Whither dost thou rush away? _Tantalus:_ Back to my pools and streams and ebbing waves, Back to that tree whose ever-mocking fruit Eludes my lips. Oh, let me seek again The gloomy couch of my old prison-house; 70 And if too little wretched I appear, Bid me my river change. Within thy stream, O Phlegethon, hemmed round with waves of fire, Let me be left to suffer. Ye, whoe'er By fate's decrees are doomed to punishment, Whoe'er thou art who 'neath the hollowed cave 75 Dost lie, in constant fear lest even now The cavern's mass shall fall upon thy head; Whoever fears the gaping, greedy jaws Of lions, and in helpless horror looks Upon the advancing furies' cruel lines; Whoe'er, half burned, their threat'ning torches shuns: Oh, listen to the voice of Tantalus 80 Fast speeding to your realm; believe the words Of one who knows, and love your punishment. But now--Oh, when shall it be mine to flee This upper world? _The Fury:_ First must thou plunge thy house In dire disorders, stir up deadly feuds, Awake the kings to evil lust for blood, And rouse to wild amaze their maddened hearts. _Tantalus:_ 'Tis fit that I should suffer, not bestow, 85 The punishment. But thou wouldst have me go, Like deadly vapor from the riven earth, Or like the plague amongst the people spread, And lead my grandsons into crime most foul. O mighty sire of gods, my sire as well, Although 'tis shame to thee to own me son, 90 Though cruel tortures seize my tattling tongue, I will not hold my peace: [_He cries aloud as to his family._] I warn ye all, Stain not your kindred hands with sacred blood, And with no madman's gifts pollute the shrines. Lo, here I stand, and shall avert the deed. 95 [_To the_ Fury.] Why dost thou fright me with thy brandished scourge, And shake thy writhing serpents in my face? Why in mine inmost marrow dost thou rouse These gnawing hunger pangs? My very heart Is parched with burning thirst, and leaping flames Dart scorching through my vitals--Oh, desist; I yield me to thy will. 100