ANT. Nay, but be ruled by me. POL. Give me not craven counsel. ANT. Woe is me, To lose thee! POL. Heaven hath power to guide the event Or thus or otherwise. Howe'er it prove, I pray that ye may ne'er encounter ill. All men may know, ye merit nought but good. [_Exit. The sky is overcast--a storm is threatened_ CHORUS. New trouble, strange trouble, deep laden with doom, I 1 From the sight-bereft stranger seems dimly to loom! Or peers Fate through the gloom? She will move toward her mark or through shining or shade; Since no purpose of Gods ever idly was made. Time sees the fulfilment, who lifteth to-day What was lowly, and trampleth the lofty to clay. Thunder! Heavens! what a sound! OED. My children! Would but some one in the place Haste hither Theseus, noblest among men! ANT. Wherefore, my father? What is thy desire? OED. These winged thunders of the Highest will soon Bear me away to the Unseen. Send quickly! CHORUS. Again, yonder crash through the fire-startled air I 2 Wing'd from Zeus, rushes down, till my thin locks of hair, Stiff with fear, upward stare. My soul shrinks and cowers, for yon gleam from on high Darts again! Ne'er in vain hath it leapt from the sky, But flies forth amain to what task Zeus hath given. I fear the unknown fatal edict of Heaven! Lightning glares all around! OED. My daughters, the divinely promised end Here unavoidably descends on me. ANT. How dost thou know it? By what certain sign? OED. I know it perfectly. Let some one go With speed to bring the lord of Athens hither. CHORUS. Great Heaven, how above me, beside me, around, II 1 Peals redoubled the soul-thrilling sound! O our God, to this land, to our mother, if aught Thou wouldst send with some darkness of destiny fraught, Smile gently once more! With the good let me bear What of fortune soe'er,-- Taste no cup, touch no food, the doomed sinner may share. Zeus, to thee, Lord, I cry! OED. Is the King coming? Will he find me alive, My daughters, and with reason undisturbed? ANT. Say wherefore dost thou crave with such desire The clearness of an undistracted mind? OED. I would fully render from a grateful soul The boon I promised, when I gained my suit. CHORUS (_looking towards Athens_). Come, my chief! come with speed! Or, if haply at hand, II 2 On the height where the curved altars stand, Thou art hallowing with oxen in sacrifice slain Yonder shrine of Poseidon, dread lord of the main, Hie thee hither! Be swift! The blind stranger intends To thee, to thy friends, To thy city, for burdens imposed, just amends. Haste thee, King! Hear our cry! _Enter_ THESEUS.