Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (Cookson).djvu/76

64 Lord of lieges, mighty dynast, who made Persia rich and fair;

Whether conquest wingeth onward with the drawing of the bow

Or the ashen-hafted spear-head crowns with victory the foe.

But, behold, a light that shineth with august and godlike rays,

Royal Mother of King Xerxes, regnant Queen of my young days;—

Rapidly her chariot rolleth; in the dust I lay me prone;

Homage, love and loyal duty proffer we in unison.

Queen-Dowager of Persian dames deep-veiled,

Mother of Xerxes and Darius' wife,

Spouse of a god, and not less justly hailed

As to one godlike authoress of life,—

Unless the power that prospered us of yore

Now with our armies goeth out no more!

Therefore am I come forth into the day

From golden courts and that one chamber fair

Where in my arms the great Darius lay.

My heart too feels the canker-fret of care;

Good friends, I have a story for your ears

That wakes within a train of haunting fears.

What if great wealth should scatter in his stride

The prosperous glory that Darius reared,

God being with him? Doubts new-felt divide

My mind. Possessions must not be revered