---
title: "Suppliant Women · Ἱκέτιδες"
author: "Aeschylus"
translator: "Herbert Weir Smyth"
languages: [grc, en]
shelf: "Classical Greek"
url: https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-suppliants/
cite: "Aeschylus, tr. Herbert Weir Smyth, Suppliant Women · Ἱκέτιδες. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-suppliants/"
---

# Suppliant Women · Ἱκέτιδες

*Aeschylus, tr. Herbert Weir Smyth*

The fifty daughters of Danaus flee marriage to their cousins and beg Argos for sanctuary.

> Greek: ed. Herbert Weir Smyth, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-greekLit, tlg0085.tlg001, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Herbert Weir Smyth, from the Perseus Digital Library (tlg0085.tlg001.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## Contents

1. [Lines 1–530](https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-suppliants/1.md)
2. [Lines 490–1073](https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-suppliants/2.md)

## 1. Lines 1–530

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-suppliants/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-suppliants/1/#p-N

[¶0] Enter a company of maidens, who have fled from Egypt and just landed on the shores of Argos; with them is their father
Chorus:
May Zeus who guards suppliants look graciously upon our company, which boarded a ship and put to sea from the outlets of the fine sand of the Nile. For we have fled Zeus’ land
whose pastures border Syria, and are fugitives, not because of some public decree pronounced against blood crime, but because of our own act to escape the suit of man, since we abhor as impious all marriage with the sons of Aegyptus.
It was Danaus, our father, adviser and leader, who, considering well our course, decided, as the best of all possible evils, that we flee with all speed over the waves of the sea
and find a haven on Argos’ shore. For from there descends our race, sprung from the caress and breath of Zeus on the gnat-tormented heifer. To what kinder land than this
could we come with these wool-wreathed branches in our hands, sole weapons of the suppliant? O realm, O land, and clear water; gods on high and earth-bound powers, grievous in your vengeance,
which inhabit the tomb; and you, Zeus the Savior, invoked third, the guardian of the habitations of righteous men: receive as suppliants this band of women with the compassionate spirit of the land. But
the thronging swarm of violent men born of Aegyptus, should they set foot upon this marshy land, drive them seaward—and with them their swift ship—and there may they encounter a cruel sea with thunder, lightning, and rain-charged winds,
and perish by the tempest’s buffeting blasts, if they ever lay their hands on us, their cousins, and mount unwilling beds from which Right holds them aloof.

> Greek: Χορός:
Ζεὺς μὲν ἀφίκτωρ ἐπίδοι προφρόνως
στόλον ἡμέτερον νάιον ἀρθέντʼ
ἀπὸ προστομίων λεπτοψαμάθων
Νείλου. Δίαν δὲ λιποῦσαι
χθόνα σύγχορτον Συρίᾳ φεύγομεν,
οὔτινʼ ἐφʼ αἵματι δημηλασίαν
ψήφῳ πόλεως γνωσθεῖσαν,
ἀλλʼ αὐτογενεῖ φυξανορίᾳ
γάμον Αἰγύπτου παίδων ἀσεβῆ
ʼξʼονοταζόμεναι.
Δαναὸς δὲ πατὴρ καὶ βούλαρχος
καὶ στασίαρχος τάδε πεσσονομῶν
κύδιστʼ ἀχέων ἐπέκρανε,
φεύγειν ἀνέδην διὰ κῦμʼ ἅλιον,
κέλσαι δʼ Ἄργους γαῖαν, ὅθεν δὴ
γένος ἡμέτερον τῆς οἰστροδόνου
βοὸς ἐξ ἐπαφῆς κἀξ ἐπιπνοίας
Διὸς εὐχόμενον τετέλεσται.
τίνʼ ἂν οὖν χώραν εὔφρονα μᾶλλον
τῆσδʼ ἀφικοίμεθα
σὺν τοῖσδʼ ἱκετῶν ἐγχειριδίοις
ἐριοστέπτοισι κλάδοισιν;
ὦ πόλις, ὦ γῆ, καὶ λευκὸν ὕδωρ,
ὕπατοί τε θεοί, καὶ βαρύτιμοι
χθόνιοι θήκας κατέχοντες,
καὶ Ζεὺς σωτὴρ τρίτος, οἰκοφύλαξ
ὁσίων ἀνδρῶν, δέξασθʼ ἱκέτην
τὸν θηλυγενῆ στόλον αἰδοίῳ
πνεύματι χώρας· ἀρσενοπληθῆ δʼ
ἑσμὸν ὑβριστὴν Αἰγυπτογενῆ,
πρὶν πόδα χέρσῳ τῆ δʼ ἐν ἀσώδει
θεῖναι, ξὺν ὄχῳ ταχυήρει
πέμψατε πόντονδʼ· ἔνθα δὲ λαίλαπι
χειμωνοτύπῳ, βροντῇ στεροπῇ τʼ
ὀμβροφόροισίν τʼ ἀνέμοις ἀγρίας
ἁλὸς ἀντήσαντες, ὄλοιντο,
πρίν ποτε λέκτρων, ὧν θέμις εἴργει,
σφετεριξάμενοι πατραδέλφειαν
τήνδʼ ἀεκόντων ἐπιβῆναι.

[¶1] Chorus:
And now I invoke, as our champion from beyond the sea, the calf born of Zeus, the offspring of the flower-grazing cow, our ancestress,
the caress of Zeus’ breath. The appointed period confirmed itself in a name suited to the event—Epaphus, to whom she gave birth.

> Greek: Χορός:
νῦν δʼ ἐπικεκλομένα
Δῖον πόρτιν ὑπερ-
πόντιον τιμάορʼ, ἶνίν τʼ
ἀνθονομούσας προγόνου
βοὸς ἐξ ἐπιπνοίας
Ζηνὸς ἔφαψιν· ἐπωνυμίᾳ δʼ
ἐπεκραίνετο μόρσιμος αἰὼν
εὐλόγως,
Ἔπαφόν τʼ ἐγέννασεν·

[¶2] Chorus:
To him I cry for help.
And now in the region wherein our first mother pastured, by recounting the story of her distress of long ago, I shall now set forth reliable proofs to the inhabitants of the land;
and other evidence, though unexpected, will yet appear. Men will come to know the truth as my tale proceeds.

> Greek: Χορός:
ὅντʼ ἐπιλεξαμένα,
νῦν ἐν ποιονόμοις
ματρὸς ἀρχαίας τόποις τῶν
πρόσθε πόνων μνασαμένα,
τά τε νῦν ἐπιδείξω
πιστὰ τεκμήρια γαιονόμοις,
τὰ δʼ ἄελπτά περ ὄντα φανεῖται.
γνώσεται
δὲ λόγους τις ἐν μάκει.

[¶3] Chorus:
Now if by chance there be some neighbor in the land who knows the song of birds,
when our complaint greets his ear, he will fancy that he hears the voice of Metis, Tereus’ piteous wife, the hawk-chased nightingale.

> Greek: Χορός:
εἰ δὲ κυρεῖ τις πέλας οἰωνοπόλων
ἔγγαιος οἶκτον [οἰκτρὸν] ἀίων,
δοξάσει τις ἀκούειν ὄπα τᾶς Τηρεΐας
Μήτιδος οἰκτρᾶς ἀλόχου,
κιρκηλάτου τʼ ἀηδόνος,

[¶4] Chorus:
For she, constrained to leave her green leaves, laments pitifully her accustomed haunts,
and composes the tale of her own child’s doom—how he perished, destroyed by her own hand, victim of the wrath of an unnatural mother.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἅτʼ ἀπὸ χλωρῶν πετάλων ἐργομένα
πενθεῖ μὲν οἶκτον ἠθέων·
ξυντίθησι δὲ παιδὸς μόρον, ὡς αὐτοφόνως
ὤλετο πρὸς χειρὸς ἕθεν
δυσμάτορος κότου τυχών·

[¶5] Chorus:
Even so I, indulging my grief in Ionian strains,
pain my tender face summered by Nile’s sun and my heart unexercised in tears; and I gather the flowers of grief, anxious whether there is any friendly kinsman here to champion our band
which has fled from the haze-shrouded land.

> Greek: Χορός:
τὼς καὶ ἐγὼ φιλόδυρ-
τος Ἰαονίοισι νόμοισι
δάπτω τὰν ἁπαλὰν
Νειλοθερῆ παρειὰν
ἀπειρόδακρύν τε καρδίαν.
γοεδνὰ δʼ ἀνθεμίζομαι
δειμαίνουσα φίλους, τᾶσδε φυγᾶς
ἀερίας ἀπὸ γᾶς
εἴ τις ἐστὶ κηδεμών.

[¶6] Chorus:
But, gods of our race, hear, and regard with favor the cause of righteousness; if you refuse youth
fulfillment of its arrogant desires, and readily abhor violence, you would be righteous toward marriage. Even for those who flee hard-pressed from war there is an altar,
a shelter against harm through respect for the powers of heaven.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀλλά, θεοὶ γενέται
κλύετʼ εὖ τὸ δίκαιον ἰδόντες·
ἥβᾳ μὴ τέλεον
δόντες ἔχειν παρʼ αἶσαν,
ὕβριν δʼ ἑτοίμως στυγοῦντες,
πέλοιτʼ ἂν ἔνδικοι γάμοις.
ἔστι δὲ κἀκ πολέμου τειρομένοις
βωμὸς ἀρῆς φυγάσιν
ῥῦμα, δαιμόνων σέβας.

[¶7] Chorus:
But may Zeus grant that it go well with us. For Zeus’ desire is hard to trace: it shines everywhere, even in gloom, together with fortune
obscure to mortal men.

> Greek: Χορός:
εὖ δʼ εἴη Διόθεν παναληθῶς.
Διὸς ἵμερος οὐκ εὐθήρατος ἐτύχθη.
παντᾷ τοι φλεγέθει
κἀν σκότῳ μελαίνᾳ ξὺν τύχᾳ
μερόπεσσι λαοῖς.

[¶8] Chorus:
Safely it falls, and not upon its back, whatever deed comes to pass at Zeus’ nod; for the pathways of his understanding stretch dark and tangled,
beyond comprehension.

> Greek: Χορός:
πίπτει δʼ ἀσφαλὲς οὐδʼ ἐπὶ νώτῳ,
κορυφᾷ Διὸς εἰ κρανθῇ, πρᾶγμα τέλειον.
δαυλοὶ γὰρ πραπίδων
δάσκιοί τε τείνουσιν πόροι
κατιδεῖν ἄφραστοι.

[¶9] Chorus:
From their high-towering hopes he hurls mankind to utter destruction; yet he does not marshal any armed violence—
all that is wrought by the powers divine is free from toil. Seated on his holy throne, unmoved, in mysterious ways he accomplishes his will.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἰάπτει δʼ ἐλπίδων
ἀφʼ ὑψιπύργων πανώλεις
βροτούς, βίαν δʼ
οὔτινʼ ἐξοπλίζει·
πᾶν ἄπονον δαιμονίων.
ἥμενος ὃν φρόνημά πως
αὐτόθεν ἐξέπραξεν ἔμπας
ἑδράνων ἐφʼ ἁγνῶν.

[¶10] Chorus:
So let him look upon human outrageousness
—in what way it shoots up men in their wooing of us, sprouted from thoughts of evil intent,
having a frenzied purpose as its irresistible spur, and deluded, turning its thoughts to folly.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἰδέσθω δʼ εἰς ὕβριν
βρότειον, οἵα νεάζει
πυθμὴν διʼ ἁ-
μὸν γάμον τεθαλὼς
δυσπαραβούλοισι φρεσίν,
καὶ διάνοιαν μαινόλιν
κέντρον ἔχων ἄφυκτον, ἄταν δʼ
ἀπάτᾳ μεταγνούς.

[¶11] Chorus:
Such piteous strains of woe I utter in my pain, now shrill, now deep, blended with falling tears—Alas, alas!
groans appropriate to funeral wails; though I live, I chant my own dirge.

> Greek: Χορός:
τοιαῦτα πάθεα μέλεα θρεομένα λέγω
λιγέα βαρέα δακρυοπετῆ,
ἰὴ ἰή,
ἰηλέμοισιν ἐμπρεπῆ· [θρεομένη μέλη]
ζῶσα γόοις με τιμῶ.

[¶12] Chorus:
I invoke Apia’s hilly land—for well, O land, you understand my barbarous speech—,
and many times I lay my hands upon my Sidonian veil and tear its linen fabric to shreds.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἱλεοῦμαι μὲν Ἀπίαν βοῦνιν,
καρβᾶνα δʼ αὐδὰν
εὖ, γᾶ, κοννεῖς.
πολλάκι δʼ ἐμπίτνω ξὺν λακίδι
λινοσινεῖ
Σιδονία καλύπτρᾳ.

[¶13] Chorus:
Sacrifices in satisfaction of vows are given freely to the gods when all fares well, if only there be escape from death.
Alas, alas, perplexing troubles! Where will this wave of trouble bear me away?

> Greek: Χορός:
θεοῖς δʼ ἐναγέα τέλεα πελομένων καλῶς
ἐπίδρομʼ, ὁπόθι θάνατος ἀπῇ.
ἰὼ ἰώ,
ἰὼ δυσάγκριτοι πόνοι.
ποῖ τόδε κῦμʼ ἀπάξει;

[¶14] Chorus:
I invoke Apia’s hilly land—for
well, O land, you understand my barbarous speech—, and many times I lay my hands upon my Sidonian veil and tear its linen fabric to shreds.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἱλεοῦμαι μὲν Ἀπίαν βοῦνιν,
καρβᾶνα δʼ αὐδὰν
εὖ, γᾶ, κοννεῖς.
πολλάκι δʼ ἐμπίτνω ξὺν λακίδι
λινοσινεῖ
Σιδονίᾳ καλύπτρᾳ.

[¶15] Chorus:
Our oars, indeed, and our timbered ship, bound with yellow rope
to withstand the sea, sped me on by help of favoring winds, unharmed by all tempests; nor have I reason for complaint. But may the all-seeing Father
establish a kindly issue in due time—

> Greek: Χορός:
πλάτα μὲν οὖν λινορραφής τε
δόμος ἅλα στέγων δορὸς
ἀχείματόν μʼ ἔπεμπε σὺν πνοαῖς·
οὐδὲ μέμφομαι·
τελευτὰς δʼ ἐν χρόνῳ
πατήρ μοι παντόπτας
πρευμενεῖς κτίσειεν,

[¶16] Chorus:
That the mighty race of our honorable mother escape the embrace of man (ah me), unwedded, unvanquished.

> Greek: Χορός:
σπέρμα σεμνᾶς μέγα ματρὸς
εὐνὰς ἀνδρῶν, ἒ ἔ,
ἄγαμον ἀδάματον ἐκφυγεῖν.

[¶17] Chorus:
And may Zeus’ pure daughter, she who holds securely the sacred wall, willingly, meeting my will, look upon me; and, grieved at our pursuit, come with all her might, a virgin to a virgin’s aid,
to deliver me—

> Greek: Χορός:
θέλουσα δʼ αὖ θέλουσαν ἁγνά μʼ
ἐπιδέτω Διὸς κόρα,
ἔχουσα σέμνʼ ἐνώπιʼ ἀσφαλῶς,
παντὶ δὲ σθένει
διωγμοῖς ἀσχαλῶσʼ
ἀδμήτας ἀδμήτα
ῥύσιος γενέσθω,

[¶18] Chorus:
That the mighty race of our honorable mother may escape the embrace of man (ah me), unwedded, unvanquished.

> Greek: Χορός:
σπέρμα σεμνᾶς μέγα ματρὸς
εὐνὰς ἀνδρῶν, ἒ ἔ,
ἄγαμον ἀδάματον ἐκφυγεῖν.

