Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/247

Rh By oath to be revered for evermore,

That never helmsman of the Argive State

Shall hither bear the well-appointed spear.

For we, ourselves, though couching in the grave,

On those who violate these present oaths

By sore perplexities will work, and send

In march despondency, in crossing streams

Omens averse, till they repent their toil.

But unto those who keep this pledge, and honour

Athena's city with confederate spear,

To them will we be gracious evermore.

Hail goddess, and these city-wardens, hail!

Still may your gripe be fatal to your foes,

While victory and safety crown your spear.

[Exit.

1. Ye upstart gods, time-honoured laws

Down-riding, ye have seized my prey.

2. But I, dishonoured, stung by grief,

Woe, woe, my torture to allay,

On all the ground, will cast around

Venom, whose baleful drops shall cause

Where it doth light a sterile blight,

Fatal alike to germ, to leaf.

The pest, O Justice, scouring o'er the plain,

Shall fling abroad its man-destroying stain.

3. I groan anew; what dare? what do?

My pangs the citizens shall rue;

Alas, most wretched are thy daughters, Night!

Enduring this dishonourable slight.