Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (Cookson).djvu/159

Rh

Yea! And their undivided destiny

Twinned them in death: their evil Genius slew them,

And blotted from the world an ill-starred race.

Such cause we have for thankfulness and tears;

The land is well at ease; that twin-born pair,

Lords and disposers of the Commonwealth,

Have made partition with the hammered steel,

Tough Scyth, of all their substance, scot and lot,

And they shall hold it indefeasibly,

Quieted in possession by the grave!

There, to that final resting place borne down

By the dark current of a father's curse.

The realm is safe: dark earth hath drunk their blood,

The royal blood that like twin fountains rose;

One hour of birth—one hour of combat—one

Of death—dealt mutually by fraternal hands.

[Exit.

O Sovran Zeus, Protecting Powers,

Who have indeed kept safe these well-beloved towers,

Whether shall I rejoice

For that the city stand inviolate

Or shall I rather with a lamentable voice

Weep and bewail her leader's fate?

Ah, cruel doom! Ah, children dead!

Mighty in Quarrel ye have ended

Even as the name portended,

Yea, in your wickedness ye are perished.