[¶19] Chorus:
Yet, if she will not, we, a dark,
sun-burned race, with suppliant boughs will invoke the underworld Zeus, Zeus the great host
of the dead; for if the gods of Olympus hear us not, we will hang ourselves.

> Greek: Χορός:
εἰ δὲ μή, μελανθὲς
ἡλιόκτυπον γένος
τὸν γάιον,
τὸν πολυξενώτατον
Ζῆνα τῶν κεκμηκότων
ἱξόμεθα σὺν κλάδοις
ἀρτάναις θανοῦσαι,
μὴ τυχοῦσαι θεῶν Ὀλυμπίων.

[¶20] Chorus:
Ah Zeus! On account of the poisonous hate of Io vengeance from the gods pursues us. I know
your consort’s sky-conquering spite; for a stormy sea follows a harsh wind.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἆ Ζήν, Ἰοῦς ἰῷ
μῆνις μάστειρʼ ἐκ θεῶν·
κοννῶ δʼ ἄγαν
γαμετᾶς οὐρανόνικον.
χαλεποῦ γὰρ ἐκ
πνεύματος εἶσι χειμών.

[¶21] Chorus:
And Zeus shall then be liable to the charge of injustice
that he hates the child of the heifer, the child whom he himself begat long ago, his very own, and now he holds his face averted from our prayers.
May he from above hear our call!

> Greek: Χορός:
καὶ τότʼ οὐ δικαίοις
Ζεὺς ἐνέξεται λόγοις,
τὸν τᾶς βοὸς
παῖδʼ ἀτιμάσας, τὸν αὐ-
τός ποτʼ ἔκτισεν γόνῳ,
νῦν ἔχων παλίντροπον
ὄψιν ἐν λιταῖσιν;
ὑψόθεν δʼ εὖ κλύοι καλούμενος.

[¶22] Chorus:
Ah Zeus! On account of the poisonous hate of Io vengeance from the gods pursues us. I know
your consort’s sky-conquering spite; for a stormy sea follows a harsh wind.

> Greek: Χορός:
⟨ἆ Ζήν, Ἰοῦς ἰῶ,⟩
⟨μῆνις μάστειρʼ ἐκ θεῶν·⟩
⟨κοννῶ δʼ ἄγαν⟩
⟨γαμετᾶς οὐρανόνικον⟩
⟨χαλεποῦ γὰρ ἐκ⟩
⟨πνεύματος εἶσι χειμών.⟩

[¶23] Danaus:
My children, you must be prudent. A prudent captain of your voyage was your reliable old father here with whom you came. And now that I have considered with foresight what may befall us here on land, I charge you, record my injunctions on the tablets of your minds and guard them.
I see dust, the voiceless herald of an army; the axle-driven wheels are not silent in their sockets. I behold a throng, armed with shields and holding spears, with steeds and curved chariots. Perhaps they are the princes of the land
come to look on us, informed by messengers. But whether a harmless man or one driven by savage wrath rouses this expedition, it is better, damsels, in any case, to seat yourselves at that mound sacred to the assembled gods.
Stronger than a castle is an altar—an impenetrable shield. As quick as you can, gather in your left hands your white-wreathed suppliant boughs, sacred emblems of Zeus the merciful.
Reply to the strangers, as is fitting for aliens, in piteous and plaintive language of necessity, telling them clearly of your flight, how it was unstained by deed of blood. Above all let no arrogance accompany your speech, and reveal nothing impious in your peaceful eyes, from your respectful face.
In your speech neither interrupt, nor hesitate—for this would offend these people. And remember to be submissive: you are an alien, a fugitive, and in need. Bold speech does not suit the weak.

> Greek: Δαναός:
παῖδες, φρονεῖν χρή· ξὺν φρονοῦντι δʼ ἥκετε
πιστῷ γέροντι τῷ δε ναυκλήρῳ πατρί.
καὶ τἀπὶ χέρσου νῦν προμηθίαν λαβὼν
αἰνῶ φυλάξαι τἄμʼ ἔπη δελτουμένας.
ὁρῶ κόνιν, ἄναυδον ἄγγελον στρατοῦ·
σύριγγες οὐ σιγῶσιν ἀξονήλατοι·
ὄχλον δʼ ὑπασπιστῆρα καὶ δορυσσόον
λεύσσω, ξὺν ἵπποις καμπύλοις τʼ ὀχήμασιν·
τάχʼ ἂν πρὸς ἡμᾶς τῆσδε γῆς ἀρχηγέται
ὀπτῆρες εἶεν ἀγγέλων πεπυσμένοι.
ἀλλʼ εἴτʼ ἀπήμων εἴτε καὶ τεθηγμένος
ὠμῇ ξὺν ὀργῇ τόνδʼ ἐπόρνυται στόλον,
ἄμεινόν ἐστι παντὸς εἵνεκʼ, ὦ κόραι,
πάγον προσίζειν τόνδʼ ἀγωνίων θεῶν.
κρεῖσσον δὲ πύργου βωμός, ἄρρηκτον σάκος
ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστα βᾶτε, καὶ λευκοστεφεῖς
ἱκετηρίας, ἁγάλματʼ αἰδοίου Διός,
σεμνῶς ἔχουσαι διὰ χερῶν εὐωνύμων,
αἰδοῖα καὶ γοεδνὰ καὶ ζαχρεῖʼ ἔπη
ξένους ἀμείβεσθʼ, ὡς ἐπήλυδας πρέπει,
τορῶς λέγουσαι τάσδʼ ἀναιμάκτους φυγάς.
φθογγῇ δʼ ἑπέσθω πρῶτα μὲν τὸ μὴ θρασύ,
τὸ μὴ μάταιον δʼ ἐκ μετωποσωφρόνων
ἴτω προσώπων ὄμματος παρʼ ἡσύχου.
καὶ μὴ πρόλεσχος μηδʼ ἐφολκὸς ἐν λόγῳ
γένῃ. τὸ τῇδε κάρτʼ ἐπίφθονον γένος.
μέμνησο δʼ εἴκειν· χρεῖος εἶ ξένη φυγάς.
θρασυστομεῖν γὰρ οὐ πρέπει τοὺς ἥσσονας.

[¶24] Chorus:
Father, your words are prudent, and they fall on prudent ears.
I will take heed of your wise words, and hold them in memory. May Zeus, the author of our race, behold us!

> Greek: Χορός:
πάτερ, φρονούντως πρὸς φρονοῦντας ἐννέπεις.
φυλάξομαι δὲ τάσδε μεμνῆσθαι σέθεν
κεδνὰς ἐφετμάς. Ζεὺς δὲ γεννήτωρ ἴδοι·

[¶25] Danaus:
May he indeed behold you, and with a gracious eye.

> Greek: Δαναός:
ἴδοιτο δῆτα πρευμενοῦς ἀπʼ ὄμματος·

[¶26] Chorus:
I would like even now to be seated by your side.

> Greek: Χορός:
θέλοιμʼ ἂν ἤδη σοὶ πέλας θρόνους ἔχειν.

[¶27] Danaus:
Then do not delay, but put your purpose into action.

> Greek: Δαναός:
μή νυν σχόλαζε, μηχανῆς δʼ ἔστω κράτος.

[¶28] Chorus:
O Zeus, have pity upon our troubles lest we are ruined.

> Greek: Χορός:
ὦ Ζεῦ, κόπων οἴκτιρε μὴ ἀπολωλότας.

[¶29] Danaus:
If he wishes it so, all will end well.

> Greek: Δαναός:
κείνου θέλοντος εὖ τελευτήσει τάδε.

[¶30] Chorus:
…

> Greek: Χορός:
…

[¶31] Danaus:
Invoke now also that bird of Zeus

> Greek: Δαναός:
καὶ Ζηνὸς ὄρνιν τόνδε νῦν κικλῄσκετε.

[¶32] Chorus:
We invoke the saving beams of the sun.

> Greek: Χορός:
καλοῦμεν αὐγὰς ἡλίου σωτηρίους,—

[¶33] Danaus:
Pure Apollo, too, who, though a god, was exiled once from heaven.

> Greek: Δαναός:
ἁγνόν τʼ Ἀπόλλω, φυγάδʼ ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ θεόν.

[¶34] Chorus:
Knowing our lot, he may well have pity on mortals.

> Greek: Χορός:
εἰδὼς ἂν αἶσαν τήνδε συγγνοίη βροτοῖς.

[¶35] Danaus:
May he have pity indeed, and stand by ready to defend.

> Greek: Δαναός:
συγγνοῖτο δῆτα καὶ παρασταίη πρόφρων.

[¶36] Chorus:
Whom, further, of these divinities must I invoke?

> Greek: Χορός:
τίνʼ οὖν κικλῄσκω τῶνδε δαιμόνων ἔτι;

[¶37] Danaus:
I behold a trident here, the token of its god.

> Greek: Δαναός:
ὁρῶ τρίαιναν τήνδε σημεῖον θεοῦ.

[¶38] Chorus:
Well did he send us here and well may he receive us in this land.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀλλʼ εὖ τʼ ἔπεμψεν εὖ τε δεξάσθω χθονί.

[¶39] Danaus:
Here, too, is Hermes, according to the Hellenic custom.

> Greek: Δαναός:
Ἑρμῆς ὅδʼ ἄλλος τοῖσιν Ἑλλήνων νόμοις.

[¶40] Chorus:
May he then announce good tidings to the free!

> Greek: Χορός:
ἐλευθέροις νυν ἐσθλὰ κηρυκευέτω.

[¶41] Danaus:
Honor to the mutual altar of all these protecting powers; and seat yourselves on holy ground like a flock of doves in dread of hawks of the same feathered tribe—
kindred, yet foes, who would defile their race. If bird prey on bird, how can it be pure? And how can man be pure who would seize from an unwilling father an unwilling bride? For such an act, not even in Hades, after death, shall he escape arraignment for outrage.
There also among the dead, so men tell, another Zeus holds a last judgment upon misdeeds. Take heed and reply in this manner, that victory may attend your cause.

> Greek: Δαναός:
πάντων δʼ ἀνάκτων τῶνδε κοινοβωμίαν
σέβεσθʼ· ἐν ἁγνῷ δʼ ἑσμὸς ὡς πελειάδων
ἵζεσθε κίρκων τῶν ὁμοπτέρων φόβῳ,
ἐχθρῶν ὁμαίμων καὶ μιαινόντων γένος.
ὄρνιθος ὄρνις πῶς ἂν ἁγνεύοι φαγών;
πῶς δʼ ἂν γαμῶν ἄκουσαν ἄκοντος πάρα
ἁγνὸς γένοιτʼ ἄν; οὐδὲ μὴ ʼν Ἅιδου θανὼν
φύγῃ ματαίων αἰτίας, πράξας τάδε.
κἀκεῖ δικάζει τἀπλακήμαθʼ, ὡς λόγος,
Ζεὺς ἄλλος ἐν καμοῦσιν ὑστάτας δίκας.
σκοπεῖτε, κἀμείβεσθε τόνδε τὸν τρόπον,
ὅπως ἂν ὑμῖν πρᾶγος εὖ νικᾷ τόδε.

[¶42] Enter the King of Argos with men-at-arms
King:
From where comes this band we address,
clothed in foreign attire and luxuriating in closely-woven and barbaric robes? For your apparel is not that of the women of Argos, nor yet of any part of Hellas. How you have gained courage thus fearlessly to come to this land, unheralded and friendless and without guides,
this makes me wonder. And yet, truly, I see that branches usually carried by suppliants are laid by your side before the gods assembled here—as to this alone can Hellas guess with confidence. As for the rest, there is still much I should with reason leave to conjecture,
if your voice were not here to inform me.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ποδαπὸν ὅμιλον τόνδʼ ἀνελληνόστολον
πέπλοισι βαρβάροισι καὶ πυκνώμασι
χλίοντα προσφωνοῦμεν; οὐ γὰρ Ἀργολὶς
ἐσθὴς γυναικῶν οὐδʼ ἀφʼ Ἑλλάδος τόπων.
ὅπως δὲ χώραν οὔτε κηρύκων ὕπο,
ἀπρόξενοί τε, νόσφιν ἡγητῶν, μολεῖν
ἔτλητʼ ἀτρέστως, τοῦτο θαυμαστὸν πέλει.
κλάδοι γε μὲν δὴ κατὰ νόμους ἀφικτόρων
κεῖνται παρʼ ὑμῖν πρὸς θεοῖς ἀγωνίοις·
μόνον τόδʼ Ἑλλὰς χθὼν συνοίσεται στόχῳ.
καὶ τἄλλα πόλλʼ ἔτʼ εἰκάσαι δίκαιον ἦν,
εἰ μὴ παρόντι φθόγγος ἦν ὁ σημανῶν.

[¶43] Chorus:
You have not spoken falsely about our clothing. But, for my part, how am I to address you? As commoner, as spokesman, bearer of the sacred wand, or as ruler of the realm?

> Greek: Χορός:
εἴρηκας ἀμφὶ κόσμον ἀψευδῆ λόγον.
ἐγὼ δὲ πρὸς σὲ πότερον ὡς ἔτην λέγω,
ἢ ῥήτορʼ ἱεροράβδον, ἢ πόλεως ἀγόν;

[¶44] King:
As for that, answer and speak to me with confidence.
For I am Pelasgus, offspring of Palaechthon, whom the earth brought forth, and lord of this land; and after me, their king, is rightly named the race of the Pelasgi, who harvest the land. Of all the region through which the pure
Strymon flows, on the side toward the setting sun, I am the lord. There lies within the limits of my rule the land of the Perrhaebi, the parts beyond Pindus close to the Paeonians, and the mountain ridge of Dodona; the edge of the watery sea borders my kingdom. I rule up to these boundaries.
The ground where we stand is Apian land itself, and has borne that name since antiquity in honor of a healer. For Apis, seer and healer, the son of Apollo, came from Naupactus on the farther shore and purified this land of monsters deadly to man, which Earth,
defiled by the pollution of bloody deeds of old, caused to spring up—plagues charged with wrath, an ominous colony of swarming serpents. Of these plagues Apis worked the cure by sorcery and spells to the content of the Argive land,
and for reward thereafter earned for himself remembrance in prayers. Now that you have my testimony, declare your lineage and speak further—yet our people do not take pleasure in long discourse.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
πρὸς ταῦτʼ ἀμείβου καὶ λέγʼ εὐθαρσὴς ἐμοί.
τοῦ γηγενοῦς γάρ εἰμʼ ἐγὼ Παλαίχθονος
ἶνις Πελασγός, τῆσδε γῆς ἀρχηγέτης.
ἐμοῦ δʼ ἄνακτος εὐλόγως ἐπώνυμον
γένος Πελασγῶν τήνδε καρποῦται χθόνα.
καὶ πᾶσαν αἶαν, ἧς διʼ ἁγνὸς ἔρχεται
Στρυμών, τὸ πρὸς δύνοντος ἡλίου, κρατῶ.
ὁρίζομαι δὲ τήν τε Περραίβων χθόνα,
Πίνδου τε τἀπέκεινα, Παιόνων πέλας,
ὄρη τε Δωδωναῖα. συντέμνει δʼ ὅρος
ὑγρᾶς θαλάσσης· τῶνδε τἀπὶ τάδε κρατῶ.
αὐτῆς δὲ χώρας Ἀπίας πέδον τόδε
πάλαι κέκληται φωτὸς ἰατροῦ χάριν.
Ἆπις γὰρ ἐλθὼν ἐκ πέρας Ναυπακτίας
ἰατρόμαντις παῖς Ἀπόλλωνος χθόνα
τήνδʼ ἐκκαθαίρει κνωδάλων βροτοφθόρων,
τὰ δὴ παλαιῶν αἱμάτων μιάσμασιν
χρανθεῖσʼ ἀνῆκε γαῖα μηνιταῖʼ ἄχη
δρακονθόμιλον δυσμενῆ ξυνοικίαν.
τούτων ἄκη τομαῖα καὶ λυτήρια
πράξας ἀμέμπτως Ἆπις Ἀργείᾳ χθονὶ
μνήμην ποτʼ ἀντίμισθον ηὕρετʼ ἐν λιταῖς.
ἔχουσα δʼ ἤδη τἀπʼ ἐμοῦ τεκμήρια
γένος τʼ ἂν ἐξεύχοιο καὶ λέγοις πρόσω.
μακράν γε μὲν δὴ ῥῆσιν οὐ στέργει πόλις.

