Page:House of Atreus 2nd ed (1889).djvu/80

44 Such fears, like dreams we know not to discern.

Old, old and gray long since the time has grown,

Which saw the linkèd cables moor

The fleet when erst it came to Ilion's sandy shore;

And now mine eyes and not another's see

Their safe return.

Yet none the less in me

The inner spirit sings a boding song,

Self-prompted, sings the Furies' strain—

And seeks, and seeks in vain,

To hope and to be strong!

Ah! to some end of Fate, unseen, unguessed,

Are these wild throbbings of my heart and breast—

Yea, of some doom they tell—

Each pulse, a knell.

Lief, lief I were, that all

To unfulfilment's hidden realm might fall.

Too far, too far our mortal spirits strive,

Grasping at utter weal, unsatisfied—

Till the fell curse, that dwelleth hard beside,

Thrust down the sundering wall. Too fair they blow,

The gales that waft our bark on Fortune's tide!

Swiftly we sail, the sooner all to drive

Upon the hidden rock, the reef of woe.

Then if the hand of caution warily

Sling forth into the sea

Part of the freight, lest all should sink below,

From the deep death it saves the bark: even so,

Doom-laden though it be, once more may rise

His household, who is timely wise.