41 



out ; an obscurity which is simply artistic in its suggestiveness, 

 while possessing a comprehensiveness including all possibiUties 

 within which the mind may spend itself. Such a book — the 

 greater part written during the last two or three years by a 

 poet over seventy years of age becomes a mai-vel of literature. 



Tiresias possesses special attraction because of its charming 

 subject. 



We get here not only the story of Thebes in danger — from the 

 wars with the seven Argires — and the self sacrifice of her noble 

 son Menaceus to save her, but a suggested picture of the entire 

 wide spreading myth of " Tiresias " who was an infalhble oracle 

 to all Greece ; and who addressing the hero " shows cause " for 

 the sacrifice. 



After relating how he, the Seer, was struck blind by Pallas 

 Athene for having unndttingly come upon her while at her bath, 

 and how from this misfortune came the gift of second sight, 

 " Tiresias " tells Menaceus that nothing can save Thebes but 

 his own self sacrifice. 



" My son 

 " No sound is breathed so potent to coerce, 

 And to conciliate, as their names who dare 

 For that sweet motherland which gave them birth 

 Nobly to do, nobly to die. Their names, 

 Graven on memorial columns, are a song 

 Heard in the future ; few, but more than wall 

 And rampart, their examples reach a hand 

 Far thro' all yeaTs, and everywhere they meet 

 And kindle generous purpose, and the strength 

 To mould it into action pure as theirs.' ' 



" Thou 

 " Rejoicing that the sun, the moon, the stars 

 Lend no such light upon the ways of men 

 As one great deed." .... 



And now comes the thrilling moment when with strangely few 

 touches a great poet only can perfect his pictm-e. Menaceus 

 must die or Thebes must perish ! How will he meet an aj)peal 

 like this '? What answer can he make to noble words which 

 will fail of their object unless they persuade the Ustener to his 

 own self slaughter. This is not a moment for words, but the 

 poet by sheer knowledge of his art proves himself equal to the 

 task before him. 



" This useless hand ! 



I felt one warm tear fall upon it. Gone ! 



He iciU achieve his greatness." 



Thus we see the portrait of the man who can save Thebes is 

 painted by a tear ! 



The Ancient Scuje is by far the most powerful poem in the 

 volume. " A poem," says Swinbourne, " is great when it deals 



