MESS. I can tell only what I heard and saw. Whilst all the chieftains and the Atridae twain Were seated in a ring, Calchas alone Rose up and left them, and in Teucer's palm Laid his right hand full friendly; then out-spake With strict injunction by all means i' the world To keep beneath yon covert this one day Your hero, and not suffer him to rove, If he would see him any more alive. For through this present light--and ne'er again--- Holy Athena, so he said, will drive him Before her anger. Such calamitous woe Strikes down the unprofitable growth that mounts Beyond his measure and provokes the sky. 'Thus ever,' said the prophet, 'must he fall Who in man's mould hath thoughts beyond a man. And Aias, ere he left his father's door, Made foolish answer to his prudent sire. 'My son,' said Telamon, 'choose victory Always, but victory with an aid from Heaven.' How loftily, how madly, he replied! 'Father, with heavenly help men nothing worth May win success. But I am confident Without the Gods to pluck this glory down.' So huge the boast he vaunted! And again When holy Pallas urged him with her voice To hurl his deadly spear against the foe, He turned on her with speech of awful sound: 'Goddess, by other Greeks take thou thy stand; Where I keep rank, the battle ne'er shall break.' Such words of pride beyond the mortal scope Have won him Pallas' wrath, unlovely meed. But yet, perchance, so be it he live to-day, We, with Heaven's succour, may restore his peace.'-- Thus far the prophet, when immediately Teucer dispatched me, ere the assembly rose, Bearing to thee this missive to be kept With all thy care. But if my speed be lost, And Calchas' word have power, the man is dead. CH. O trouble-tost Tecmessa, born to woe, Come forth and see what messenger is here! This news bites near the bone, a death to joy. _Enter_ TECMESSA. TEC. Wherefore again, when sorrow's cruel storm Was just abating, break ye my repose? CH. (_pointing to the_ Messenger). Hear what he saith, and how he comes to bring News of our Aias that hath torn my heart. TEC. Oh me! what is it, man? Am I undone? MESS. Thy case I know not; but of Aias this, That if he roam abroad, 'tis dangerous. TEC. He is, indeed, abroad. Oh! tell me quickly! MESS. 'Tis Teucer's strong command to keep him close Beneath this roof, nor let him range alone. TEC. But where is Teucer? and what means his word? MESS. Even now at hand, and eager to make known That Aias, if he thus go forth, must fall. TEC. Alas! my misery! Whence learned he this? MESS. From Thestor's prophet-offspring, who to-day Holds forth to Aias choice of life or death.