Page:Ten Tragedies of Seneca (1902).djvu/114

94 Phineis avibus præda fugacior:

Hinc illinc gravidis frondibus incubat

Et curvata suis fœtibus, ac tremens

Alludit patulis arbor hiatibus:

Hæc, quamvis avidus, neq patiens moræ,

Deceptus toties tangere negligit,

Obliquatque oculos, oraque comprimit,

Inclusisque famem dentibus alligat:

Sed tunc divitias omne nemus suas

Demittit propius, pomaque desuper

Insultant foliis mitia languidis,

Accenduntque famem, quæ jubet irritas

Exercere manus: has ubi protulit,

Et falli libuit, totus in arduum

Antumnus rapitur, silvaque mobilis.

Instat deinde sitis non levior fame;

Qua cum percaluit sanguis, & igneis

Exarsit facibus, stat miser obvios

Fluctus ore vocans, quos profugus latex

Avertit, sterili deficiens vado,

Conantemque sequi, deserit. hic bibit

Altum de rapido gurgite pulverem.

ATR. , iners, enervis, & (quod maximum

Probrum tyranno rebus in summis reor)

Inulte, post tot scelera, post fratris dolos

Fasque omne ruptum, questibus vanis agis

Iratus Atreus? fremere jam totus tuis

Debebat armis orbis, & geminum mare

Utrinque classes agere: jam flammis agros

Lucere & urbes decuit; ac strictum undique

Micare ferrum. tota sub nostro sonet

Argolica tellus equite: non silvæ tegant

 there a tree droops downwards, with its heavily laden boughs, bending again with the weight of its fruit, and swaying to and fro, plays the part of tempter with its patulous openings—Although hungry and impatient of delay, he fails to reach them, being disappointed as often as he makes the attempt—he averts his eyes, and closes 