Page:House of Atreus 2nd ed (1889).djvu/210

174

I, I dishonoured in this earth to dwell,—

Ancient of days and wisdom! I breathe forth

Poison and breath of frenzied ire. O Earth,

Woe, woe for thee, for me!

From side to side what pains be these that thrill?

Hearken, O mother Night, my wrath, mine agony!

Whom from mine ancient rights the gods have thrust,

And brought me to the dust—

Woe, woe is me!—with craft invincible.

Older art thou than I, and I will bear

With this thy fury. Know, although thou be

More wise in ancient wisdom, yet have I

From Zeus no scanted measure of the same.

Wherefore take heed unto this prophecy—

If to another land of alien men

Ye go, too late shall ye feel longing deep

For mine. The rolling tides of time bring round

A day of brighter glory for this town;

And thou, enshrined in honour by the halls

Where dwelt Erechtheus, shalt a worship win

From men and from the train of womankind,

Greater than any tribe elsewhere shall pay.

Cast thou not therefore on this soil of mine

Whetstones that sharpen souls to bloodshedding,

The burning goads of youthful hearts, made hot

With frenzy of the spirit, not of wine.

Nor pluck as 'twere the heart from cocks that strive,

To set it in the breast of citizens

Of mine, a war-god's spirit, keen for fight,

Made stern against their country and their kin.