Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/354

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316
MEROPE.

THE CHORUS.

There rose up a cry in the streets ant. 4.
From the terrified people.
From the altar of Zeus, from the crowd, came a wail.
A blow, a blow was struck, and he fell,
Sullying his garment with dark-streaming blood;
While stood o'er him a Form—
Some Form


MEROPE.

Ah me... Ah...


THE CHORUS.

Of a dreadful Presence of fear.


MEROPE.

More piercing the second cry rang, ant. 5.
Wail'd from the palace within,
From the Children.... The Fury to them,
Fresh from their father, draws near.
Ah bloody axe! dizzy blows!
In these ears, they thunder, they ring,
These poor ears, still! and these eyes
Night and day see them fall,
Fiery phantoms of death,
On the fair, curl'd heads of my sons.


THE CHORUS.

Not to thee only hath come str. 6.
Sorrow, O Queen, of mankind.
Had not Electra to haunt

A palace defiled by a death unavenged,