrown! the whole land o'er, + Men speak the thing they will, and from this hour + The folk whom Xerxes ruled obey his word no more. + + The yoke of force is broken from the neck-- + The isle of Ajax and th' encircling wave + Reek with a bloody crop of death and wreck + Of Persia's fallen power, that none can lift nor save! + [_Re-enter_ ATOSSA, _in mourning robes_. + +ATOSSA + + Friends, whosoe'er is versed in human ills, + Knoweth right well that when a wave of woe + Comes on a man, he sees in all things fear; + While, in flood-tide of fortune, 'tis his mood + To take that fortune as unchangeable, + Wafting him ever forward. Mark me now-- + The gods' thwart purpose doth confront mine eyes, + And all is terror to me; in mine ears + There sounds a cry, but not of triumph now-- + So am I scared at heart by woe so great. + Therefore I wend forth from the house anew, + Borne in no car of state, nor robed in pride + As heretofore, but bringing, for the sire + Who did beget my son, libations meet + For holy rites that shall appease the dead-- + The sweet white milk, drawn from a spotless cow, + The oozing drop of golden honey, culled + By the flower-haunting bee, and therewithal + Pure draughts of water from a virgin spring; + And lo! besides, the stainless effluence, + Born of the wild vine's bosom, shining store + Treasured to age, this bright and luscious wine. + And eke the fragrant fruit upon the bough + Of the grey olive-tree, which lives its life + In sprouting leafage, and the twining flowers, + Bright children of the earth's fertility. + But you, O friends! above these offerings poured + To reconcile the dead, ring out your dirge + To summon up Darius from the shades, + Himself a shade; and I will pour these draughts, + Which earth shall drink, unto the gods of hell. + +CHORUS + + Queen, by the Persian land adored, + By thee be this libation poured, + Passing to those who hold command + Of dead men in the spirit-land! + And we will sue, in solemn chant, + That gods who do escort the dead + In nether realms, our prayer may grant-- + Back to us be Darius led! + + O Earth, and Hermes, and the king + Of Hades, our Darius bring! + For if, beyond the prayers we prayed, + He knoweth aught of help or aid, + He, he alone, in realms below, + Can speak the limit of our woe! + + Doth he hear me, the king we adored, who is god + among gods of the dead? + Doth he hear me send out in my sorrow the pitiful, + manifold cry, + The sobbing lament and appeal? is the voice of my + suffering sped + To the realm of the shades? doth he hear me and + pity my sorrowful sigh? + O Earth, and ye Lords of the dead! release ye that + spirit of might, + Who in Susa the palace was born! let him rise up + once more to the light! + + There is none like him, none of all + That e'er were laid in Persian sepulchres! + Borne forth he was to honoured burial, + A royal heart! and followed by our tears. + God of the dead, O give him back to us, + Darius, ruler glorious! + He never wasted us with reckless war-- + God, counsellor, and king, beneath a happy star! + Ancient of days and king, awake and come-- + Rise o'er the mounded tomb! + Rise, plant thy foot, with saffron sandal shod + Father to us, and god! + Rise with thy diadem, O sire benign, + Upon thy brow! + List to the strange new sorrows of thy line, + Sire of a woeful son! + + A mist of fate and hell is round us now, + And all the city's flower to death is done! + Alas, we wept thee once, and weep again! + O Lord of lords, by recklessness twofold + The land is wasted of its men, + And down to death are rolled + Wreckage of sail and oar, + Ships that are ships no more, + And bodies of the slain! + [The GHOST OF DARIUS _rises_. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Ye aged Persians, truest of the true, + Coevals of the youth that once was mine, + What troubleth now our city? harken, how + It moans and beats the breast and rends the plain! + And I, beholding how my consort stood + Beside my tomb, was moved with awe, and took + The gift of her libation graciously. + But ye are weeping by my sepulchre, + And, shrilling forth a sad, evoking cry, + Summon me mournfully, _Arise, arise_. + No light thing is it, to come back from death, + For, in good sooth, the gods of nether gloom + Are quick to seize but late and loth to free! + Yet among them I dwell as one in power-- + And lo, I come! now speak, and speed your words, + Lest I be blamed for tarrying overlong! + What new disaster broods o'er Persia's realm? + + CHORUS + + With awe on thee I gaze, + And, standing face to face, + I tremble as I did in olden days! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Nay, but as I rose to earth again, obedient to your call, + Prithee, tarry not in parley! be one word enough for all-- + Speak and gaze on me unshrinking, neither let my face appal! + +CHORUS + + + I tremble to reveal, + Yet tremble to conceal + Things hard for friends to feel! + + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Nay, but if the old-time terror on your spirit keeps its hold, + Speak thou, O royal lady who didst couch with me of old! + Stay thy weeping and lamenting and to me reveal the truth-- + Speak! for man is born to sorrow; yea, the proverb sayeth sooth! + 'Tis the doom of mortal beings, if they live to see old age, + To suffer bale, by land and sea, through war and tempest's rage. + +ATOSSA + + O thou whose blissful fate on earth all mortal weal excelled-- + Who, while the sunlight touched thine eyes, the lord of all wert + held! + A god to Persian men thou wert, in bliss and pride and fame-- + I hold thee blest too in thy death, or e'er the ruin came! + Alas, Darius! one brief word must tell thee all the tale-- + The Persian power is in the dust, gone down in blood and bale! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Speak--by what chance? did man rebel, or pestilence descend? + +ATOSSA + + Neither! by Athens' fatal shores our army met its end. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Which of my children led our host to Athens? speak and say. + +ATOSSA + + The froward Xerxes, leaving all our realm to disarray. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Was it with army or with fleet on folly's quest he went? + +ATOSSA + + With both alike, a twofold front of double armament. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + And how then did so large a host on foot pass o'er the sea? + +ATOSSA + + He bridged the ford of Helle's strait by artful carpentry. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + How? could his craft avail to span the torrent of that tide? + +ATOSSA + + 'Tis sooth I say--some unknown power did fatal help provide! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Alas, that power in malice came, to his bewilderment! + +ATOSSA + + Alas, we see the end of all, the ruin on us sent. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Speak, tell me how they fared therein, that thus ye mourn and weep? + +ATOSSA + + Disaster to the army came, through ruin on the deep! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Is all undone? hath all the folk gone down before the foe? + +ATOSSA + + Yea, hark to Susa's mourning cry for warriors laid low! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Alas for all our gallant aids, our Persia's help and pride! + +ATOSSA + + Ay! old with young, the Bactrian force hath perished at our side! + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Alas, my son! what gallant youths hath he sent down to death! + +ATOSSA + + Alone, or with a scanty guard--for so the rumour saith-- + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + He came--but how, and to what end? doth aught of hope remain? + +ATOSSA + + With joy he reached the bridge that spanned the Hellespontine main. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + How? is he safe, in Persian land? speak soothly, yea or nay! + +ATOSSA + + Clear and more clear the rumour comes, for no man to gainsay. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Woe for the oracle fulfilled, the presage of the war + Launched on my son, by will of Zeus! I deemed our doom afar + In lap of time; but, if a king push forward to his fate, + The god himself allures to death that man infatuate! + So now the very fount of woe streams out on those I loved, + And mine own son, unwisely bold, the truth hereof hath proved! + He sought to shackle and control the Hellespontine wave, + That rushes from the Bosphorus, with fetters of a slave!-- + To curb and bridge, with welded links, the streaming water-way, + And guide across the passage broad his manifold array! + Ah, folly void of counsel! he deemed that mortal wight + Could thwart the will of Heaven itself and curb Poseidon's might! + Was it not madness? much I fear lest all my wealth and store + Pass from my treasure-house, to be the snatcher's prize once more! + +ATOSSA + + Such is the lesson, ah, too late! to eager Xerxes taught-- + Trusting random counsellors and hare-brained men of nought, + Who said _Darius mighty wealth and fame to us did bring, + But thou art nought, a blunted spear, a palace-keeping king_! + Unto those sorry counsellors a ready ear he lent, + And led away to Hellas' shore his fated armament. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Therefore through them hath come calamity + Most huge and past forgetting; nor of old + Did ever such extermination fall + Upon the city Susa. Long ago + Zeus in his power this privilege bestowed, + That with a guiding sceptre one sole man + Should rule this Asian land of flock and herd. + Over the folk a Mede, Astyages, + Did grasp the power: then Cyaxares ruled + In his sire's place, and held the sway aright, + Steering his state with watchful wariness. + Third in succession, Cyrus, blest of Heaven, + Held rule and 'stablished peace for all his clan: + Lydian and Phrygian won he to his sway, + And wide Ionia to his yoke constrained, + For the god favoured his discretion sage. + Fourth in the dynasty was Cyrus' son, + And fifth was Mardus, scandal of his land + And ancient lineage. Him Artaphrenes, + Hardy of heart, within his palace slew, + Aided by loyal plotters, set for this. + And I too gained the lot for which I craved, + And oftentimes led out a goodly host, + Yet never brought disaster such as this + Upon the city. But my son is young + And reckless in his youth, and heedeth not + The warnings of my mouth. Mark this, my friends, + Born with my birth, coeval with mine age-- + Not all we kings who held successive rule + Have wrought, combined, such ruin as my son! + +CHORUS + + How then, O King Darius? whitherward + Dost thou direct thy warning? from this plight + How can we Persians fare towards hope again? + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + By nevermore assailing Grecian lands, + Even tho' our Median force be double theirs-- + For the land's self protects its denizens. + +CHORUS + + How meanest thou? by what defensive power? + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + She wastes by famine a too countless foe. + +CHORUS + + But we will bring a host more skilled than huge. + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Why, e'en that army, camped in Hellas still, + Shall never win again to home and weal! + +CHORUS + + How say'st thou? will not all the Asian host + Pass back from Europe over Helle's ford? + +GHOST OF DARIUS + + Nay--scarce a tithe of all those myriads, + If man may trust the oracles of Heaven + When he beholds the things already wrought, + Not false with true, but true with no word false + If what I trow be truth, my son has left + A chosen rear-guard of our host, in whom + He trusts, now, with a random confidence! + They tarry where Asopus laves the ground + With rills that softly bless Boeotia's plain-- + There is it fated for them to endure + The very crown of misery and doom, + Requital for their god-forgetting pride! + For why? they raided Hellas, had the heart + To wrong the images of holy gods, + And give the shrines and temples to the flame! + Defaced and dashed from sight the altars fell, + And each god's image, from its pedestal + Thrust and flung down, in dim confusion lies! + Therefore, for outrage vile, a doom as dark + They suffer, and yet more shall undergo-- + They touch no bottom in the swamp of doom, + But round them rises, bubbling up, the ooze! + So deep shall lie the gory clotted mass + Of corpses by the Dorian spear transfixed + Upon Plataea's field! yea, piles of slain + To the third generation shall attest + By silent eloquence to those that see-- + _Let not a mortal vaunt him overmuch_. + For pride grows rankly, and to ripeness brings + The curse of fate, and reaps, for harvest, tears! + Therefore when ye behold, for deeds like these, + Such stern requital paid, remember then + Athens and Hellas. Let no mortal wight, + Holding too lightly of his present weal + And passionate for more, cast down and spill + The mighty cup of his prosperity! + Doubt not that over-proud and haughty souls + Zeus lours in wrath, exacting the account. + Therefore, with wary warning, school my son, + Though he be lessoned by the gods already, + To curb the vaunting that affronts high Heaven! + And thou, O venerable Mother-queen, + Beloved of Xerxes, to the palace pass + And take therefrom such raiment as befits + Thy son, and go to meet him: for his garb + In this extremity of grief hangs rent + Around his body, woefully unstitched, + Mere tattered fragments of once royal robes! + Go thou to him, speak soft and soothing words-- + Thee, and none other, will he bear to hear, + As well I know. But I must pass away + From earth above, unto the nether gloom; + Therefore, old men, take my farewell, and clasp, + Even amid the ruin of this time, + Unto your souls the pleasure of the day, + For dead men have no profit of their gold! + [_The_ GHOST OF DARIUS _sinks_. + +CHORUS + + Alas, I thrill with pain for Persia's woes-- + Many fulfilled, and others hard at hand! + +ATOSSA + + O spirit of the race, what sorrows crowd + Upon me! and this anguish stings me worst, + That round my royal son's dishonoured form + Hang rags and tatters, degradation deep! + I will away, and, bringing from within + A seemly royal robe, will straightway strive + To meet and greet my son: foul scorn it were + To leave our dearest in his hour of shame. + [_Exit_ ATOSSA. + +CHORUS + + Ah glorious and goodly they were, + the life and the lot that we gained, + The cities we held in our hand + when the monarch invincible reigned, + The king that was good to his realm, + sufficing, fulfilled of his sway, + A lord that was peer of the gods, + the pride of the bygone day! + Then could we show to the skies + great hosts and a glorious name, + And laws that were stable in might; + as towers they guarded our fame! + There without woe or disaster + we came from the foe and the fight, + In triumph, enriched with the spoil, + to the land and the city's delight. + What towns ere the Halys he passed! + what towns ere he came to the West, + To the main and the isles of the Strymon, + and the Thracian region possess'd! + And those that stand back from the main, + enringed by their fortified wall, + Gave o'er to Darius, the king, + the sceptre and sway over all! + Those too by the channel of Helle, + where southward it broadens and glides, + By the inlets, Propontis! of thee, + and the strait of the Pontic tides, + And the isles that lie fronting our sea-board, + and the Eastland looks on each one, + Lesbo and Chios and Paros, + and Samos with olive-trees grown, + And Naxos, and Myconos' rock, + and Tenos with Andros hard by, + And isles that in midmost Aegean, + aloof from the continent, lie-- + And Lemnos and Icaros' hold-- + all these to his sceptre were bowed, + And Cnidos and neighbouring Rhodes, + and Soli, and Paphos the proud, + And Cyprian Salamis, name-child of her + who hath wrought us this wrong! + Yea, and all the Ionian tract, + where the Greek-born inhabitants throng, + And the cities are teeming with gold-- + Darius was lord of them all, + And, great by his wisdom, he ruled, + and ever there came to his call, + In stalwart array and unfailing, + the warrior chiefs of our land, + And mingled allies from the tribes + who bowed to his conquering hand! + But now there are none to gainsay + that the gods are against us; we lie + Subdued in the havoc of wreck, + and whelmed by the wrath of the sky! + [_Enter_ XERXES _in disarray_. + +XERXES + + Alas the day, that I should fall + Into this grimmest fate of all, + This ruin doubly unforeseen! + On Persia's land what power of Fate + Descends, what louring gloom of hate? + How shall I bear my teen? + My limbs are loosened where they stand, + When I behold this aged band-- + Oh God! I would that I too, I, + Among the men who went to die, + Were whelmed in earth by Fate's command! + +CHORUS + + Ah welladay, my King! ah woe + For all our heroes' overthrow-- + For all the gallant host's array, + For