Page:Ajax (Trevelyan 1919).djvu/25

 But now prostrate beneath so great a woe,

Not tasting food nor drink, he sits among

The sword-slain beasts, motionless where he sank.

And plainly he meditates some baleful deed,

For so portend his words and lamentations.

But, friends!—'twas for this cause I came forth—

Enter and help, if help at all you can:

For by friends' words men so bestead are won.

CHORUS

Child of Teleutas, fearful are thy tidings,

That our prince has been maddened by his griefs.

AIAS [Within]

Alas! Woe, woe!

TECMESSA

Soon, I fear, worse will follow. Heard you not?

'Twas Aias. Oh, how dreadful was that cry.

AIAS

Alas! Woe, woe!

CHORUS

He seems either still frenzied, or else grieving

For his past frenzies, now he sees their work.

AIAS

Alas! My son, my son!

TECMESSA

Woe's me! Eurusakes, 'tis for thee he calls.

What can he purpose?—Where are thou?—Ah, woe!

AIAS

Teucer, come!—Where is Teucer? Will he never

Come back from cattle-raiding?—while I perish!

CHORUS

He seems in his right mind. But open the doors.

Perhaps even the sight of me may sober him.