New trouble, strange trouble, deep laden with doom,I 1
From the sight-bereft stranger seems dimly to loom!
Or peers Fate through the gloom?
She will move toward her mark or through shining or shade;
Since no purpose of Gods ever idly was made.
Time sees the fulfilment, who lifteth to-day
What was lowly, and trampleth the lofty to clay.
Thunder! Heavens! what a sound!
[page 304][1457-1490] OED. My children! Would but some one in the place
Haste hither Theseus, noblest among men!
ANT. Wherefore, my father? What is thy desire?
OED. These winged thunders of the Highest will soon
Bear me away to the Unseen. Send quickly!
CHORUS.
Again, yonder crash through the fire-startled airI 2
Wing’d from Zeus, rushes down, till my thin locks of hair,
Stiff with fear, upward stare.
My soul shrinks and cowers, for yon gleam from on high
Darts again! Ne’er in vain hath it leapt from the sky,
But flies forth amain to what task Zeus hath given.
I fear the unknown fatal edict of Heaven!
Lightning glares all around!
OED. My daughters, the divinely promised end
Here unavoidably descends on me.
ANT. How dost thou know it? By what certain sign?
OED. I know it perfectly. Let some one go
With speed to bring the lord of Athens hither.
CHORUS.