5
Utter'd cry they hear not, in answers hollow reply not.
He rides far already, the mid sea's boundary cleaving,
Strays no mortal along these weeds stretched lonely about me.
Thus to my utmost need chance, spitefuller injury dealing,
Grudges an ear, where yet might lamentation have entry. 170

Jove, almighty, supreme, O would that never in early
Time on Gnossian earth great Cecrops' navies had harbour'd,
Ne'er to that unquell'd bull with a ransom of horror atoning,
Moor'd on Crete his cable a shipman's wily dishonour.
Never in youth's fair shape such ruthless stratagem hiding 175
He, that vile one, a guest found with us a safe habitation.

Whither flee then afar? what hope, poor lost one, upholds thee?
Mountains Idomenean? alas, broad surges of ocean
Part us, a rough rude space of flowing water, asunder.
Trust in a father's help? how trust, whom darkly deserting, 180
Him I turned to alone, my brother's bloody defier?
Nay, but a loyal lover, a hand pledg'd surely, shall ease me.
Surely; for o'er wide water his oars move flexibly fleeting.

Also a desert lies this region, a tenantless island,
Nowhere open way, seas splash in circle around me, 185
Nowhere flight, no glimmer of hope; all mournfully silent,
Loneliness all, all points me to death, death only remaining.

Yet these luminous orbs shall sink not feebly to darkness,
Yet from grief-worn limbs shall feeling wholly depart not,
Till to the gods I cry, the betrayed, for justice on evil, 190
Sue for life's last mercy the great federation of heaven.

Then, O sworn to requite man's evil wrathfully, Powers
Gracious, on whose grim brows, with viper tresses inorbed,
Looks red-breathing forth your bosom's feverous anger;

Now, yea now come surely, to these loud miseries harken, 195
All I cry, the afflicted, of inmost marrow arising,
Desolate, hot with pain, with blinding fury bewilder'd.

Yet, for of heart they spring, grief's children truly begotten,
Verily, Gods, these moans you will not idly to perish.
But with counsel of evil as he forsook me deceiving, 200
Death to his house, to his heart, bring also counsel of evil.

When from an anguish'd heart these words stream'd sorrowful upwards,
Words which on iron deeds