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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.

TEC.
Woe’s me! O friends, this desolating blow
Is falling! Oh, stand forward to prevent!
And some bring Teucer with more haste, while some
Explore the western bays and others search
Eastward to find your hero’s fatal path!
For well I see I am cheated and cast forth
From the old favour. Child, what shall I do?

[Looking at EURYSAKES]

We must not stay. I too will fare along,
go far as I have power. Come, let us go.
Bestir ye! ‘Tis no moment to sit still,
If we would save him who now speeds to die.

CH.
I am ready. Come! Fidelity of foot,
And swift performance, shall approve me true.

[Exeunt omnes]

[The scene changes to a lonely wooded spot.]

AIAS
(discovered alone).

The sacrificer stands prepared,–and when
More keen? Let me take time for thinking, too!
This gift of Hector, whom of stranger men
I hated most with heart and eyes, is set
In hostile Trojan soil, with grinding hone
Fresh-pointed, and here planted by my care
Thus firm, to give me swift and friendly death.
Fine instrument, so much for thee! Then, first,
Thou, for ’tis meet, great Father, lend thine aid.
For no great gift I sue thee. Let some voice
Bear Teucer the ill news, that none but he
May lift my body, newly fallen in death
About my bleeding sword, ere I be spied
By some of those who hate me, and be flung
To dogs and vultures for an outcast prey.
So far I entreat thee, Lord of Heaven. And thou,
Hermes, conductor of the shadowy dead,
Speed me to rest, and when with this sharp steel
I have cleft a sudden passage to my heart,
At one swift bound waft me to painless slumber!
But most be ye my helpers, awful Powers,
Who know no blandishments, but still perceive
All wicked deeds i’ the world–strong, swift, and sure,
Avenging Furies, understand my wrong,
See how my life is ruined, and by whom.
Come, ravin on Achaean flesh–spare none;
Rage through the camp!–Last, thou that driv’st thy course
Up yon steep Heaven, thou Sun, when thou behold’st
My fatherland, checking thy golden rein,
Report my fall, and this my fatal end,
To my old sire, and the poor soul who tends him.
Ah, hapless one! when she shall hear this word,
How she will make the city ring with woe!
‘Twere from the business idly to condole.
To work, then, and dispatch. O Death! O Death!
Now come, and welcome! Yet with thee, hereafter,
I shall find close communion where I go.
But unto thee, fresh beam of shining Day,
And thee, thou travelling Sun-god, I may speak
Now, and no more for ever. O fair light!
O sacred fields of Salamis my home!
Thou, firm set natal hearth: Athens renowned,
And ye her people whom I love; O rivers,
Brooks, fountains here–yea, even the Trojan plain
I now invoke!–kind fosterers, farewell!
This one last word from Aias peals to you:
Henceforth my speech will be with souls unseen.