Persia's honour, pass'd away, + For glory and heroic sway + Mown down by Fortune's hand to-day! + Hark, how the kingdom makes its moan, + For youthful valour lost and gone, + By Xerxes shattered and undone! + He, he hath crammed the maw of hell + With bowmen brave, who nobly fell, + Their country's mighty armament, + Ten thousand heroes deathward sent! + Alas, for all the valiant band, + O king and lord! thine Asian land + Down, down upon its knee is bent! + +XERXES + + Alas, a lamentable sound, + A cry of ruth! for I am found + A curse to land and lineage, + With none my sorrow to assuage! + +CHORUS + + Alas, a death-song desolate + I send forth, for thy home-coming! + A scream, a dirge for woe and fate, + Such as the Asian mourners sing, + A sorry and ill-omened tale + Of tears and shrieks and Eastern wail! + +XERXES + + Ay, launch the woeful sorrow's cry, + The harsh, discordant melody, + For lo, the power, we held for sure, + Hath turned to my discomfiture! + +CHORUS + + Yea, dirges, dirges manifold + Will I send forth, for warriors bold, + For the sea-sorrow of our host! + The city mourns, and I must wail + With plashing tears our sorrow's tale, + Lamenting for the loved and lost! + +XERXES + + Alas, the god of war, who sways + The scales of fight in diverse ways, + Gives glory to Ionia! + Ionian ships, in fenced array, + Have reaped their harvest in the bay, + A darkling harvest-field of Fate, + A sea, a shore, of doom and hate! + +CHORUS + + Cry out, and learn the tale of woe! + Where are thy comrades? where the band + Who stood beside thee, hand in hand, + A little while ago? + Where now hath Pharandakes gone, + Where Psammis, and where Pelagon? + Where now is brave Agdabatas, + And Susas too, and Datamas? + Hath Susiscanes past away, + The chieftain of Ecbatana? + +XERXES + + I left them, mangled castaways, + Flung from their Tyrian deck, and tossed + On Salaminian water-ways, + From surging tides to rocky coast! + +CHORUS + + Alack, and is Pharnuchus slain, + And Ariomardus, brave in vain? + Where is Seualces' heart of fire? + Lilaeus, child of noble sire? + Are Tharubis and Memphis sped? + Hystaechmas, Artembares dead? + And where is brave Masistes, where? + Sum up death's count, that I may hear! + +XERXES + + Alas, alas, they came, their eyes surveyed + Ancestral Athens on that fatal day. + Then with a rending struggle were they laid + Upon the land, and gasped their life away! + +CHORUS + + And Batanochus' child, Alpistus great, + Surnamed the Eye of State-- + Saw you and left you him who once of old + Ten thousand thousand fighting-men enrolled? + His sire was child of Sesamas, and he + From Megabates sprang. Ah, woe is me, + Thou king of evil fate! + Hast thou lost Parthus, lost Oebares great? + Alas, the sorrow! blow succeedeth blow + On Persia's pride; thou tellest woe on woe! + +XERXES + + Bitter indeed the pang for comrades slain, + The brave and bold! thou strikest to my soul + Pain, pain beyond forgetting, hateful pain. + My inner spirit sobs and sighs with dole! + +CHORUS + + Another yet we yearn to see, + And see not! ah, thy chivalry, + Xanthis, thou chief of Mardian men + Countless! and thou, Anchares bright, + And ye, whose cars controlled the fight, + Arsaces and Diaixis wight, + Kegdadatas, Lythimnas dear, + And Tolmus, greedy of the spear! + I stand bereft! not in thy train + Come they, as erst! ah, ne'er again + Shall they return unto our eyes, + Car-borne, 'neath silken canopies! + +XERXES + + Yea, gone are they who mustered once the host! + +CHORUS + + Yea, yea, forgotten, lost! + +XERXES + + Alas, the woe and cost! + +CHORUS + + Alas, ye heavenly powers! + Ye wrought a sorrow past belief, + A woe, of woes the chief! + With aspect stern, upon us Ate looms! + +XERXES + + Smitten are we--time tells no heavier blow! + +CHORUS + + Smitten! the doom is plain! + +XERXES + + Curse upon curse and pang on pang we know! + +CHORUS + + With the Ionian power + We clashed, in evil hour! + Woe falls on Persia's race, yea, woe again, again! + +XERXES + + Yea, smitten am I, and my host is all to ruin hurled! + +CHORUS + + Yea verily--in mighty wreck hath sunk the Persian world! + +XERXES (_holding up a torn robe and a quiver_) + + See you this tattered rag of pride? + +CHORUS + + I see it, welladay! + +XERXES + + See you this quiver? + +CHORUS + + Say, hath aught survived and 'scaped the fray? + +XERXES + + A store for darts it was, erewhile! + +CHORUS + + Remain but two or three! + +XERXES + + No aid is left! + +CHORUS + + Ionian folk such darts, unfearing, see! + +XERXES + + Right resolute they are! I saw disaster unforeseen. + +CHORUS + + Ah, speakest thou of wreck, of flight, of carnage that hath been? + +XERXES + + Yea, and my royal robe I rent, in terror at their fall! + +CHORUS + + Alas, alas! + +XERXES + + Yea, thrice alas! + +CHORUS + + For all have perished, all! + +XERXES + + Ah woe to us, ah joy to them who stood against our pride! + +CHORUS + + And all our strength is minished and sundered from our side! + +XERXES + + No escort have I! + +CHORUS + + Nay, thy friends are whelmed beneath the tide! + +XERXES + + Wail, wail the miserable doom, and to the palace hie! + +CHORUS + + Alas, alas, and woe again! + +XERXES + + Shriek, smite the breast, as I! + +CHORUS + + An evil gift, a sad exchange, of tears poured out in vain! + +XERXES + + Shrill out your simultaneous wail! + +CHORUS + + Alas the woe and pain! + +XERXES + + O, bitter is this adverse fate! + +CHORUS + + I voice the moan with thee! + +XERXES + + Smite, smite thy bosom, groan aloud for my calamity! + +CHORUS + + I mourn and am dissolved in tears! + +XERXES + + Cry, beat thy breast amain! + +CHORUS + + O king, my heart is in thy woe! + +XERXES + + Shriek, wail, and shriek again! + +CHORUS + + O agony! + +XERXES + + A blackening blow-- + +CHORUS + + A grievous stripe shall fall! + +XERXES + + Yea, beat anew thy breast, ring out the doleful Mysian call! + +CHORUS + + An agony, an agony! + +XERXES + + Pluck out thy whitening beard! + +CHORUS + + By handfuls, ay, by handfuls, with dismal tear-drops smeared! + +XERXES + + Sob out thine aching sorrow! + +CHORUS + + I will thine best obey. + +XERXES + + With thine hands rend thy mantle's fold-- + +CHORUS + + Alas, woe worth the day! + +XERXES + + With thine own fingers tear thy locks, bewail the army's weird! + +CHORUS + + By handfuls, yea, by handfuls, with tears of dole besmeared! + +XERXES + + Now let thine eyes find overflow-- + +CHORUS + + I wend in wail and pain! + +XERXES + + Cry out for me an answering moan-- + +CHORUS + + Alas, alas again! + +XERXES + + Shriek with a cry of agony, and lead the doleful train! + +CHORUS + + Alas, alas, the Persian land is woeful now to tread! + +XERXES + + Cry out and mourn! the city now doth wail above the dead! + +CHORUS + + I sob and moan! + +XERXES + + I bid ye now be delicate in grief! + +CHORUS + + Alas, the Persian land is sad and knoweth not relief! + +XERXES + + Alas, the triple banks of oars and those who died thereby! + +CHORUS + + Pass! I will lead you, bring you home, with many a broken sigh! + [_Exeunt_ + + + + +THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES + + + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + ETEOCLES. + A SPY. + CHORUS OF CADMEAN MAIDENS. + ANTIGONE. + ISMENE. + A HERALD. + + +ETEOCLES + + Clansmen of Cadmus, at the signal given + By time and season must the ruler speak + Who sets the course and steers the ship of State + With hand upon the tiller, and with eye + Watchful against the treachery of sleep. + For if all go aright, _thank Heaven_, men say, + But if adversely--which may God forefend!-- + One name on many lips, from street to street, + Would bear the bruit and rumour of the time, + _Down with Eteocles_!--a clamorous curse, + A dirge of ruin. May averting Zeus + Make good his title here, in Cadmus' hold! + You it beseems now boys unripened yet + To lusty manhood, men gone past the prime + And increase of the full begetting seed, + And those whom youth and manhood well combined + Array for action--all to rise in aid + Of city, shrines, and altars of all powers + Who guard our land; that ne'er, to end of time, + Be blotted out the sacred service due + To our sweet mother-land and to her brood. + For she it was who to their guest-right called + Your waxing youth, was patient of the toil, + And cherished you on the land's gracious lap, + Alike to plant the hearth and bear the shield + In loyal service, for an hour like this. + Mark now! until to-day, luck rules our scale; + For we, though long beleaguered, in the main + Have with our sallies struck the foemen hard. + But now the seer, the feeder of the birds, + (Whose art unerring and prophetic skill + Of ear and mind divines their utterance + Without the lore of fire interpreted) + Foretelleth, by the mastery of his art, + That now an onset of Achaea's host + Is by a council of the night designed + To fall in double strength upon our walls. + Up and away, then, to the battlements, + The gates, the bulwarks! don your panoplies, + Array you at the breast-work, take your stand + On floorings of the towers, and with good heart + Stand firm for sudden sallies at the gates, + Nor hold too heinous a respect for hordes + Sent on you from afar: some god will guard! + I too, for shrewd espial of their camp, + Have sent forth scouts, and confidence is mine + They will not fail nor tremble at their task, + And, with their news, I fear no foeman's guile. + [_Enter_ A SPY. + +THE SPY + + Eteocles, high king of Cadmus' folk, + I stand here with news certified and sure + From Argos' camp, things by myself descried. + Seven warriors yonder, doughty chiefs of might, + Into the crimsoned concave of a shield + Have shed a bull's blood, and, with hands immersed + Into the gore of sacrifice, have sworn + By Ares, lord of fight, and by thy name, + Blood-lapping Terror, _Let our oath be heard-- + Either to raze the walls, make void the hold + Of Cadmus--strive his children as they may-- + Or, dying here, to make the foemen's land + With blood impasted_. Then, as memory's gift + Unto their parents at the far-off home, + Chaplets they hung upon Adrastus' car, + With eyes tear-dropping, but no word of moan. + For their steeled spirit glowed with high resolve, + As lions pant, with battle in their eyes. + For them, no weak alarm delays the clear + Issues of death or life! I parted thence + Even as they cast the lots, how each should lead, + Against which gate, his serried company. + Rank then thy bravest, with what speed thou may'st, + Hard by the gates, to dash on them, for now, + Full-armed, the onward ranks of Argos come! + The dust whirls up, and from their panting steeds + White foamy flakes like snow bedew the plain. + Thou therefore, chieftain! like a steersman skilled, + Enshield the city's bulwarks, ere the blast + Of war comes darting on them! hark, the roar + Of the great landstorm with its waves of men! + Take Fortune by the forelock! for the rest, + By yonder dawn-light will I scan the field + Clear and aright, and surety of my word + Shall keep thee scatheless of the coming storm. + +ETEOCLES + + O Zeus and Earth and city-guarding gods, + And thou, my father's Curse, of baneful might, + Spare ye at least this town, nor root it up, + By violence of the foemen, stock and stem! + For here, from home and hearth, rings Hellas' tongue. + Forbid that e'er the yoke of slavery + Should bow this land of freedom, Cadmus' hold! + Be ye her help! your cause I plead with mine-- + A city saved doth honour to her gods! + [_Exit_ ETEOCLES, _etc. Enter the_ CHORUS OF MAIDENS. + +CHORUS + + I wail in the stress of my terror, + and shrill is my cry of despair. + The foemen roll forth from their camp + as a billow, and onward they bear! + Their horsemen are swift in the forefront, + the dust rises up to the sky, + A signal, though speechless, of doom, + a herald more clear than a cry! + Hoof-trampled, the land of my love + bears onward the din to mine ears. + As a torrent descending a mountain, + it thunders and echoes and nears! + The doom is unloosened and cometh! + O kings and O queens of high Heaven, + Prevail that it fall not upon us: + the sign for their onset is given-- + They stream to the walls from without, + white-shielded and keen for the fray. + They storm to the citadel gates-- + what god or what goddess can stay + The rush of their feet? to what shrine + shall I bow me in terror and pray? + O gods high-throned in bliss, + we must crouch at the shrines in your home! + Not here must we tarry and wail: + shield clashes on shield as they come-- + And now, even now is the hour + for the robes and the chaplets of prayer! + Mine eyes feel the flash of the sword, + the clang is instinct with the spear! + Is thy hand set against us, O Ares, + in ruin and wrath to o'erwhelm + Thine own immemorial land, + O god of the golden helm? + Look down upon us, we beseech thee, + on the land that thou lovest of old, + And ye, O protecting gods, + in pity your people behold! + Yea, save us, the maidenly troop, + from the doom and despair of the slave, + For the crests of the foemen come onward, + their rush is the rush of a wave + Rolled on by the war-god's breath! + almighty one, hear us and save + From the grasp of the Argives' might! + to the ramparts of Cadmus they crowd, + And, clenched in the teeth of the steeds, + the bits clink horror aloud! + And seven high chieftains of war, + with spear and with panoply bold, + Are set, by the law of the lot, + to storm the seven gates of our hold! + Be near and befriend us, O Pallas, + the Zeus-born maiden of might! + O lord of the steed and the sea, + be thy trident uplifted to smite + In eager desire of the fray, Poseidon! + and Ares come down, + In fatherly presence revealed, + to rescue Harmonia's town! + Thine too, Aphrodite, we are! + thou art mother and queen of our race, + To thee we cry out in our need, + from thee let thy children have grace! + Ye too, to scare back the foe, + be your cry as a wolf's howl wild, + Thou, O the wolf-lord, and thou, + of she-wolf Leto the child! + Woe and alack for the sound, + for the rattle of cars to the wall, + And the creak of the grinding axles! + O Hera, to thee is our call! + Artemis, maiden beloved! + the air is distraught with the spears, + And whither doth destiny drive us, + and where is the goal of our fears? + The blast of the terrible stones + on the ridge of our wall is not stayed, + At the gates is the brazen clash + of the bucklers--Apollo to aid! + Thou too, O daughter of Zeus, + who guidest the wavering fray + To the holy decision of fate, + Athena! be with us to-day! + Come down to the sevenfold gates + and harry the foemen away! + O gods and O sisters of gods, + our bulwark and guard! we beseech + That ye give not our war-worn hold + to a rabble of alien speech! + List to the call of the maidens, + the hands held up for the right, + Be near us, protect us, and show + that the city is dear in your sight! + + Have heed for her sacrifice holy, + and thought of her offerings take, + Forget not her love and her worship, + be near her and smite for her sake! + [_Re-enter_ ETEOCLES. +ETEOCLES + + Hark to my question, things detestable! + Is this aright and for the city's weal, + And helpful to our army thus beset, + That ye before the statues of our gods + Should fling yourselves, and scream and shriek your fears? + Immodest, uncontrolled! Be this my lot-- + Never in troublous nor in peaceful days + To dwell with aught that wears a female form! + Where womankind has power, no man can house, + Where womankind feeds panic, ruin rules + Alike in house and city! Look you now-- + Your flying feet, and rumour of your fears, + Have spread a soulless panic on our walls, + And they without do go from strength to strength, + And we within make breach upon ourselves! + Such fate it brings, to house with womankind. + Therefore if any shall resist my rule-- + Or man, or woman, or some sexless thing-- + The vote of sentence shall decide their doom, + And stones of execution, past escape, + Shall finish all. Let not a woman's voice + Be loud in council! for the things without, + A man must care; let women keep within-- + Even then is mischief all too probable! + Hear ye? or speak I to unheeding ears? + +CHORUS + + Ah, but I shudder, child of Oedipus! + I heard the clash and clang! + The axles rolled and rumbled; woe to us + Fire-welded bridles rang! + +ETEOCLES + + Say--when a ship is strained and deep in brine, + Did e'er a seaman mend his chance, who left + The helm, t'invoke the image at the prow? + +CHORUS + + Ah, but I fled to the shrines, I called to our helpers on high, + When the stone-shower roared at the portals! + I sped to the temples aloft, and loud was my call and my cry, + _Look down and deliver. Immortals_! + +ETEOCLES + + Ay, pray amain that stone may vanquish steel! + Were not that grace of gods? ay, ay--methinks, + When cities fall, the gods go forth from them! + +CHORUS + + Ah, let me die, or ever I behold + The gods go forth, in conflagration dire! + The foemen's rush and raid, and all our hold + Wrapt in the burning fire! + +ETEOCLES + + Cry not: on Heaven, in impotent debate! + What saith the saw?