King:Speak with good omen, as I have spoken auspiciously to you.
Βασιλεύς:εὔφημον εἴη τοὔπος εὐφημουμένῃ.
Chorus:No wonder I am fretful through alarm of mind.
Χορός:οὔτοι τι θαῦμα δυσφορεῖν φόβῳ φρενός.
King:Excessive fear is always uncontrolled.
Βασιλεύς:ἀεί γʼ ἄναρκτόν ἐστι δεῖμʼ ἐξαίσιον.
Chorus:Cheer my heart by deeds as well as words.
Χορός:σὺ καὶ λέγων εὔφραινε καὶ πράσσων φρένα.
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
Βασιλεύς:ἀλλʼ οὔτι δαρὸν χρόνον ἐρημώσει πατήρ.ἐγὼ δὲ λαοὺς συγκαλῶν ἐγχωρίουςστείχω, τὸ κοινὸν ὡς ἂν εὐμενὲς τιθῶ·καὶ σὸν διδάξω πατέρα ποῖα χρὴ λέγειν.πρὸς ταῦτα μίμνε καὶ θεοὺς ἐγχωρίουςλιταῖς παραιτοῦ τῶν σʼ ἔρως ἔχει τυχεῖν.ἐγὼ δὲ ταῦτα πορσυνῶν ἐλεύσομαι.πειθὼ δʼ ἕποιτο καὶ τύχη πρακτήριος.
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 casttheir black-benched madness!
Χορός:ἄναξ ἀνάκτων, μακάρωνμακάρτατε καὶ τελέωντελειότατον κράτος, ὄλβιε Ζεῦ,πιθοῦ τε καὶ γένει σῷἄλευσον ἀνδρῶν ὕβριν εὖ στυγήσας.λίμνᾳ δʼ ἔμβαλε πορφυροειδεῖτὰν μελανόζυγʼ ἄταν.
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.
Χορός:τὸ πρὸς γυναικῶν ⟨δʼ⟩ ἐπιδὼνπαλαίφατον ἁμέτερονγένος φιλίας προγόνου γυναικὸςνέωσον εὔφρονʼ αἶνον,γενοῦ πολυμνάστωρ, ἔφαπτορ Ἰοῦς·Δῖαί τοι γένος εὐχόμεθʼ εἶναιγᾶς ἀπὸ τᾶσδʼ ἄποικοι.
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, andaccording to fate, cut in two the surging strait, marking off the land upon the farther shore.
Χορός:παλαιὸν, δʼ εἰς ἴχνος μετέστανματέρος ἀνθονόμους ἐπωπάς,λειμῶνα βούχιλον, ἔνθεν Ἰὼοἴστρῳ ἐρεθομέναφεύγει ἁμαρτίνοος,πολλὰ βροτῶν διαμειβομέναφῦλα, διχῇ δʼ ἀντίπορονγαῖαν ἐν αἴσᾳ διατέμ-νουσα πόρον κυματίαν ὁρίζει·
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, andthe land of Aphrodite that teems with wheat.
Χορός:ἰάπτει δʼ Ἀσίδος διʼ αἴαςμηλοβότου Φρυγίας διαμπάξ.περᾷ δὲ Τεύθραντος ἄστυ Μυσῶν,Λύδιά τε γύαλα,καὶ διʼ ὀρῶν ΚιλίκωνΠαμφύλων τε [γένη] διορνυμένακαί ποταμοὺς ἀενάουςκαὶ βαθύπλουτον χθόνα καὶτὰν Ἀφροδίτας πολύπυρον αἶαν.
Chorus:Harassed by the sting of the winged herdsman she gains at last the fertile groves sacred to Zeus, that snow-fed pasture assailedby 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.
Χορός:ἱκνεῖται δὴ σινουμένα βέλειβουκόλου πτερόεντοςΔῖον πάμβοτον ἄλσος,λειμῶνα χιονόβοσκον, ὅντʼ ἐπέρχεταιΤυφῶ μένος,ὕδωρ τε Νείλου νόσοις ἄθικτον,μαινομένα πόνοις ἀτί-μοις ὀδύναις τε κεντροδα-λήτισι, θυιὰς Ἥρας.
