The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-08-28
.,OETRY.
Eschylus in English.

[Mr Edward Fitzgerald. who some Is or 20
years ago published remarkable translation
of the Persian poe Omar Khaiyyam, has just
given to the void an English version of the
"Agamemnon" of Eschylus. Tho former
work, which is the wonder and delight of all
poeis and scholars, was unnotced for several
years after its first appearance; but it has been
OF laie SO eagerly Sc ght for that copies are be
coming scarce and e1 pensive. There is vast
difference between Persian and Greek poetry
yet Mr.. Fitzgerald shows no less abiity-in-
deed, We might properly call it genius-to
transfer the spirit of the latter than of the
former, into lofty English verse. The follow
ing passage, describing the fiery signal flashed
from Trey to the home of Agamemuon at
Mykeu@, is truly MIltonian in its grandeur.
The reader familiar with Macaulay's poems
will az once detect wheHce the latter drew his
picture of the beacen-fres flashing over Eng
iaad al the coming of the Spanish Armada:l
Hephaistos the lame God
And spiiteiiest Of mortal messengers;
Who, springing from the bed OF burning Troy,
Hither BY f0Te-deyis'd Intelligence
Agreed upon between my Lord and me-
Posted from dedicated Hight to H ght,
The reach OF land and sea that lies between;
Auu nfst 10 catcb Dim anu Degln The game
Did Ida fire her forest pine, and, waving,
Handed him on TO the Hern@an steep
OF Lemnos Lemnos to the summit of
Zeus consecrated. Athos lifted; whence,
As by the giant taken, so dispatched
The torch of Conquest traversing the vide
Egean with sunbeam stretching stride,
Struck up the drowsy watchers on Makistos.
Who, flashing bacK the challenge, hash'd it on
To those who watched on the Messapian hight
With whse k ung heather and
Clearing Asopus ct a bound, struck fire
From old Kith@ron; and, 40 little tried
As waxing even wanton with the sport,
Over the sleeping water Of Gorpopis
Which stare down the Saronic Gulf, that now
Began to shiver in the creeping Dawn;
Whence for moment on the neighboring top
OF Arachn@um lightning, one last bound
Brought him to Agamemnon's battlements.
By such gigantic strides In such Race,
Where FIRST and Last alike are Conquerors,
Posted the travelling Fire whose Falher-ight
Ida conceived OF burning Troy Tonight!
We have only space to quote, in addition, the
following noble Chorus:
Some think the Godhead crouching at his ease
Deep in the purple Hs a.7 n ss,enely sees
Foolsi For though Fortune seems to misrequte,
And Retribution for while forget,
Sooner or later SIZE reclaims the debt
With usury that triples the amount
OF Nemesis with running Times account,
For soon or late Sardonic Fate
With Man against himself conspires,
Puts on the mask of his desires;
Up the steps Of Time elate,
Leads him blinded with his pride
And gathering, as he goes along,
The fuel OF his suicide,
Until, having topt the pyre
Which Destiny permits no higher,
Ambition sets himself on fire;
In conhagration like the crime,
Conspicuous through the world and time,
Down amidst his brazen walls,
The accumulated idol falls
To shapeless ashes; Demigod
Under the vulgar hoof down-trod,
Whose neck he trod on not an eye
To weep his fall or lip to sigh
For HIM prayer; or, If there were,
No God to listen or reply.