Page:The Tragedies of Aeschylus - tr. Potter - 1812.pdf/82

38 To the great gulf of Rhea, thence thy course

Thro' the vex'd billows hither. But know this,

In after times shall that deep gulph from thee

Be call'd th' Ionian, and preserve to men

The memory of thy passage. This to thee,

Proving the prescience of my mind, that sees

More than appears: The rest to you and her,

Resuming my discourse, I speak in common.

On the land's extreme verge a city stands,

Canobus, proudly elevate, nigh where the Nile

Rolls to the sea his rich stream: there shall Jove

Heal thy distraction, and with gentle hand

Sooth thee to peace. Of his high racc a son,

The dusky Epaphus, shall rise, and rule

The wide extended land o'er which the Nile

Pours his broad waves. In the fifth line from him

Fifty fair sisters shall return to Argos

Unwillingly, to fly the kindred beds

Of fifty brothers; these with eager speed,

Swift as the faulcon's flight when he pursues

The dove at hand, shall follow, nor obtain

The nuptials, which th' indignant gods deny.

These shall Pelasgia see by female hands

Welt'ring in gore, the night's convenient gloom

Fav'ring the daring deed; each female draws

The trenchant sword, and in her husband's blood

Stains the broad blade. Thus fatal to my foes

Be love! Yet one shall feel its softer flame

Melting her soul, and from the general carnage

Preserve her husband, choosing to be deem'd

Of base degenerate spirit, rather than stain

Her gentle hands with blood. From her shall Argos

Receive a long imperial line of kings.

The full distinct relation wou'd be tedious.