Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (Cookson).djvu/141

Rh Is Melanippus. Ares may decide

With hazard helm-cast how the event shall speed;

But Justice by sure warranty of blood

Commits to him in trust the life of her

Who gave him birth, to shield from thrust of foes.

Just is his cause who fights for his land! Him may the just Gods prosper

and speed!

Yet I see the pale forms of our loved ones lie bleeding, and tremble; for us,

their belovéd, they bleed!

May the Gods grant your prayer—and prosper him!

Electrae Portals fell to Capaneus.

Another Earth-born he,—in height surpassing

The last,—and his proud boast too proud for man.

He monstrously inveighs against these walls

With threats, which may the event forbear to crown!

On this wise boasteth he: 'With or without

God's will, by me the City shall be sacked!

Though Zeus dispute my passage, casting down

His lightning for a stumbling-block of fire,

It lets me not!' He scorns your thunderbolt!

Your forkéd lightning he dubs 'noonday heat!'

And, for device, carries a firebearer,—

An unarmed man,—for weapon in his hands

A blazing torch; and, issuing from his mouth,

This golden challenge, 'I will fire the town.'

Do thou despatch 'gainst such a champion—

But who will stand against him? Who will bide

The man with all his vaunts and never blench?