Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (1908) Morshead.djvu/101

Rh

Is it in skill of bow and shaft that Athens' men excel?

Nay, they bear bucklers in the fight, and thrust the spear-point well.

And who is shepherd of their host and holds them in command?

To no man do they bow as slaves, nor own a master's hand.

How should they bide our brunt of war, the East upon the West?

That could Darius' valiant horde in days of yore attest!

A boding word, to us who bore the men now far away!

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.