Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/327

Rh Keen scented, on the long leash held, he goes With lowered muzzle questing on the trail. While distant still the game and faint the scent, Obedient to the hash, with silent tongue He goes along; but when the prey is near, With straining neck he struggles to be free, Bays loud against the cautious hunter's check, And bursts from all restraint. When, near at hand, Hot wrath perceives the blood for which it thirsts, It cannot be restrained. Yet must it be. See how his unkempt, matted hair conceals His woeful countenance; how foul his beard. [He now addresses Thyestes.] My promised faith, my brother, will I keep; 'Tis a delight to see thee once again. Come to my arms in mutual embrace; For all the anger which I felt for thee Has melted clean away. From this time forth Let ties of blood be cherished, love and faith; And let that hatred which has cursed us both Forever vanish from our kindred souls. Thyestes: I should attempt to palliate my sins, Hadst thou not shown me such fraternal love; But now I own, my brother, now I own That I have sinned against thee past belief. Thy faithful piety has made my case Seem blacker still. A double sinner he Who sins against a brother such as thou. Now let my tears my penitence approve. Thou, first of all mankind, beholdest me A suppliant; these hands, which never yet Have touched the feet of man, are laid on thine. Let all thy wrathful feelings be forgot, Be utterly erased from off thy soul; And take, O brother, as my pledge of faith These guiltless sons of mine. Atreus: Lay not thy hands Upon my knees. Come, rather, to my arms