led the darksome womb,
Or in his childhood, or in youth's fair prime,
Or when the hair thick gathered on his chin,
Hath Justice communed with, or claimed him hers,
Nor in this outrage on his Fatherland
Deem I she now beside him deigns to stand.
For Justice would in sooth belie her name,
Did she with this all-daring man consort.
In these regards confiding will I go,
Myself will meet him. Who with better right?
Brother to brother, chieftain against chief,
Foeman to foe, I'll stand. Quick, bring my spear,
My greaves, and armor, bulwark against stones.

From Miss Swanwick's Translation of 'The Seven Against Thebes.'

THE VISION OF CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA

Phoebus Apollo!

CHORUS

Hark!
The lips at last unlocking.

CASSANDRA

Phoebus! Phoebus!

CHORUS

Well, what of Phoebus, maiden? though a name
'Tis but disparagement to call upon
In misery.

CASSANDRA

Apollo! Apollo! Again!
Oh, the burning arrow through the brain!
Phoebus Apollo! Apollo!

CHORUS

Seemingly
Possessed indeed--whether by--

CASSANDRA

Phoebus! Phoebus!
Through trampled ashes, blood, and fiery rain,
Over water seething, and behind the breathing
War-horse in the darkness--till you rose again,
Took the helm--took the rein--

CHORUS

As one that half asleep at dawn recalls
A night of Horror!

CASSANDRA

Hither, whither, Phoebus? And with whom,
Leading me, lighting me--

CHORUS

I can answer that--

CASSANDRA

Down to what slaughter-house!
Foh! the smell of carnage through the door
Scares me from it--drags me toward it--
Phoebus Apollo! Apollo!

CHORUS

One of the dismal prophet-pack, it seems,
That hunt the trail of blood. But here at fault--
This is no den of slaughter, but the house
Of Agamemnon.

CASSANDRA

Down upon the towers,
Phantoms of two mangled children hover--and a famished man,
At an empty table glaring, seizes and devours!

CHORUS

Thyestes and his children! Strange enough
For any maiden from abroad to know,
Or, knowing--

CASSANDRA

And look! in the chamber below
The terrible Woman, l