Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/427

Rh A-gleam on her conqueror's breast. The Stymphalian bird fell down from the clouds By his arrows death-smitten, And the tree which bears the fruit of gold Feared his approach, but, despoiled of its treasures, Lifted high in the air its burdenless branches. Forth from the ravished grove he strode With its golden fruit full laden; in vain Did the deadly, sleepless dragon guard Hear the sound of the musical metal. By triple chains to the upper world The hound of hell was meekly dragged; His three great mouths in silence gaped, Amazed by the light of day. And, greatest of toils, beneath his might, The lying house of Dardanus Was overthrown, and felt the force Of that dread bow which it was doomed In far-off time to feel again.

Ten days sufficed for Troy's first overthrow; As many years her second ruins know.

Cassandra [alone upon the stage, standing where she can see the interior of the palace, describes what is going on there; or else she sees it by clairvoyant power]:

Great deeds are done within, the cruel match For ten long years of suffering at Troy. Alas, what do they there? Arise, my soul, And take reward for thy mad prophecies. The conquered Phrygians are victors now. 'Tis well! O Troy, thou risest from the dust, For thou hast now to equal ruin brought Mycenae too. Low lies thy conqueror. Oh, ne'er before has my prophetic soul So clearly seen the things of which it raved. I see, and no false image cheats my sight, I see it plainly: there, within the hall. A royal feast is spread, and thronged with guests,