ATHENA. Well hymned. My heart chimes with you, and I send The beamy-twinkling torches to conduct you To your dark-vaulted chambers 'neath the ground. They who attend my shrine, with pious homage, Shall be your convoy. The fair eye of the land, The marshalled host of Theseus' sons shall march In festive train with you, both man and woman, Matron and maid, green youth and hoary age. Honor the awful maids, clad with the grace Of purple-tinctured robes; and let the flame March 'fore their path bright-rayed; and, evermore, With populous wealth smile every Attic rood Blessed by this gracious-minded sisterhood.[n62] [CONVOY, _conducting the_ EUMENIDES _in festal pomp to their subterranean temple, with torches in their hands:_ STROPHE I. Go with honor crowned and glory, Of hoary Night the daughters hoary, To your destined hall. Where our sacred train is wending, Stand, ye pious throngs attending, Hushed in silence all. ANTISTROPHE I. Go to hallowed habitations, 'Neath Ogygian[f26] Earth's foundations: In that darksome hall Sacrifice and supplication Shall not fail. In adoration Silent worship all. {173} STROPHE II. Here, in caverned halls, abiding, High on awful thrones presiding, Gracious ye shall reign. March in torches' glare rejoicing! Sing, ye throngs, their praises, voicing Loud the exultant strain! ANTISTROPHE II. Blazing torch, and pure libation From age to age this pious nation Shall not use in vain. Thus hath willed it Jove all-seeing, Thus the Fate. To their decreeing Shout the responsive strain! [The End] PROMETHEUS BOUND {175} A LYRICO-DRAMATIC SPECTACLE Δῆσε δ᾽ ἀλυκτοπέδῃσι Προμηθέα ποικιλόβουλην Δεσμοῖς ἀργαλέοισι. HESIOD. Neither to change, nor flatter, nor repent. SHELLEY. PERSONS {176} MIGHT and FORCE, Ministers of Jove. HEPHAESTHUS or VULCAN, the God of Fire. PROMETHEUS, Son of Iapetus, a Titan. CHORUS OF OCEANIDES. OCEANUS. IO, Daughter of Inachus, King of Argos. HERMES, Messenger of the Gods. SCENE--_A Rocky Desert in European Scythia._ INTRODUCTORY REMARKS {177}