[
66]
"Therefore the human soul has an inherent power
of presaging or of foreknowing infused into it from
without, and made a part of it by the will of God.
If that power is abnormally developed, it is called
'frenzy' or 'inspiration,' which occurs when the
soul withdraws itself from the body and is violently
stimulated by a divine impulse, as in the following
instance, where Hecuba says to Cassandra
1 :
But why those flaming eyes, that sudden rage?
And whither fled that sober modesty,
Till now so maidenly and yet so wise?'
and Cassandra answers:
O mother, noblest of thy noble sex!
I have been sent to utter prophecies:
Against my will Apollo drives me mad
To revelation make of future ills.
O virgins! comrades of my youthful hours,
My mission shames my father, best of men.
[p. 299]
O mother dear! great loathing for myself
And grief for thee I feel. For thou hast borne
To Priam goodly issue—saving me.
'Tis sad that unto thee the rest bring weal,
I woe; that they obey, but I oppose.
What a tender and pathetic poem, and how suitable
to her character! though it is not altogether relevant,
I admit.
