Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/62

44 Haste to thy palace and congratulate Thy mother's house increased by children's sons. [Exit.] Chorus: If it were mine to choose my fate And fashion as I would, I'd trim my sails to the gentle breeze, Lest, by the raging blasts o'erwhelmed, My spars should broken be. May soft and gently blowing winds My dauntless bark lead on; And ever on the middle course, Where safely runs the path of life, May I be traveling. Fearing the Cretan king, 'tis said, And trusting in strange arts, Young Icarus essayed the stars, And strove to conquer birds in flight, On false wings balancing. He fell into the raging sea And his name alone survived. But, wiser far, old Daedalus A safer course midst the clouds pursued, Awaiting his wingéd son. As the timid bird flees the threat'ning hawk, And collects her scattered young; So the father watched till he saw his son Plying his hands in the gulfing sea, Enmeshed in his useless wings. So does he stand in treacherous ways, Whoever goes beyond the bounds Ordained by nature's law. [Enter Messenger from within the palace.] But what is this? The palace gates resound; Behold, it is the royal messenger. With wild and woeful mien he seems to come. Speak out, and tell us what the news thou bring'st.

Messenger: When Oedipus his impious race perceived, And saw the warning fates had been fulfilled;