Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/78

8 Toward spear-poising hand, the palace near,

On lofty station, manifest to sight,

The bird-kings to the navy-kings appear,

One black, and one with hinder plumage white;

A hare with embryo young, in evil hour,

Amerced of future courses, they devour.

Chant the dirge, uplift the wail!

But may the right prevail!

Then the sagacious army-seer, aware

How diverse-minded the Atridan kings,

In the hare-renders sees the martial pair,

And thus, the augury expounding, sings;—

"Priam's stronghold in time this martial raid

Captures, but first the city's store,

The people's wealth, shall fate destroy;

Now from no god may jealous ire

O'ercloud the mighty curb forged against Troy,

Marshalled for battle; for the holy Maid

Is angered at the house, since of her sire

The wingèd hounds the wretched trembler tare,

Mother and young unborn, her special care;

Therefore doth she the eagles' meal abhor.

Chant the dirge, uplift the wail!

But may the right prevail!

For she, the beauteous goddess, loves