PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO. FOR JAMES THORNTON, OXFORD Cambridge: J. HALL & SON Edinburgh: MACLACHLAN & STEWART THE AGAMEMNON OF ÆSCHYLUS. 1 Watchman. Of the Gods I have been asking for a respite from these toils, a remedy for my year's watch; and as I kept watch, like a dog, resting on the roof of the palace of the Atride, with head on hand, I have become acquainted with the host of nightly constellations, those bright powers that bring winter and summer to mortals throned in the upper air (the stars 5 I mean-I know their risings and the setting of others). So now, too, I am watching for the signal-torch, the blaze of fire, bringing tidings from Troy and news of the capture; for so victorious in hopes is our Queen's 10 manly heart. But whenever I resort to my couch, a couch of restlessness beneath the dews, unvisited by dreams, even mine for fear haunts me instead of sleep, so that I cannot close mine eyes in lasting 15 slumber-and when my mind inclines me to whistle or sing, shredding in this remedy,2 a musical charm against sleep-then in tears I bewail the misfortunes of this house, not, as aforetime, managed for the best. But now may there come a happy release from these 20 troubles, and may the beacon appear with good tidings through the gloom! 1 MSS. read μĥкos, not μĥxos; then translate 'during all the length of my year's watch.' 2 There are other ways of translating this passage: (a) Healing my drowsiness with snatches of melody. B |