--_Good saving Strength, in verity, + Out of Obedience breeds the babe Prosperity_. + +CHORUS + + 'Tis true: yet stronger is the power divine, + And oft, when man's estate is overbowed + With bitter pangs, disperses from his eyne + The heavy, hanging cloud! + +ETEOCLES + + Let men with sacrifice and augury + Approach the gods, when comes the tug of war; + Maids must be silent and abide within. + +CHORUS + + By grace of the gods we hold it, + a city untamed of the spear, + And the battlement wards from the wall + the foe and his aspect of fear! + What need of displeasure herein? + +ETEOCLES + + Ay, pay thy vows to Heaven; I grudge them not, + But--so thou strike no fear into our men-- + Have calm at heart, nor be too much afraid. + +CHORUS + + Alack, it is fresh in mine ears, + the clamour and crash of the fray, + And up to our holiest height + I sped on my timorous way, + Bewildered, beset by the din! + +ETEOCLES + + Now, if ye hear the bruit of death or wounds, + Give not yourselves o'ermuch to shriek and scream, + For Ares ravens upon human flesh. + +CHORUS + + Ah, but the snorting of the steeds I hear! + +ETEOCLES + + Then, if thou hearts, hear them not too well! + +CHORUS + + Hark, the earth rumbles, as they close us round! + +ETEOCLES + + Enough if I am here, with plans prepared. + +CHORUS + + Alack, the battering at the gates is loud! + +ETEOCLES + + Peace! stay your tongue, or else the town may hear! + +CHORUS + + O warders of the walls, betray them not! + +ETEOCLES + + Bestrew your cries! in silence face your fate. + +CHORUS + + Gods of our city, see me not enslaved! + +ETEOCLES + + On me, on all, thy cries bring slavery. + +CHORUS + + Zeus, strong to smite, turn upon foes thy blow! + +ETEOCLES + + Zeus, what a curse are women, wrought by thee! + +CHORUS + + Weak wretches, even as men, when cities fall. + +ETEOCLES + + What! clasping gods, yet voicing thy despair? + +CHORUS + + In the sick heart, fear machete prey of speech. + +ETEOCLES + + Light is the thing I ask thee--do my will! + +CHORUS + + Ask swiftly: swiftly shall I know my power. + +ETEOCLES + + Silence, weak wretch! nor put thy friends in fear. + +CHORUS + + I speak no more: the general fate be mine! + +ETEOCLES + + I take that word as wiser than the rest. + Nay, more: these images possess thy will-- + Pray, in their strength, that Heaven be on our side! + Then hear my prayers withal, and then ring out + The female triumph-note, thy privilege-- + Yea, utter forth the usage Hellas knows, + The cry beside the altars, sounding clear + Encouragement to friends, alarm to foes. + But I unto all gods that guard our walls, + Lords of the plain or warders of the mart + And to Isthmus' stream and Dirge's rills, + I swear, if Fortune smiles and saves our town, + That we will make our altars reek with blood + Of sheep and kine, shed forth unto the gods, + And with victorious tokens front our fannies-- + Corsets and cases that once our foemen wore, + Spear-shattered now--to deck these holy homes! + Be such thy vows to Heaven--away with sighs, + Away with outcry vain and barbarous, + That shall avail not, in a general doom! + But I will back, and, with six chosen men + Myself the seventh, to confront the foe + In this great aspect of a poised war, + Return and plant them at the sevenfold gates, + Or e'er the prompt and clamorous battle-scouts + Haste to inflame our counsel with the need. + [_Exit_ ETEOCLES. + +CHORUS + + I mark his words, yet, dark and deep, + My heart's alarm forbiddeth sleep! + Close-clinging cares around my soul + Enkindle fears beyond control, + Presageful of what doom may fall + From the great leaguer of the wall! + So a poor dove is faint with fear + For her weak nestlings, while anew + Glides on the snaky ravisher! + In troop and squadron, hand on hand, + They climb and throng, and hemmed we stand, + While on the warders of our town + The flinty shower comes hurtling down! + + Gods born of Zeus! put forth your might + For Cadmus' city, realm, and right! + What nobler land shall e'er be yours, + If once ye give to hostile powers + The deep rich soil, and Dirce's wave, + The nursing stream, Poseidon gave + And Tethys' children? Up and save! + Cast on the ranks that hem us round + A deadly panic, make them fling + Their arms in terror on the ground, + And die in carnage! thence shall spring + High honour for our clan and king! + Come at our wailing cry, and stand + As throned sentries of our land! + + For pity and sorrow it were + that this immemorial town + Should sink to be slave of the spear, + to dust and to ashes gone down, + By the gods of Achaean worship + and arms of Achaean might + Sacked and defiled and dishonoured, + its women the prize of the fight-- + That, haled by the hair as a steed, + their mantles dishevelled and torn, + The maiden and matron alike + should pass to the wedlock of scorn! + I hear it arise from the city, + the manifold wail of despair-- + _Woe, woe for the doom that shall be_-- + as in grasp of the foeman they fare! + For a woe and a weeping it is, + if the maiden inviolate flower + Is plucked by the foe in his might, + not culled in the bridal bower! + Alas for the hate and the horror-- + how say it?--less hateful by far + Is the doom to be slain by the sword, + hewn down in the carnage of war! + For wide, ah! wide is the woe + when the foeman has mounted the wall; + There is havoc and terror and flame, + and the dark smoke broods over all, + And wild is the war-god's breath, + as in frenzy of conquest he springs, + And pollutes with the blast of his lips + the glory of holiest things! + + Up to the citadel rise clash and din, + The war-net closes in, + The spear is in the heart: with blood imbrued + Young mothers wail aloud, + For children at their breast who scream and die! + And boys and maidens fly, + Yet scape not the pursuer, in his greed + To thrust and grasp and feed! + Robber with robber joins, each calls his mate + Unto the feast of hate-- + _The banquet, lo! is spread-- + seize, rend, and tear! + No need to choose or share_! + And all the wealth of earth to waste is poured-- + A sight by all abhorred! + The grieving housewives eye it; + heaped and blent, + Earth's boons are spoiled and spent, + And waste to nothingness; and O alas, + Young maids, forlorn ye pass-- + Fresh horror at your hearts--beneath the power + Of those who crop the flower! + Ye own the ruffian ravisher for lord, + And night brings rites abhorred! + Woe, woe for you! upon your grief and pain + There comes a fouler stain. + [_Enter, on one side_, THE SPY; + _on the other_, ETEOCLES + _and the_ SIX CHAMPIONS. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Look, friends! methinks the scout, who parted hence + To spy upon the foemen, comes with news, + His feet as swift as wafting chariot-wheels. + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Ay, and our king, the son of Oedipus, + Comes prompt to time, to learn the spy's report-- + His heart is fainter than his foot is fast! + +THE SPY + + Well have I scanned the foe, and well can say + Unto which chief, by lot, each gate is given. + Tydeus already with his onset-cry + Storms at the gate called Proetides; but him + The seer Amphiaraus holds at halt, + Nor wills that he should cross Ismenus' ford, + Until the sacrifices promise fair. + But Tydeus, mad with lust of blood and broil, + Like to a cockatrice at noontide hour, + Hisses out wrath and smites with scourge of tongue + The prophet-son of Oecleus--_Wise thou art, + Faint against war, and holding back from death_! + With such revilings loud upon his lips + He waves the triple plumes that o'er his helm + Float overshadowing, as a courser's mane; + And at his shield's rim, terror in their tone, + Clang and reverberate the brazen bells. + And this proud sign, wrought on his shield, he bears-- + The vault of heaven, inlaid with blazing stars; + And, for the boss, the bright moon glows at full, + The eye of night, the first and lordliest star. + Thus with high-vaunted armour, madly bold, + He clamours by the stream-bank, wild for war, + As a steed panting grimly on his bit, + Held in and chafing for the trumpet's bray! + Whom wilt thou set against him? when the gates + Of Proetus yield, who can his rush repel? + +ETEOCLES + + To me, no blazon on a foeman's shield + Shall e'er present a fear! such pointed threats + Are powerless to wound; his plumes and bells, + Without a spear, are snakes without a sting. + Nay, more--that pageant of which thou tellest-- + The nightly sky displayed, ablaze with stars, + Upon his shield, palters with double sense-- + One headstrong fool will find its truth anon! + For, if night fall upon his eyes in death, + Yon vaunting blazon will its own truth prove, + And he is prophet of his folly's fall. + Mine shall it be, to pit against his power + The loyal son of Astacus, as guard + To hold the gateways--a right valiant soul, + Who has in heed the throne of Modesty + And loathes the speech of Pride, and evermore + Shrinks from the base, but knows no other fear. + He springs by stock from those whom Ares spared, + The men called Sown, a right son of the soil, + And Melanippus styled. Now, what his arm + To-day shall do, rests with the dice of war, + And Ares shall ordain it; but his cause + Hath the true badge of Right, to urge him on + To guard, as son, his motherland from wrong. + +CHORUS + + Then may the gods give fortune fair + Unto our chief, sent forth to dare + War's terrible arbitrament! + But ah! when champions wend away, + I shudder, lest, from out the fray, + Only their blood-stained wrecks be sent! + +THE SPY + + Nay, let him pass, and the gods' help be his! + Next, Capaneus comes on, by lot to lead + The onset at the gates Electran styled: + A giant he, more huge than Tydeus' self, + And more than human in his arrogance-- + May fate forefend his threat against our walls! + _God willing, or unwilling_--such his vaunt-- + _I will lay waste this city; Pallas' self, + Zeus' warrior maid, although she swoop to earth + And plant her in my path, shall stay me not_. + And, for the flashes of the levin-bolt, + He holds them harmless as the noontide rays. + Mark, too, the symbol on his shield--a man + Scornfully weaponless but torch in hand, + And the flame glows within his grasp, prepared + For ravin: lo, the legend, wrought in words, + _Fire for the city bring I_, flares in gold! + Against such wight, send forth--yet whom? what man + Will front that vaunting figure and not fear? + +ETEOCLES + + Aha, this profits also, gain on gain! + In sooth, for mortals, the tongue's utterance + Bewrays unerringly a foolish pride! + Hither stalks Capaneus, with vaunt and threat + Defying god-like powers, equipt to act, + And, mortal though he be, he strains his tongue + In folly's ecstasy, and casts aloft + High swelling words against the ears of Zeus. + Right well I trust--if justice grants the word-- + That, by the might of Zeus, a bolt of flame + In more than semblance shall descend on him. + Against his vaunts, though reckless, I have set, + To make assurance sure, a warrior stern-- + Strong Polyphontes, fervid for the fray; + A sturdy bulwark, he, by grace of Heaven + And favour of his champion Artemis! + Say on, who holdeth the next gate in ward? + +CHORUS + + Perish the wretch whose vaunt affronts our home! + On him the red bolt come, + Ere to the maiden bowers his way he cleave, + To ravage and bereave! + +THE SPY + + I will say on. Eteoclus is third-- + To him it fell, what time the third lot sprang + O'er the inverted helmet's brazen rim, + To dash his stormers on Neistae gate. + He wheels his mares, who at their frontlets chafe + And yearn to charge upon the gates amain. + They snort the breath of pride, and, filled therewith, + Their nozzles whistle with barbaric sound. + High too and haughty is his shield's device-- + An armed man who climbs, from rung to rung, + A scaling ladder, up a hostile wall, + Afire to sack and slay; and he too cries, + (By letters, full of sound, upon the shield) + _Not Ares' self shall cast me from the wall_. + Look to it, send, against this man, a man + Strong to debar the slave's yoke from our town. + ETEOCLES (_pointing to_ MEGAREUS) + + Send will I--even this man, with luck to aid-- + By his worth sent already, not by pride + And vain pretence, is he. 'Tis Megareus, + The child of Creon, of the Earth-sprung born! + He will not shrink from guarding of the gates, + Nor fear the maddened charger's frenzied neigh, + But, if he dies, will nobly quit the score + For nurture to the land that gave him birth, + Or from the shield-side hew two warriors down + Eteoclus and the figure that he lifts-- + Ay, and the city pictured, all in one, + And deck with spoils the temple of his sire! + Announce the next pair, stint not of thy tongue! + +CHORUS + + O thou, the warder of my home, + Grant, unto us, Fate's favouring tide, + Send on the foemen doom! + They fling forth taunts of frenzied pride, + On them may Zeus with glare of vengeance come; + +THE SPY + + Lo, next him stands a fourth and shouts amain, + By Pallas Onca's portal, and displays + A different challenge; 'tis Hippomedon! + Huge the device that starts up from his targe + In high relief; and, I deny it not, + I shuddered, seeing how, upon the rim, + It made a mighty circle round the shield-- + No sorry craftsman he, who wrought that work + And clamped it all around the buckler's edge! + The form was Typhon: from his glowing throat + Rolled lurid smoke, spark-litten, kin of fire! + The flattened edge-work, circling round the whole, + Made strong support for coiling snakes that grew + Erect above the concave of the shield: + Loud rang the warrior's voice; inspired for war, + He raves to slay, as doth a Bacchanal, + His very glance a terror! of such wight + Beware the onset! closing on the gates, + He peals his vaunting and appalling cry! + +ETEOCLES + + Yet first our Pallas Onca--wardress she, + Planting her foot hard by her gate--shall stand, + The Maid against the ruffian, and repel + His force, as from her brood the mother-bird + Beats back the wintered serpent's venom'd fang + And next, by her, is Oenops' gallant son, + Hyperbius, chosen to confront this foe, + Ready to seek his fate at Fortune's shrine! + + In form, in valour, and in skill of arms, + None shall gainsay him. See how wisely well + Hermes hath set the brave against the strong! + Confronted shall they stand, the shield of each + Bearing the image of opposing gods: + One holds aloft his Typhon breathing fire, + But, on the other's shield, in symbol sits + Zeus, calm and strong, and fans his bolt to flame-- + Zeus, seen of all, yet seen of none to fail! + Howbeit, weak is trust reposed in Heaven-- + Yet are we upon Zeus' victorious side, + The foe, with those he worsted--if in sooth + Zeus against Typhon held the upper hand, + And if Hyperbius, (as well may hap + When two such foes such diverse emblems bear) + Have Zeus upon his shield, a saving sign. + +CHORUS + + High faith is mine that he whose shield + Bears, against Zeus, the thing of hate. + The giant Typhon, thus revealed, + A monster loathed of gods eterne + And mortal men--this doom shall earn + A shattered skull, before the gate! + +THE SPY + + Heaven send it so! + A fifth assailant now + Is set against our fifth, the northern, gate, + Fronting the death-mound where Amphion lies + The child of Zeus. + + This foeman vows his faith, + Upon a mystic spear-head which he deems + More holy than a godhead and more sure + To find its mark than any glance of eye, + That, will they, nill they, he will storm and sack + The hold of the Cadmeans. Such his oath-- + His, the bold warrior, yet of childish years, + A bud of beauty's foremost flower, the son + Of Zeus and of the mountain maid. I mark + How the soft down is waxing on his cheek, + Thick and close-growing in its tender prime-- + In name, not mood, is he a maiden's child-- + Parthenopaeus; large and bright his eyes + But fierce the wrath wherewith he fronts the gate: + Yet not unheralded he takes his stand + Before the portal; on his brazen shield, + The rounded screen and shelter of his form, + I saw him show the ravening Sphinx, the fiend + That shamed our city--how it glared and moved, + Clamped on the buckler, wrought in high relief! + And in its claws did a Cadmean bear-- + Nor heretofore, for any single prey, + Sped she aloft, through such a storm of darts + As now awaits her. So our foe is here-- + Like, as I deem, to ply no stinted trade + In blood and broil, but traffick as is meet + In fierce exchange for his long wayfaring! + +ETEOCLES + + Ah, may they meet the doom they think to bring-- + They and their impious vaunts--from those on high! + So should they sink, hurled down to deepest death! + This foe, at least, by thee Arcadian