Part 6 (2/2)

But blood of man once spilled, Once at his feet shed forth, and darkening the plain,-- Nor chant nor charm can call it back again.

So Zeus hath willed: Else had he spared the leech Asclepius, skilled To bring man from the dead: the hand divine Did smite himself with death--a warning and a sign.

Ah me! if Fate, ordained of old, Held not the will of G.o.ds constrained, controlled, Helpless to us ward, and apart-- Swifter than speech my heart Had poured its presage out!

Now, fretting, chafing in the dark of doubt, 'Tis hopeless to unfold Truth, from fear's tangled skein; and, yearning to proclaim Its thought, my soul is prophecy and flame.

_Re-enter_ CLYTEMNESTRA

Get thee within thou too, Ca.s.sandra, go!

For Zeus to thee in gracious mercy grants To share the sprinklings of the l.u.s.tral bowl, Beside the altar of his guardians.h.i.+p, Slave among many slaves. What, haughty still?

Step from the car; Alcmena's son, 'tis said, Was sold perforce and bore the yoke of old.

Ay, hard it is, but, if such fate befall, 'Tis a fair chance to serve within a home Of ancient wealth and power. An upstart lord, To whom wealth's harvest came beyond his hope, Is as a lion to his slaves, in all Exceeding fierce, immoderate in sway.

Pa.s.s in: thou hearest what our ways will be.

CHORUS

Clear unto thee, O maid, is her command, But thou--within the toils of Fate thou art-- If such thy will, I urge thee to obey; Yet I mis...o...b.. thou dost nor hear nor heed.

CLYTEMNESTRA

I wot--unless like swallows she doth use Some strange barbarian tongue from oversea-- My words must speak persuasion to her soul.

CHORUS

Obey: there is no gentler way than this.

Step from the car's high seat and follow her.

CLYTEMNESTRA

Truce to this bootless waiting here without!

I will not stay: beside the central shrine The victims stand, prepared for knife and fire-- Offerings from hearts beyond all hope made glad.

Thou--if thou reckest aught of my command, 'Twere well done soon: but if thy sense be shut From these my words, let thy barbarian hand Fulfil by gesture the default of speech.

CHORUS

No native is she, thus to read thy words Unaided: like some wild thing of the wood, New-trapped, behold! she shrinks and glares on thee.

CLYTEMNESTRA

'Tis madness and the rule of mind distraught, Since she beheld her city sink in fire, And hither comes, nor brooks the bit, until In foam and blood her wrath be champed away.

See ye to her; unqueenly 'tis for me, Unheeded thus to cast away my words.

[_Exit Clytemnestra._

CHORUS

But with me pity sits in anger's place.

Poor maiden, come thou from the car; no way There is but this--take up thy servitude.

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