Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/512

442 Thou speakest, mad with pride;

May mighty Neilos, thee that bred,

O'erwhelm thee, and thy ruthless phrenzy hide!

Off with you to the galley double-prowed,—

Such my command, full speed, let none delay;—

Who captives hale, hold not in awe their locks.

From these altars, father dear,

With the spider's stealthy tread

Or like vision, vision dread,

Seaward now he draggeth me

Woe, alas, ah me!

Mother earth, O mother earth,

Turn aside the voice of fear!

Zeus! great king, thou son of earth!

These gods of Argos fear I not, for they

Nor reared me up, nor nurtured me to eld.

Near me now he rageth, near,

Biped serpent, void of ruth;

Or like viper, whose fell tooth

Wounds the foot, he holdeth me.

Woe, alas, ah me!

Mother earth, O mother earth,

Turn aside the voice of fear!

Zeus! great king, thou son of earth!