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 cowand 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?
Χορός:βροτοὶ δʼ, οἳ γᾶς τότʼ ἦσαν ἔννομοιχλωρῷ δείματι θυμὸνπάλλοντʼ 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 ἀθλίανοἰστροδόνητον Ἰώ;
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—
Χορός:διʼ αἰῶνος κρέων ἀπαύστουΖεὺς …Διὸς δʼ ἀπημάντῳ σθένεικαὶ θείαις ἐπιπνοίαιςπαύεται, δακρύων δʼ ἀπο-στάζει πένθιμον αἰδῶ.λαβοῦσα δʼ ἕρμα Δῖον ἀψευδεῖ λόγῳγείνατο παῖδʼ ἀμεμφῆ,
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.
Χορός:διʼ αἰῶνος μακροῦ πάνολβον·ἔνθεν πᾶσα βοᾷ χθών,φυσιζόου γένος τόδεΖηνός ἐστιν ἀληθῶς·τίς γὰρ ἂν κατέπαυσεν Ἥ-ρας νόσους ἐπιβούλους;Διὸς τόδʼ ἔργον καὶ τόδʼ ἂν γένος λέγωνἐξ Ἐπάφου κυρήσαις.
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.
Χορός:τίνʼ ἂν θεῶν ἐνδικωτέροισινκεκλοίμαν εὐλόγως ἐπʼ ἔργοις;⟨αὐτὸς ὁ⟩ πατὴρ φυτουργὸς αὐτόχειρ ἄναξγένους παλαιόφρων μέγαςτέκτων, τὸ πᾶν μῆχαρ οὔριος Ζεύς.
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.
Χορός:ὑπʼ ἀρχᾶς δʼ οὔ τινος θοάζωντὸ μεῖον κρεισσόνων κρατύνει.οὔτινος ἄνωθεν ἡμένου σέβει κράτη.πάρεστι δʼ ἔργον ὡς ἔποςσπεῦσαί τι τῶν βούλιος φέρει φρήν.
Re-enter DanausDanaus:Be of good cheer, my children, all goes well on the part of the citizens. Decrees, carrying full authority, have been passed.
Δαναός:θαρσεῖτε παῖδες. εὖ τὰ τῶν ἐγχωρίων·δήμου δέδοκται παντελῆ ψηφίσματα.
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?
Χορός:ὦ χαῖρε πρέσβυ, φίλτατʼ ἀγγέλλων ἐμοίἔνισπε δʼ ἡμῖν ποῖ κεκύρωται τέλος,δήμου κρατοῦσα χεὶρ ὅπῃ πληθύνεται.
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.
Δαναός:ἔδοξεν Ἀργείοισιν οὐ διχορρόπως,ἀλλʼ ὥστʼ ἀνηβῆσαί με γηραιᾷ φρενί·πανδημίᾳ γὰρ χερσὶ δεξιωνύμοιςἔφριξεν αἰθὴρ τόνδε κραινόντων λόγον·ἡμᾶς μετοικεῖν τῆσδε γῆς ἐλευθέρουςκἀρρυσιάστους ξύν τʼ ἀσυλίᾳ βροτῶν·καὶ μήτʼ ἐνοίκων μήτʼ ἐπηλύδων τινὰἄγειν· ἐὰν δὲ προστιθῇ τὸ καρτερόν,τὸν μὴ βοηθήσαντα τῶνδε γαμόρωνἄτιμον εἶναι ξὺν φυγῇ δημηλάτῳ.τοιάνδʼ ἔπειθεν ῥῆσιν ἀμφʼ ἡμῶν λέγωνἄναξ Πελασγῶν, ἱκεσίου Ζηνὸς κότονμέγαν προφωνῶν μήποτʼ εἰσόπιν χρόνουπόλιν παχῦναι, ξενικὸν ἀστικόν θʼ ἅμαλέγων διπλοῦν μίασμα πρὸ πόλεως φανὲνἀμήχανον βόσκημα πημονῆς πέλειν.τοιαῦτʼ ἀκούων χερσὶν Ἀργεῖος λεὼςἔκρανʼ ἄνευ κλητῆρος ὡς εἶναι τάδε.δημηγόρους δʼ ἤκουσεν εὐπιθὴς στροφὰςδῆμος Πελασγῶν· Ζεὺς δʼ ἐπέκρανεν τέλος
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.
