Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (Cookson).djvu/142

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Gain upon gain, and interest to boot!

The hearts of frenzied men are in their mouths:

The tongue's the true accuser of false thoughts.

When Capaneus threatens he's prepared to act

His blasphemies; and when he dareth all

That tongue may dare, with insane zest the man

Challenges heaven and storms the ear of Zeus

With swelling words. But he shall have, y-wis,

Fit answer, when that firebearer comes

Which is the burning bolt, fashioned no wise

In likeness to the warmth of noonday sun.

'Gainst him a man, exceeding slow of speech,

In spirit very fire, we have set;

The might of Polyphontes; a strong tower

By favour of protecting Artemis

And other Gods withal. Pray you proceed:

Another and the gate that he hath drawn.

Death to the braggart! Fall, thunder, and stay him!

ere with leaping he come and with lifting of spear

To despoil my fair home, my virginal bower,—robber

and wrecker and ravisher!

Now for the next gate and the man that drew it:

The third cast fell upon Eteoclus;

Third from the upturned helm, goodly with bronze,

For him leapt forth the lot to hurl his troop

Against Neistae Portals. Round and round

He reins his mares, and they toss high their heads

With gleam of glancing harness,—all on fire

To fall upon the Gate. Their nozzles pipe