Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/197

Rh For the captured maid he bears. For love, The shining goddess of the night Her dim skies left, and her glittering car To her brother allotted to guide. Untrained In managing the dusky steeds, Within a shorter circuit now He learns to direct his course. Meanwhile The nights no more their accustomed space Retained, and the dawn came slowly back, Since 'neath a heavier burden now The axle trembled. Love compelled Alcmena's son to lay aside His quiver and the threat'ning spoil Of that great lion's skin he bore, And have his fingers set with gems, His shaggy locks in order dressed. His limbs were wrapped in cloth of gold, His feet with yellow sandals bound; And with that hand which bore but now The mighty club, he wound the thread Which from his mistress' spindle fell. The sight all Persia saw, and they Who dwell in Lydia's fertile realm— The savage lion's skin laid by, And on those shoulders, once the prop For heaven's vast dome, a gauzy cloak Of Tyrian manufacture spread. Accursed is love, its victims know, And all too strong. In every land, In the all-encircling briny deep, In the airy heavens where the bright stars course, There pitiless love holds sway. The sea-green band of the Nereids Have felt his darts in their deepest waves, And the waters of ocean cannot quench Their flames. The birds know the passion of love, And mighty bulls, with its fire inflamed, Wage furious battle, while the herd Look on in wonder. Even stags,