Χορός:ἄγε δή, λέξωμεν ἐπʼ Ἀργείοιςεὐχὰς ἀγαθάς, ἀγαθῶν ποινάς.Ζεὺς δʼ ἐφορεύοι ξένιος ξενίουστόματος τιμὰς ἐπʼ ἀληθείᾳ,τέρμονʼ ἄμεμπτον προσαπαντᾶν.
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.
Χορός:νῦν ὅτε καί, θεοὶδιογενεῖς, κλύοιτʼ εὐ-κταῖα γένει χεούσας·μήποτε πυρίφατονγᾶν 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·
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 itdefiling its roof? For he sits heavily upon it. They take reverent heed of their kin, petitioners of holy Zeus; therefore with purealtars shall they please the gods.
Χορός:οὐδὲ μετʼ ἀρσένωνψῆφον ἔθεντʼ ἀτιμώ-σαντες ἔριν γυναικῶν,Δῖον ἐπιδόμενοιπράκτορά [τε] σκοπὸνδυσπολέμητον, ὃν [οὐ]τίς ἂν δόμος ἔχοιἐπʼ ὀρόφων μιαί-νοντα; βαρὺς δʼ ἐφίζει.ἅζονται γὰρ ὁμαίμουςΖηνὸς ἵκτορας ἁγνοῦ.τοιγάρτοι καθαροῖσι βω-μοῖς θεοὺς ἀρέσονται.
Chorus:Therefore let there fly forth from our overshadowed lips a prayer of gratitude. Never may pestilenceempty 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.
Χορός:τοιγὰρ ὑποσκίωνἐκ στομάτων ποτά-σθω φιλότιμος εὐχά,μήποτε λοιμὸς ἀνδρῶντάνδε πόλιν κενώσαι·μηδʼ ἐπιχωρίοις ⟨ἔρις⟩πτώμασιν αἱματίσαι πέδον γᾶς.ἥβας δʼ ἄνθος ἄδρεπτονἔστω, μηδʼ Ἀφροδίταςεὐνάτωρ βροτολοιγὸς Ἄ-ρης κέρσειεν ἄωτον.
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.
Χορός:καὶ γεραροῖσι πρε-σβυτοδόκοι γεμόν-των θυμέλαι φλεγόντων.τὼς πόλις εὖ νέμοιτοΖῆνα μέγαν σεβόντων,τὸν ξένιον δʼ ὑπερτάτως,ὃς πολιῷ νόμῳ αἶσαν ὀρθοῖ.τίκτεσθαι δʼ ἐφόρους γᾶςἄλλους εὐχόμεθʼ ἀεί,Ἄρτεμιν δʼ Ἑκάταν γυναι-κῶν λόχους ἐφορεύειν.
Chorus:And let no murderous havoc come uponthe 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.
Χορός:μηδέ τις ἀνδροκμὴςλοιγὸς ἐπελθέτωτάνδε πόλιν δαΐζων,ἄχορον ἀκίθαρινδακρυογόνον Ἄρηβοάν τʼ ἔνδημον ἐξοπλίζων.νούσων δʼ ἑσμὸς ἀπʼ ἀστῶνἵζοι κρατὸς ἀτερπής·εὐμενὴς δʼ ὁ Λύκειος ἔ-στω πάσᾳ νεολαίᾳ.
Chorus:May Zeus cause the earth to bring forth its tribute of fruitby 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.
Χορός:καρποτελῆ δέ τοιΖεὺς ἐπικραινέτωφέρματι γᾶν πανώρῳ.πρόνομα δὲ βότʼ ἀγροῖςπολύγονα τελέθοι·τὸ πᾶν τʼ ἐκ δαιμόνων λάχοιεν.εὔφαμον δʼ ἐπὶ βωμοῖςμοῦσαν θείατʼ ἀοιδοί.ἁγνῶν τʼ ἐκ στομάτων φερέ-σθω φάμα φιλοφόρμιγξ.
