University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Pisthetærus, Chorus, and another Messenger.
Messenger.
Oh! Oh! Alas! Alas!

Pisthetærus.
What hap hath chanced?

Messenger.
Ill, ill; most direful chance:
For some one of the Gods, that are with Jove,
E'en now, escaping through our gates, hath flown
Down into th'air, unnoticed by our guard,
The jackdaws, station'd there for daily watch.

Pisthetærus.
Which of the Gods?

Messenger.
We know not; but that 'twas
One who hath wings, thus much we know.

Pisthetærus.
Behoved not
To send forth scouts against them straight?

Messenger.
That did we;
Sent out three myriad hawks, equestrian bowyers;
Them, each one, arm'd with crooked talon, joins,
Owl, buzzard, vulture, eagle, falcon, kite;
With clang and winnowing and rush of wings,
All ether is turmoil'd, while they the God
Are seeking, who methinks is not far off,
But somewhere hereabout lurks even now.

Pisthetærus.
Must we not then make ready slings and bows?
Haste hither all in battailous array;
Draw each his bow; and reach me swift a sling.

Chorus.
War is afoot, unspeakable war,
Waged between me and heaven.
Ye, every one, watch well around
The air with cloudy girdle bound,
Whom Erebus to light did bring;
Lest any of the Gods by stealth
Passing this way escape.
And every one fling round a glance
Of eager vigilance.
For now, as from some deity sailing near,
A winged sound of whirling meets mine ear.