styled, + Is faced by one who bears no braggart sign, + But his hand sees to smite, where blows avail-- + Actor, own brother to Hyperbius! + He will not let a boast without a blow + Stream through our gates and nourish our despair, + Nor give him way who on his hostile shield + Bears the brute image of the loathly Sphinx! + Blocked at the gate, she will rebuke the man + Who strives to thrust her forward, when she feels + Thick crash of blows, up to the city wall. + With Heaven's goodwill, my forecast shall be true. + +CHORUS + + Home to my heart the vaunting goes, + And, quick with terror, on my head + Rises my hair, at sound of those + Who wildly, impiously rave! + If gods there be, to them I plead-- + _Give them to darkness and the grave_. + +THE SPY + + Fronting the sixth gate stands another foe, + Wisest of warriors, bravest among seers-- + Such must I name Amphiaraus: he, + Set steadfast at the Homoloid gate, + Berates strong Tydeus with reviling words-- + _The man of blood, the bane of state and home, + To Argos, arch-allurer to all ill, + Evoker of the fury-fiend of hell, + Death's minister, and counsellor of wrong + Unto Adrastus in this fatal field_. + Ay, and with eyes upturned and mien of scorn + He chides thy brother Polynices too + At his desert, and once and yet again + Dwells hard and meaningly upon his name + Where it saith _glory_ yet importeth _feud_. + _Yea, such thou art in act, and such thy grace + In sight of Heaven, and such in aftertime + Thy fame, for lips and ears of mortal men! + "He strove to sack the city of his sires + And temples of her gods, and brought on her + An alien armament of foreign foes. + The fountain of maternal blood outpoured + What power can staunch? even so, thy fatherland + Once by thine ardent malice stormed and ta'en, + Shall ne'er join force with thee." For me, I know + It doth remain to let my blood enrich + The border of this land that loves me not-- + Blood of a prophet, in a foreign grave! + Now, for the battle! I foreknow my doom, + Yet it shall be with honour_. So he spake, + The prophet, holding up his targe of bronze + Wrought without blazon, to the ears of men + Who stood around and heeded not his word. + For on no bruit and rumour of great deeds, + But on their doing, is his spirit set, + And in his heart he reaps a furrow rich, + Wherefrom the foison of good counsel springs. + Against him, send brave heart and hand of might, + For the god-lover is man's fiercest foe. + +ETEOCLES + + Out on the chance that couples mortal men, + Linking the just and impious in one! + In every issue, the one curse is this-- + Companionship with men of evil heart! + A baneful harvest, let none gather it! + The field of sin is rank, and brings forth death + At whiles a righteous man who goes aboard + With reckless mates, a horde of villainy, + Dies by one death with that detested crew; + At whiles the just man, joined with citizens + Ruthless to strangers, recking nought of Heaven, + Trapped, against nature, in one net with them, + Dies by God's thrust and all-including blow. + So will this prophet die, even Oecleus' child, + Sage, just, and brave, and loyal towards Heaven, + Potent in prophecy, but mated here + With men of sin, too boastful to be wise! + Long is their road, and they return no more, + And, at their taking-off, by hand of Zeus, + The prophet too shall take the downward way. + He will not--so I deem--assail the gate-- + Not as through cowardice or feeble will, + But as one knowing to what end shall be + Their struggle in the battle, if indeed + Fruit of fulfilment lie in Loxias' word. + He speaketh not, unless to speak avails! + Yet, for more surety, we will post a man, + Strong Lasthenes, as warder of the gate, + Stern to the foeman; he hath age's skill, + Mated with youthful vigour, and an eye + Forward, alert; swift too his hand, to catch + The fenceless interval 'twixt shield and spear! + Yet man's good fortune lies in hand of Heaven. + +CHORUS + + Unto our loyal cry, ye gods, give ear! + Save, save the city! turn away the spear, + Send on the foemen fear! + Outside the rampart fall they, rent and riven + Beneath the bolt of heaven! + +THE SPY + + Last, let me name yon seventh antagonist, + Thy brother's self, at the seventh portal set-- + Hear with what wrath he imprecates our doom, + Vowing to mount the wall, though banished hence, + And peal aloud the wild exulting cry-- + _The town is ta'en_--then clash his sword with thine, + Giving and taking death in close embrace, + Or, if thou 'scapest, flinging upon thee, + As robber of his honour and his home, + The doom of exile such as he has borne. + So clamours he and so invokes the gods + Who guard his race and home, to hear and heed + The curse that sounds in Polynices' name! + He bears a round shield, fresh from forge and fire, + And wrought upon it is a twofold sign-- + For lo, a woman leads decorously + The figure of a warrior wrought in gold; + And thus the legend runs--_I Justice am, + And I will bring the hero home again, + To hold once more his place within this town, + Once more to pace his sire's ancestral hall_. + Such are the symbols, by our foemen shown-- + Now make thine own decision, whom to send + Against this last opponent! I have said-- + Nor canst thou in my tidings find a flaw-- + Thine is it, now, to steer the course aright. + +ETEOCLES + + Ah me, the madman, and the curse of Heaven! + And woe for us, the lamentable line + Of Oedipus, and woe that in this house + Our father's curse must find accomplishment! + But now, a truce to tears and loud lament, + Lest they should breed a still more rueful wail! + As for this Polynices, named too well, + Soon shall we know how his device shall end-- + Whether the gold-wrought symbols on his shield, + In their mad vaunting and bewildered pride, + Shall guide him as a victor to his home! + For had but Justice, maiden-child of Zeus, + Stood by his act and thought, it might have been! + Yet never, from the day he reached the light + Out of the darkness of his mother's womb, + Never in childhood, nor in youthful prime, + Nor when his chin was gathering its beard, + Hath Justice hailed or claimed him as her own. + Therefore I deem not that she standeth now + To aid him in this outrage on his home! + Misnamed, in truth, were Justice, utterly, + If to impiety she lent her hand. + Sure in this faith, I will myself go forth + And match me with him; who hath fairer claim? + Ruler, against one fain to snatch the rule, + Brother with brother matched, and foe with foe, + Will I confront the issue. To the wall! + +CHORUS + + O thou true heart, O child of Oedipus, + Be not, in wrath, too like the man whose name + Murmurs an evil omen! 'Tis enough + That Cadmus' clan should strive with Argos' host, + For blood there is that can atone that stain! + But--brother upon brother dealing death-- + Not time itself can expiate the sin! + +ETEOCLES + + If man find hurt, yet clasp his honour still, + 'Tis well; the dead have honour, nought beside. + Hurt, with dishonour, wins no word of praise! + +CHORUS + + Ah, what is thy desire? + Let not the lust and ravin of the sword + Bear thee adown the tide accursed, abhorred! + Fling off thy passion's rage, thy spirit's prompting dire! + +ETEOCLES + + Nay--since the god is urgent for our doom, + Let Laius' house, by Phoebus loathed and scorned, + Follow the gale of destiny, and win + Its great inheritance, the gulf of hell! + +CHORUS + + Ruthless thy craving is-- + Craving for kindred and forbidden blood + To be outpoured--a sacrifice imbrued + With sin, a bitter fruit of murderous enmities! + +ETEOCLES + + Yea, my own father's fateful Curse proclaims-- + A ghastly presence, and her eyes are dry-- + _Strike! honour is the prize, not life prolonged_! + +CHORUS + + Ah, be not urged of her! for none shall dare + To call thee _coward_, in thy throned estate! + Will not the Fury in her sable pall + Pass outward from these halls, what time the gods + Welcome a votive offering from our hands? + +ETEOCLES + + The gods! long since they hold us in contempt, + Scornful of gifts thus offered by the lost! + Why should we fawn and flinch away from doom? + +CHORUS + + Now, when it stands beside thee! for its power + May, with a changing gust of milder mood, + Temper the blast that bloweth wild and rude + And frenzied, in this hour! + +ETEOCLES + + Ay, kindled by the curse of Oedipus-- + All too prophetic, out of dreamland came + The vision, meting out our sire's estate! + +CHORUS + + Heed women's voices, though thou love them not! + +ETEOCLES + + Say aught that may avail, but stint thy words. + +CHORUS + + Go not thou forth to guard the seventh gate! + +ETEOCLES + + Words shall not blunt the edge of my resolve. + +CHORUS + + Yet the god loves to let the weak prevail. + +ETEOCLES + + That to a swordsman, is no welcome word! + +CHORUS + + Shall thine own brother's blood be victory's palm? + +ETEOCLES + + Ill which the gods have sent thou canst not shun! + [_Exit_ ETEOCLES. CHORUS + + I shudder in dread of the power, + abhorred by the gods of high heaven, + The ruinous curse of the home + till roof-tree and rafter be riven! + Too true are the visions of ill, + too true the fulfilment they bring + To the curse that was spoken of old + by the frenzy and wrath of the king! + Her will is the doom of the children, + and Discord is kindled amain, + And strange is the Lord of Division, + who cleaveth the birthright in twain,-- + The edged thing, born of the north, + the steel that is ruthless and keen, + Dividing in bitter division + the lot of the children of teen! + Not the wide lowland around, + the realm of their sire, shall they have, + Yet enough for the dead to inherit, + the pitiful space of a grave! + + Ah, but when kin meets kin, when sire and child, + Unknowing, are defiled + By shedding common blood, and when the pit + Of death devoureth it, + Drinking the clotted stain, the gory dye-- + Who, who can purify? + Who cleanse pollution, where the ancient bane + Rises and reeks again? + Whilome in olden days the sin was wrought, + And swift requital brought-- + Yea on the children of the child came still + New heritage of ill! + For thrice Apollo spoke this word divine, + From Delphi's central shrine, + To Laius--_Die thou childless_! thus alone + Can the land's weal be won! + But vainly with his wife's desire he strove, + And gave himself to love, + Begetting Oedipus, by whom he died, + The fateful parricide! + The sacred seed-plot, his own mother's womb, + He sowed, his house's doom, + A root of blood! by frenzy lured, they came + Unto their wedded shame. + And now the waxing surge, the wave of fate, + Rolls on them, triply great-- + One billow sinks, the next towers, high and dark, + Above our city's bark-- + Only the narrow barrier of the wall + Totters, as soon to fall; + And, if our chieftains in the storm go down, + What chance can save the town? + Curses, inherited from long ago, + Bring heavy freight of woe: + Rich stores of merchandise o'erload the deck, + Near, nearer comes the wreck-- + And all is lost, cast out upon the wave, + Floating, with none to save! + + Whom did the gods, whom did the chief of men, + Whom did each citizen + In crowded concourse, in such honour hold, + As Oedipus of old, + When the grim fiend, that fed on human prey, + He took from us away? + + But when, in the fulness of days, + he knew of his bridal unblest, + A twofold horror he wrought, + in the frenzied despair of his breast-- + Debarred from the grace of the banquet, + the service of goblets of gold, + He flung on his children a curse + for the splendour they dared to withhold, + A curse prophetic and bitter-- + _The glory of wealth and of pride, + With iron, not gold, in your hands, + ye shall come, at the last, to divide_! + Behold, how a shudder runs through me, + lest now, in the fulness of time, + The house-fiend awake and return, + to mete out the measure of crime! + [_Enter_ THE SPY. + +THE SPY + + Take heart, ye daughters whom your mothers' milk + Made milky-hearted! lo, our city stands, + Saved from the yoke of servitude: the vaunts + Of overweening men are silent now, + And the State sails beneath a sky serene, + Nor in the manifold and battering waves + Hath shipped a single surge, and solid stands + The rampart, and the gates are made secure, + Each with a single champion's trusty guard. + So in the main and at six gates we hold + A victory assured; but, at the seventh, + The god that on the seventh day was born, + Royal Apollo, hath ta'en up his rest + To wreak upon the sons of Oedipus + Their grandsire's wilfulness of long ago. + +CHORUS + + What further woefulness besets our home? + +THE SPY + + The home stands safe--but ah, the princes twain-- + +CHORUS + + Who? what of them? I am distraught with fear. + +THE SPY + + Hear now, and mark! the sons of Oedipus-- + +CHORUS + + Ah, my prophetic soul! I feel their doom. + +THE SPY + + Have done with questions!--with their lives crushed out-- + +CHORUS + + Lie they out yonder? the full horror speak! + Did hands meet hands more close than brotherly? + Came fate on each, and in the selfsame hour? + +THE SPY + + Yea, blotting out the lineage ill-starred! + Now mix your exultation and your tears, + Over a city saved, the while its lords, + Twin leaders of the fight, have parcelled out + With forged arbitrament of Scythian steel + The full division of their fatherland, + And, as their father's imprecation bade, + Shall have their due of land, a twofold grave. + So is the city saved; the earth has drunk + Blood of twin princes, by each other slain. + +CHORUS + + O mighty Zeus and guardian powers, + The strength and stay of Cadmus' towers! + Shall I send forth a joyous cry, + _Hail to the lord of weal renewed_? + Or weep the misbegotten twain, + Born to a fatal destiny? + Each numbered now among the slain, + Each dying in ill fortitude, + Each _truly named_, each _child of feud_? + + O dark and all-prevailing ill, + That broods o'er Oedipus and all his line, + Numbing my heart with mortal chill! + Ah me, this song of mine, + Which, Thyad-like, I woke, now falleth still, + Or only tells of doom, + And echoes round a tomb! + + Dead are they, dead! in their own blood they lie-- + Ill-omened the concent that hails our victory! + The curse a father on his children spake + Hath faltered not, nor failed! + Nought, Laius! thy stubborn choice availed-- + First to beget, then, in the after day + And for the city's sake, + The child to slay! + For nought can blunt nor mar + The speech oracular! + Children of teen! by disbelief ye erred-- + Yet in wild weeping came fulfilment of the word! + [ANTIGONE _and_ ISMENE _approach, + with a train of mourners, bearing the + bodies of_ ETEOCLES _and_ POLYNICES. + + Look up, look forth! the doom is plain, + Nor spake the messenger in vain! + A twofold sorrow, twofold strife-- + Each brave against a brother's life! + In double doom hath sorrow come-- + How shall I speak it?