Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/509

Rh Yea, that its doom may come, I pray,

Ere I such nuptial couch ascend;—

Or other refuge is there, say,

From nuptial-bonds or other saviour friend?

Lift to heaven the voice of wail,

Hymns and supplications sing;—

Prayers that may perchance avail

Rescue from the gods to wring.

View the conflict from the skies,

Great Father!—Violence behold

With righteous and not friendly eyes;

In dear regard do thou thy suppliants hold,—

Zeus, ruler of the earth, all-mighty king!

For Ægyptos' haughty race,

Male of sex, a lawless brood,

Me, poor fugitive, still chase,

And with noiseful clamour rude,

Seek to capture. But thy beam

O'er all is poised,—Thou king supreme;

For say, to mortal men apart from thee,

Dread arbiter, what may accomplished be?

1st. Woe, woe! alas! ah me!

Lo the sea-robber nears the land.

2nd. Wrecked be the pirate ere his hand

On me lays forceful hold.