Volume I Part 30 (1/2)

VII

Alien voices round the s.h.i.+ps, Thick as water, shouting Home.

Argives, pale as midnight foam, Wax before her awful lips: White as stars that front the gloom.

VIII

Like a torch-flame that by day Up the daylight twists, and, pale, Catches air in leaps that fail, Crushed by the inveterate ray, Through her s.h.i.+nes the Ten-Years' Tale.

IX

Once to many a pealing shriek, Lo, from Ilion's topmost tower, Ilion's fierce prophetic flower Cried the coming of the Greek!

Black in Hades sits the hour.

X

Still upon her sunless soul Gleams the narrow hidden s.p.a.ce Forward, where her fiery race Falters on its ashen goal: Still the Future strikes her face.

XI

See toward the conqueror's car Step the purple Queen whose hate Wraps red-armed her royal mate With his Asian tempest-star: Now Ca.s.sandra views her Fate.

XII

King of men! the blinded host Shout:- she lifts her brooding chin: Glad along the joyous din Smiles the grand majestic ghost: Clytemnestra leads him in.

XIII

Lo, their smoky limbs aloof, Shadowing heaven and the seas, Fates and Furies, tangling Threes, Tear and mix above the roof: Fates and fierce Eumenides.

XIV

Is the prophetess with rods Beaten, that she writhes in air?

With the G.o.ds who never spare, Wrestling with the unsparing G.o.ds, Lone, her body struggles there.

XV

Like the snaky torch-flame white, Levelled as aloft it twists, She, her soaring arms, and wrists Drooping, struggles with the light, Helios, bright above all mists!

XVI

In his...o...b..she sees the tower, Dusk against its flaming rims, Where of old her wretched limbs Twisted with the stolen power: Ilium all the l.u.s.tre dims!

XVII

O the bliss upon the plains, Where the joining heroes clashed s.h.i.+eld and spear, and, unabashed, Challenged with hot chariot-reins G.o.ds!--they glimmer ocean-washed.

XVIII