[¶45] Chorus:
Our tale is brief and clear. Argives
we claim to be by birth, offspring of a cow blest in its children. And the truth of this I shall confirm in full.

> Greek: Χορός:
βραχὺς τορός θʼ ὁ μῦθος· Ἀργεῖαι γένος
ἐξευχόμεσθα, σπέρματʼ εὐτέκνου βοός·
καὶ ταῦτʼ ἀληθῆ πάντα προσφύσω λόγῳ.

[¶46] King:
Foreign maidens, your tale is beyond my belief—how your race can be from Argos. For you are more similar to the
women of Libya and in no way similar to those native to our land. The Nile, too, might foster such a stock, and like yours is the Cyprian impress stamped upon female images by male craftsmen. And of such aspect, I have heard, are nomad women, who
ride on camels for steeds, having padded saddles, and dwell in a land neighboring the Aethiopians. And had you been armed with the bow, certainly I would have guessed you to be the unwed, flesh-devouring Amazons. But inform me, and I will better comprehend
how it is that you trace your race and lineage from Argos.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ἄπιστα μυθεῖσθʼ, ὦ ξέναι, κλύειν ἐμοί,
ὅπως τόδʼ ὑμῖν ἐστιν Ἀργεῖον γένος.
Λιβυστικαῖς γὰρ μᾶλλον ἐμφερέστεραι
γυναιξίν ἐστε κοὐδαμῶς ἐγχωρίαις.
καὶ Νεῖλος ἂν θρέψειε τοιοῦτον φυτόν,
Κύπριος χαρακτήρ τʼ ἐν γυναικείοις τύποις
εἰκὼς πέπληκται τεκτόνων πρὸς ἀρσένων·
τοίας τʼ ἀκούω νομάδας ἱπποβάμοσιν
εἶναι καμήλοις ἀστραβιζούσας, χθόνα
παρʼ Αἰθίοψιν ἀστυγειτονουμένας.
καὶ τὰς ἀνάνδρους κρεοβόρους τʼ Ἀμαζόνας,
εἰ τοξοτευχεῖς ἦτε, κάρτʼ ἂν ᾔκασα
ὑμᾶς. διδαχθεὶς ⟨δʼ⟩ ἂν τόδʼ εἰδείην πλέον,
ὅπως γένεθλον σπέρμα τʼ Ἀργεῖον τὸ σόν.

[¶47] Chorus:
Is there a report that once in this land of Argos Io was ward of Hera’s house?

> Greek: Χορός:
κλῃδοῦχον Ἥρας φασὶ δωμάτων ποτὲ
Ἰὼ γενέσθαι τῇ δʼ ἐν Ἀργείᾳ χθονί;

[¶48] King:
Certainly she was; the tradition prevails far and wide.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ἦν ὡς μάλιστα, καὶ φάτις πολλὴ κρατεῖ.

[¶49] Chorus:
And is there some story, too, that Zeus was joined in love with a mortal?

> Greek: Χορός:
μὴ καὶ λόγος τις Ζῆνα μειχθῆναι βροτῷ;

[¶50] King:
This entanglement was not secret from Hera.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
κἄκρυπτά γʼ Ἥρας ταῦτα τἀμπαλάγματα.

[¶51] Chorus:
What then was the result of this royal strife?

> Greek: Χορός:
πῶς οὖν τελευτᾷ βασιλέων νείκη τάδε;

[¶52] King:
The goddess of Argos transformed the woman into a cow.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
βοῦν τὴν γυναῖκʼ ἔθηκεν Ἀργεία θεός.

[¶53] Chorus:
And while she was a horned cow, did not Zeus approach her?

> Greek: Χορός:
οὔκουν πελάζει Ζεὺς ἐπʼ εὐκραίρῳ βοΐ;

[¶54] King:
So they say, making his form that of a bull lusting for a mate.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
φασίν, πρέποντα βουθόρῳ ταύρῳ δέμας.

[¶55] Chorus:
What answer then did Zeus’ stubborn consort give?

> Greek: Χορός:
τί δῆτα πρὸς ταῦτʼ ἄλοχος ἰσχυρὰ Διός;

[¶56] King:
She placed the all-seeing one to stand watch over the cow.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
τὸν πάνθʼ ὁρῶντα φύλακʼ ἐπέστησεν βοΐ.

[¶57] Chorus:
What manner of all-seeing herdsman with a single duty do you mean?

> Greek: Χορός:
ποῖον πανόπτην οἰοβουκόλον λέγεις;

[¶58] King:
Argus, a son of Earth, whom Hermes slew.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
Ἄργον, τὸν Ἑρμῆς παῖδα γῆς κατέκτανεν.

[¶59] Chorus:
What else did she contrive against the unfortunate cow?

> Greek: Χορός:
τί οὖν ἔτευξεν ἄλλο δυσπότμῳ βοΐ;

[¶60] King:
A sting, torment of cattle, constantly driving her on.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
βοηλάτην μύωπα κινητήριον.

[¶61] Chorus:
They call it a gadfly, those who dwell by the Nile.

> Greek: Χορός:
οἶστρον καλοῦσιν αὐτὸν οἱ Νείλου πέλας.

[¶62] King:
Well then, it drove her by a long course out of the land.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
τοιγάρ νιν ἐκ γῆς ἤλασεν μακρῷ δρόμῳ.

[¶63] Chorus:
Your account agrees with mine in all respects.

> Greek: Χορός:
καὶ ταῦτʼ ἔλεξας πάντα συγκόλλως ἐμοί.

[¶64] King:
So she came to Canobus and to Memphis.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
καὶ μὴν Κάνωβον κἀπὶ Μέμφιν ἵκετο.

[¶65] Chorus:
And Zeus begot a son by the touching of his hand.

> Greek: Χορός:
καὶ Ζεύς γʼ ἐφάπτωρ χειρὶ φιτύει γόνον.

[¶66] King:
Who is it then that claims to be the cow’s Zeus-begotten calf?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
τίς οὖν ὁ Δῖος πόρτις εὔχεται βοός;

[¶67] Chorus:
Epaphus, and truly named from “laying on of hands.”

> Greek: Χορός:
Ἔπαφος ἀληθῶς ῥυσίων ἐπώνυμος.

[¶68] King:
And who was begotten of Epaphus?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
…

[¶69] Chorus:
Libya, who reaps the fruit of the largest portion of the earth.

> Greek: Χορός:
Λιβύη, μέγιστον γῆς ⟨πέδον⟩ καρπουμένη.

[¶70] King:
What offspring, then, did Libya have?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
…

[¶71] Chorus:
Agenor was her first child born.

> Greek: Χορός:
…

[¶72] King:
And who was his offspring?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
τίνʼ οὖν ἔτʼ ἄλλον τῆσδε βλαστημὸν λέγεις;

[¶73] Chorus:
Belus, who had two sons and was father of my father here.

> Greek: Χορός:
Βῆλον δίπαιδα πατέρα τοῦδʼ ἐμοῦ πατρός.

[¶74] King:
Now tell me his wisely-given name.
Chorus:
Danaus: and he has a brother with fifty sons.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
τὸ πάνσοφον νῦν ὄνομα τοῦτό μοι φράσον.
Χορός:
Δαναός, ἀδελφὸς δʼ ἐστὶ πεντηκοντάπαις.

[¶75] King:
Reveal his name ungrudgingly.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
καὶ τοῦδʼ ἄνοιγε τοὔνομʼ ἀφθόνῳ λόγῳ.

[¶76] Chorus:
Aegyptus; and now that you know my ancient lineage, I pray you to help a band that is Argive by descent.

> Greek: Χορός:
Αἴγυπτος. εἰδὼς δʼ ἁμὸν ἀρχαῖον γένος
πράσσοις ἂν ὡς Ἀργεῖον ἀνστήσῃς στόλον.

[¶77] King:
I think you indeed have some share in this land from old. But how did you bring yourselves to leave the home of your fathers? What stroke of fortune befell you?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
δοκεῖτε ⟨δή⟩ μοι τῆσδε κοινωνεῖν χθονὸς
τἀρχαῖον. ἀλλὰ πῶς πατρῷα δώματα
λιπεῖν ἔτλητε; τίς κατέσκηψεν τύχη;

[¶78] Chorus:
Lord of the Pelasgians, of varying color are the ills of mankind, and nowhere can you find trouble of the same plume.
For who dreamed that a kindred race, sprung of old, would thus in unexpected flight find haven at Argos, fleeing in terror through loathing of the marriage-bed?

> Greek: Χορός:
ἄναξ Πελασγῶν, αἰόλʼ ἀνθρώπων κακά.
πόνου δʼ ἴδοις ἂν οὐδαμοῦ ταὐτὸν πτερόν·
ἐπεὶ τίς ηὔχει τήνδʼ ἀνέλπιστον φυγὴν
κέλσειν ἐς Ἄργος κῆδος ἐγγενὲς τὸ πρίν,
ἔχθει μεταπτοιοῦσαν εὐναίων γάμων;

[¶79] King:
Why have you come as suppliants of these gods congregated here, holding in your hands those white-wreathed, fresh-plucked boughs?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
τί φὴς ἱκνεῖσθαι τῶνδʼ ἀγωνίων θεῶν,
λευκοστεφεῖς ἔχουσα νεοδρέπτους κλάδους;

[¶80] Chorus:
So as not to be made slave to Aegyptus’ race.

> Greek: Χορός:
ὡς μὴ γένωμαι δμωὶς Αἰγύπτου γένει.

[¶81] King:
By reason of hatred? Or do you speak of unlawfulness?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
πότερα κατʼ ἔχθραν, ἢ τὸ μὴ θέμις λέγεις;

[¶82] Chorus:
Who would purchase their lords from among their kin?

> Greek: Χορός:
τίς δʼ ἂν φίλους ὠνοῖτο τοὺς κεκτημένους;

[¶83] King:
In this way families have enhanced their power.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
σθένος μὲν οὕτως μεῖζον αὔξεται βροτοῖς.

[¶84] Chorus:
And it is easy then, if things go ill, to separate from a wife.

> Greek: Χορός:
καὶ δυστυχούντων γʼ εὐμαρὴς ἀπαλλαγή.

[¶85] King:
How then am I to deal with you in accordance with my sacred duty?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
πῶς οὖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς εὐσεβὴς ἐγὼ πέλω;

[¶86] Chorus:
By not surrendering us at the demand of Aegyptus’ sons.

> Greek: Χορός:
αἰτοῦσι μὴ ʼκδοὺς παισὶν Αἰγύπτου πάλιν.

[¶87] King:
A serious request—to take upon myself a dangerous war.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
βαρέα σύ γʼ εἶπας, πόλεμον ἄρασθαι νέον.

[¶88] Chorus:
But Justice protects her champions.
King:
True, if she had a share in the matter from the beginning.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀλλʼ ἡ δίκη γε ξυμμάχων ὑπερστατεῖ.
βασιλεύς:
εἴπερ γʼ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς πραγμάτων κοινωνὸς ἦν.

[¶89] Chorus:
Show reverence for the ship of state thus crowned.

> Greek: Χορός:
αἰδοῦ σὺ πρύμναν πόλεος ὧδʼ ἐστεμμένην.

[¶90] King:
I shrink as I gaze upon these shaded shrines.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
πέφρικα λεύσσων τάσδʼ ἕδρας κατασκίους.

[¶91] Chorus:
Yet heavy is the wrath of Zeus, god of the suppliant.

> Greek: Χορός:
βαρύς γε μέντοι Ζηνὸς ἱκεσίου κότος.

[¶92] Son of Palaechthon, lord of the Pelasgians, hear me with a benign heart.
Behold me, your suppliant, a fugitive, running around like a heifer chased by wolves upon precipitous crags, where, confident in his help, she lows to tell the herdsman of her distress.

> Greek: Χορός:
Παλαίχθονος τέκος, κλῦθί μου
πρόφρονι καρδίᾳ, Πελασγῶν ἄναξ.
ἴδε με τὰν ἱκέτιν φυγάδα περίδρομον,
λυκοδίωκτον ὡς δάμαλιν ἂμ πέτραις
ἠλιβάτοις, ἵνʼ ἀλκᾷ πίσυνος μέμυ-
κε φράζουσα βοτῆρι μόχθους.

[¶93] King:
I see
a company of assembled gods assenting beneath the shade of fresh-plucked boughs. Nevertheless may this affair of claimants to the friendship of our city bring no mischief in its wake! And let no feud come upon the state from causes unforeseen and unforestalled; for the state has no need of such trouble.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ὁρῶ κλάδοισι νεοδρόποις κατάσκιον
νεύονθʼ ὅμιλον τόνδʼ ἀγωνίων θεῶν.
εἴη δʼ ἄνατον πρᾶγμα τοῦτʼ ἀστοξένων.
μηδʼ ἐξ ἀέλπτων κἀπρομηθήτων πόλει
νεῖκος γένηται· τῶν γὰρ οὐ δεῖται πόλις.

[¶94] Chorus:
Indeed,
may Justice, daughter of Zeus the Apportioner, Justice who protects the suppliant, look upon our flight that it bring no mischief in its wake. But you, aged in experience, learn from one of younger birth. If you show mercy to a suppliant... from a man of holiness.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἴδοιτο δῆτʼ ἄνατον φυγὰν
ἱκεσία Θέμις Διὸς κλαρίου.
σὺ δὲ παρʼ ὀψιγόνου μάθε γεραιόφρων·
ποτιτρόπαιον αἰδόμενος οὖνπερ
ἱεροδόκα …
θεῶν λήματʼ ἀπʼ ἀνδρὸς ἁγνοῦ.

[¶95] King:
It is not my own house at whose hearth you sit. If the state is stained by pollution in its commonalty, in common let the people strive to work out the cure. For myself, I will pledge no promise before I have communicated these events to all the citizens.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
οὔτοι κάθησθε δωμάτων ἐφέστιοι
ἐμῶν. τὸ κοινὸν δʼ εἰ μιαίνεται πόλις,
ξυνῇ μελέσθω λαὸς ἐκπονεῖν ἄκη.
ἐγὼ δʼ ἂν οὐ κραίνοιμʼ ὑπόσχεσιν πάρος,
ἀστοῖς δὲ πᾶσι τῶνδε κοινώσας πέρι.

[¶96] Chorus:
You are the state, you are the people. Being subject to no judge, you rule the altar, your country’s hearth by your will’s sole ordinance; and, enthroned in sole sovereignty,
you determine every issue. Beware pollution!

> Greek: Χορός:
σύ τοι πόλις, σὺ δὲ τὸ δάμιον.
πρύτανις ἄκριτος ὤν,
κρατύνεις βωμόν, ἑστίαν χθονός,
μονοψήφοισι νεύμασιν σέθεν,
μονοσκήπτροισι δʼ ἐν θρόνοις χρέος
πᾶν ἐπικραίνεις· ἄγος φυλάσσου.

