Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/252

234 For sea, land, heaven, and hell obey my will, And nothing can withstand my potent charms. Then let us bend him; charms will find the way. Deianira: What magic herbs does distant Pontus yield, Or Pindus 'neath the rocks of Thessaly, Where I may find a charm to bend his will? Though Luna leave the stars and fall to earth, Obedient to thy magic; though the crops In winter ripen; though the hurtling bolt Stand still at thy command; though all the laws Of nature be reversed, and stars shine out Upon the noonday skies—he would not yield. Nurse: But Love has conquered e'en the heavenly gods. Deianira: Perhaps by one alone he will himself Be conquered, and give spoils of war to him, And so become Alcides' latest task. But by each separate god of heaven I pray, By this my fear: what secret I disclose Keep hidden thou and close within thy breast. Nurse: What secret wouldst thou then so closely guard? Deianira: I mean no weapons, arms, or threatening flames. Nurse: I can give pledge of faith, if it be free From sin; for sometimes faith itself is sin. Deianira: Lest someone hear my secret, look about; In all directions turn thy watchful gaze. Nurse: Behold, the place is free from curious eyes. Deianira: Deep hidden, far within this royal pile, There is a cave that guards my secret well. Neither the rising sun can reach the spot With its fresh beams; nor can its latest rays, When Titan leads the weary day to rest, And plunges 'neath the ruddy ocean's waves. There lies a charm that can restore to me The love of Hercules. I'll tell thee all. The giver of the charm was Nessus, he Whom Nephele to bold Ixion bore, Where lofty Pindus towers to the skies, And high above the clouds cold Othrys stands.