Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/277

Rh With steeds yoked three and four abreast,

Terrific to behold.

And dwellers sacred Tmolos near

Are pledged the slavish yoke to cast

On Hellas;—Mardon, Tharubis,

Dread anvils of the spear;

And Mysians skilled the dart to throw;

While Babylon, the golden, sends

Her motley throng, which sweeps along,

Some upon galleys borne, and those

Whose valour trusts the bow.

Thus 'neath the King's commandment dread

Each sabre-wielding race has sped

From Asia's every reign.

Such bloom of men from Persia's plain

Hath gone, and all the Asian earth,

Yearning for those whom from their birth

She fostered, groans amain;

While wives and parents count each day,

Still trembling at the long delay.

Already hath the royal host.

Spoiler of cities, gained the adverse coast;

O'er cordage-fastened raft the channel they