Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/191

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Fain would I see the messenger and learn

Whether himself was present at the death,

Or if from blind report this tale he heard;

A mind clear-sighted they will not deceive.

[Exit into the palace.

Zeus, great Zeus, how frame my cry

Thine aid to win?

How, invoking thee on high,

My strain begin?

For anon with murderous blow,

Either shall the gory blade

Atreus' royal house o'erthrow,—

Prone in dust for ever laid,—

Or in Freedom's sacred name,

Kindling fire and holy light,

Shall the rightful heir reclaim

Wealth and crown,—his twofold right.

Sole against the tyrant pair,

To such deadly grapple hies

Agamemnon's godlike heir;—

None to follow if he dies!

Crown, oh crown, the great emprize!

Alas, woe's me! Alas!