Myself the holy burying-place designed

By doom to ensconce this body in the mould. Come! this way! come! 'tis here! I tread controlled

By Hermes the Escort and the Nether Queen. O beamless Daylight, mine I know thou hast been,

Of thee for this last time my limbs have sense. I carry now my life's fulfilment hence

In death to hide it. O my friend, so dear, Yourself, your land, and these retainers here, Blessings be with you; wealthy be your store; Think of me dead and thrive for evermore.

[Exit, followed by THESEUS, ANTIGONE, and ISMENE.

p. 127

(Turn.)

CHORUS.

Mine if it is to yield

Praise to the Unrevealed

Goddess, and mine to dare

Pray to the Prince of Darkness-Aidôneus!
Aidôneus! a prayer!

With a serene unlamentable end
Quickly his way let the stranger wend
Down, down, t'ward Dead Men's Weald-to
Stygian abodes, rich in ages' store!
Since many and sore plagues he bore,
Visited with vain distress,(76)

'Tis time that Heav'n's justice turn
again to bless.

(Counter-turn.)

Powers of the Underworld!

Shape of the Beast upcurled,

Stronger than might of men!

Close to the guest - frequented gate lieth he a-snarling from his den,

Sentinel indomitable of death:

So the tradition of ages saith.

O Death, Earth-born, Hell-fathered,-blank be the walks of the Beast, I pray

Until his way free to-day

Down to Dead Men's Weald he

take!

O Final Slumber, I to thee petition

make!

Enter a MESSENGER.

Mes. Sirs, citizens, the truth were quickly said
When I should tell you dipus is dead;
But, for the circumstances-no more short
The words can be than the acts which they report.
Cho. Poor soul! He's dead then?

Mes.

So much may be taken

For sure-his daily being he's forsaken.
Cho. How? After some divine and painless sort?
Mes. For that your full astonishment prepare.

When hence he first 'gan walk-and you were
there-

You know it well-no guide familiar led,
But of us all he went himself ahead.

When at the THRESHOLD CATARACT (77) arrived
(Deep in the earth with bronze root-bases gyved),
He stayed in one of many-severed alleys
Beside the Bowl,(78) where still are Theseus' tallies
Which of his bond with Perithous keep stock.
So placed, midway from the THORICIAN ROCK, (79)
The hollow Pear-tree and the Tomb of Stone,
Sat down; undid his raiment filth-o'ergrown;
Then with a loud cry bade his daughters bring
Lavers of running water and Offering:
They to Demeter of Green Blades (80) addressed
Their steps, the mount of prospect; his behest
In little time despatched, and furnished him
With bath and raiment, all in ritual trim.
As soon as to his liking all was done
Of his commands unprosecuted none,

Zeus Underground pealed thunder: at which sound
Shuddered the maids, and falling down around