[¶97] King:
Pollution on my enemies! But without harm I do not know how to help you. And yet again, it is not well advised to slight these supplications. I am perplexed, and fear possesses my soul
whether to act, or not to act and take what fortune sends.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ἄγος μὲν εἴη τοῖς ἐμοῖς παλιγκότοις,
ὑμῖν δʼ ἀρήγειν οὐκ ἔχω βλάβης ἄτερ.
οὐδʼ αὖ τόδʼ εὖφρον, τάσδʼ ἀτιμάσαι λιτάς.
ἀμηχανῶ δὲ καὶ φόβος μʼ ἔχει φρένας
δρᾶσαί τε μὴ δρᾶσαί τε καὶ τύχην ἑλεῖν.

[¶98] Chorus:
Look to him who looks down from above, to him, the guardian of mortals sore-distressed, who appeal to their neighbors, yet do not obtain the justice that is their right.
The wrath of Zeus, the suppliant’s god, remains, and will not be softened by a sufferer’s complaints.

> Greek: Χορός:
τὸν ὑψόθεν σκοπὸν ἐπισκόπει,
φύλακα πολυπόνων
βροτῶν, οἳ τοῖς πέλας προσήμενοι
δίκας οὐ τυγχάνουσιν ἐννόμου.
μένει τοι Ζηνὸς ἱκταίου κότος
δυσπαραθέλκτους παθόντος οἴκτοις.

[¶99] King:
If the sons of Aegyptus have authority over you by the law of your country claiming that they are nearest of kin, who would wish to contest it?
You must plead in accordance with the laws of the land you have fled, that they have no authority over you.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
εἴ τοι κρατοῦσι παῖδες Αἰγύπτου σέθεν
νόμῳ πόλεως, φάσκοντες ἐγγύτατα γένους
εἶναι, τίς ἂν τοῖσδʼ ἀντιωθῆναι θέλοι;
δεῖ τοί σε φεύγειν κατὰ νόμους τοὺς οἴκοθεν,
ὡς οὐκ ἔχουσιν κῦρος οὐδὲν ἀμφὶ σοῦ.

[¶100] Chorus:
Never, oh never, may I fall subject to the power and authority of these men. I am determined to flee to escape this marriage that offends my soul, piloting my course by the stars.
Take Justice as your ally, and render judgment for the cause deemed righteous by the gods.

> Greek: Χορός:
μή τί ποτʼ οὖν γενοίμαν ὑποχείριος
κράτεσιν ἀρσένων. ὕπαστρον δέ τοι
μῆχαρ ὁρίζομαι γάμου δύσφρονος
φυγάν· ξύμμαχον δʼ ἑλόμενος δίκαν
κρῖνε σέβας τὸ πρὸς θεῶν.

[¶101] King:
The judgment is not easy—do not make me the judge. I have declared already that, though I am ruler, I will not do this thing without the consent of my people, lest hereafter,
if any evil befall, the people should say, “You honored aliens and brought ruin upon your own land.”

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
οὐκ εὔκριτον τὸ κρῖμα. μή μʼ αἱροῦ κριτήν.
εἶπον δὲ καὶ πρίν, οὐκ ἄνευ δήμου τάδε
πράξαιμʼ ἄν, οὐδέ περ κρατῶν, μὴ καί ποτε
εἴπῃ λεώς, εἴ πού τι μὴ τοῖον τύχοι,
ἐπήλυδας τιμῶν ἀπώλεσας πόλιν.

[¶102] Chorus:
Kindred to both in blood, Zeus surveys both sides alike in this dispute with an impartial scale, apportioning, as is due, to the wicked their wrongdoing and to the godly their works of righteousness.
When these things are thus equally balanced, why do you fear to act justly?

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀμφοτέρους ὁμαίμων τάδʼ ἐπισκοπεῖ
Ζεὺς ἑτερορρεπής, νέμων εἰκότως
ἄδικα μὲν κακοῖς, ὅσια δʼ ἐννόμοις.
τί τῶνδʼ ἐξ ἴσου ῥεπομένων μεταλ-
γεῖς τὸ δίκαιον ἔρξας;

[¶103] King:
Surely there is need of deep and salutary counsel; need for a keen-sighted eye, not confused, to descend, like some diver, into the depths;
that to the state above all things this matter may not work mischief, but may end well for us; that strife may not seize you for its prize, nor yet that we surrender you from these seats of sanctuary,
and bring upon ourselves the dire, abiding vengeance of the all-destroying god, who, even in the realm of Death, does not set his victim free. Surely you cannot think there is no need of salutary counsel?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
δεῖ τοι βαθείας φροντίδος σωτηρίου,
δίκην κολυμβητῆρος, ἐς βυθὸν μολεῖν
δεδορκὸς ὄμμα, μηδʼ ἄγαν ᾠνωμένον,
ὅπως ἄνατα ταῦτα πρῶτα μὲν πόλει,
αὐτοῖσί θʼ ἡμῖν ἐκτελευτήσει καλῶς,
καὶ μήτε δῆρις ῥυσίων ἐφάψεται
μήτʼ ἐν θεῶν ἕδραισιν ὧδʼ ἱδρυμένας
ἐκδόντες ὑμᾶς τὸν πανώλεθρον θεὸν
βαρὺν ξύνοικον θησόμεσθʼ ἀλάστορα,
ὃς οὐδʼ ἐν Ἅιδου τὸν θανόντʼ ἐλευθεροῖ.
μῶν οὐ δοκεῖ δεῖν φροντίδος σωτηρίου;

[¶104] Chorus:
Take counsel, and, as is your sacred duty, prove yourself our sacred
champion. Do not betray the fugitive who has been impiously cast out and driven from afar.

> Greek: Χορός:
φρόντισον καὶ γενοῦ
πανδίκως εὐσεβὴς
πρόξενος· τὰν φυγάδα μὴ προδῷς,
τὰν ἕκαθεν ἐκβολαῖς
δυσθέοις ὀρμέναν·

[¶105] And see me not ravished from this sanctuary of many gods,
oh you who hold sovereign power over the land. Recognize men’s wantonness, and guard against wrath.

> Greek: Χορός:
μηδʼ ἴδῃς μʼ ἐξ ἑδρᾶν
πολυθέων ῥυσια-
σθεῖσαν, ὦ πᾶν κράτος ἔχων χθονός.
γνῶθι δʼ ὕβριν ἀνέρων
καὶ φύλαξαι κότον.

[¶106] Do not see your suppliant dragged, in spite of justice, from the images of the gods,
like a horse by the bridle, and see rude hands laid upon my fine-woven robes.

> Greek: Χορός:
μή τι τλῇς τὰν ἱκέτιν εἰσιδεῖν
ἀπὸ βρετέων βίᾳ
δίκας ἀγομέναν
ἱππηδὸν ἀμπύκων,
πολυμίτων πέπλων τʼ ἐπιλαβὰς ἐμῶν.

[¶107] For be assured of this—whichever end you bring to pass, to your children and house
does it remain to make full payment. Consider these just ordinances of God.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἴσθι γάρ· παισὶ τάδε καὶ δόμοις,
ὁπότερʼ ἂν κτίσῃς,
μένει ἄρ ἐκτίνειν
ὁμοιΐαν θέμιν.
τάδε φράσαι δίκαια Διόθεν κράτη.

[¶108] King:
I have considered them; and I am driven to this cruel predicament. I must take upon myself a mighty war against one side or the other.
There is no escape, it is as firmly fixed as a ship’s hull drawn tight by windlasses. There is no result without grievous hurt. Now when goods are plundered from a homestead,
other goods may come by grace of Zeus, guardian of household wealth; as a tongue that has shot arrows beside the mark, one speech may be the healer of another. But to avoid the shedding of kindred blood,
surely there is need of sacrifice and that many a victim fall to many a god as a deliverance from impending harm. For truly, it is to my undoing that I have come into this quarrel; and yet I prefer to be unskilled rather than practised in the lore of foretelling ill. But may my judgment belie itself and all go well!

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
καὶ δὴ πέφρασμαι. δεῦρο δʼ ἐξοκέλλεται.
ἢ τοῖσιν ἢ τοῖς πόλεμον αἴρεσθαι μέγαν
πᾶσʼ ἔστʼ ἀνάγκη, καὶ γεγόμφωται σκάφος
στρέβλαισι ναυτικαῖσιν ὡς προσηγμένον.
ἄνευ δὲ λύπης οὐδαμοῦ καταστροφή.
καὶ χρημάτων μὲν ἐκ δόμων πορθουμένων,
ἄτην γε μείζω καὶ μέγʼ ἐμπλήσας γόμου
γένοιτʼ ἂν ἄλλα Κτησίου Διὸς χάριν·
καὶ γλῶσσα τοξεύσασα μὴ τὰ καίρια,
γένοιτο μύθου μῦθος ἂν θελκτήριος
[ἀλγεινὰ θυμοῦ κάρτα κινητήρια].
ὅπως δʼ ὅμαιμον αἷμα μὴ γενήσεται,
δεῖ κάρτα θύειν καὶ πεσεῖν χρηστήρια
θεοῖσι πολλοῖς πολλά, πημονῆς ἄκη.
ἦ κάρτα νείκους τοῦδʼ ἔσω παροίχομαι
θέλω δʼ ἄιδρις μᾶλλον ἢ σοφὸς κακῶν
εἶναι. γένοιτο δʼ εὖ παρὰ γνώμην ἐμήν.

[¶109] Chorus:
Hear now the end of my appeals for compassion.

> Greek: Χορός:
πολλῶν ἄκουσον τέρματʼ αἰδοίων λόγων.

[¶110] King:
I hear; say on. It shall not escape me.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ἤκουσα, καὶ λέγοις ἄν. οὔ με φεύξεται.

[¶111] Chorus:
I have breast-bands and girdles to gather up my robes.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἔχω στρόφους ζώνας τε, συλλαβὰς πέπλων

[¶112] King:
Such things are proper, no doubt, for women.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
τάχʼ ἂν γυναιξὶ ταῦτα συμπρεπῆ πέλοι.

[¶113] Chorus:
In these then, be sure, I have a beautiful instrument—

> Greek: Χορός:
ἐκ τῶνδε τοίνυν, ἴσθι, μηχανὴ καλή—

[¶114] King:
Tell me what speech you plan to utter.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
λέξον τίνʼ αὐδὴν τήνδε γηρυθεῖσʼ ἔσῃ.

[¶115] Chorus:
If you will not give some pledge to this group—

> Greek: Χορός:
εἰ μή τι πιστὸν τῷδʼ ὑποστήσεις στόλῳ—

[¶116] King:
What will the contrivance of the sashes do for you?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
τί σοι περαίνει μηχανὴ συζωμάτων;

[¶117] Chorus:
To adorn these images with tablets of strange sort.

> Greek: Χορός:
νέοις πίναξι βρέτεα κοσμῆσαι τάδε.

[¶118] King:
Your words are riddling; come, explain in simple speech.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
αἰνιγματῶδες τοὔπος· ἀλλʼ ἁπλῶς φράσον.

[¶119] Chorus:
To hang ourselves from the statues of these gods.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἐκ τῶνδʼ ὅπως τάχιστʼ ἀπάγξασθαι θεῶν.

[¶120] King:
I detect a threat that is a lash upon my heart.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ἤκουσα μαστικτῆρα καρδίας λόγον.

[¶121] Chorus:
You have grasped my intention, for I have cleared your vision.

> Greek: Χορός:
ξυνῆκας· ὠμμάτωσα γὰρ σαφέστερον.

[¶122] King:
And on many sides there are difficulties hard to wrestle with; for, like a flood, a multitude of ills bursts on me.
It is a sea of ruin, fathomless and impassable, which I am launched upon, and nowhere is there a haven from distress. For should I not pay the debt due to you, the pollution you name is beyond all range of speech; yet if
I take my stand before the walls and try the issue of battle with the sons of Aegyptus, your kinsmen, how will the cost not mount to a cruel price—men’s blood to stain the ground for women’s sake? And yet the wrath of Zeus who guards the suppliant compels my reverence; for supreme among mortals is the fear of him.
Aged father of these maidens, take these boughs straightway in your arms and place them upon other altars of the country’s gods, that all the natives may see the sign that you have come in suppliance. And let no random word fall against
me; for the people could complain against authority. It may well be that some, stirred to compassion at the sight, will hate the wantonness of the troop of males, and that the people will be more friendly towards you; for all men are well disposed to the weaker cause.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
καὶ πολλαχῇ γε δυσπάλαιστα πράγματα,
κακῶν δὲ πλῆθος ποταμὸς ὣς ἐπέρχεται·
ἄτης δʼ ἄβυσσον πέλαγος οὐ μάλʼ εὔπορον
τόδʼ ἐσβέβηκα, κοὐδαμοῦ λιμὴν κακῶν.
εἰ μὲν γὰρ ὑμῖν μὴ τόδʼ ἐκπράξω χρέος,
μίασμʼ ἔλεξας οὐχ ὑπερτοξεύσιμον.
εἰ δʼ αὖθʼ ὁμαίμοις παισὶν Αἰγύπτου σέθεν
σταθεὶς πρὸ τειχέων διὰ μάχης ἥξω τέλους,
πῶς οὐχὶ τἀνάλωμα γίγνεται πικρόν,
ἄνδρας γυναικῶν οὕνεχʼ αἱμάξαι πέδον;
ὅμως δʼ ἀνάγκη Ζηνὸς αἰδεῖσθαι κότον
ἱκτῆρος· ὕψιστος γὰρ ἐν βροτοῖς φόβος.
σὺ μέν, πάτερ γεραιὲ τῶνδε παρθένων,
κλάδους τε τούτους αἶψʼ ἐν ἀγκάλαις λαβὼν
βωμοὺς ἐπʼ ἄλλους δαιμόνων ἐγχωρίων
θές, ὡς ἴδωσι τῆσδʼ ἀφίξεως τέκμαρ
πάντες πολῖται, μηδʼ ἀπορριφθῇ ψόγος
ἐμοῦ· κατʼ ἀρχῆς γὰρ φιλαίτιος λεώς.
καὶ γὰρ τάχʼ ἄν τις οἰκτίσας ἰδὼν τάδε
ὕβριν μὲν ἐχθήρειεν ἄρσενος στόλου,
ὑμῖν δʼ ἂν εἴη δῆμος εὐμενέστερος·
τοῖς ἥσσοσιν γὰρ πᾶς τις εὐνοίας φέρει.

[¶123] Danaus:
We consider it worth much to have gained a champion who is compassionate. Yet send escorts and guides of the country’s people with me so we may find where the gods who protect your city have their altars at the temple porches and their... seats,
and that we may go safely through the town. My shape is unlike yours, for Nile and Inachus rear a different race. Beware lest boldness give birth to fear; for through ignorance men have slain those they love.

> Greek: Δαναός:
πολλῶν τάδʼ ἡμῖν ἐστιν ἠξιωμένα,
αἰδοῖον εὑρεθέντα πρόξενον λαβεῖν.
ὀπάονας δὲ φράστοράς τʼ ἐγχωρίων
ξύμπεμψον, ὡς ἂν τῶν πολισσούχων θεῶν
βωμοὺς προνάους καὶ πολισσούχων ἕδρας
εὕρωμεν, ἀσφάλεια δʼ ᾖ διʼ ἄστεως
στείχουσι· μορφῆς δʼ οὐχ ὁμόστολος φύσις.
Νεῖλος γὰρ οὐχ ὅμοιον Ἰνάχῳ γένος
τρέφει. φύλαξαι μὴ θράσος τέκῃ φόβον·
καὶ δὴ φίλον τις ἔκτανʼ ἀγνοίας ὕπο.

