Page:Acharnians and two other plays (1909).djvu/189

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Once a Carian and a slave, may there be nobly born and free;

Plume himself on his descent, and hatch a proper pedigree.

This second sample of the style of Phrynichus may serve to give us a more distinct idea of it. It seems to have been one of essential grandeur and harmony, but trespassing occasionally into the regions of nonsense.

Thus the Swans in chorus follow,

On the mighty Thracian stream,

Hymning their eternal theme.

Praise to Bacchus and Apollo:

The welkin rings, with sounding wings,

With songs and cries and melodies;

Up to the thunderous Æther ascending:

Whilst all that breathe, on earth beneath,

The beasts of the wood, the plain and the flood,

In panic amazement are crouching and bending;

With the awful qualm, of a sudden calm,

Ocean and air in silence blending.

The ridge of Olympus is sounding on high,

Appalling with wonder the lords of the sky,

And the Muses and Graces

Enthroned in their places,

Join in the solemn symphony.

Nothing can be more delightful than the having wings to wear!

A spectator sitting here, accommodated with a pair,

Might for instance (if he found a tragic chorus dull and heavy)

Take his flight, and dine at home; and if he did not choose to leave ye,

Might return in better humour, when the weary drawl was ended.

Introduce then wings in use—believe me, matters will be mended: