"Salamis, sacred land of my fathers!" cried Ajax, and all the spectators could see Salamis and its glorious gulf. There it lay, sparkling in the sunshine, in the midst of the waves, which still murmur the name of Themistocles; there it lay, with all the memories which its name and sight could recall to the Athenians. "Fair and glorious Athens, sweet sister of my fatherland!" again cried the hero; and not only did he say this in Athens, but Athens was all there centred beneath his gaze.[1]
With one last look at the sunlight, Ajax falls forwards on his sword, and his body lies concealed from the audience by the underwood of the grove. The Chorus enter hurriedly in two bands, right and left of the stage. They have wearied themselves with a vain search, far and wide, on the eastern and western sides of the camp, but they have not found their prince; and they appeal to the "children of the sea"—the nymphs and naiads of the springs—to aid their quest. Suddenly a woman's cry is heard from the grove. It is Tecmessa, who, searching nearer home, has just stumbled on the body of Ajax, as it lies "with the lifeblood streaming from the nostrils;" and they see her covering it with her robe from the eyes of his friends. Teucer enters in the midst of their grief, warned by a mysterious rumour from some god of the death of Ajax. He uncovers the body; and, gazing steadfastly at it, he too bursts into a passionate lament. As the sons of Jacob feared to return to their father without
