Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/451

Rh Of all. Each seeks to save himself. Some naked cling upon the planks Of the broken ship and fight the floods, While others swimming seek the shore. But most, alas! a watery death By fate awaits. Then did the queen In mad despair her garments rend; Her comely locks she tore, and tears Fell streaming down her grieving cheeks. At last, with hope of safety gone, With wrath inflamed, by woes o'ercome, "Dost thou, O son, make this return," She cried, "for that great boon I gave? Such death I merit, I confess, Who bore such monstrous child as thou, Who gave to thee the light of day, And in my madness raised thee high To Caesar's name and Caesar's throne. Oh, rise from deepest Acheron, My murdered husband, feast thine eyes Upon my righteous punishment; For I brought death to thee, poor soul, And to thy son. See, see, I come, Deep down to meet thy grieving shade; And there, as I have merited, Shall I unburied lie, o'erwhelmed By the raging sea." E'en as she spoke, The lapping waves broke o'er her lips, And deep she plunged below. Anon She rises from the briny depths, And, stung by fear of death, she strives With frenzied hands to conquer fate; But, spent with fruitless toil at last, She yields and waits the end. But lo, In hearts which in trembling silence watch, Faith triumphs over deadly fear, And to their mistress, spent and wan With fruitless buffetings, they dare To lend their aid with cheering words