Page:Ajax (Trevelyan 1919).djvu/21

 Heaven-high kindle the flame of death.

But the insolence of thy foes boldly

Thus wanders abroad in the wind-swept glens.

Meanwhile all men mocking

With venomous tongues taunt thee:

But grief in my heart wanes not.

TECMESSA

Liegemen of Aias, ship-companions,

Ye children of earth-sprung Erechthid race,

Lamentation is now our portion, to whom

Dear is the far-off house of Telamon,

Now that the stern and terrible Aias

Lies whelmed by a storm

Of turbid wildering fury.

CHORUS To what evil change from the day's woe now

Has night given birth?

Thou daughter of Phrygian Teleutas, speak;

For a constant love has valiant Aias

Borne thee, his spear-won prisoner bride.

Then hide from us nought that thou knowest.

TECMESSA

How to utter a tale of unspeakable things!

For disastrous as death is the hap you will hear.

In the darkness of night madness has seized

Our glorious Aias: he is ruined and lost.

Hereof in the tent may proof be seen;

Sword-slain victims in their own blood bathed,

By his hand sacrificially slaughtered.

CHORUS

What tidings of the fiery warrior tellest thou,

Not to be borne, nor yet to be disputed,

Rumoured abroad by the chiefs of the Danaan host,