Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/219

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4. This godless wight, bitter to parents, thou

As suppliant dost own.

5. A god the matricide has filched away.

6. That aught herein is just will any say?

7. Voice of reproachful blame, to me in dreams that came

Smote me, like charioteer with scourge grasped tight,

8. 'Neath heart and reins. Such chilly pang I know

As from the public scourger's ruthless blow.

9. The upstart doings these of younger deities,

Usurping power beyond the sway of right.

10. Dark-smeared from foot to crown, earth's navel-stone

Blood's horrible defilement now doth own.

11. 12. But Thou, the seer, with hearth-stain hast thy shrine

Polluted, self-invited, self-impelled;

Revering mortal things 'gainst law divine

The Fates thou hast dishonoured, grey with eld.

13. 14. Me while he plagues, himself he shall not free;