Agamemnon
Aeschylus
Aeschylus. The poetical works of Robert Browning, Volume 13. Browning, Robert, translator; Berdoe, Edward, editor. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1889.
- Of this same mother Night — the dawn, I tell thee.
- And who of messengers could reach this swiftness?
- Hephaistos — sending a bright blaze from Ide.
- Beacon did beacon send, from fire the poster,
- Hitherward: Ide to the rock Hermaian
- Of Lemnos: and a third great torch o’ the island
- Zeus’ seat received in turn, the Athoan summit.
- And, — so upsoaring as to stride sea over,
- The strong lamp-voyager, and all for joyance —
- Did the gold-glorious splendour, any sun like,
- Pass on — the pine-tree — to Makistos’ watch-place;
- Who did not, — tardy, — caught, no wits about him,
- By sleep, — decline his portion of the missive.
- And far the beacon’s light, on stream Euripos
- Arriving, made aware Messapios’ warders,
- And up they lit in turn, played herald onwards,
- Kindling with flame a heap of grey old heather.
- And, strengthening still, the lamp, decaying nowise,
- Springing o’er Plain Asopos, — full-moon-fashion
- Effulgent, — toward the crag of Mount Kithairon,