Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/76

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The spear-shaft, rudely snapt in twain

In war's initial battle,—these

For Danaoi as for Trojans he decrees.

As matters stand, they stand; the yet to be

Must issue as ordained by destiny.

Nor altar fires, nor lustral rain

Poured forth, nor tear-drops shed in vain,

The wrath relentless can appease

Of violated sanctities.

But we, unhonoured, weak of frame,

Excluded from that proud array,

Tarry at home, and, age-oppressed,

On staves our child-like strength we lean;

In tender years and age, the same,

Life's current feebly sways the breast;

His station Ares holds no more;

Decrepid Eld, with leafage hoar,

No stronger than a child for war,

Treadeth his triple-footed way,

Like dream in daylight seen.

[Enter, ''followed by a female train. The Chorus sings the following Ode as it advances to take up its usual position round the altar of, adorned with a statue of the god''.]

But Clytemnestra, thou,

Tyndareus' daughter, Argos queen,

What hath befallen? What hast heard?

Confiding in what tidings now

Sendest thou round the altar-kindling word?

Of all the gods who guard the state,

Supernal, or of realms below,