to
violence, any landholder who refuses to rescue us, should both forfeit his
rights and suffer public banishment.” Such was the persuasive speech that the
king of the Pelasgians delivered on our behalf, uttering the solemn warning
that never in the future should the city feed the great wrath of Zeus,
protector of the suppliant; and declaring that, should a twofold defilement — from
strangers and from natives at once — arise before the city, it would become
fodder for distress past all relief. Hearing these words, the Argive people,
waiting for no proclamation of crier, voted by uplifted hand that this should
be so. It was the Pelasgian people, won readily to assent, who heard the subtle
windings of his speech; but it was Zeus who brought the end to pass.
CHORUS
[625] Come, let
us invoke blessings upon the Argives in return for blessings. And may Zeus, god
of strangers, behold the offerings of gratitude voiced by a stranger’s lips,
that they may in true fulfilment reach their perfect goal.
[630] Divinely-born
gods! Hear now as I pour forth libations for blessings upon our kindred. Never
may the wanton lord of war, insatiate of battle-cry, Ares, who reaps a human
harvest in alien fields, destroy this Pelasgian land by fire; for they had
compassion for us, and cast a vote in our favor, respecting our pitiable flock,
suppliants in the name of Zeus.
[643] Nor did they
cast their votes for the side of the males, disregarding the women’s cause,
since they honored the avenging eye of Zeus, against which there is no
battling, and what house would have it defiling its roof? For he sits heavily
upon it. They take reverent heed of their kin, petitioners of holy Zeus;
therefore with pure altars shall they please the gods.
[656] Therefore let
there fly forth from our overshadowed lips a prayer of gratitude. Never may
pestilence empty this city of its men nor strife stain the soil of the land
with the blood of slain inhabitants. But may the flower of its youth be
unplucked, and may Ares, the partner of Aphrodite’s bed, he who makes havoc of
men, not shear off their bloom.
[667] And may the
altars, where the elders gather, blaze in honor of venerable men. Thus may
their state be regulated well, if they hold in awe mighty Zeus, and, most of
all, Zeus the warden of the guest, who by venerable enactment guides destiny
straight. We pray that other guardians be always renewed, and that
Artemis-Hecate watch over the childbirth of their women.
[678] And let no
murderous havoc come upon the realm to ravage it, by arming Ares — foe to the
dance and lute, parent of tears — and the shout of civil strife. And may the
joyless swarm of diseases settle far from the heads of the inhabitants, and to
all the young people may Lyceus be graciously disposed.
[688] May Zeus cause
the earth to bring forth its tribute of fruit by the produce of every season;
may their grazing cattle in the fields have abundant increase, and may they
obtain all things from the heavenly powers. May minstrels sing hymns of praise
at the altars; and from pure lips let there proceed the phorminx-loving chant.
[698] May the people
who control the state guard its privileges free from fear — a prudent
government counselling wisely for the public prosperity. And should they have
recourse to arms may they inflict no loss, but grant just rights of covenant to
the stranger within their gates.
[704] And may they
worship forever the gods who possess the land [with native honors of laurel
bough held aloft, and oxen slain, even as their fathers did before their time.
Since reverence for parents stands written third among the statutes of Justice,
to whom honor supreme is due.
DANAUS
[710] I commend
these sensible prayers, dear children; but do not be troubled yourselves when
you hear the unexpected and startling tidings your father has to tell. From my
post of look-out here on the sanctuary of suppliants I see that ship; for it is
well-marked and does not escape me: the
violence, any landholder who refuses to rescue us, should both forfeit his
rights and suffer public banishment.” Such was the persuasive speech that the
king of the Pelasgians delivered on our behalf, uttering the solemn warning
that never in the future should the city feed the great wrath of Zeus,
protector of the suppliant; and declaring that, should a twofold defilement — from
strangers and from natives at once — arise before the city, it would become
fodder for distress past all relief. Hearing these words, the Argive people,
waiting for no proclamation of crier, voted by uplifted hand that this should
be so. It was the Pelasgian people, won readily to assent, who heard the subtle
windings of his speech; but it was Zeus who brought the end to pass.
CHORUS
[625] Come, let
us invoke blessings upon the Argives in return for blessings. And may Zeus, god
of strangers, behold the offerings of gratitude voiced by a stranger’s lips,
that they may in true fulfilment reach their perfect goal.
[630] Divinely-born
gods! Hear now as I pour forth libations for blessings upon our kindred. Never
may the wanton lord of war, insatiate of battle-cry, Ares, who reaps a human
harvest in alien fields, destroy this Pelasgian land by fire; for they had
compassion for us, and cast a vote in our favor, respecting our pitiable flock,
suppliants in the name of Zeus.
[643] Nor did they
cast their votes for the side of the males, disregarding the women’s cause,
since they honored the avenging eye of Zeus, against which there is no
battling, and what house would have it defiling its roof? For he sits heavily
upon it. They take reverent heed of their kin, petitioners of holy Zeus;
therefore with pure altars shall they please the gods.
[656] Therefore let
there fly forth from our overshadowed lips a prayer of gratitude. Never may
pestilence empty this city of its men nor strife stain the soil of the land
with the blood of slain inhabitants. But may the flower of its youth be
unplucked, and may Ares, the partner of Aphrodite’s bed, he who makes havoc of
men, not shear off their bloom.
[667] And may the
altars, where the elders gather, blaze in honor of venerable men. Thus may
their state be regulated well, if they hold in awe mighty Zeus, and, most of
all, Zeus the warden of the guest, who by venerable enactment guides destiny
straight. We pray that other guardians be always renewed, and that
Artemis-Hecate watch over the childbirth of their women.
[678] And let no
murderous havoc come upon the realm to ravage it, by arming Ares — foe to the
dance and lute, parent of tears — and the shout of civil strife. And may the
joyless swarm of diseases settle far from the heads of the inhabitants, and to
all the young people may Lyceus be graciously disposed.
[688] May Zeus cause
the earth to bring forth its tribute of fruit by the produce of every season;
may their grazing cattle in the fields have abundant increase, and may they
obtain all things from the heavenly powers. May minstrels sing hymns of praise
at the altars; and from pure lips let there proceed the phorminx-loving chant.
[698] May the people
who control the state guard its privileges free from fear — a prudent
government counselling wisely for the public prosperity. And should they have
recourse to arms may they inflict no loss, but grant just rights of covenant to
the stranger within their gates.
[704] And may they
worship forever the gods who possess the land [with native honors of laurel
bough held aloft, and oxen slain, even as their fathers did before their time.
Since reverence for parents stands written third among the statutes of Justice,
to whom honor supreme is due.
DANAUS
[710] I commend
these sensible prayers, dear children; but do not be troubled yourselves when
you hear the unexpected and startling tidings your father has to tell. From my
post of look-out here on the sanctuary of suppliants I see that ship; for it is
well-marked and does not escape me: the
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