Page:House of Atreus 2nd ed (1889).djvu/58

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As deep and deadly as a curse more loud

Flung by the common crowd:

And, brooding deeply, doth my soul await

Tidings of coming fate,

Buried as yet in darkness' womb.

For not forgetful is the high gods' doom

Against the sons of carnage: all too long

Seems the unjust to prosper and be strong,

Till the dark Furies come,

And smite with stern reversal all his home,

Down into dim obstruction—he is gone,

And help and hope among the lost is none.

O'er him who vaunteth an exceeding fame,

Impends a woe condign;

The vengeful bolt upon his eyes doth flame,

Sped from the hand divine.

This bliss be mine, ungrudged of god, to feel—

To tread no city to the dust,

Nor see my own life thrust

Down to a slave's estate beneath another's heel!

Behold, throughout the city wide

Have the swift feet of Rumour hied,

Roused by the joyful flame:

But is the news they scatter, sooth?

Or haply do they give for truth

Some cheat which heaven doth frame?

A child were he and all unwise,

Who let his heart with joy be stirred,

To see the beacon-fires arise,

And then, beneath some thwarting word,

Sicken anon with hope deferred.