Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/182

112

Firm based is Justice; Fate of yore

Forged weapon for the blow;

Deep-souled Erinys doth in time restore

Th' avenger to his home, and, lo!

Of ancient blood he pays the score.

[Knocking at the gate.

Boy, hear the knocking, at the outer gate;—

Who is within? Hola! Again I call.—

For the third time I crave a parley here,

If that Ægisthos heeds the stranger's rights.

Well, well, I hear. Who art thou, friend, and whence?

Me to the rulers of this house announce,

For unto them, bearer of news, I come.

Haste, for Night's dusky car rolls on apace,

And time it is for weary traveller

Anchor to drop in hospitable home.

Let one in trust, a woman bearing rule,

Come forth; yet more decorous were a man.

For when by bashfulness the tongue is swayed

Darkened is speech;—boldly man speaks to man,

And tells his message forth without reserve.

[Exit Attendant.