Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/259

Rh Along the accustomed track, but sought With wandering wheels to make his way With Phoebus' torch 'midst unknown stars— Himself he ruined and the earth In one destruction. Daedalus The middle course of heaven pursued, And so to peaceful shores attained And gave no sea its name. His son, Young Icarus, dared rival birds In flight, despised his father's wings, And soared high up into the realm Of Phoebus' rays: headlong he fell And to an unknown sea his name He gave. So are great fortunes joined To mighty ills. Let others then as fortunate And great be hailed; I wish no share Of popular renown. My boat Is frail and needs must hug the shore. And let no strong wind force my bark Far out to sea; for fortune spares Safe-harbored boats, but seeks the ships In mid sea proudly sailing on, Their topsails in the clouds. But why with pallid face, in fear, Like some Bacchante smitten sore With madness, comes our princess forth? What new reverse of fortune's wheel Has come to vex thy tortured soul? For though thou speakest ne'er a word, poor queen, Whate'er thou hidest, in thy face is seen.

Deianira: [hurrying distractedly out of the palace]: A nameless terror fills my stricken limbs, My hair stands up in horror, and my soul, But now so passion tossed, is dumb with fear; My heart beats wildly, and my liver throbs