--on the home! + + Alas, my sisters! be your sighs the gale, + The smiting of your brows the plash of oars, + Wafting the boat, to Acheron's dim shores + That passeth ever, with its darkened sail, + On its uncharted voyage and sunless way, + Far from thy beams, Apollo, god of day-- + The melancholy bark + Bound for the common bourn, the harbour of the dark! + Look up, look yonder! from the home + Antigone, Ismene come, + On the last, saddest errand bound, + To chant a dirge of doleful sound, + With agony of equal pain + Above their brethren slain! + Their sister-bosoms surely swell, + Heart with rent heart according well + In grief for those who fought and fell! + Yet--ere they utter forth their woe-- + We must awake the rueful strain + To vengeful powers, in realms below, + And mourn hell's triumph o'er the slain! + + Alas! of all, the breast who bind,-- + Yea, all the race of womankind-- + O maidens, ye are most bereaved! + For you, for you the tear-drops start-- + Deem that in truth, and undeceived, + Ye hear the sorrows of my heart! + (_To the dead_.) + Children of bitterness, and sternly brave-- + One, proud of heart against persuasion's voice, + One, against exile proof! ye win your choice-- + Each in your fatherland, a separate grave! + + Alack, on house and heritage + They brought a baneful doom, and death for wage! + One strove through tottering walls to force his way, + One claimed, in bitter arrogance, the sway, + And both alike, even now and here, + Have closed their suit, with steel for arbiter! + And lo, the Fury-fiend of Oedipus, their sire, + Hath brought his curse to consummation dire! + Each in the left side smitten, see them laid-- + The children of one womb, + Slain by a mutual doom! + Alas, their fate! the combat murderous, + The horror of the house, + The curse of ancient bloodshed, now repaid! + Yea, deep and to the heart the deathblow fell, + Edged by their feud ineffable-- + By the grim curse, their sire did imprecate-- + Discord and deadly hate! + Hark, how the city and its towers make moan-- + How the land mourns that held them for its own! + Fierce greed and fell division did they blend, + Till death made end! + They strove to part the heritage in twain, + Giving to each a gain-- + Yet that which struck the balance in the strife, + The arbitrating sword, + By those who loved the twain is held abhorred-- + Loathed is the god of death, who sundered each from life! + Here, by the stroke of steel, behold! they lie-- + And rightly may we cry + _Beside their fathers, let them here be laid-- + Iron gave their doom, with iron their graves be made-- + Alack, the slaying sword, alack, th' entombing spade_! + + Alas, a piercing shriek, a rending groan, + A cry unfeigned of sorrow felt at heart! + With shuddering of grief, with tears that start, + With wailful escort, let them hither come-- + For one or other make divided moan! + No light lament of pity mixed with gladness, + But with true tears, poured from the soul of sadness, + Over the princes dead and their bereaved home + + Say we, above these brethren dead, + _On citizen, on foreign foe, + Brave was their rush, and stern their blow-- + Now, lowly are they laid_! + Beyond all women upon earth + Woe, woe for her who gave them birth! + Unknowingly, her son she wed-- + The children of that marriage-bed, + Each in the self-same womb, were bred-- + Each by a brother's hand lies dead! + + Yea, from one seed they sprang, and by one fate + Their heritage is desolate, + The heart's division sundered claim from claim, + And, from their feud, death came! + Now is their hate allayed, + Now is their life-stream shed, + Ensanguining the earth with crimson dye-- + Lo, from one blood they sprang, and in one blood they lie! + A grievous arbiter was given the twain-- + The stranger from the northern main, + The sharp, dividing sword, + Fresh from the forge and fire + The War-god treacherous gave ill award + And brought their father's curse to a fulfilment dire! + They have their portion--each his lot and doom, + Given from the gods on high! + Yea, the piled wealth of fatherland, for tomb, + Shall underneath them lie! + Alas, alas! with flowers of fame and pride + Your home ye glorified; + But, in the end, the Furies gathered round + With chants of boding sound, + + Shrieking, _In wild defeat and disarray, + Behold, ye pass away_! + The sign of Ruin standeth at the gate, + There, where they strove with Fate-- + And the ill power beheld the brothers' fall, + And triumphed over all! + ANTIGONE, ISMENE, _and_ CHORUS + (_Processional Chant_) + + Thou wert smitten, in smiting, + Thou didst slay, and wert slain-- + By the spear of each other + Ye lie on the plain, + And ruthless the deed that ye wrought was, + and ruthless the death of the twain! + + Take voice, O my sorrow! + Flow tear upon tear-- + Lay the slain by the slayer, + Made one on the bier! + Our soul in distraction is lost, + and we mourn o'er the prey of the spear! + + Ah, woe for your ending, + Unbrotherly wrought! + And woe for the issue, + The fray that ye fought, + The doom of a mutual slaughter + whereby to the grave ye are brought! + + Ah, twofold the sorrow-- + The heard and the seen! + And double the tide + Of our tears and our teen, + As we stand by our brothers in death + and wail for the love that has been! + + O grievous the fate + That attends upon wrong! + Stern ghost of our sire, + Thy vengeance is long! + Dark Fury of hell and of death, the hands of thy + kingdom are strong! + + O dark were the sorrows + That exile hath known! + He slew, but returned not + Alive to his own! + He struck down a brother, but fell, in the moment of + triumph hewn down! + + O lineage accurst, + O doom and despair! + Alas, for their quarrel, + The brothers that were! + And woe! for their pitiful end, who once were our + love and our care! + + O grievous the fate + That attends upon wrong! + Stern ghost of our sire, + Thy vengeance is long! + Dark Fury of hell and of death, the hands of thy + kingdom are strong! + + By proof have ye learnt it! + At once and as one, + O brothers beloved, + To death ye were done! + Ye came to the strife of the sword, and behold! ye + are both overthrown! + + O grievous the tale is, + And grievous their fall, + To the house, to the land, + And to me above all! + Ah God! for the curse that hath come, the sin and + the ruin withal! + + O children distraught, + Who in madness have died! + Shall ye rest with old kings + In the place of their pride? + Alas for the wrath of your sire if he findeth you laid + by his side! + [_Enter a_ HERALD. + +HERALD + + I bear command to tell to one and all + What hath approved itself and now is law, + Ruled by the counsellors of Cadmus' town. + For this Eteocles, it is resolved + To lay him on his earth-bed, in this soil, + Not without care and kindly sepulture. + For why? he hated those who hated us, + And, with all duties blamelessly performed + Unto the sacred ritual of his sires, + He met such end as gains our city's grace,-- + With auspices that do ennoble death. + Such words I have in charge to speak of him: + But of his brother Polynices, this-- + Be he cast out unburied, for the dogs + To rend and tear: for he presumed to waste + The land of the Cadmeans, had not Heaven-- + Some god of those who aid our fatherland-- + Opposed his onset, by his brother's spear, + To whom, tho' dead, shall consecration come! + Against him stood this wretch, and brought a horde + Of foreign foemen, to beset our town. + He therefore shall receive his recompense, + Buried ignobly in the maw of kites-- + No women-wailers to escort his corpse + Nor pile his tomb nor shrill his dirge anew-- + Unhouselled, unattended, cast away! + So, for these brothers, doth our State ordain. + +ANTIGONE + + And I--to those who make such claims of rule + In Cadmus' town--I, though no other help, + (_Pointing to the body of_ POLYNICES) + I, I will bury this my brother's corse + And risk your wrath and what may come of it! + It shames me not to face the State, and set + Will against power, rebellion resolute: + Deep in my heart is set my sisterhood, + My common birthright with my brothers, born + All of one womb, her children who, for woe, + Brought forth sad offspring to a sire ill-starred. + Therefore, my soul! take thou thy willing share, + In aid of him who now can will no more, + Against this outrage: be a sister true, + While yet thou livest, to a brother dead! + Him never shall the wolves with ravening maw + Rend and devour: I do forbid the thought! + I for him, I--albeit a woman weak-- + In place of burial-pit, will give him rest + By this protecting handful of light dust + Which, in the lap of this poor linen robe, + I bear to hallow and bestrew his corpse + With the due covering. Let none gainsay! + Courage and craft shall arm me, this to do. + +HERALD + + I charge thee, not to flout the city's law! + +ANTIGONE + + I charge thee, use no useless heralding! + +HERALD + + Stern is a people newly 'scaped from death. + +ANTIGONE + + Whet thou their sternness! Burial he shall have. + +HERALD + + How? Grace of burial, to the city's foe? + +ANTIGONE + + God hath not judged him separate in guilt. + +HERALD + + True--till he put this land in jeopardy. + +ANTIGONE + + His rights usurped, he answered wrong with wrong. + +HERALD + + Nay--but for one man's sin he smote the State. + +ANTIGONE + + Contention doth out-talk all other gods! + Prate thou no more--I will to bury him. + +HERALD + + Will, an thou wilt! but I forbid the deed. + [_Exit_ the HERALD. + +CHORUS + + Exulting Fates, who waste the line + And whelm the house of Oedipus! + Fiends, who have slain, in wrath condign, + The father and the children thus! + What now befits it that I do, + What meditate, what undergo? + Can I the funeral rite refrain, + Nor weep for Polynices slain? + But yet, with fear I shrink and thrill, + Presageful of the city's will! + Thou, O Eteocles, shalt have + Full rites, and mourners at thy grave, + But he, thy brother slain, shall he, + With none to weep or cry _Alas_, + To unbefriended burial pass? + Only one sister o'er his bier, + To raise the cry and pour the tear-- + Who can obey such stern decree? + +SEMI-CHORUS + + Let those who hold our city's sway + Wreak, or forbear to wreak, their will + On those who cry, _Ah, well-a-day_! + Lamenting Polynices still! + We will go forth and, side by side + With her, due burial will provide! + Royal he was; to him be paid + Our grief, wherever he be laid! + The crowd may sway, and change, and still + Take its caprice for Justice' will! + But we this dead Eteocles, + As Justice wills and Right decrees, + Will bear unto his grave! + For--under those enthroned on high + And Zeus' eternal royalty-- + He unto us salvation gave! + He saved us from a foreign yoke,-- + A wild assault of outland folk, + A savage, alien wave! + [_Exeunt_. + + + + +PROMETHEUS BOUND + + + + +ARGUMENT + +In the beginning, Ouranos and Gaia held sway over Heaven and Earth. +And manifold children were born unto them, of whom were Cronos, and +Okeanos, and the Titans, and the Giants. But Cronos cast down his +father Ouranos, and ruled in his stead, until Zeus his son cast him +down in his turn, and became King of Gods and men. Then were the +Titans divided, for some had good will unto Cronos, and others unto +Zeus; until Prometheus, son of the Titan lapetos, by wise counsel, +gave the victory to Zeus. But Zeus held the race of mortal men in +scorn, and was fain to destroy them from the face of the earth; yet +Prometheus loved them, and gave secretly to them the gift of fire, +and arts whereby they could prosper upon the earth. Then was Zeus +sorely angered with Prometheus, and bound him upon a mountain, and +afterward overwhelmed him in an earthquake, and devised other +torments against him for many ages; yet could he not slay Prometheus, +for he was a God. + + + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + STRENGTH AND FORCE. + HEPHAESTUS. + PROMETHEUS. + CHORUS OF SEA-NYMPHS, + DAUGHTERS OF OCEANUS. + OCEANUS. + IO. + HERMES. + + _Scene--A rocky ravine in the mountains of Scythia_. + + +STRENGTH + + Lo, the earth's bound and limitary land, + The Scythian steppe, the waste untrod of men! + Look to it now, Hephaestus--thine it is, + Thy Sire obeying, this arch-thief to clench + Against the steep-down precipice of rock, + With stubborn links of adamantine chain. + Look thou: thy flower, the gleaming plastic fire, + He stole and lent to mortal man--a sin + That gods immortal make him rue to-day, + Lessoned hereby to own th' omnipotence + Of Zeus, and to repent his love to man! + +HEPHAESTUS + + O Strength and Force, for you the best of Zeus + Stands all achieved, and nothing bars your will: + But I--I dare not bind to storm-vext cleft + One of our race, immortal as are we. + Yet, none the less, necessity constrains, + For Zeus, defied, is heavy in revenge! + (_To PROMETHEUS_) + + O deep-devising child of Themis sage, + Small will have I to do, or thou to bear, + What yet we must. Beyond the haunt of man + Unto this rock, with fetters grimly forged, + I must transfix and shackle up thy limbs, + Where thou shalt mark no voice nor human form, + But, parching in the glow and glare of sun, + Thy body's flower shall suffer a sky-change; + And gladly wilt thou hail the hour when Night + Shall in her starry robe invest the day, + Or when the Sun shall melt the morning rime. + But, day or night, for ever shall the load + Of wasting agony, that may not pass, + Wear thee away; for know, the womb of Time + Hath not conceived a power to set thee free. + Such meed thou hast, for love toward mankind + For thou, a god defying wrath of gods, + Beyond the ordinance didst champion men, + And for reward shalt keep a sleepless watch, + Stiff-kneed, erect, nailed to this dismal rock, + With manifold laments and useless cries + Against the will inexorable of Zeus. + Hard is the heart of fresh-usurped power! + +STRENGTH + + Enough of useless ruth! why tarriest thou? + Why pitiest one whom all gods wholly hate, + One who to man gave o'er thy privilege? + +HEPHAESTUS + + Kinship and friendship wring my heart for him. + +STRENGTH + + Ay--but how disregard our Sire's command? + Is not thy pity weaker than thy fear? + +HEPHAESTUS + + Ruthless as ever, brutal to the full! + +STRENGTH + + Tears can avail him nothing: strive not thou, + Nor waste thine efforts thus unaidingly. + + +HEPHAESTUS + + Out on my cursed mastery of steel! + +STRENGTH + + Why curse it thus? In sooth that craft of thine + Standeth assoiled of all that here is wrought. + +HEPHAESTUS + + Would that some other were endowed therewith! + +STRENGTH + + All hath its burden, save the rule of Heaven, + And freedom is for Zeus, and Zeus alone. + +HEPHAESTUS + + I know it; I gainsay no word hereof. + +STRENGTH + + Up, then, and hasten to do on his bonds, + Lest Zeus behold thee indolent of will! + +HEPHAESTUS + + Ah well--behold the armlets ready now! + +STRENGTH + + Then cast them round his arms and with sheer strength + Swing down the hammer, clinch him to the crags. + +HEPHAESTUS + + Lo, 'tis toward--no weakness in the work! + +STRENGTH + + Smite harder, wedge it home--no faltering here! + He hath a craft can pass th' impassable! + +HEPHAESTUS + + This arm is fast, inextricably bound. + +STRENGTH + + Then shackle safe the other, that he know + His utmost craft is weaker far than Zeus. + +HEPHAESTUS + + He, but none other, can accuse mine art! + +STRENGTH + + Now, strong and sheer, drive thro' from breast to back + The adamantine wedge's stubborn fang. + +HEPHAESTUS + + Alas, Prometheus! I lament thy pain. + +STRENGTH + + Thou, faltering and weeping sore for those + Whom Zeus abhors! 'ware, lest thou rue thy tears! + +HEPHAESTUS + + Thou gazest on a scene that poisons sight. + +STRENGTH + + I gaze on one who suffers his desert. + Now between rib and shoulder shackle him-- + +HEPHAESTUS + + Do it I must--hush thy superfluous charge! + +STRENGTH + + Urge thee I will--ay, hound thee to the prey. + Step downward now, enring his legs amain! + +HEPHAESTUS + + Lo, it is done--'twas but a moment's toil. + +STRENGTH + + Now, strongly strike, drive in the piercing gyves-- + Stern is the power that oversees thy task! + +HEPHAESTUS + + Brutish thy form, thy speech brutality! + +STRENGTH + + Be gentle, an thou wilt, but blame not me + For this my stubbornness and anger fell! + +HEPHAESTUS + + Let us go hence; his legs are firmly chained. + +STRENGTH (_To_ PROMETHEUS) + + Aha! there play the insolent, and steal, + For creatures of a day, the rights of gods! + O deep delusion of the powers that named thee + Prometheus, the Fore-thinker! thou hast need + Of others' forethought and device, whereby + Thou may'st elude this handicraft of ours! + [_Exeunt_ HEPHAESTUS, STRENGTH, + _and_ FORCE.