Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/313

Rh Their branches hang denuded of their fruits; And where but late the Isthmus echoed back The loud resounding waters near at hand, Their neighboring waves by but a narrow span Dividing, now have all the waves withdrawn Far seaward, and their voice is faintly heard Upon the shore. Now Lerna backward shrinks, The streams of Inachus have hidden away, The sacred Alpheus sends his waters forth No longer, and Cithaeron lifts no more Its hoary head, for all its snows are gone; While they who dwell in noble Argos fear Their ancient thirst again. E'en Titan's self Stands doubtful whether he shall bid his steeds Run their accustomed course and bring the day, Foredoomed by thee to perish on the way.

[They vanish.]

Chorus: If any god for Argos cares, And Pisa's realm for chariots famed; If any loves the Isthmian state Of Corinth, with its double ports, And two opposing seas; If any joys in the far-seen snows Of Mount Taygetus, which lie Heaped on his loftiest peaks what time The wintry blasts of Boreas blow, But which the summer melts again When breathe the soft Etesian winds, Sail filling; if the Alpheus bright With its cool, clear stream moves any god, Far famed for its Olympic course— Let him his peaceful godhead turn To our affairs; let him avert This dread inheritance of crime; Forbid that in his grandsire's steps The grandson follow, worse than he; And let not worse monstrosities Please generations yet to be.