[¶124] King:
Come, men, the stranger speaks well. Be his guides to the altars of the city and to the sanctuaries of the gods. Do not speak at length with whomever you meet on the way while you are bringing this seafarer to be a suppliant at the hearths of the gods. Exit Danaus with attendants

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
στείχοιτʼ ἄν, ἄνδρες· εὖ γὰρ ὁ ξένος λέγει.
ἡγεῖσθε βωμοὺς ἀστικούς, θεῶν ἕδρας·
καὶ ξυμβολοῦσιν οὐ πολυστομεῖν χρεὼν
ναύτην ἄγοντας τόνδʼ ἐφέστιον θεῶν.

[¶125] Chorus:
You told him, and let him go as directed.
But what of me? What am I to do? Where do you assign security to me?

> Greek: Χορός:
τούτῳ μὲν εἶπας, καὶ τεταγμένος κίοι·
ἐγὼ δὲ πῶς δρῶ; ποῦ θράσος νέμεις ἐμοί;

[¶126] King:
Leave your boughs here, tokens of your distress.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
κλάδους μὲν αὐτοῦ λεῖπε, σημεῖον πόνου.

[¶127] Chorus:
Behold, I leave them at your signal and command.

> Greek: Χορός:
καὶ δή σφε λείπω χειρὶ καὶ λόγοις σέθεν.

[¶128] King:
Go now along this level space about the sanctuary.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
λευρὸν κατʼ ἄλσος νῦν ἐπιστρέφου τόδε.

[¶129] Chorus:
But it is not holy ground. How can it keep me safe?

> Greek: Χορός:
καὶ πῶς βέβηλον ἄλσος ἂν ῥύοιτό με;

[¶130] King:
Be assured, we will not surrender you to winged creatures’ ravishment.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
οὔτοι πτερωτῶν ἁρπαγαῖς ⟨σʼ⟩ ἐκδώσομεν.

[¶131] Chorus:
But what about those whom we dread worse than evil serpents?

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀλλʼ εἰ δρακόντων δυσφρόνων ἐχθίοσιν;

## 2. Lines 490–1073

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-suppliants/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-suppliants/2/#p-N

[¶0] King:
Speak with good omen, as I have spoken auspiciously to you.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
εὔφημον εἴη τοὔπος εὐφημουμένῃ.

[¶1] Chorus:
No wonder I am fretful through alarm of mind.

> Greek: Χορός:
οὔτοι τι θαῦμα δυσφορεῖν φόβῳ φρενός.

[¶2] King:
Excessive fear is always uncontrolled.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ἀεί γʼ ἄναρκτόν ἐστι δεῖμʼ ἐξαίσιον.

[¶3] Chorus:
Cheer my heart by deeds as well as words.

> Greek: Χορός:
σὺ καὶ λέγων εὔφραινε καὶ πράσσων φρένα.

[¶4] King:
Your father will not leave you here alone for long. I am going now to call together the people of the land, that I may make the masses friendly; and I will instruct your father in what things he should say.
Now stay here and beseech the gods of the land with prayers to grant what you desire, while I go to advance your cause. May persuasion and efficacious fortune attend me! Exit with attendants

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ἀλλʼ οὔτι δαρὸν χρόνον ἐρημώσει πατήρ.
ἐγὼ δὲ λαοὺς συγκαλῶν ἐγχωρίους
στείχω, τὸ κοινὸν ὡς ἂν εὐμενὲς τιθῶ·
καὶ σὸν διδάξω πατέρα ποῖα χρὴ λέγειν.
πρὸς ταῦτα μίμνε καὶ θεοὺς ἐγχωρίους
λιταῖς παραιτοῦ τῶν σʼ ἔρως ἔχει τυχεῖν.
ἐγὼ δὲ ταῦτα πορσυνῶν ἐλεύσομαι.
πειθὼ δʼ ἕποιτο καὶ τύχη πρακτήριος.

[¶5] Chorus:
Lord of lords,
most blessed among the blessed, power most perfect among the perfect, O blessed Zeus, hear! And from your offspring ward off in utter abhorrence the lust of men, and into the purple sea cast
their black-benched madness!

> Greek: Χορός:
ἄναξ ἀνάκτων, μακάρων
μακάρτατε καὶ τελέων
τελειότατον κράτος, ὄλβιε Ζεῦ,
πιθοῦ τε καὶ γένει σῷ
ἄλευσον ἀνδρῶν ὕβριν εὖ στυγήσας.
λίμνᾳ δʼ ἔμβαλε πορφυροειδεῖ
τὰν μελανόζυγʼ ἄταν.

[¶6] Chorus:
Look benignly upon the women’s cause, look upon our race ancient in story, and recall the happy tale of our ancestress, the woman of your love.
Show that you remember all, you who laid your hand upon Io. It is from Zeus that we claim descent, and it is from this, our homeland, that we went forth.

> Greek: Χορός:
τὸ πρὸς γυναικῶν ⟨δʼ⟩ ἐπιδὼν
παλαίφατον ἁμέτερον
γένος φιλίας προγόνου γυναικὸς
νέωσον εὔφρονʼ αἶνον,
γενοῦ πολυμνάστωρ, ἔφαπτορ Ἰοῦς·
Δῖαί τοι γένος εὐχόμεθʼ εἶναι
γᾶς ἀπὸ τᾶσδʼ ἄποικοι.

[¶7] Chorus:
I have come here to the prints of ancient feet, my mother’s, even to the region where she was watched while she browsed among the flowers—
into that pasture, from which Io, tormented by the gad-fly’s sting, fled in frenzy, traversing many tribes of men, and
according to fate, cut in two the surging strait, marking off the land upon the farther shore.

> Greek: Χορός:
παλαιὸν, δʼ εἰς ἴχνος μετέσταν
ματέρος ἀνθονόμους ἐπωπάς,
λειμῶνα βούχιλον, ἔνθεν Ἰὼ
οἴστρῳ ἐρεθομένα
φεύγει ἁμαρτίνοος,
πολλὰ βροτῶν διαμειβομένα
φῦλα, διχῇ δʼ ἀντίπορον
γαῖαν ἐν αἴσᾳ διατέμ-
νουσα πόρον κυματίαν ὁρίζει·

[¶8] Chorus:
And through the land of Asia she gallops, straight through sheep-pasturing Phrygia, and she passes the city of Teuthras among the Mysians,
and the hollow vales of Lydia, across the mountains of the Cilicians and the Pamphylians, speeding over ever-flowing rivers and earth deep and rich, and
the land of Aphrodite that teems with wheat.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἰάπτει δʼ Ἀσίδος διʼ αἴας
μηλοβότου Φρυγίας διαμπάξ.
περᾷ δὲ Τεύθραντος ἄστυ Μυσῶν,
Λύδιά τε γύαλα,
καὶ διʼ ὀρῶν Κιλίκων
Παμφύλων τε [γένη] διορνυμένα
καί ποταμοὺς ἀενάους
καὶ βαθύπλουτον χθόνα καὶ
τὰν Ἀφροδίτας πολύπυρον αἶαν.

[¶9] Chorus:
Harassed by the sting of the winged herdsman she gains at last the fertile groves sacred to Zeus, that snow-fed pasture assailed
by Typho’s fury, and the water of the Nile that no disease may touch—maddened by her ignominious toils and frenzied with the pain of Hera’s torturing goad.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἱκνεῖται δὴ σινουμένα βέλει
βουκόλου πτερόεντος
Δῖον πάμβοτον ἄλσος,
λειμῶνα χιονόβοσκον, ὅντʼ ἐπέρχεται
Τυφῶ μένος,
ὕδωρ τε Νείλου νόσοις ἄθικτον,
μαινομένα πόνοις ἀτί-
μοις ὀδύναις τε κεντροδα-
λήτισι, θυιὰς Ἥρας.

[¶10] Chorus:
And mortals, who in those days dwelled in the land, shook with pallid terror at the terrible sight as they beheld a being fearsome, half-human, part cow
and part of woman; and they were astonished at the monstrous thing. And then, at last, who was it who calmed the far-wandering, the wretched, the sting-tormented Io?

> Greek: Χορός:
βροτοὶ δʼ, οἳ γᾶς τότʼ ἦσαν ἔννομοι
χλωρῷ δείματι θυμὸν
πάλλοντʼ ὄψιν ἀήθη,
βοτὸν ἐσορῶντες δυσχερὲς μειξόμβροτον,
τὰν μὲν βοός,
τὰν δʼ αὖ γυναικός· τέρας δʼ ἐθάμβουν.
καὶ τότε δὴ τίς ἦν ὁ θέλ-
ξας πολύπλαγκτον ἀθλίαν
οἰστροδόνητον Ἰώ;

[¶11] Chorus:
Zeus, it was, through endless time, the lord,... and by the unharming might of his hand, and by his divine breath, she gained rest, and let fall the sorrowing shame of tears.
And, taking Zeus as her support, according to a true story, she bore a blameless son—

> Greek: Χορός:
διʼ αἰῶνος κρέων ἀπαύστου
Ζεὺς …
Διὸς δʼ ἀπημάντῳ σθένει
καὶ θείαις ἐπιπνοίαις
παύεται, δακρύων δʼ ἀπο-
στάζει πένθιμον αἰδῶ.
λαβοῦσα δʼ ἕρμα Δῖον ἀψευδεῖ λόγῳ
γείνατο παῖδʼ ἀμεμφῆ,

[¶12] Chorus:
Throughout long ages blessed. All the earth cries aloud, “This is in very truth the offspring of life-giving Zeus; for who else could have endured the suffering plotted by Hera?” Call this the work of Zeus and this his race sprung from Epaphus and you will hit the truth.

> Greek: Χορός:
διʼ αἰῶνος μακροῦ πάνολβον·
ἔνθεν πᾶσα βοᾷ χθών,
φυσιζόου γένος τόδε
Ζηνός ἐστιν ἀληθῶς·
τίς γὰρ ἂν κατέπαυσεν Ἥ-
ρας νόσους ἐπιβούλους;
Διὸς τόδʼ ἔργον καὶ τόδʼ ἂν γένος λέγων
ἐξ Ἐπάφου κυρήσαις.

[¶13] Chorus:
Which of the gods has accomplished deeds which, with good reason, warrant more justly my appeal to him? Father himself and lord, he planted us with his own hand; he is the mighty fashioner of our race, ancient in wisdom, who devises everything, whose breath makes all things prosper, Zeus himself.

> Greek: Χορός:
τίνʼ ἂν θεῶν ἐνδικωτέροισιν
κεκλοίμαν εὐλόγως ἐπʼ ἔργοις;
⟨αὐτὸς ὁ⟩ πατὴρ φυτουργὸς αὐτόχειρ ἄναξ
γένους παλαιόφρων μέγας
τέκτων, τὸ πᾶν μῆχαρ οὔριος Ζεύς.

[¶14] Chorus:
He does not sit upon his throne by mandate of another and hold his dominion beneath a mightier. No one sits above him whose power he holds in awe. He speaks, and it is done—he hastens to execute whatever his counselling mind conceives.

> Greek: Χορός:
ὑπʼ ἀρχᾶς δʼ οὔ τινος θοάζων
τὸ μεῖον κρεισσόνων κρατύνει.
οὔτινος ἄνωθεν ἡμένου σέβει κράτη.
πάρεστι δʼ ἔργον ὡς ἔπος
σπεῦσαί τι τῶν βούλιος φέρει φρήν.

[¶15] Re-enter Danaus
Danaus:
Be of good cheer, my children, all goes well on the part of the citizens. Decrees, carrying full authority, have been passed.

> Greek: Δαναός:
θαρσεῖτε παῖδες. εὖ τὰ τῶν ἐγχωρίων·
δήμου δέδοκται παντελῆ ψηφίσματα.

[¶16] Chorus:
Hail, our envoy, harbinger of tidings most welcome, But tell us—to what end has the decision been carried, and to what course does the majority of the people’s votes incline?

> Greek: Χορός:
ὦ χαῖρε πρέσβυ, φίλτατʼ ἀγγέλλων ἐμοί
ἔνισπε δʼ ἡμῖν ποῖ κεκύρωται τέλος,
δήμου κρατοῦσα χεὶρ ὅπῃ πληθύνεται.

[¶17] Danaus:
Action was taken by the Argives, not by any doubtful vote but in such a way as to make my aged heart renew its youth. For the air bristled with right hands held aloft as, in full vote, they ratified this resolution into law: “That we are settlers in this land, and are free, subject to no seizure, and secure from robbery of man; that no one, native or alien, lead us captive; but, if they turn 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.

> Greek: Δαναός:
ἔδοξεν Ἀργείοισιν οὐ διχορρόπως,
ἀλλʼ ὥστʼ ἀνηβῆσαί με γηραιᾷ φρενί·
πανδημίᾳ γὰρ χερσὶ δεξιωνύμοις
ἔφριξεν αἰθὴρ τόνδε κραινόντων λόγον·
ἡμᾶς μετοικεῖν τῆσδε γῆς ἐλευθέρους
κἀρρυσιάστους ξύν τʼ ἀσυλίᾳ βροτῶν·
καὶ μήτʼ ἐνοίκων μήτʼ ἐπηλύδων τινὰ
ἄγειν· ἐὰν δὲ προστιθῇ τὸ καρτερόν,
τὸν μὴ βοηθήσαντα τῶνδε γαμόρων
ἄτιμον εἶναι ξὺν φυγῇ δημηλάτῳ.
τοιάνδʼ ἔπειθεν ῥῆσιν ἀμφʼ ἡμῶν λέγων
ἄναξ Πελασγῶν, ἱκεσίου Ζηνὸς κότον
μέγαν προφωνῶν μήποτʼ εἰσόπιν χρόνου
πόλιν παχῦναι, ξενικὸν ἀστικόν θʼ ἅμα
λέγων διπλοῦν μίασμα πρὸ πόλεως φανὲν
ἀμήχανον βόσκημα πημονῆς πέλειν.
τοιαῦτʼ ἀκούων χερσὶν Ἀργεῖος λεὼς
ἔκρανʼ ἄνευ κλητῆρος ὡς εἶναι τάδε.
δημηγόρους δʼ ἤκουσεν εὐπιθὴς στροφὰς
δῆμος Πελασγῶν· Ζεὺς δʼ ἐπέκρανεν τέλος

[¶18] Chorus:
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.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἄγε δή, λέξωμεν ἐπʼ Ἀργείοις
εὐχὰς ἀγαθάς, ἀγαθῶν ποινάς.
Ζεὺς δʼ ἐφορεύοι ξένιος ξενίου
στόματος τιμὰς ἐπʼ ἀληθείᾳ,
τέρμονʼ ἄμεμπτον προσαπαντᾶν.

[¶19] Chorus:
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.

> Greek: Χορός:
νῦν ὅτε καί, θεοὶ
διογενεῖς, κλύοιτʼ εὐ-
κταῖα γένει χεούσας·
μήποτε πυρίφατον
γᾶν Πελασγίαν [πόλιν]
τὸν ἄκορον βοᾶς,
κτίσαι μάχλον Ἄπη,
τὸν ἀρότοις θερί-
ζοντα βροτοὺς ἐν ἄλλοις,
οὕνεκʼ ᾤκτισαν ἡμᾶς,
ψῆφον δʼ εὔφρονʼ ἔθεντο,
αἰδοῦνται δʼ ἱκέτας Διός,
ποίμναν τάνδʼ ἀμέγαρτον·

[¶20] Chorus:
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.

> Greek: Χορός:
οὐδὲ μετʼ ἀρσένων
ψῆφον ἔθεντʼ ἀτιμώ-
σαντες ἔριν γυναικῶν,
Δῖον ἐπιδόμενοι
πράκτορά [τε] σκοπὸν
δυσπολέμητον, ὃν [οὐ]
τίς ἂν δόμος ἔχοι
ἐπʼ ὀρόφων μιαί-
νοντα; βαρὺς δʼ ἐφίζει.
ἅζονται γὰρ ὁμαίμους
Ζηνὸς ἵκτορας ἁγνοῦ.
τοιγάρτοι καθαροῖσι βω-
μοῖς θεοὺς ἀρέσονται.

[¶21] Chorus:
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.

> Greek: Χορός:
τοιγὰρ ὑποσκίων
ἐκ στομάτων ποτά-
σθω φιλότιμος εὐχά,
μήποτε λοιμὸς ἀνδρῶν
τάνδε πόλιν κενώσαι·
μηδʼ ἐπιχωρίοις ⟨ἔρις⟩
πτώμασιν αἱματίσαι πέδον γᾶς.
ἥβας δʼ ἄνθος ἄδρεπτον
ἔστω, μηδʼ Ἀφροδίτας
εὐνάτωρ βροτολοιγὸς Ἄ-
ρης κέρσειεν ἄωτον.

[¶22] Chorus:
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.

> Greek: Χορός:
καὶ γεραροῖσι πρε-
σβυτοδόκοι γεμόν-
των θυμέλαι φλεγόντων.
τὼς πόλις εὖ νέμοιτο
Ζῆνα μέγαν σεβόντων,
τὸν ξένιον δʼ ὑπερτάτως,
ὃς πολιῷ νόμῳ αἶσαν ὀρθοῖ.
τίκτεσθαι δʼ ἐφόρους γᾶς
ἄλλους εὐχόμεθʼ ἀεί,
Ἄρτεμιν δʼ Ἑκάταν γυναι-
κῶν λόχους ἐφορεύειν.

[¶23] Chorus:
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.

> Greek: Χορός:
μηδέ τις ἀνδροκμὴς
λοιγὸς ἐπελθέτω
τάνδε πόλιν δαΐζων,
ἄχορον ἀκίθαριν
δακρυογόνον Ἄρη
βοάν τʼ ἔνδημον ἐξοπλίζων.
νούσων δʼ ἑσμὸς ἀπʼ ἀστῶν
ἵζοι κρατὸς ἀτερπής·
εὐμενὴς δʼ ὁ Λύκειος ἔ-
στω πάσᾳ νεολαίᾳ.

[¶24] Chorus:
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.

> Greek: Χορός:
καρποτελῆ δέ τοι
Ζεὺς ἐπικραινέτω
φέρματι γᾶν πανώρῳ.
πρόνομα δὲ βότʼ ἀγροῖς
πολύγονα τελέθοι·
τὸ πᾶν τʼ ἐκ δαιμόνων λάχοιεν.
εὔφαμον δʼ ἐπὶ βωμοῖς
μοῦσαν θείατʼ ἀοιδοί.
ἁγνῶν τʼ ἐκ στομάτων φερέ-
σθω φάμα φιλοφόρμιγξ.

[¶25] Chorus:
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.

> Greek: Χορός:
φυλάσσοι τʼ ἀτρεμαῖα τιμὰς
τὸ δάμιον, τὸ πτόλιν κρατύνει,
προμαθὶς εὐκοινόμητις ἀρχά.
ξένοισί τʼ εὐξυμβόλους,
πρὶν ἐξοπλίζειν Ἄρη,
δίκας ἄτερ πημάτων διδοῖεν.

[¶26] Chorus:
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.

> Greek: Χορός:
θεοὺς δʼ, οἳ γᾶν ἔχουσιν ἀεὶ
τίοιεν ἐγχωρίοις πατρῴαις
δαφνηφόροις βουθύτοισι τιμαῖς.
τὸ γὰρ τεκόντων σέβας
τρίτον τόδʼ ἐν θεσμίοις
Δίκας γέγραπται μεγιστοτίμου.

[¶27] Danaus:
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 trimming of its sail, its side-guards, and the prow that with its eyes scans its onward course, obeying—all too well for those to whom it is unfriendly—the guiding rudder at the stern. The men on board are plainly seen, their black
limbs showing from their white attire. The rest of the ships and all the assisting fleet stand clear in view: but the leading ship herself has furled her sail and draws near the shore with full sweep of sounding oars. Yet
you must face the matter calmly and with self-control, and not be unmindful of these gods. For my part, I will secure allies and advocates to urge our cause, and return. Perhaps some herald or envoys may come, eager to seize you as a prize and drag you away, but nothing will happen: do not fear them.
Yet in the event that we should be slow in bringing aid, it would be better not to forget for a moment the means of help you have here at hand. Courage! In good time, assuredly, and on the day ordained, he who dishonors the gods will suffer punishment.

> Greek: Δαναός:
εὐχὰς μὲν αἰνῶ τάσδε σώφρονας, φίλαι.
ὑμεῖς δὲ μὴ τρέσητʼ ἀκούσασαι πατρὸς
ἀπροσδοκήτους τούσδε καὶ νέους λόγους.
ἱκεταδόκου γὰρ τῆσδʼ ἀπὸ σκοπῆς ὁρῶ
τὸ πλοῖον. εὔσημον γὰρ οὔ με λανθάνει·
στολμοί τε λαίφους καὶ παραρρύσεις νεώς,
καὶ πρῷρα πρόσθεν ὄμμασιν βλέπουσʼ ὁδόν,
οἴακος εὐθυντῆρος ὑστάτου νεὼς
ἄγαν καλῶς κλύουσα, τοῖσιν οὐ φίλη.
πρέπουσι δʼ ἄνδρες νάιοι μελαγχίμοις
γυίοισι λευκῶν ἐκ πεπλωμάτων ἰδεῖν,
καὶ τἄλλα πλοῖα πᾶσά θʼ ἡ ʼπικουρία
εὔπρεπτος· αὐτὴ δʼ ἡγεμὼν ὑπὸ χθόνα
στείλασα λαῖφος παγκρότως ἐρέσσεται.
ἀλλʼ ἡσύχως χρὴ καὶ σεσωφρονισμένως
πρὸς πρᾶγμʼ ὁρώσας τῶνδε μὴ ἀμελεῖν θεῶν.
ἐγὼ δʼ ἀρωγοὺς ξυνδίκους θʼ ἥξω λαβών.
ἴσως γὰρ ἂν κῆρυξ τις ἢ πρέσβη μόλοι,
ἄγειν θέλοντες ῥυσίων ἐφάπτορες.
ἀλλʼ οὐδὲν ἔσται τῶνδε· μὴ τρέσητέ νιν.
ὅμως ⟨δʼ⟩ ἄμεινον, εἰ βραδύνοιμεν βοῇ,
ἀλκῆς λαθέσθαι τῆσδε μηδαμῶς ποτε.
θάρσει· χρόνῳ τοι κυρίῳ τʼ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ
θεοὺς ἀτίζων τις βροτῶν δώσει δίκην.

[¶28] Chorus:
Father, I am afraid. With what swift wings the ships
approach! There is not much time left.

> Greek: Χορός:
πάτερ, φοβοῦμαι, νῆες ὡς ὠκύπτεροι
ἥκουσι· μῆκος δʼ οὐδὲν ἐν μέσῳ χρόνου.

[¶29] Chorus:
I am possessed by dreadful fear if truly my long flight has been of no profit. Father, I am consumed with fright.

> Greek: Χορός:
περίφοβόν μʼ ἔχει τάρβος ἐτητύμως
πολυδρόμου φυγᾶς ὄφελος εἴ τί μοι.
παροίχομαι, πάτερ, δείματι.

[¶30] Danaus:
Since the vote of the Argives was final,
be of good cheer, my children; they will fight in your defence, I know this well.

> Greek: Δαναός:
ἐπεὶ τελεία ψῆφος Ἀργείων, τέκνα,
θάρσει, μαχοῦνται περὶ σέθεν, σάφʼ οἶδʼ ἐγώ.
[]

[¶31] Chorus:
Abominable is the lustful race of Aegyptus and insatiate of battle; and you know that all too well.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἐξῶλές ἐστι μάργον Αἰγύπτου γένος
μάχης τʼ ἄπληστον· καὶ λέγω πρὸς εἰδότα.

[¶32] In ships, stout-timbered and dark-prowed, they have sailed here,
attended by a mighty black host, and in their wrath overtaken us.

> Greek: Χορός:
δοριπαγεῖς δʼ ἔχοντες κυανώπιδας
νῆας ἔπλευσαν ὧδʼ ἐπιτυχεῖ κότῳ
πολεῖ μελαγχίμῳ σὺν στρατῷ.

[¶33] Danaus:
But they will find here a force with arms well-seasoned by the noonday heat.

> Greek: Δαναός:
πολλοὺς δέ γʼ εὑρήσουσιν ἐν μεσημβρίας
θάλπει βραχίονʼ εὖ κατερρινημένους.
[]

[¶34] Chorus:
Do not leave me forlorn, I implore you, father. A woman abandoned to herself is nothing. There is no Ares in her.

> Greek: Χορός:
μόνην δὲ μὴ πρόλειπε· λίσσομαι, πάτερ.
γυνὴ μονωθεῖσʼ οὐδέν· οὐκ ἔνεστʼ Ἄρης.

[¶35] They are of evil mind, and guileful of purpose, with impure hearts, thinking no more of altars than carrion birds.

> Greek: Χορός:
οὐλόφρονες, δὲ καὶ δολιομήτιδες
δυσάγνοις φρεσίν, κόρακες ὥστε, βω-
μῶν ἀλέγοντες οὐδέν.

[¶36] Danaus:
This would profit us well, my children, should they incur both Heaven’s hate and yours.

> Greek: Δαναός:
καλῶς ἂν ἡμῖν ξυμφέροι ταῦτʼ ὦ τέκνα,
εἰ σοί τε καὶ θεοῖσιν ἐχθαιροίατο.
[]

[¶37] Chorus:
Father, no fear of tridents or of things held sacred in the sight of Heaven will ever keep their hands from us.

> Greek: Χορός:
οὐ μὴ τριαίνας τάσδε καὶ θεῶν σέβη
δείσαντες ἡμῶν χεῖρʼ ἀπόσχωνται, πάτερ.

[¶38] They are overweening, maddened, with unholy rage, shameless dogs that do not respect the gods.

> Greek: Χορός:
περίφρονες δʼ ἄγαν ἀνιέρῳ μένει
μεμαργωμένοι κυνοθρασεῖς, θεῶν
οὐδὲν ἐπαΐοντες.

[¶39] Danaus:
Yet there is a saying that wolves are stronger than dogs; the papyrus-fruit does not conquer the wheat-ear.

> Greek: Δαναός:
ἀλλʼ ἔστι φήμη τοὺς λύκους κρείσσους κυνῶν
εἶναι· βύβλου δὲ καρπὸς οὐ κρατεῖ στάχυν.
[]

[¶40] Chorus:
Since they have the tempers of lewd and impious beasts, we must guard against them quickly.

> Greek: Χορός:
ὡς καὶ ματαίων ἀνοσίων τε κνωδάλων
ἔχοντας ὀργάς, χρὴ φυλάσσεσθαι τάχος.

[¶41] Danaus:
A fleet in getting under way is not so speedy,
nor yet in anchoring, when the securing cables must be brought ashore; and even at anchorage shepherds of ships do not feel immediately secure, above all if they have arrived on a harborless coast when the sun is sinking into night.
In a cautious pilot night is likely to beget anxiety. Then, too, the disembarking of an army cannot be effected with success before a ship has gained confidence in her moorings. But, for all your terror, remember not to neglect the gods. I will return when I have secured aid. The city will find no fault with a messenger,
old in years, but with youth in his heart and on his tongue. Exit

> Greek: Δαναός:
οὔτοι ταχεῖα ναυτικοῦ στρατοῦ στολή,
οὐδʼ ὅρμος, οὗ δεῖ πεισμάτων σωτήρια
ἐς γῆν ἐνεγκεῖν, οὐδʼ ἐν ἀγκυρουχίαις
θαρσοῦσι ναῶν ποιμένες παραυτίκα,
ἄλλως τε καὶ μολόντες ἀλίμενον χθόνα
ἐς νύκτʼ ἀποστείχοντος ἡλίου. φιλεῖ
ὠδῖνα τίκτειν νὺξ κυβερνήτῃ σοφῷ.
οὕτω γένοιτʼ ἂν οὐδʼ ἂν ἔκβασις στρατοῦ
καλή, πρὶν ὅρμῳ ναῦν θρασυνθῆναι. σὺ δὲ
φρόνει μὲν ὡς ταρβοῦσα μὴ ἀμελεῖν θεῶν·
…
πράξας ἀρωγήν· ἄγγελον δʼ οὐ μέμψεται
πόλις γέρονθʼ, ἡβῶντα δʼ εὐγλώσσῳ φρενί.

[¶42] Chorus:
O land of hills, land of our righteous veneration, what is to be our lot? To what region in the Apian land are we to flee, if anywhere there be some dark hiding-place? Ah that I might become black smoke
that draws near to the clouds of Zeus; or, soaring aloft without wings, vanish out of sight like viewless dust and dissolve into nothingness!

> Greek: Χορός:
ἰὼ γᾶ βοῦνι, πάνδικον σέβας,
τί πεισόμεσθα; ποῖ φύγωμεν Ἀπίας
χθονός, κελαινὸν εἴ τι κεῦθός ἐστί που;
μέλας γενοίμαν καπνὸς
νέφεσσι γειτονῶν Διός·
τὸ πᾶν δʼ ἄφαντος
ἀμπετὴς ἀιδνὸς ὡς
κόνις ἄτερθε πτερύγων ὀλοίμαν.

[¶43] Chorus:
The evil is no longer escapable;
my heart is darkened and trembling; the look-out my father held has brought me ruin. I am undone with terror. Rather would I meet my doom in a noose
than suffer the embraces of a man I loathe. Death before that, with Hades for my lord and master!

> Greek: Χορός:
ἄφυκτον δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἂν πέλοι κακόν·
κελαινόχρως δὲ πάλλεταί μου καρδία.
πατρὸς σκοπαὶ δέ μʼ εἷλον· οἴχομαι φόβῳ.
θέλοιμι δʼ ἂν μορσίμου
βρόχου τυχεῖν ἐν ἀρτάναις,
πρὶν ἄνδρʼ ἀπευκτὸν
τῷδε χριμφθῆναι χροΐ.
πρόπαρ θανούσας ⟨δʼ⟩ Ἀίδας ἀνάσσοι.

[¶44] Chorus:
Ah that somewhere in the upper air I might find a seat against which the dank clouds turn into snow, or some bare, inaccessible crag,
beyond sight, brooding in solitude, beetling, vulture-haunted, to bear witness to my plunge into the depths before I am ever forced into a marriage that would pierce my heart!

> Greek: Χορός:
πόθεν δέ μοι γένοιτʼ ἂν αἰθέρος θρόνος,
πρὸς ὃν νέφη μυδηλὰ γίγνεται χιών,
ἢ λισσὰς αἰγίλιψ ἀπρόσ-
δεικτος οἰόφρων κρεμὰς
γυπιὰς πέτρα, βαθὺ
πτῶμα μαρτυροῦσά μοι,
πρὶν δαΐκτορος βίᾳ
καρδίας γάμου κυρῆσαι;

[¶45] Chorus:
Thereafter I refuse not to become a booty for dogs and a banquet for the local birds; for death is freedom from misery-loving evils. Come death, death be my doom,
before the marriage-bed! How can I yet find some means of escape to deliver me from marriage?