--_A pause_. + + +PROMETHEUS + + O Sky divine, O Winds of pinions swift, + O fountain-heads of Rivers, and O thou, + Illimitable laughter of the Sea! + O Earth, the Mighty Mother, and thou Sun, + Whose orbed light surveyeth all--attest, + What ills I suffer from the gods, a god! + Behold me, who must here sustain + The marring agonies of pain, + Wrestling with torture, doomed to bear + Eternal ages, year on year! + Such and so shameful is the chain + Which Heaven's new tyrant doth ordain + To bind me helpless here. + Woe! for the ruthless present doom! + Woe! for the Future's teeming womb! + On what far dawn, in what dim skies, + Shall star of my deliverance rise? + + Truce to this utterance! to its dimmest verge + I do foreknow the future, hour by hour, + Nor can whatever pang may smite me now + Smite with surprise. The destiny ordained + I must endure to the best, for well I wot + That none may challenge with Necessity. + Yet is it past my patience, to reveal, + Or to conceal, these issues of my doom. + Since I to mortals brought prerogatives, + Unto this durance dismal am I bound: + Yea, I am he who in a fennel-stalk, + By stealthy sleight, purveyed the fount of fire, + The teacher, proven thus, and arch-resource + Of every art that aideth mortal men. + Such was my sin: I earn its recompense, + Rock-riveted, and chained in height and cold. + [_A pause_. + Listen! what breath of sound, + what fragrance soft hath risen + Upward to me? is it some godlike essence, + Or being half-divine, or mortal presence? + Who to the world's end comes, unto my craggy prison? + Craves he the sight of pain, or what would he behold? + Gaze on a god in tortures manifold, + Heinous to Zeus, and scorned by all + Whose footsteps tread the heavenly hall, + Because too deeply, from on high, + I pitied man's mortality! + Hark, and again! that fluttering sound + Of wings that whirr and circle round, + And their light rustle thrills the air-- + How all things that unseen draw near + Are to me Fear! + [_Enter the_ CHORUS OF OCEANIDES, + _in winged cars_] + CHORUS + + Ah, fear us not! as friends, with rivalry + Of swiftly-vying wings, we came together + Unto this rock and thee! + With our sea-sire we pleaded hard, until + We won him to our will, + And swift the wafting breezes bore us hither. + The heavy hammer's steely blow + Thrilled to our ocean-cavern from afar, + Banished soft shyness from our maiden brow, + And with unsandalled feet we come, in winged car! + +PROMETHEUS + + Ah well-a-day! ye come, ye come + From the Sea-Mother's teeming home-- + Children of Tethys and the sire + Who around Earth rolls, gyre on gyre, + His sleepless ocean-tide! + Look on me--shackled with what chain, + Upon this chasm's beetling side + I must my dismal watch sustain! + +CHORUS + + Yea, I behold, Prometheus! and my fears + Draw swiftly o'er mine eyes a mist fulfilled of tears, + When I behold thy frame + Bound, wasting on the rock, and put to shame + By adamantine chains! + The rudder and the rule of Heaven + Are to strange pilots given: + Zeus with new laws and strong caprice holds sway, + Unkings the ancient Powers, their might constrains, + And thrusts their pride away! + +PROMETHEUS + + Had he but hurled me, far beneath + The vast and ghostly halls of Death, + Down to the limitless profound Of Tartarus, + in fetters bound, Fixed by his unrelenting hand! + So had no man, nor God on high, + Exulted o'er mine agony-- + But now, a sport to wind and sky, + Mocked by my foes, I stand! + +CHORUS + + What God can wear such ruthless heart + As to delight in ill? + Who in thy sorrow bears not part? + Zeus, Zeus alone! for he, with wrathful will, + Clenched and inflexible, + Bears down Heaven's race--nor end shall be, till hate + His soul shall satiate, + Or till, by some device, some other hand + Shall wrest from him his sternly-clasped command! + +PROMETHEUS + + Yet,--though in shackles close and strong + I lie in wasting torments long,--- + Yet the new tyrant, 'neath whose nod + Cowers down each blest subservient god, + One day, far hence, my help shall need, + The destined stratagem to read, + Whereby, in some yet distant day, + Zeus shall be reaved of pride and sway: + And no persuasion's honied spell + Shall lure me on, the tale to tell; + And no stern threat shall make me cower + And yield the secret to his power, + Until his purpose be foregone, + And shackles yield, and he atone + The deep despite that he hath done! + +CHORUS + + O strong in hardihood, thou striv'st amain + Against the stress of pain! + But yet too free, too resolute thy tongue + In challenging thy wrong! + Ah, shuddering dread doth make my spirit quiver, + And o'er thy fate sits Fear! + I see not to what shore of safety ever + Thy bark can steer-- + In depths unreached the will of Zeus doth dwell, + Hidden, implacable! + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay, stern is Zeus, and Justice stands, + Wrenched to his purpose, in his hands-- + Yet shall he learn, perforce, to know + A milder mood, when falls the blow-- + His ruthless wrath he shall lay still, + And he and I with mutual will + In concord's bond shall go. + +CHORUS + + Unveil, say forth to us the tale entire, + Under what imputation Zeus laid hands + On thee, to rack thee thus with shameful pangs? + Tell us--unless the telling pain thee--all! + +PROMETHEUS + + Grievous alike are these things for my tongue, + Grievous for silence--rueful everyway. + Know that, when first the gods began their strife, + And heaven was all astir with mutual feud-- + Some willing to fling Cronos from his throne, + And set, forsooth, their Zeus on high as king, + And other some in contrariety + Striving to bar him from heaven's throne for aye-- + Thereon I sought to counsel for the best + The Titan brood of Ouranos and Earth; + Yet I prevailed not, for they held in scorn + My glozing wiles, and, in their hardy pride, + Deemed that sans effort they could grasp the sway. + But, for my sake, my mother Themis oft, + And Earth, one symbol of names manifold, + Had held me warned, how in futurity + It stood ordained that not by force or power, + But by some wile, the victors must prevail. + In such wise I interpreted; but they + Deigned not to cast their heed thereon at all. + Then, of things possible, I deemed it best, + Joining my mother's wisdom to mine own, + To range myself with Zeus, two wills in one. + Thus, by device of mine, the murky depth + Of Tartarus enfoldeth Cronos old + And those who strove beside him. Such the aid + I gave the lord of heaven--my meed for which + He paid me thus, a penal recompense! + For 'tis the inward vice of tyranny, + To deem of friends as being secret foes. + Now, to your question--hear me clearly show + On what imputed fault he tortures me. + Scarce was he seated on his father's throne, + When he began his doles of privilege + Among the lesser gods, allotting power + In trim division; while of mortal men + Nothing he recked, nor of their misery + Nay, even willed to blast their race entire + To nothingness, and breed another brood; + And none but I was found to cross his will. + I dared it, I alone; I rescued men + From crushing ruin and th' abyss of hell-- + Therefore am I constrained in chastisement + Grievous to bear and piteous to behold,-- + Yea, firm to feel compassion for mankind, + Myself was held unworthy of the same-- + Ay, beyond pity am I ranged and ruled + To sufferance--a sight that shames his sway! + +CHORUS + + A heart of steel, a mould of stone were he, + Who could complacently behold thy pains + I came not here as craving for this sight, + And, seeing it, I stand heart-wrung with pain. + +PROMETHEUS + + Yea truly, kindly eyes must pity me! + +CHORUS + + Say, didst thou push transgression further still? + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay, man thro' me ceased to foreknow his death. + +CHORUS + + What cure couldst thou discover for this curse? + +PROMETHEUS + + Blind hopes I sent to nestle in man's heart. + +CHORUS + + This was a goodly gift thou gavest them. + +PROMETHEUS + + Yet more I gave them, even the boon of fire. + +CHORUS + + What? radiant fire, to things ephemeral? + +PROMETHEUS + + Yea--many an art too shall they learn thereby! + +CHORUS + + Then, upon imputation of such guilt, + Doth Zeus without surcease torment thee thus? + Is there no limit to thy course of pain? + +PROMETHEUS + + None, till his own will shall decree an end. + +CHORUS + + And how shall he decree it? say, what hope? + Seest thou not thy sin? yet of that sin + It irks me sore to speak, as thee to hear. + Nay, no more words hereof; bethink thee now, + From this ordeal how to find release. + +PROMETHEUS + + Easy it is, for one whose foot is set + Outside the slough of pain, to lesson well + With admonitions him who lies therein. + With perfect knowledge did I all I did, + I willed to sin, and sinned, I own it all-- + I championed men, unto my proper pain. + Yet scarce I deemed that, in such cruel doom, + Withering upon this skyey precipice, + I should inherit lonely mountain crags, + Here, in a vast tin-neighboured solitude. + Yet list not to lament my present pains, + But, stepping from your cars unto the ground, + Listen, the while I tell the future fates + Now drawing near, until ye know the whole. + Grant ye, O grant my prayer, be pitiful + To one now racked with woe! the doom of pain + Wanders, but settles, soon or late, on all. + +CHORUS + + To willing hearts, and schooled to feel, + Prometheus, came thy tongue's appeal; + Therefore we leave, with lightsome tread, + The flying cars in which we sped-- + We leave the stainless virgin air + Where winged creatures float and fare, + And by thy side, on rocky land, + Thus gently we alight and stand, + Willing, from end to end, to know + Thine history of woe. + [_The_ CHORUS _alight from their winged cars. + Enter_ OCEANUS, _mounted on a griffin_. +OCEANUS + + Thus, over leagues and leagues of space + I come, Prometheus, to thy place-- + By will alone, not rein, I guide + The winged thing on which I ride; + And much, be sure, I mourn thy case-- + Kinship is Pity's bond, I trow; + And, wert thou not akin, I vow + None other should have more than thou + Of my compassion's grace! + 'Tis said, and shall be proved; no skill + Have I to gloze and feign goodwill! + Name but some mode of helpfulness, + And thou wilt in a trice confess + That I, Oceanus, am best + Of all thy friends, and trustiest. + +PROMETHEUS + + Ho, what a sight of marvel! what, thou too + Comest to contemplate my pains, and darest-- + (Yet how, I wot not!) leaving far behind + The circling tide, thy namefellow, and those + Rock-arched, self-hollowed caverns--thus to come + Unto this land, whose womb bears iron ore? + Art come to see my lot, resent with me + The ills I bear? Well, gaze thy fill! behold + Me, friend of Zeus, part-author of his power-- + Mark, in what ruthlessness he bows me down! + +OCEANUS + + Yea, I behold, Prometheus! and would warn + Thee, spite of all thy wisdom, for thy weal! + Learn now thyself to know, and to renew + A rightful spirit within thee, for, made new + With pride of place, sits Zeus among the gods! + Now, if thou choosest to fling forth on him + Words rough with anger thus and edged with scorn, + Zeus, though he sit aloof, afar, on high, + May hear thine utterance, and make thee deem + His present wrath a mere pretence of pain. + Banish, poor wretch! the passion of thy soul, + And seek, instead, acquittance from thy pangs! + Belike my words seem ancientry to thee-- + Such, natheless, O Prometheus, is the meed + That doth await the overweening tongue! + Meek wert thou never, wilt not crouch to pain, + But, set amid misfortunes, cravest more! + Now--if thou let thyself be schooled by me-- + Thou must not kick against the goad. Thou knowest, + A despot rules, harsh, resolute, supreme, + Whose law is will. Yet shall I go to him, + With all endeavour to relieve thy plight-- + So thou wilt curb the tempest of thy tongue! + Surely thou knowest, in thy wisdom deep, + The saw--_Who vaunts amiss, quick pain is his_. + +PROMETHEUS + + O enviable thou, and unaccused-- + Thou who wast art and part in all I dared! + And now, let be! make this no care of thine, + For Zeus is past persuasion--urge him not! + Look to thyself, lest thine emprise thou rue. + +OCEANUS + + Thou hast more skill to school thy neighbour's fault + Than to amend thine own: 'tis proved and plain, + By fact, not hearsay, that I read this well. + Yet am I fixed to go--withhold me not-- + Assured I am, assured, that Zeus will grant + The boon I crave, the loosening of thy bonds. + +PROMETHEUS + + In part I praise thee, to the end will praise; + Goodwill thou lackest not, but yet forbear + Thy further trouble! If thy heart be fain, + Bethink thee that thy toil avails me not. + Nay, rest thee well, aloof from danger's brink! + I will not ease my woe by base relief + In knowing others too involved therein. + Away the thought! for deeply do I rue + My brother Atlas' doom. Far off he stands + In sunset land, and on his shoulder bears + The pillar'd mountain-mass whose base is earth, + Whose top is heaven, and its ponderous load + Too great for any grasp. With pity too + I saw Earth's child, the monstrous thing of war, + That in Cilicia's hollow places dwelt-- + Typho; I saw his hundred-headed form + Crushed and constrained; yet once his stride was fierce, + His jaws gaped horror and their hiss was death, + And all heaven's host he challenged to the fray, + While, as one vowed to storm the power of Zeus, + Forth from his eyes he shot a demon glare. + It skilled not: the unsleeping bolt of Zeus, + The downward levin with its rush of flame, + Smote on him, and made dumb for evermore + The clamour of his vaunting: to the heart + Stricken he lay, and all that mould of strength + Sank thunder-shattered to a smouldering ash; + And helpless now and laid in ruin huge + He lieth by the narrow strait of sea, + Crushed at the root of Etna's mountain-pile. + High on the pinnacles whereof there sits + Hephaestus, sweltering at the forge; and thence + On some hereafter day shall burst and stream + The lava-floods, that shall with ravening fangs + Gnaw thy smooth lowlands, fertile Sicily! + Such ire shall Typho from his living grave + Send seething up, such jets of fiery surge, + Hot and unslaked, altho' himself be laid + In quaking ashes by Zeus' thunderbolt. + But thou dost know hereof, nor needest me + To school thy sense: thou knowest safety's road-- + Walk then thereon! I to the dregs will drain, + Till Zeus relent from wrath, my present woe. + +OCEANUS + + Nay, but, Prometheus, know'st thou not the saw-- + _Words can appease the angry soul's disease_? + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay--if in season one apply their salve, + Not scorching wrath's proud flesh with caustic tongue. + +OCEANUS + + But in wise thought and venturous essay + Perceivest thou a danger? prithee tell! + +PROMETHEUS + + I see a fool's good nature, useless toil. + +OCEANUS + + Let me be sick of that disease; I know, + Loyalty, masked as folly, wins the way. + +PROMETHEUS + + But of thy blunder I shall bear the blame. + +OCEANUS + + Clearly, thy word would send me home again. + +PROMETHEUS + + Lest thy lament for me should bring thee hate. + +OCEANUS + + Hate from the newly-throned Omnipotence? + +PROMETHEUS + + Be heedful--lest his will be wroth with thee! + +OCEANUS + + Thy doom, Prometheus, cries to me _Beware_! + +PROMETHEUS + + Mount, make away, discretion at thy side! + +OCEANUS + + Thy word is said to me in act to go: + For lo, my hippogriff with waving wings + Fans the smooth course of air, and fain is he + To rest his limbs within his ocean stall. + [_Exit_ OCEANUS. CHORUS + + For the woe and the wreck and the doom, + Prometheus I utter my sighs; + O'er my cheek flows the fountain of tears + from tender, compassionate eyes. + For stern and abhorred is the sway + of Zeus on his self-sought throne, + And ruthless the spear of his scorn, + to the gods of the days that are done. + And over the limitless earth + goes up a disconsolate cry: + _Ye were all so fair, and have fallen; + so great and your might has gone by_! + So wails with a mighty lament + the voice of the mortals, who dwell + In the Eastland, the home of the holy, + for thee and the fate that befel; + And they of the Colchian land, the + maidens whose arm is for war; + And the Scythian bowmen, who roam + by the lake of Maeotis afar; + And the blossom of battling hordes, + that flowers upon Caucasus' height, + With clashing of lances that pierce, + and with clamour of swords that smite. + Strange is thy sorrow! one only I know + who has suffered thy pain-- + Atlas the Titan, the god, + in a ruthless, invincible chain! + He beareth for ever and ever + the burden and poise of the sky, + The vault of the rolling heaven, + and earth re-echoes his cry. + The depths of the sea are troubled; + they mourn from their caverns profound, + And the darkest and innermost hell + moans deep with a sorrowful sound; + And the rivers of waters, that flow + from the fountains that spring without stain, + Are as one in the great lamentation, + and moan for thy piteous pain. + +PROMETHEUS + + Deem not that I in pride or wilful scorn + Restrain my speech; 'tis wistful memory + That rends my heart, when I behold myself + Abased to wretchedness. To these new gods + I and none other gave their lots of power + In full attainment; no more words hereof + I speak--the tale ye know. But listen now + Unto the rede of mortals and their woes, + And how their childish and unreasoning state + Was changed by me to consciousness and thought. + Yet not in blame of mortals will I speak, + But as in proof of service wrought to them. + For, in the outset, eyes they had and saw not; + And ears they had but heard not; age on age, + Like unsubstantial shapes in vision seen, + They groped at random in the world of sense, + Nor knew to link their building, brick with brick, + Nor how to turn its aspect to the sun, + Nor how to join the beams by carpentry, + In hollowed caves they dwelt, as emmets dwell, + Weak feathers for each blast, in sunless caves. + Nor had they certain forecast of the cold, + Nor of the advent of the flowery spring, + Nor of the fruitful summer. All they wrought, + Unreasoning they wrought, till I made clear + The laws of rising stars, and inference dim, + More hard to learn, of what their setting showed. + I taught to them withal that art of arts, + The lore of number, and the written word + That giveth sense to sound, the tool wherewith + The gift of memory was wrought in all, + And so came art and song. I too was first + To harness 'neath the yoke strong animals, + Obedient made to collar and to weight, + That they might bear whate'er of heaviest toil + Mortals endured before. For chariots too + I trained, and docile service of the rein, + Steeds, the delight of wealth and pomp and pride. + I too, none other, for seafarers wrought + Their ocean-roaming canvas-winged cars. + Such arts of craft did I, unhappy I, + Contrive for mortals: now, no feint I have + Whereby I may elude my present woe. + +CHORUS + + A rueful doom is thine! distraught of soul, + And all astray, and