Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/79

Rh The tender whelps, new-dropped, of creatures rude,

Sparing the udder-loving brood

Of every beast through field or wood that roves,—

Hence with Apollo pleads the seer that he

From these events fair omens will fulfil,

Judging the way-side augury,

Partly auspicious, partly fraught with ill.

Oh! God of healing! thee I supplicate,

Let not the Huntress on the Danaï bring

Dire ship-detaining blasts and adverse skies,

Preluding other sacrifice,

Lawless, unfestive, natal spring

Of feudful jar and mortal hate,

By husband-fear unawed;

For child-avenging wrath, with fear and fraud,

Dread palace-warden, doth untiring wait."

Such woes, with high successes blent,

By Fate on the twain royal houses sent,

Did Calchas from the way-side auguries

Bodeful proclaim:—Then consonant with these,

Chant the dirge, uplift the wail!

But may the right prevail!

Zeus, whoe'er he be, this name

If it pleaseth him to claim,

This to him will I address;

Weighing all, no power I know

Save only Zeus, if I aside would throw

In sooth as vain this burthen of distress.