> Greek: Χορός:
κυσὶν δʼ ἔπειθʼ ἕλωρα κἀπιχωρίοις
ὄρνισι δεῖπνον οὐκ ἀναίνομαι πέλειν·
τὸ γὰρ θανεῖν ἐλευθεροῦ-
ται φιλαιάκτων κακῶν. [ἐλθέτω]
ἐλθέτω μόρος, πρὸ κοί-
τας γαμηλίου τυχών.
ἀμφυγᾶς τίνʼ ἔτι πόρον
τέμνω γάμου λυτῆρα;

[¶46] Chorus:
Shriek aloud, with a cry that reaches heaven, strains of supplication to the gods;
O father, give heed that they are somehow accomplished to my safety and tranquility. Behold deeds of violence with no kind glance in your just eyes!
Have respect for your suppliants, O Zeus, omnipotent upholder of the land!

> Greek: Χορός:
ἴυζε δʼ ὀμφὰν οὐρανίαν
⟨μέλεα⟩ μέλη λιτανὰ θεοῖς·
τέλεα δέ πως πελόμενά μοι
λύσιμά τʼ ἄχιμά τʼ ἔπιδε, πάτερ,
βίαια μὴ φαιδρῶς ὁρῶν
ὄμμασιν ἐνδίκοις.
σεβίζου δʼ ἱκέτας σέθεν,
γαιάοχε παγκρατὲς Ζεῦ.

[¶47] Chorus:
For the males of the race of Aegyptus, intolerable in their wantonness, chase after me,
a fugitive, with clamorous lewdness and seek to lay hold of me with violence. But yours alone is the beam of the balance, and without you what is accomplished for mortals?

> Greek: Χορός:
γένος γὰρ Αἰγύπτειον ὕβριν
δύσφορον ἀρσενογενὲς
μετά με δρόμοισι διόμενοι
φυγάδα μάταισι πολυθρόοις
βίαια δίζηνται λαβεῖν.
σὸν δʼ ἐπίπαν ζυγὸν
ταλάντου. τί δʼ ἄνευ σέθεν
θνατοῖσι τέλειόν ἐστιν;

[¶48] The herald of the Egyptians is seen at a distance, with armed followers.
Ho! Ha! Here on the land is the pirate from the ship! Before that, pirate, may you perish...
I see in this the prelude of suffering wrought by violence. Oh! Oh! Fly for protection! Savagery beyond bearing by its insolence on sea and land alike.
Lord of the land, protect us!

> Greek: Χορός:
ό ό ό, ά ά ά·
ὅδε μάρπτις νάιος γάιος.
τῶν πρό, μάρπτι, κάμνοις·
ἰόφ.. ὀμ.. αὖθι κάκκας νυ
δυϊαν βοᾶν ἀμφαίνω.
ὁρῶ τάδε φροίμια πράξαν πόνων
βιαίων ἐμῶν. ἠὲ ἠέ.
βαῖνε φυγᾷ πρὸς ἀλκάν·
βλοσυρόφρονα χλιδᾷ
δύσφορα ναῒ κἀν γᾷ.
γαϊάναξ προτάσσου.

[¶49] Herald:
Away with you, away to the ship, as fast as your feet can carry you! If you won’t, your hair shall be torn out; you’ll be pricked with goads, and off will come your heads
with abundant letting of gory blood. Away with you, away—and curses on you!—to the ships.

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Κῆρυξ:
σοῦσθε σοῦσθʼ ἐπὶ βᾶ-
ριν ὅπως ποδῶν ⟨ἔχετε⟩
οὐκοῦν οὐκοῦν
τιλμοὶ τιλμοὶ καὶ στιγμοί,
πολυαίμων φόνιος
ἀποκοπὰ κρατός.
σοῦσθε σοῦσθʼ ὀλύμεναι ὀλόμενʼ ἐπαμίδα.

[¶50] Chorus:
Would that you had perished on your course over the great briny flood
along with your lordly arrogance and your riveted ship!...

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Χορός:
εἴθʼ ἀνὰ πολύρυτον
ἁλμήεντα πόρον
δεσποσίῳ ξὺν ὕβρει,
γομφοδέτῳ τε δόρει διώλου.
αἵμονες ὡς ἐπάμιδα
ησυδουπιάπιτα
⟨⟩

[¶51] Herald:
I order you to stop your shrieking.... Ho there! leave the sanctuary: be off to the ship! I do not respect one without honor and city.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
κελεύω βοᾶν μεθέσθαι
ἴχαρ φρενί τʼ ἄταν.
ἰοὺ ἰού.
λεῖφʼ ἕδρανα, κίʼ ἐς δόρυ.
ἀτίετον ἄπολιν οὐ σέβω.

[¶52] Chorus:
Never again may my eyes behold
the cattle-nurturing stream from which increase comes to men and vigor of the blood of life. I am a native here, of ancient nobility... old man.

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Χορός:
μήποτε πάλιν ἴδοιμʼ
ἀλφεσίβοιον ὕδωρ,
ἔνθεν ἀεξόμενον
ζώφυτον αἷμα βροτοῖσι θάλλει.
ἔγγαιος ἐγὼ βαθυχαῖος
βαθρείας βαθρείας, γέρον.

[¶53] Herald:
You will get yourself speedily on board, on board, I say, whether you will or not, by force, by force....

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Κῆρυξ:
σὺ δʼ ἐν ναῒ ναῒ βάσῃ
τάχα θέλεος ἀθέλεος,
βίᾳ βίᾳ τε πολλᾷ φροῦδα.
βάτεαι βαθυμιτροκακὰ παθῶν
[ὀλόμεναι παλάμαις].

[¶54] Chorus:
Alas, alas! So may you perish past all help, driven from your course over the surging waves by eastern breezes off
the sandy tomb of Sarpedon!

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Χορός:
αἰαῖ αἰαῖ.
αἲ γὰρ δυσπαλάμως ὄλοιο
διʼ ἁλίρρυτον ἄλσος,
κατὰ Σαρπηδόνιον
χῶμα πολύψαμμον ἀλαθεὶς
Εὐρεΐαισιν αὔραις.

[¶55] Herald:
Wail and shout and call upon the gods—you will not escape the Egyptian ship.
Cry out, utter a strain of woe more bitter still.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
ἴυζε καὶ λάκαζε καὶ κάλει θεούς.
Αἰγυπτίαν γὰρ βᾶριν οὐχ ὑπερθορῇ.
[ἴυζε καὶ]
βόα, χέον πικρότερον οἰζύος νόμον.

[¶56] Chorus:
Alas, alas the brutal outrage with which, you crocodile, you boast arrogantly, bellowing on the sea. May the mighty
Nile, who watches you, overwhelm your arrogance and destroy you.

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Χορός:
οἰοῖ οἰοῖ,
λύμας, ᾇ σὺ πρὸ γᾶς ὑλάσκων
περί, χάμψα, βρυάζεις·
ὃς ἐπωπᾷ σʼ, ὁ μέγας
Νεῖλος, ὑβρίζοντά σʼ ἀποτρέ-
ψειεν ἄιστον ὕβριν.

[¶57] Herald:
Go to the double-prowed ship as quickly as possible. Let no one delay, for dragging by force has no mercy on locks of hair.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
βαίνειν κελεύω βᾶριν εἰς ἀμφίστροφον
ὅσον τάχιστα· μηδέ τις σχολαζέτω.
ὁλκὴ γὰρ οὔτοι πλόκαμον οὐδάμʼ ἅζεται.

[¶58] Chorus:
Alas, father; the help of the sacred images deludes me. Like a spider, he is carrying me seaward step by step—a nightmare, a black nightmare! Oh! Oh!
Mother Earth, mother Earth, avert his fearful cries! O father Zeus, son of Earth!

> Greek: Χορός:
οἰοῖ, πάτερ, βρέτεος ἄρος
ἀτᾷ μʼ·· ἅλαδʼ ἄγει
ἄραχνος ὡς βάδην.
ὄναρ ὄναρ μέλαν,
ὀτοτοτοτοῖ,
μᾶ Γᾶ μᾶ Γᾶ, βοὰν
φοβερὸν ἀπότρεπε,
ὦ πᾶ, Γᾶς παῖ, Ζεῦ.

[¶59] Herald:
I do not fear the native gods, be assured. They did not rear me, nor by their nurture did they bring me to old age.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
οὔτοι φοβοῦμαι δαίμονας τοὺς ἐνθάδε·
οὐ γάρ μʼ ἔθρεψαν, οὐδʼ ἐγήρασαν τροφῇ.

[¶60] Chorus:
He rages close to me, the two-footed serpent. Like some viper he lays hold of me and bites my foot. Alas, alas! Mother Earth, mother Earth,
avert his fearful cries! O father Zeus, son of Earth!

> Greek: Χορός:
μαιμᾷ πέλας δίπους ὄφις·
…
ἔχιδνα δʼ ὥς μέ τις
πόδα δακοῦσʼ ἔχει.
ὀτοτοτοτοῖ,
μᾶ Γᾶ μᾶ Γᾶ βοὰν
φοβερὸν ἀπότρεπε,
ὦ πᾶ, Γᾶς παῖ, Ζεῦ.

[¶61] Herald:
If you will not resign yourself and get to the ship, rending will have no pity on the fabric of your garments.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
εἰ μή τις ἐς ναῦν εἶσιν αἰνέσας τάδε,
λακὶς χιτῶνος ἔργον οὐ κατοικτιεῖ.

[¶62] Chorus:
We are lost! O King, we are suffering impious violence!

> Greek: Χορός:
διωλόμεσθʼ· ἄσεπτʼ, ἄναξ, πάσχομεν—

[¶63] Herald:
Oh, you will soon see many kings in Aegyptus’ sons. Be of good cheer: you will not have to blame lack of government.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
πολλοὺς ἄνακτας, παῖδας Αἰγύπτου τάχα
ὄψεσθε· θαρσεῖτʼ, οὐκ ἐρεῖτʼ ἀναρχίαν.
⟨⟩

[¶64] Chorus:
Listen! Chiefs and rulers of the city, I am threatened with violence!

> Greek: Χορός:
ἰὼ πόλεως ἀγοὶ πρόμοι, δάμναμαι.
⟨⟩

[¶65] Herald:
I think I will have to seize you by the hair and drag you off
since you are slow to heed my orders.
Enter the King with retainers

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
ἕλξειν ἔοιχʼ ὑμᾶς ἀποσπάσας κόμης,
ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἀκούετʼ ὀξὺ τῶν ἐμῶν λόγων.

[¶66] King:
You there! What are you doing? What kind of arrogance has incited you to do such dishonor to this realm of Pelasgian men? Indeed, do you think you have come to a land of women? For a barbarian dealing with Hellenes, you act insolently.
Many are the misses of your wits, and your hits are none.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
οὗτος, τί ποιεῖς; ἐκ ποίου φρονήματος
ἀνδρῶν Πελασγῶν τήνδʼ ἀτιμάζεις χθόνα;
ἀλλʼ ἦ γυναικῶν ἐς πόλιν δοκεῖς μολεῖν;
κάρβανος ὢν δʼ Ἕλλησιν ἐγχλίεις ἄγαν·
καὶ πόλλʼ ἁμαρτὼν οὐδὲν ὤρθωσας φρενί.

[¶67] Herald:
And in this case where have I gone wrong and transgressed my right?

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
τί δʼ ἠμπλάκηται τῶνδʼ ἐμοὶ δίκης ἄτερ;

[¶68] King:
First of all, you do not know how to act as a stranger.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ξένος μὲν εἶναι πρῶτον οὐκ ἐπίστασαι.

[¶69] Herald:
I not know? How so, when I simply find and take my own that I had lost?

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
πῶς δʼ οὐχί; τἄμʼ ὀλωλόθʼ εὑρίσκων ἄγω.

[¶70] King:
To what patrons of your land was your notice given?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ποίοισιν εἰπὼν προξένοις ἐγχωρίοις;

[¶71] Herald:
To Hermes, the Searcher, greatest of patrons.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
Ἑρμῇ μεγίστῳ προξένῳ μαστηρίῳ.

[¶72] King:
For all your notice to the gods, you do them no reverence.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
θεοῖσιν εἰπὼν τοὺς θεοὺς οὐδὲν σέβῃ.

[¶73] Herald:
I revere the deities by the Nile.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
τοὺς ἀμφὶ Νεῖλον δαίμονας σεβίζομαι.

[¶74] King:
While ours are nothing, as I understand you?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
οἱ δʼ ἐνθάδʼ οὐδέν, ὡς ἐγὼ σέθεν κλύω;

[¶75] Herald:
I shall carry off these maids unless someone tears them away.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
ἄγοιμʼ ἄν, εἴ τις τάσδε μὴ ʼξαιρήσεται.

[¶76] King:
If you so much as touch them, you will regret it, and right soon.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
κλάοις ἄν, εἰ ψαύσειας, οὐ μάλʼ ἐς μακράν.

[¶77] Herald:
I hear you; and your speech is far from hospitable.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
ἤκουσα τοὔπος ⟨δʼ⟩ οὐδαμῶς φιλόξενον.

[¶78] King:
No, since I have no hospitality for despoilers of the gods.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
οὐ γὰρ ξενοῦμαι τοὺς θεῶν συλήτορας.

[¶79] Herald:
I will go and tell Aegyptus’ sons about this.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
λέγοιμʼ ἂν ἐλθὼν παισὶν Αἰγύπτου τάδε.

[¶80] King:
My proud spirit will not ponder on this threat.

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ἀβουκόλητον τοῦτʼ ἐμῷ, φρονήματι.

[¶81] Herald:
But that I may know and tell a plainer tale —for it is fitting that a herald make exact report on each detail—what message am I to deliver? Who is it, am I to tell on my return, that has despoiled me of this band of women, their own cousins? It is not, I suppose, by voice of witnesses that the god of battle judges cases like this;
nor is it by the gift of silver that he settles dispute; no! If that be the case, many a one shall fall and shuffle off his life.

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
ἀλλʼ ὡς ἂν εἰδὼς ἐννέπω σαφέστερον,—
καὶ γὰρ πρέπει κήρυκʼ ἀπαγγέλλειν τορῶς
ἕκαστα,—πῶς φῶ, πρὸς τίνος τʼ ἀφαιρεθεὶς
ἥκειν γυναικῶν αὐτανέψιον στόλον;
οὔτοι δικάζει ταῦτα μαρτύρων ὕπο
Ἄρης· τὸ νεῖκος δʼ οὐκ ἐν ἀργύρου λαβῇ
ἔλυσεν· ἀλλὰ πολλὰ γίγνεται πάρος
πεσήματʼ ἀνδρῶν κἀπολακτισμοὶ βίου.
⟨⟩

[¶82] King:
My name? Why should I tell you? In due course of time you will learn it, you and your companions.
As for these maids, if, convinced by god-fearing argument, they consent of their own free will and heartily, you may take them. But to this purpose a decree has been passed by the unanimous resolve of the people of the State, never, under compulsion, to surrender this association of women. Through their resolve
the rivet has been driven home, to remain fixed and fast. Not on tablets is this inscribed, nor has it been sealed in folds of books: you hear the truth from free-spoken lips. Now get out of my sight immediately!

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
τί σοι λέγειν χρὴ τοὔνομʼ; ἐν χρόνῳ μαθὼν
εἴσῃ σύ τʼ αὐτὸς χοἰ ξυνέμποροι σέθεν.
ταύτας δʼ ἑκούσας μὲν κατʼ εὔνοιαν φρενῶν
ἄγοις ἄν, εἴπερ εὐσεβὴς πίθοι λόγος.
τοία δὲ δημόπρακτος ἐκ πόλεως μία
ψῆφος κέκρανται, μήποτʼ ἐκδοῦναι βίᾳ
στόλον γυναικῶν· τῶνδʼ ἐφήλωται τορῶς
γόμφος διαμπάξ, ὡς μένειν ἀραρότως.
ταῦτʼ οὐ πίναξίν ἐστιν ἐγγεγραμμένα
οὐδʼ ἐν πτυχαῖς βίβλων κατεσφραγισμένα,
σαφῆ δʼ ἀκούεις ἐξ ἐλευθεροστόμου
γλώσσης. κομίζου δʼ ὡς τάχιστʼ ἐξ ὀμμάτων.
⟨⟩

[¶83] Herald:
I think we are about to involve ourselves in a new war. But may victory and authority rest with the men!