like some sorry leech + Art thou, repining at thine own disease, + Unskilled, unknowing of the needful cure. + +PROMETHEUS + + More wilt thou wonder when the rest thou hearest-- + What arts for them, what methods I devised. + Foremost was this: if any man fell sick, + No aiding art he knew, no saving food, + No curing oil nor draught, but all in lack + Of remedies they dwindled, till I taught + The medicinal blending of soft drugs, + Whereby they ward each sickness from their side. + I ranged for them the methods manifold + Of the diviner's art; I first discerned + Which of night's visions hold a truth for day, + I read for them the lore of mystic sounds, + Inscrutable before; the omens seen + Which bless or ban a journey, and the flight + Of crook-clawed birds, did I make clear to man-- + And how they soar upon the right, for weal, + How, on the left, for evil; how they dwell, + Each in its kind, and what their loves and hates, + And which can flock and roost in harmony. + From me, men learned what deep significance + Lay in the smoothness of the entrails set + For sacrifice, and which, of various hues, + Showed them a gift accepted of the gods; + They learned what streaked and varied comeliness + Of gall and liver told; I led them, too, + (By passing thro' the flame the thigh-bones, wrapt + In rolls of fat, and th' undivided chine), + Unto the mystic and perplexing lore + Of omens; and I cleared unto their eyes + The forecasts, dim and indistinct before, + Shown in the flickering aspect of a flame. + Of these, enough is said. The other boons, + Stored in the womb of earth, in aid of men-- + Copper and iron, silver, gold withal-- + Who dares affirm he found them ere I found? + None--well I know--save who would babble lies! + Know thou, in compass of a single phrase-- + All arts, for mortals' use, Prometheus gave. + +CHORUS + + Nay, aid not mortal men beyond their due, + Holding too light a reckoning of thyself + And of thine own distress: good hope have I + To see thee once again from fetters free + And matched with Zeus in parity of power. + +PROMETHEUS + + Not yet nor thus hath Fate ordained the end-- + Not until age-long pains and countless woes + Have bent and bowed me, shall my shackles fall; + Art strives too feebly against destiny. + +CHORUS + + But what hand rules the helm of destiny? + +PROMETHEUS + + The triform Fates, and Furies unforgiving. + +CHORUS + + Then is the power of Zeus more weak than theirs? + +PROMETHEUS + + He may not shun the fate ordained for him. + +CHORUS + + What is ordained for him, save endless rule? + +PROMETHEUS + + Seek not for answer: this thou may'st not learn. + +CHORUS + + Surely thy silence hides some solemn thing. + +PROMETHEUS + + Think on some other theme: 'tis not the hour, + This secret to unveil; in deepest dark + Be it concealed: by guarding it shall I + Escape at last from bonds, and scorn, and pain. + +CHORUS + + O never may my weak and faint desire + Strive against God most high-- + Never be slack in service, never tire + Of sacred loyalty; + Nor fail to wend unto the altar-side, + Where with the blood of kine + Steams up the offering, by the quenchless tide + Of Ocean, Sire divine! + Be this within my heart, indelible-- + _Offend not with thy tongue_! + Sweet, sweet it is, in cheering hopes to dwell, + Immortal, ever young, + In maiden gladness fostering evermore + A soft content of soul! + But ah, I shudder at thine anguish sore-- + Thy doom thro' years that roll! + Thou could'st not cower to Zeus: a love too great + Thou unto man hast given-- + Too high of heart thou wert--ah, thankless fate! + What aid, 'gainst wrath of Heaven, + Could mortal man afford? in vain thy gift + To things so powerless! + Could'st thou not see? they are as dreams that drift; + Their strength is feebleness + A purblind race, in hopeless fetters bound, + They have no craft or skill, + That could o'erreach the ordinance profound + of the eternal will. + Alas, Prometheus! on thy woe condign + I looked, and learned this lore; + And a new strain floats to these lips of mine-- + Not the glad song of yore, + When by the lustral wave I sang to see + My sister made thy bride, + Decked with thy gifts, thy loved Hesione, + And clasped unto thy side. + [_Enter_ IO, _horned like a cow_.] + +IO + + Alack! what land, what folk are here? + Whom see I clenched in rocky fetters drear + Unto the stormy crag? + for what thing done + Dost thou in agony atone? + Ah, tell me whither, well-a-day! + My feet have roamed their weary way? + Ah, but it maddens, the sting! + it burns in my piteous side! + Ah, but the vision, the spectre, + the earth-born, the myriad-eyed! + Avoid thee! Earth, hide him, + thine offspring! he cometh--O aspect of ill! + Ghostly, and crafty of face, + and dead, but pursuing me still! + Ah, woe upon me, woe ineffable! + He steals upon my track, a hound of hell-- + Where'er I stray, along the sands and brine, + Weary and foodless, come his creeping eyne! + And ah, the ghostly sound-- + The wax-stopped reed-flute's weird and drowsy drone! + Alack my wandering woes, that round and round + Lead me in many mazes, lost, foredone! + O child of Cronos! for what deed of wrong + Am I enthralled by thee in penance long? + Why by the stinging bruise, the thing of fear, + Dost thou torment me, heart and brain? + Nay, give me rather to the flames that sear, + Or to some hidden grave, + Or to the rending jaws, the monsters of the main! + Nor grudge the boon for which I crave, O king! + Enough, enough of weary wandering, + Pangs from which none can save! + Hearken! in pity hold + Io, the ox-horned maid, thy love of old! + +PROMETHEUS + + Hear Zeus or not, I hear and know thee well, + Daughter of Inachus; I know thee driven, + Stung by the gadfly, mazed with agony. + Ay, thou art she whose beauty fired the breast + Of Zeus with passion; she whom Hera's hate + Now harasses o'er leagues and leagues of land. + +IO + + Alack, thou namest Inachus my sire! + Wottest thou of him? how, from lips of pain, + Comes to my woeful ears truth's very strain? + How knowest thou the curse, the burning fire + The god-sent, piercing pest that stings and clings? + Ah me! in frenzied, foodless wanderings + Hither I come, and on me from on high + Lies Hera's angry craft! Ah, men unblest! + Not one there is, not one, that is unblest as I. + But thou--tell me the rest! + Utter the rede of woes to come for me; + Utter the aid, the cure, if aid or cure there be! + +PROMETHEUS + + Lo, clearly will I show forth all thy quest-- + Not in dark speech, but with such simple phrase + As doth befit the utterance of a friend. + I am Prometheus, who gave fire to men. + +IO + + O daring, proven champion of man's race, + What sin, Prometheus, dost thou thus atone? + +PROMETHEUS + + One moment since, I told my woes and ceased. + +IO + + Then should I plead my suit to thee in vain? + +PROMETHEUS + + Nay, speak thy need; nought would I hide from thee. + +IO + + Pronounce who nailed thee to the rocky cleft. + +PROMETHEUS + + Zeus, by intent; Hephaestus, by his hand. + +IO + + For what wrongdoing do these pains atone? + +PROMETHEUS + + What I have said, is said; suffice it thee! + +IO + + Yet somewhat add; forewarn me in my woe + What time shall bring my wandering to its goal? + +PROMETHEUS + + Fore-knowledge is fore-sorrow; ask it not. + +IO + + Nay, hide not from me destiny's decree. + +PROMETHEUS + + I grudge thee not the gift which I withhold. + +IO + + Then wherefore tarry ere thou tell me all? + +PROMETHEUS + + Nothing I grudge, but would not rack thy soul. + +IO + + Be not compassionate beyond my wish. + +PROMETHEUS + + Well, thou art fain, and I will speak. Attend! + +CHORUS + + Nay--ere thou speak, hear me, bestow on me + A portion of the grace of granted prayers. + First let us learn how lo's frenzy came-- + (She telling her disasters manifold) + Then of their sequel let her know from thee. + +PROMETHEUS + + Well were it, Io, thus to do their will-- + Right well! they are the sisters of thy sire. + 'Tis worth the waste and effluence of time, + To tell, with tears of perfect moan, the doom + Of sorrows that have fallen, when 'tis sure + The listeners will greet the tale with tears. + +IO + + I know not how I should mistrust your prayer; + Therefore the whole that ye desire of me + Ye now shall learn in one straightforward tale. + Yet, as it leaves my lips, I blush with shame + To tell that tempest of the spite of Heaven, + And all the wreck and ruin of my form, + And whence they swooped upon me, woe is me! + Long, long in visions of the night there came + Voices and forms into my maiden bower, + Alluring me with smoothly glozing words-- + _O maiden highly favoured of high Heaven, + Why cherish thy virginity so long? + Thine is it to win wedlock's noblest crown! + Know that Zeus' heart thro' thee is all aflame, + Pierced with desire as with a dart, and longs + To join in utmost rite of love with thee. + Therefore, O maiden, shun not with disdain_ + _Th' embrace of Zeits, but hie thee forth straightway + To the lush growth of Lerna's meadow-land, + Where are the flocks and steadings of thy home, + And let Zeus' eye be eased of its desire_. + Night after night, haunted by dreams like these, + Heartsick, I ventured at the last to tell + Unto my sire these visions of the dark. + Then sent he many a wight, on sacred quest, + To Delphi and to far Dodona's shrine, + Being fall fain to learn what deed or word + Would win him favour from the powers of heaven. + But they came back repeating oracles + Mystic, ambiguous, inscrutable, + Till, at the last, an utterance direct, + Obscure no more, was brought to Inachus-- + A peremptory charge to fling me forth + Beyond my home and fatherland, a thing + Sent loose in banishment o'er all the world; + And--should he falter--Zeus should launch on him + A fire-eyed bolt, to shatter and consume + Himself and all his race to nothingness. + Bowing before such utterance from the shrine + Of Loxias, he drave me from our halls, + Barring the gates against me: loth he was + To do, as I to suffer, this despite: + But the strong curb of Zeus had overborne + His will to me-ward. As I parted thence, + In form and mind I grew dishumanized, + And horned as now ye see me, poison-stung + By the envenomed bitings of the brize, + I leapt and flung in frenzy, rushed away + To the bright waters of Cerchneia's stream + And Lerna's beach: but ever at my side, + A herdsman by his heifer, Argus moved, + Earth-born, malevolent of mood, and peered, + With myriad eyes, where'er my feet would roam. + But on him in a moment, unforeseen, + Came Fate, and sundered him from life; but I, + Still maddened by the gadfly's sting, the scourge + Of God's infliction, roam the weary world. + How I have fared, thou hearest: be there aught + Of what remains to bear, that thou canst tell, + Speak on! but let not thy compassion warm + Thy words to cheering falsehood. Worst of woes + Are words that break their promise to our hope! + +CHORUS + + Woe! woe! avaunt--thou and thy tale of bane! + O never, never dared I dream + Such horror of strange sounds should pierce mine ear; + Such loathly sights, such tortures hard to bear, + Outrage, pollution, agony supreme, + Wasting my heart with double edge of pain! + Ah Fate, ah Fate! I gaze on Io's dole, + And shudder to my soul! + +PROMETHEUS + + Thou wailest all too soon, fulfilled of fear-- + Tarry awhile, till thou have learned the whole. + +CHORUS + + Say on, reveal it! suffering souls are fain + To know aright what yet remains to bear. + +PROMETHEUS + + Lightly, with help of mine, did ye achieve + That which ye first desired: from Io's mouth + craved to hear, recounted by herself, + The story of her strivings. Listen now + To what shall follow, to what woefulness + The wrath of Hera must compel this maid. + (_To_ Io) + And thou, O child of Inachus, within + Thine inmost heart store up these words of mine, + That thou may'st learn thy wanderings and their goal. + First from this spot toward the sunrise turn, + And cross the steppe that knoweth not the plough: + Thus to the nomad Scythians shalt thou come, + Who dwell in wattled homes, not built on earth + But borne along on wains of sturdy wheel-- + Equipped, themselves, with bows of mighty reach. + Pass them avoidingly, and leave their land, + And skirt the beaches where the tides make moan, + Till lo! upon the left hand thou shalt find + The Chalybes, stout craftsmen of the steel-- + Beware of them! no gentleness is theirs, + No kindly welcome to a stranger's foot! + Thence to the Stream of Violence shalt thou come-- + Like name, like nature; see thou cross it not, + ('Tis fatal to the forder!) till thou come + Right to the very Caucasus, the peak + That overtops the world, and from its brows + The river pants in spray its wrathful stream. + Thence, o'er the pinnacles that court the stars, + Onward and southward thou must take thy way, + And reach the warlike horde of Amazons, + Maidens through hate of man; and gladly they + Will guide thy maiden feet. That host, in days + That are not yet, shall fix their home and dwell + At Themiscyra, on Thermodon's bank, + Nigh whereunto the grim projecting fang + Of Salmydessus' cape affronts the main, + The seaman's curse, to ships a stepmother! + Then at the jutting land, Cimmerian styled, + That screens the narrowing portal of the mere, + Thou shalt arrive; pass o'er it, brave at heart, + And ferry thee across Macotis' ford. + So shall there be great rumour evermore, + In ears of mortals, of thy passage strange; + And Bosporos shall be that channel's name, + Because the ox-horned thing did pass thereby. + So, from the wilds of Europe wander'd o'er, + To Asia's continent thou com'st at last. + (_To the_ CHORUS) + And ye, what think ye? Seems he not, that lord + And tyrant of the gods, as tyrannous + Unto all other lives? A high god's lust + Constrained this mortal maid to roam the world! + (_To_ Io) + Poor maid! a brutal wooer sure was thine! + For know that all which I have told thee now + Is scarce the prelude of thy woes to come. + +IO + + Alas for me, alas! + +PROMETHEUS + + Again thou criest, with a heifer's low. + What wilt thou do, learning thy future woes? + +CHORUS + + What, hast thou further sorrows for her ear? + +PROMETHEUS + + Yea, a vext ocean of predestined pain. + +IO + + What profit then is life to me? Ah, why + Did I not cast me from this stubborn crag? + So with one spring, one crash upon the ground, + I had attained surcease from all my woes. + Better it is to die one death outright + Than linger out long life in misery. + +PROMETHEUS + + Ill would'st thou bear these agonies of mine-- + Mine, with whose fate it standeth not to win + The goal of death, which were release from pain! + Now, there is set no limit to my woe + Till Zeus be hurled from his omnipotence. + +IO + + Zeus hurled from pride of place! Can such things be? + +PROMETHEUS + + Thou wert full fain, methinks, to see that sight! + +IO + + Even so--his overthrow who wrought my pain. + +PROMETHEUS + + Then may'st thou know thereof; such fall shall be. + +IO + + And who shall wrench the sceptre from his hand? + +PROMETHEUS + + By his own mindless counsels shall he fall. + +IO + + And how? unless the telling harm, say on! + +PROMETHEUS + + Wooing a bride, his ruin he shall win. + +IO + + Goddess, or mortal? tell me, if thou may'st. + +PROMETHEUS + + No matter which--more must not be revealed. + +IO + + Doth then a consort thrust him from his throne? + +PROMETHEUS + + The child she bears him shall o'ercome his sire. + +IO + + And hath he no avoidance of this doom? + +PROMETHEUS + + None, surely--till that I, released from bonds-- + +IO + + Who can release thee, but by will of Zeus? + +PROMETHEUS + + Fate gives this duty to a child of thine! + +IO + + How? Shall a child of mine undo thy woes? + +PROMETHEUS + + Yea, of thy lineage, thirteen times removed. + +IO + + Dark beyond guessing grows thine oracle. + +PROMETHEUS + + Yea--seek not therefore to foreknow thy woes. + +IO + + As thou didst proffer hope, withdraw it not. + +PROMETHEUS + + Two tales I have--choose! for I grant thee one. + +IO + + And which be they? reveal, and leave me choice. + +PROMETHEUS + + I grant it: shall I in all clearness show + Thy future woes, or my deliverance? + +CHORUS + + Nay! of the two, vouchsafe her wish to her + And mine to me, deigning a truth to each-- + To her, reveal her future wanderings-- + To me, thy future saviour, as I crave! + +PROMETHEUS + + I will not set myself to thwart your will + Withholding aught of what ye crave to know. + First to thee, Io, will I tell and trace + Thy scared circuitous wandering mark it well, + Deep in retentive tablets of the soul. + When thou hast overpast the ferry's flow + That sunders continent from continent, + Straight to the eastward and the flaming face + Of dawn, and highways trodden by the sun, + Pass, till thou come unto the windy land + Of daughters born to Boreas: beware + Lest the strong spirit of the stormy blast + Snatch thee aloft, and sweep thee to the void, + On wings of raving wintry hurricane! + Wend by the noisy tumult of the wave, + Until thou reach the Gorgon-haunted plains + Beside Cisthene. In that solitude + Dwell Phorcys' daughters, beldames worn with time, + Three, each swan-shapen, single-toothed, and all + Peering thro' shared endowment of one eye; + Never on them doth the sun shed his rays, + Never falls radiance of the midnight moon. + But, hard by these, their sisters, clad with wings, + Serpentine-curled, dwell, loathed of mortal men,-- + The Gorgons!