Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/340

322 And those monsters huge which never yet Were in the ocean plunged, shall soon Within the all engulfing sea Be swallowed up. And that huge Snake, Which like a winding river glides Between the Bears, shall fall from heaven; United with that serpent huge, The Lesser Bear, congealed with cold, And that slow driver of the Wain No longer stable in its course, Shall all in common ruin fall. Have we, of all the race of men, Been worthy deemed to be o'erwhelmed And buried 'neath a riven earth? Is this our age the end of all? Alas, in evil hour of fate Were we begotten, wretched still, Whether the sun is lost to us Or banished by our impious sins! But away with vain complaints and fear:

Eager for life is he who would not die, Though all the world in death around him lie.

Atreus [entering exultingly]: The peer of stars I move, high over all, And with exalted head attain the heavens! Now are the reins of power within my hands, And I am master of my father's throne. I here renounce the gods, for I have gained The height of my desires. It is enough, And even I am satisfied. But why? Nay, rather, will I finish my revenge, And glut the father with his feast of death. The day has fled, lest shame should hold me back; Act then, while yet the darkness veils the sky. Oh, that I might restrain the fleeing gods, And force them to behold the avenging feast! But 'tis enough, if but the father sees.