> Greek: Κῆρυξ:
ἔοιγμεν ἤδη πόλεμον ἀρεῖσθαι νέον.
εἴη δὲ νίκη καὶ κράτη τοῖς ἄρσεσιν.
⟨⟩

[¶84] King:
It is men, I believe, you will find in the dwellers of this land; and they are no drinkers of diluted wine. Exit Herald. But
take courage, all of you, and together with your handmaidens, proceed to our well-fenced town, encircled by sturdy devices of towers. As for places inside to lodge, there are plenty of the public sort. For on no modest scale do I myself live, where,
in company with many others, you may occupy abodes suitably prepared; or, if it is more pleasing to you, it is free for you also to make your home in dwellings of separate sort. Of these select what is best and most to your desires. A protector you have in me and in all the inhabitants, whose resolve this is that now takes effect.
Why wait for others of higher authority?

> Greek: Βασιλεύς:
ἀλλʼ ἄρσενάς τοι τῆσδε γῆς οἰκήτορας
εὑρήσετʼ οὐ πίνοντας ἐκ κριθῶν μέθυ.
ὑμεῖς δὲ πᾶσαι σὺν φίλαις ὀπάοσι
θράσος λαβοῦσαι στείχετʼ εὐερκῆ πόλιν,
πύργων βαθείᾳ μηχανῇ κεκλῃμένην.
καὶ δώματʼ ἐστὶ πολλὰ μὲν τὰ δήμια,
δεδωμάτωμαι δʼ οὐδʼ ἐγὼ σμικρᾷ χερί.
ἔνθʼ ὑμίν ἐστιν εὐτύκους ναίειν δόμους
πολλῶν μετʼ ἄλλων· εἰ δέ τις μείζων χάρις,
πάρεστιν οἰκεῖν καὶ μονορρύθμους δόμους.
τούτων τὰ λῷστα καὶ τὰ θυμηδέστατα
πάρεστι, λωτίσασθε. προστάτης δʼ ἐγὼ
ἀστοί τε πάντες, ὧνπερ ἥδε κραίνεται
ψῆφος. τί τῶνδε κυριωτέρους μένεις;

[¶85] Chorus:
In blessings may you abound, noble Pelasgian, in requital for your blessings! But, if it pleases you, send our brave father Danaus here to be our adviser
and leader of our counsels. For it befits him, rather than ourselves, to advise us where we should establish our home and what neighborhood is friendly. All the world is ready to cast reproach on those who speak a foreign tongue. But may all be for the best! Exit the King.
And you, dear handmaidens, preserving your fair fame and provoking no angry utterances on the part of the native folk, take up your stations even as Danaus has allotted her duty of attendance unto each.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀλλʼ ἀντʼ ἀγαθῶν ἀγαθοῖσι βρύοις,
δῖε Πελασγῶν.
πέμψον δὲ πρόφρων δεῦρʼ ἡμέτερον
πατέρʼ εὐθαρσῆ Δαναόν, πρόνοον
καὶ βούλαρχον. τοῦ γὰρ προτέρα
μῆτις, ὅπου χρὴ δώματα ναίειν
καὶ τόπος εὔφρων. πᾶς τις ἐπειπεῖν
ψόγον ἀλλοθρόοις
εὔτυκος· εἴη δὲ τὰ λῷστα.
σύν τʼ εὐκλείᾳ καὶ ἀμηνίτῳ
βάξει λαῶν ἐγχώρων
…
τάσσεσθε, φίλαι δμωίδες, οὕτως
ὡς ἐφʼ ἑκάστῃ διεκλήρωσεν
Δαναὸς θεραποντίδα φερνήν.

[¶86] Enter Danaus with a bodyguard
Danaus:
My children, it is right to offer prayers to the Argives and to sacrifice and pour libations to them as to Olympian gods; for they are our saviors in no doubtful manner. They heard from my lips the conduct of your cousins toward their own kinfolk, and were moved to bitterness against them;
but to me they assigned this escort of spearmen, that I might have rank and honor, and might not be ambushed and perish by the death of the spear, and so an ever-living burden come upon the land. Recipients of such favors as these,
it becomes us to hold gratitude in yet higher honor from the bottom of our hearts. And in addition to the many other wise injunctions of your father recorded in your memory, inscribe this too—that an unknown company is proved by time. For in an alien’s case, all the world bears an evil tongue in readiness,
and it is easy lightly to utter defiling slander. Therefore I would have you bring no shame upon me, now when your youthful loveliness attracts men’s gaze. The tender ripeness of summer fruit is in no way easy to protect; beasts despoil it—and men, why not?—
and brutes that fly and those that walk the earth. Love’s goddess spreads news abroad of fruit bursting ripe.... So all men, as they pass,
mastered by desire, shoot an alluring arrow of the eye at the delicate beauty of virgins. See to it, therefore, that we do not suffer that in fear for which we have endured great toil and ploughed the great waters with our ship; and that we bring no shame to ourselves and exultation to our enemies. Housing of two kinds is at our disposition,
the one Pelasgus offers, the other, the city, and to occupy free of cost. These terms are easy. Only pay heed to these behests of your father, and count your chastity more precious than your life.

> Greek: Δαναός:
ὦ παῖδες, Ἀργείοισιν εὔχεσθαι χρεών,
θύειν τε λείβειν θʼ, ὡς θεοῖς, Ὀλυμπίοις,
σπονδάς, ἐπεὶ σωτῆρες οὐ διχορρόπως.
καί μου τὰ μὲν πραχθέντα πρὸς τοὺς ἐγγενεῖς
φίλους πικρῶς ἤκουσαν αὐτανεψίοις·
ἐμοὶ δʼ ὀπαδοὺς τούσδε καὶ δορυσσόους
ἔταξαν, ὡς ἔχοιμι τίμιον γέρας,
καὶ μὴ ʼξ ἀέλπτων δορικανεῖ μόρῳ θανὼν
λάθοιμι, χώρᾳ δʼ ἄχθος ἀείζων πέλοι.
τοιῶνδε τυγχάνοντας ἐκ πρυμνῆς φρενὸς
χάριν σέβεσθαι τιμιωτέραν χρεών.
καὶ ταῦθʼ ἅμʼ ἐγγράψασθε πρὸς γεγραμμένοις
πολλοῖσιν ἄλλοις σωφρονίσμασιν πατρός,
ἀγνῶθʼ ὅμιλον ἐξελέγχεσθαι χρόνῳ.
πᾶς δʼ ἐν μετοίκῳ γλῶσσαν εὔτυκον φέρει
κακήν, τό τʼ εἰπεῖν εὐπετὲς μύσαγμά πως.
ὑμᾶς δʼ ἐπαινῶ μὴ καταισχύνειν ἐμέ,
ὥραν ἐχούσας τήνδʼ ἐπίστρεπτον βροτοῖς.
τέρεινʼ ὀπώρα δʼ εὐφύλακτος οὐδαμῶς·
θῆρες δὲ κηραίνουσι καὶ βροτοί, τί μήν;
καὶ κνώδαλα πτεροῦντα καὶ πεδοστιβῆ.
καρπώματα στάζοντα κηρύσσει Κύπρις
καλωρα κωλύουσαν θωσμένειν ἐρῶ,
καὶ παρθένων χλιδαῖσιν εὐμόρφοις ἔπι
πᾶς τις παρελθὼν ὄμματος θελκτήριον
τόξευμʼ ἔπεμψεν, ἱμέρου νικώμενος.
πρὸς ταῦτα μὴ πάθωμεν ὧν πολὺς πόνος
πολὺς δὲ πόντος οὕνεκʼ ἠρόθη δορί,
μηδʼ αἶσχος ἡμῖν, ἡδονὴν δʼ ἐχθροῖς ἐμοῖς
πράξωμεν. οἴκησις δὲ καὶ διπλῆ πάρα
τὴν μὲν Πελασγός, τὴν δὲ καὶ πόλις διδοῖ,
οἰκεῖν λάτρων ἄτερθεν· εὐπετῆ τάδε.
μόνον φύλαξαι τάσδʼ ἐπιστολὰς πατρός,
τὸ σωφρονεῖν τιμῶσα τοῦ βίου πλέον.

[¶87] Chorus:
May the Olympian gods grant us good fortune in all the rest!
But, concerning the bloom of my virginity, father, be of good cheer, for, unless some evil has been devised of Heaven, I will not swerve from the former pathway of my thoughts.

> Greek: Χορός:
τἄλλʼ εὐτυχοῖμεν πρὸς θεῶν Ὀλυμπίων.
ἐμῆς δʼ ὀπώρας οὕνεκʼ εὖ θάρσει, πάτερ.
εἰ γάρ τι μὴ θεοῖς βεβούλευται νέον,
ἴχνος τὸ πρόσθεν οὐ διαστρέψω φρενός.

[¶88] Chorus of the Danaids:
Come now away, glorifying the blessed gods, lords of the city both those who guard the town
and those who dwell about Erasinus’ ancient stream. And you handmaidens take up the song. Let the theme of our praise be this city of the Pelasgians, and no longer
let the homage of our hymns be paid to Nile’s floods where they seek the sea,
Chorus of the Danaids:
But to the rivers that pour their gentle draught through the land and increase the birth of children, soothing its soil with their fertilizing streams.
May pure Artemis look upon this band in compassion, and may marriage never come through Cytherea’s compulsion. May that prize belong to my enemies!

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Χορός Δαναΐδων:
ἴτε μὰν ἀστυάνακτας
μάκαρας θεοὺς γανάοντες πολιούχους
τε καὶ οἳ χεῦμʼ Ἐρασίνου
περιναίουσιν παλαιόν.
ὑποδέξασθε ⟨δʼ⟩ ὀπαδοὶ
μέλος· αἶνος δὲ πόλιν τήνδε Πελασγῶν
ἐχέτω, μηδʼ ἔτι Νείλου
προχοὰς σέβωμεν ὕμνοις.
⟨⟩
Χορός Δαναΐδων:
ποταμοὺς δʼ οἳ διὰ χώρας
θελεμὸν πῶμα χέουσιν πολύτεκνοι,
λιπαροῖς χεύμασι γαίας
τόδε μειλίσσοντες οὖδας.
ἐπίδοι δʼ Ἄρτεμις ἁγνὰ
στόλον οἰκτιζομένα, μηδʼ ὑπʼ ἀνάγκας
γάμος ἔλθοι Κυθερείας·
στυγίων πέλοι τόδʼ ἆθλον.

[¶89] Chorus of Handmaidens:
Yet there is no disdain of Cypris in this our friendly hymn;
for she, together with Hera, holds power nearest to Zeus, and for her solemn rites the goddess of varied wiles is held in honor. And in the train of their mother are Desire and she to whom nothing is denied,
winning Persuasion; and to Harmonia has been given a share of Aphrodite, and to the whispering touches of the Loves.

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Χορὸς Θεραπαινῶν:
Κύπριδος ⟨δʼ⟩ οὐκ ἀμελεῖ θεσμὸς ὅδʼ εὔφρων
δύναται γὰρ Διὸς ἄγχιστα σὺν Ἥρᾳ.
τίεται δʼ αἰολόμητις
θεὸς ἔργοις ἐπὶ σεμνοῖς.
μετάκοινοι δὲ φίλᾷ ματρὶ πάρεισιν
Πόθος ⟨ᾇ⟩ τʼ οὐδὲν ἄπαρνον
τελέθει θέλκτορι Πειθοῖ.
δέδοται δʼ Ἁρμονίᾳ μοῖρʼ Ἀφροδίτας
ψεδυρᾷ τρίβῳ τʼ Ἐρώτων.

[¶90] Chorus of Handmaidens:
But for the fugitives I have boding fears of blasts of harm and cruel distress and bloody wars.
How did they make such a smooth voyage when pursuit followed fast upon their track? Whatever is fated, that will come to pass. The mighty, untrammelled will of Zeus cannot be transgressed.
Marriage has been the destiny of many women before our time.

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Χορὸς Θεραπαινῶν:
φυγάδεσσιν δʼ ἐπιπνοίας κακά τʼ ἄλγη
πολέμους θʼ αἱματόεντας προφοβοῦμαι.
τί ποτʼ εὔπλοιαν ἔπραξαν
ταχυπόμποισι διωγμοῖς;
ὅ τί τοι μόρσιμόν ἐστιν, τὸ γένοιτʼ ἄν.
Διὸς οὐ παρβατός ἐστιν
μεγάλα φρὴν ἀπέρατος·
μετὰ πολλῶν δὲ γάμων ἅδε τελευτὰ
προτερᾶν πέλοι γυναικῶν.

[¶91] A Danaid:
May mighty Zeus defend me from marriage with Aegyptus’ race!

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Δαναΐς:
ὁ μέγας Ζεὺς ἀπαλέξαι
γάμον Αἰγυπτογενῆ μοι.
⟨⟩

[¶92] A Handmaiden:
That would indeed be best.

> Greek: Θεράπαινα:
τὸ μὲν ἂν βέλτατον εἴη·
⟨⟩

[¶93] A Danaid:
But you would move the immovable.

> Greek: Δαναΐς:
σὺ δὲ θέλγοις ἂν ἄθελκτον.
⟨⟩

[¶94] A Handmaiden:
And you do not know what the future has in store.

> Greek: Θεράπαινα:
σὺ δέ γʼ οὐκ οἶσθα τὸ μέλλον.

[¶95] A Danaid:
How should I scan the mind of Zeus, a sight unfathomable?

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Δαναΐς:
τί δὲ μέλλω φρένα Δίαν
καθορᾶν, ὄψιν ἄβυσσον;
⟨⟩

[¶96] A Handmaiden:
Let the words of your prayer be moderate.

> Greek: Θεράπαινα:
μέτριον νῦν ἔπος εὔχου·
⟨⟩

[¶97] A Danaid:
What sense of proportion would you now teach me?

> Greek: Δαναΐς:
τίνα καιρόν με διδάσκεις;
⟨⟩

[¶98] A Handmaiden:
Do not ask too much of the gods.

> Greek: Θεράπαινα:
τὰ θεῶν μηδὲν ἀγάζειν.

[¶99] Chorus of Danaids and Handmaidens:
May sovereign Zeus spare me cruel marriage with a man I hate, that very Zeus who
mercifully freed Io from pain, restoring her with healing hand by kindly force.

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Χορός:
Ζεὺς ἄναξ ἀποστεροί-
η γάμον δυσάνορα
δάιον, ὅσπερ Ἰὼ
πημονᾶς ἐλύσατʼ εὖ
χειρὶ παιωνίᾳ κατασχεθών,
εὐμενῆ βίαν κτίσας.

[¶100] Chorus of Danaids and Handmaidens:
And may he award victory to the women!
I praise that which is better than evil, two parts of good mixed with one of bad; and I praise that, through god-given means of deliverance, conflicting rights, in accordance with my prayers, should follow the course of justice. Exeunt omnes

> Greek: ⟨⟩
Χορός:
καὶ κράτος νέμοι γυναι-
ξίν· τὸ βέλτερον κακοῦ
καὶ τὸ δίμοιρον αἰνῶ,
καὶ δίκᾳ δίκας ἕπε-
σθαι, ξὺν εὐχαῖς ἐμαῖς, λυτηρίοις
μαχαναῖς θεοῦ πάρα.