Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/447

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Of two narrations I will grant thee one.

Set forth the twain, the choice then leave to me.

Granted: Shall I the remnant of thy woes

Plainly declare, or who shall set me free?

Of these to her the former grace vouchsafe

To me the latter; spurn not my request.

To her the sequel of her course disclose,

To me thy rescuer; for this I crave.

Since ye are eager I will thwart you not,

Nor will withhold what ye desire to know.

First, Io, thy vex'd course to thee I'll tell,

Which in thy mind's recording tablets grave.

When thou hast crossed the flood, limit betwixt

Two continents, fronting the burning East

Trod by the sun, [then onward hold thy course.

Fierce northern blasts thou wilt encounter first;