Page:House of Atreus 2nd ed (1889).djvu/186

150 How oft since then among my fellow-men

I stood and brought no curse. Time cleanses all—

Time, the coeval of all things that are.

Now from pure lips, in words of omen fair,

I call Athena, lady of this land,

To come, my champion: so, in aftertime,

She shall not fail of love and service leal,

Not won by war, from me and from my land

And all the folk of Argos, vowed to her.

Now, be she far away in Libyan land

Where flows from Triton's lake her natal wave,—

Stand she with planted feet, or in some hour

Of rest conceal them, champion of her friends

Where'er she be,—or whether o'er the plain

Phlegræan she look forth, as warrior bold—

I cry to her to come, where'er she be,

(And she, as goddess, from afar can hear,)

And aid and free me, set among my foes.

Thee not Apollo nor Athena's strength

Can save from perishing, a castaway

Amid the Lost, where no delight shall meet

Thy soul—a bloodless prey of nether powers,

A shadow among shadows. Answerest thou

Nothing? dost cast away my words with scorn,

Thou, prey prepared and dedicate to me?

Not as a victim slain upon the shrine,

But living shalt thou see thy flesh my food.

Hear now the binding chant that makes thee mine.

Weave the weird dance,—behold the hour

To utter forth the chant of hell,