Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (1908) Morshead.djvu/95

Rh 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?