Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/434

364

What is ordain'd for Zeus, save aye to reign?

No further may'st thou question; urge me not.

Deep mystery, methinks, thou keepest veil'd.

Turn to some other theme; not meet it is

Now to discourse of this, but close to wrap

In strictest silence; for, this secret kept,

Unseemly bonds I 'scape and tortures keen.

Never may Zeus, who sole doth reign,

My will with adverse might oppose;

Nor I to serve the gods refrain,

With rites of slaughter'd kine, where flows

Father Oceanos' exhaustless tide;

Neither in word may I transgress!

Deep in my heart's recess,

Steadfast for aye may this resolve abide.

'Tis sweet to run life's long career

By hopes attended strong and bold,

Feeding the heart in blithesome cheer;

But thee I shudder to behold