Page:The Tragedies of Aeschylus - tr. Potter - 1812.pdf/81

Rh Dwell near the fountains of the sun, and where

The Nigris pours his dusky waters; wind

Along his banks, till thou shalt reach the fall

Where from the mountains with Papyrus crown'd

The venerable Nile impetuous pours

His headlong torrent; he shall guide thy steps

To those irriguous plains, whose triple sides

His arms surround; there have the Fates decreed

Thee and thy sons to form the lengthen'd line.

Is ought imperfect, ought obscure? Resume

Th' inquiry, and be taught with greater clearness:

I have more leisure than I wish to have,

If thou hast ought remaining, ought omitted,

To tell her of her woful wand'rings, speak it:

If all has been declar'd, to us vouchsafe

The grace we ask; what, thou rememb'rest well.

Her wand'ring in full measure has she heard.

That she may know she has not heard in vain,

Her labours pass'd, e'er these rude rocks she reach'd,

Will I recite, good argument that truth

Stamps my predictions sure: nor shall I use

A length of words, but 'speak thy wand'rings briefly.

Soon as thy foot reach'd the Molossian ground,

And round Dodona's ridgy heights, where stands

The seat oracular of Thesprotian Jove,

And, wond'rous prodigy, the vocal groves,

These in clear, plain, unquestionable terms

Hail'd thee "Illustrious wife of Jove that shall be,"

If that may sooth thy soul. The tort'ring sting

Thence drove thee wand'ring o'er the wave-washed strand