--he of men who looks on them + Shall gasp away his life. Of such fell guard + I bid thee to beware. Now, mark my words + When I another sight of terror tell-- + Beware the Gryphon pack, the hounds of Zeus, + As keen of fang as silent of their tongues! + Beware the one-eyed Arimaspian band + That tramp on horse-hoofs, dwelling by the ford + Of Pluto and the stream that flows with gold: + Keep thou aloof from these. To the world's end + Thou comest at the last, the dark-faced tribe + That dwell beside the sources of the sun, + Where springs the river, Aethiopian named. + Make thou thy way along his bank, until + Thou come unto the mighty downward slope + Where from the overland of Bybline hills + Nile pours his hallowed earth-refreshing wave. + He by his course shall guide thee to the realm + Named from himself, three-angled, water-girt; + There, Io, at the last, hath Fate ordained, + For thee and for thy race, the charge to found, + Far from thy native shore, a new abode. + Lo, I have said: if aught hereof appear + Hard to thy sense and inarticulate, + Question me o'er again, and soothly learn-- + God wot, I have too much of leisure here! + +CHORUS + + If there be aught beyond, or aught pass'd o'er, + Which thou canst utter, of her woe-worn maze, + Speak on! if all is said, then grant to us + That which we asked, as thou rememberest. + +PROMETHEUS + + She now hath learned, unto its utmost end, + Her pilgrimage; but yet, that she may know + That 'tis no futile fable she hath heard, + I will recount her history of toil + Ere she came hither; let it stand for proof + Of what I told, my forecast of the end. + So, then--to sum in brief the weary tale-- + I turn me to thine earlier exile's close. + When to Molossia's lowland thou hadst come, + Nigh to Dodona's cliff and ridge sublime, + (Where is the shrine oracular and seat + Of Zeus, Thesprotian styled, and that strange thing + And marvel past belief, the prophet-oaks + That syllable his speech), thou by their tongues, + With clear acclaim and unequivocal, + Wert thus saluted--_Hail, O bride of Zeus + That art to be_--hast memory thereof? + Thence, stung anew with frenzy, thou didst hie + Along the shoreward track, to Rhea's lap, + The mighty main; then, stormily distraught, + Backward again and eastward. To all time, + Be well assured, that inlet of the sea + All mortal men shall call Ionian, + In memory that Io fared thereby. + Take this for proof and witness that my mind + Hath more in ken than ever sense hath shown. + (_To the_ CHORUS) + That which remains, to you and her alike + I will relate, and, to my former words + Reverting, add this final prophecy. + (_To_ Io) + There lieth, at the verge of land and sea, + Where Nilus issues thro' the silted sand, + A town, Canopus called: and there at length + Shall Zeus renew the reason in thy brain + With the mere touch and contact of his hand + Fraught now with fear no more: and thou shalt bear + A child, dark Epaphus--his very name + Memorial of Zeus' touch that gave him life. + And his shall be the foison and the fruit + Of all the land enriched by spreading Nile. + Thence the fifth generation of his seed + Back unto Argos, yet unwillingly, + Shall flee for refuge--fifty maidens they, + Loathing a wedlock with their next in blood, + More kin than kind, from their sire's brother sprung. + And on their track, astir with wild desire, + Like falcons fierce closing on doves that flee, + Shall speed the suitors, craving to achieve + A prey forbidden, a reluctant bride. + Yet power divine shall foil them, and forbid + Possession of the maids, whom Argive land + Shall hold protected, when unsleeping hate, + Horror, and watchful ambush of the night, + Have laid the suitors dead, by female hands. + For every maid shall smite a man to death, + Dyeing a dagger's edges in his throat-- + Such bed of love befall mine enemies! + Yet in one bride shall yearning conquer hate, + Bidding her spare the bridegroom at her side, + Blunting the keen edge of her set resolve. + Thus of two scorns the former shall she choose, + The name of coward, not of murderess. + In Argos shall she bear, in after time, + A royal offspring. Long it were to tell + In clear succession all that thence shall be. + Take this for sooth--in lineage from her + A hero shall arise, an archer great, + And he shall be my saviour from these woes. + Such knowledge of the future Themis gave, + The ancient Titaness, to me her son. + But how, and by what skill, 'twere long to say, + And no whit will the knowledge profit thee. + +IO + + O woe, O rending and convulsive pain, + Frenzy and agony, again, again + Searing my heart and brain! + O dagger of the sting, unforged with fire + Yet burning, burning ever! O my heart, + Pulsing with horror, beating at my breast! + O rolling maddened eyes! away, apart, + Raving with anguish dire, + I spring, by frenzy-fiends possest. + O wild and whirling words, that sweep in gloom + Down to dark waves of doom! + [_Exit_ IO. + +CHORUS + + O well and sagely was it said-- + Yea, wise of heart was he who first + Gave forth in speech the thought he nursed-- + _In thine own order see thou wed_! + + Let not the humble heart aspire + To the gross home of wealth and pride; + Nor be it to a hearth allied + That vaunts of many a noble sire. + + O Fates, of awful empery! + Never may I by Zeus be wooed-- + Never give o'er my maidenhood + To any god that dwells on high. + + A shudder to my soul is sent, + Beholding Io's doom forlorn-- + By Hera's malice put to scorn, + Roaming in mateless banishment. + + From wedlock's crown of fair desire + I would not shrink--an idle fear! + But may no god to me draw near + With shunless might and glance of fire! + + That were a strife wherein no chance + Of conquest lies: from Zeus most high + And his resolve, no subtlety + Could win me my deliverance. + +PROMETHEUS + + And yet shall Zeus, for all his stubborn pride, + Be brought to low estate! aha, he schemes + Such wedlock as shall bring his doom on him, + Flung from his kingship to oblivion's lap! + Ay, then the curse his father Cronos spake + As he fell helpless from his agelong throne, + Shall be fulfilled unto the utterance! + No god but I can manifest to him + A rescue from such ruin as impends-- + I know it, I, and how it may be foiled. + Go to, then, let him sit and blindly trust + His skyey rumblings, for security, + And wave his levin with its blast of flame! + All will avail him not, nor bar his fall + Down to dishonour vile, intolerable + So strong a wrestler is he moulding now + To his own proper downfall--yea, a shape + Portentous and unconquerably huge, + Who truly shall reveal a flame more strong + Than is the lightning, and a crash of sound + More loud than thunder, and shall dash to nought + Poseidon's trident-spear, the ocean-bane + That makes the firm earth quiver. Let Zeus strike + Once on this rock, he speedily shall learn + How far the fall from power to slavery! + +CHORUS + + Beware! thy wish doth challenge Zeus himself. + +PROMETHEUS + + I voice my wish and its fulfilment too. + +CHORUS + + What, dare we look for one to conquer Zeus? + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay--Zeus shall wear more painful bonds than mine + +CHORUS + + Darest thou speak such taunts and tremble not? + +PROMETHEUS + + Why should I fear, who am immortal too? + +CHORUS + + Yet he might doom thee to worse agony. + +PROMETHEUS + + Out on his dooming! I foreknow it all. + +CHORUS + + Yet do the wise revere Necessity. + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay, ay--do reverence, cringe and crouch to power + Whene'er, where'er thou see it! But, for me, + I reck of Zeus as something less than nought. + Let him put forth his power, attest his sway, + Howe'er he will--a momentary show, + A little brief authority in heaven! + Aha, I see out yonder one who comes, + A bidden courier, truckling at Zeus' nod, + A lacquey in his new lord's livery, + Surely on some fantastic errand sped! + [_Enter_ HERMES. +HERMES + + Thou, double-dyed in gall of bitterness, + Trickster and sinner against gods, by giving + The stolen fire to perishable men! + Attend--the Sire supreme doth bid thee tell + What is the wedlock which thou vauntest now, + Whereby he falleth from supremacy? + Speak forth the whole, make all thine utterance clear, + Have done with words inscrutable, nor cause + To me, Prometheus! any further toil + Or twofold journeying. Go to--thou seest + Zeus doth not soften at such words as thine! + +PROMETHEUS + + Pompous, in sooth, thy word, and swoln with pride, + As doth befit the lacquey of thy lords! + O ye young gods! how, in your youthful sway, + Ye deem secure your citadels of sky, + Beyond the reach of sorrow or of fall! + Have I not seen two dynasties of gods + Already flung therefrom? and soon shall see + A third, that now in tyranny exults, + Shamed, ruined, in an hour! What sayest thou? + Crouch I and tremble at these stripling powers? + Small homage unto such from me, or none! + Betake thee hence, sweat back along thy road-- + Look for no answer from me, get thee gone! + +HERMES + + Think--it was such audacities of will + That drove thee erst to anchorage in woe! + +PROMETHEUS + + Ay--but mark this: mine heritage of pain + I would not barter for thy servitude. + +HERMES + + Better, forsooth, be bond-slave to a crag, + Than true-born herald unto Zeus the Sire! + +PROMETHEUS + + Take thine own coin--taunts for a taunting slave! + +HERMES + + Proud art thou in thy circumstance, methinks! + +PROMETHEUS + + Proud? in such pride then be my foemen set, + And I to see--and of such foes art thou! + +HERMES + + What, blam'st thou me too for thy sufferings? + +PROMETHEUS + + Mark a plain word--I loathe all gods that are, + Who reaped my kindness and repay with wrong. + +HERMES + + I hear no little madness in thy words. + +PROMETHEUS + + Madness be mine, if scorn of foes be mad. + +HERMES + + Past bearing were thy pride, in happiness. + +PROMETHEUS + + Ah me! + +HERMES + + Zeus knoweth nought of sorrow's cry! + +PROMETHEUS + + He shall! Time's lapse bringeth all lessons home. + +HERMES + + To thee it brings not yet discretion's curb. + +PROMETHEUS + + No--else I had not wrangled with a slave! + +HERMES + + Then thou concealest all that Zeus would learn? + +PROMETHEUS + + As though I owed him aught and should repay! + +HERMES + + Scornful thy word, as though I were a child-- + +PROMETHEUS + + Child, ay--or whatsoe'er hath less of brain-- + Thou, deeming thou canst wring my secret out! + No mangling torture, no, nor sleight of power + There is, by which he shall compel my speech, + Until these shaming bonds be loosed from me. + So, let him fling his blazing levin-bolt! + Let him with white and winged flakes of snow, + And rumbling earthquakes, whelm and shake the world! + For nought of this shall bend me to reveal + The power ordained to hurl him from his throne. + +HERMES + + Bethink thee if such words can mend thy lot + +PROMETHEUS + + All have I long foreseen, and all resolved. + +HERMES + + Perverse of will! constrain, constrain thy soul + To think more wisely in the grasp of doom! + +PROMETHEUS + + Truce to vain words! as wisely wouldst thou strive + To warn a swelling wave: imagine not + That ever I before thy lord's resolve + Will shrink in womanish terror, and entreat, + As with soft suppliance of female hands, + The Power I scorn unto the utterance, + To loose me from the chains that bind me here-- + A world's division 'twixt that thought and me! + +HERMES + + So, I shall speak, whate'er I speak, in vain! + No prayer can melt or soften thy resolve; + But, as a colt new-harnessed champs the bit, + Thou strivest and art restive to the rein. + But all too feeble is the stratagem + In which thou art so confident: for know + That strong self-will is weak and less than nought + In one more proud than wise. Bethink thee now-- + If these my words thou shouldest disregard-- + What storm, what might as of a great third wave + Shall dash thy doom upon thee, past escape! + First shall the Sire, with thunder and the flame + Of lightning, rend the crags of this ravine, + And in the shattered mass o'erwhelm thy form, + Immured and morticed in a clasping rock. + Thence, after age on age of durance done, + Back to the daylight shall thou come, and there + The eagle-hound of Zeus, red-ravening, fell + With greed, shall tatter piecemeal all thy flesh + To shreds and ragged vestiges of form-- + Yea, an unbidden guest, a day-long bane, + That feeds, and feeds--yea, he shall gorge his fill + On blackened fragments, from thy vitals gnawed. + Look for no respite from that agony + Until some other deity be found, + Ready to bear for thee the brunt of doom, + Choosing to pass into the lampless world + Of Hades and the murky depths of hell. + Hereat, advise thee! 'tis no feigned threat + Whereof I warn thee, but an o'er-true tale. + The lips of Zeus know nought of lying speech, + But wreak in action all their words foretell. + Therefore do thou look warily, and deem + Prudence a better saviour than self-will. + +CHORUS + + Meseems that Hermes speaketh not amiss, + Bidding thee leave thy wilfulness and seek + The wary walking of a counselled mind. + Give heed! to err through anger shames the wise. + +PROMETHEUS + + All, all I knew, whate'er his tongue + In idle arrogance hath flung. + 'Tis the world's way, the common lot-- + Foe tortures foe and pities not. + Therefore I challenge him to dash + His bolt on me, his zigzag flash + Of piercing, rending flame! + Now be the welkin stirred amain + With thunder-peal and hurricane, + And let the wild winds now displace + From its firm poise and rooted base + The stubborn earthly frame! + The raging sea with stormy surge + Rise up and ravin and submerge + Each high star-trodden way! + Me let him lift and dash to gloom + Of nether hell, in whirls of doom! + Yet--do he what extremes he may-- + He cannot crush my life away! + +HERMES + + Such are the counsels, such the strain, + Heard from wild lips and frenzied brain! + In word or thought, how fails his fate + Of madness wild and desperate? + (_To the_ CHORUS) + But ye, who stand compassionate + Here at his side, depart in haste! + Lest of his penalty ye taste, + And shattered brain and reason feel + The roaring, ruthless thunder-peal! + +CHORUS + + Out on thee! if thy heart be fain + I should obey thee, change thy strain! + Vile is thine hinted cowardice, + And loathed of me thy base advice, + Weakly to shrink from pain! + Nay, at his side, whate'er befall, + I will abide, endure it all! + Among all things abhorr'd, accurst, + I hold betrayers for the worst! + +HERMES + + Nay, ye are warned! remember well-- + Nor cry, when meshed in nets of hell, + _Ah cruel fate, ah Zeus unkind-- + Thus, by a sentence undivined, + To dash us to the realms below_! + It is no sudden, secret blow-- + Nay, ye achieve your proper woe-- + Warn'd and foreknowing shall ye go, + Through your own folly trapped and ta'en, + Into the net the Fates ordain-- + The vast, illimitable pain! + [_Thunder and lightning_. + +PROMETHEUS + + Hark! for no more in empty word, + But in sheer sooth, the world is stirred! + The massy earth doth heave and sway, + And thro' their dark and secret way + The cavern'd thunders boom! + See, how they gleam athwart the sky, + The lightnings, through the gloom! + And whirlwinds roll the dust on high, + And right and left the storm-clouds leap + To battle in the skyey deep, + In wildest uproar unconfined, + An universe of warring wind! + And falling sky and heaving sea + Are blent in one! on me, on me, + Nearer and ever yet more near, + Flaunting its pageantry of fear, + Drives down in might its destined road + The tempest of the wrath of God! + O holy Earth, O mother mine! + O Sky, that biddest speed along + Thy vault the common Light divine,-- + Be witness of my wrong! + [_The rocks are rent with fire and earthquake, + and fall, burying_ PROMETHEUS _in the ruins_. + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Suppliant Maidens and Other Plays, by AEschylus + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUPPLIANT MAIDENS AND OTHER PLAYS *** + +***** This file should be named 8714.txt or 8714.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/7/1/8714/ + +Produced by Ted Garvin, Robert Prince, Charles Franks and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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