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.
Χορός:φυλάσσοι τʼ ἀτρεμαῖα τιμὰςτὸ δάμιον, τὸ πτόλιν κρατύνει,προμαθὶς εὐκοινόμητις ἀρχά.ξένοισί τʼ εὐξυμβόλους,πρὶν ἐξοπλίζειν Ἄρη,δίκας ἄτερ πημάτων διδοῖεν.
Chorus:And may they worship forever the gods who possess the landwith 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.
Χορός:θεοὺς δʼ, οἳ γᾶν ἔχουσιν ἀεὶτίοιεν ἐγχωρίοις πατρῴαιςδαφνηφόροις βουθύτοισι τιμαῖς.τὸ γὰρ τεκόντων σέβαςτρίτον τόδʼ ἐν θεσμίοιςΔίκας γέγραπται μεγιστοτίμου.
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 blacklimbs 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. Yetyou 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.
Δαναός:εὐχὰς μὲν αἰνῶ τάσδε σώφρονας, φίλαι.ὑμεῖς δὲ μὴ τρέσητʼ ἀκούσασαι πατρὸςἀπροσδοκήτους τούσδε καὶ νέους λόγους.ἱκεταδόκου γὰρ τῆσδʼ ἀπὸ σκοπῆς ὁρῶτὸ πλοῖον. εὔσημον γὰρ οὔ με λανθάνει·στολμοί τε λαίφους καὶ παραρρύσεις νεώς,καὶ πρῷρα πρόσθεν ὄμμασιν βλέπουσʼ ὁδόν,οἴακος εὐθυντῆρος ὑστάτου νεὼςἄγαν καλῶς κλύουσα, τοῖσιν οὐ φίλη.πρέπουσι δʼ ἄνδρες νάιοι μελαγχίμοιςγυίοισι λευκῶν ἐκ πεπλωμάτων ἰδεῖν,καὶ τἄλλα πλοῖα πᾶσά θʼ ἡ ʼπικουρίαεὔπρεπτος· αὐτὴ δʼ ἡγεμὼν ὑπὸ χθόναστείλασα λαῖφος παγκρότως ἐρέσσεται.ἀλλʼ ἡσύχως χρὴ καὶ σεσωφρονισμένωςπρὸς 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 ἡμέρᾳθεοὺς ἀτίζων τις βροτῶν δώσει δίκην.
Chorus:Father, I am afraid. With what swift wings the shipsapproach! There is not much time left.
Χορός:πάτερ, φοβοῦμαι, νῆες ὡς ὠκύπτεροιἥκουσι· μῆκος δʼ οὐδὲν ἐν μέσῳ χρόνου.
Chorus:I am possessed by dreadful fear if truly my long flight has been of no profit. Father, I am consumed with fright.
Χορός:περίφοβόν μʼ ἔχει τάρβος ἐτητύμωςπολυδρόμου φυγᾶς ὄφελος εἴ τί μοι.παροίχομαι, πάτερ, δείματι.
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.
Δαναός:ἐπεὶ τελεία ψῆφος Ἀργείων, τέκνα,θάρσει, μαχοῦνται περὶ σέθεν, σάφʼ οἶδʼ ἐγώ.[]
Chorus:Abominable is the lustful race of Aegyptus and insatiate of battle; and you know that all too well.
Χορός:ἐξῶλές ἐστι μάργον Αἰγύπτου γένοςμάχης τʼ ἄπληστον· καὶ λέγω πρὸς εἰδότα.
In ships, stout-timbered and dark-prowed, they have sailed here,attended by a mighty black host, and in their wrath overtaken us.
Χορός:δοριπαγεῖς δʼ ἔχοντες κυανώπιδαςνῆας ἔπλευσαν ὧδʼ ἐπιτυχεῖ κότῳπολεῖ μελαγχίμῳ σὺν στρατῷ.
Danaus:But they will find here a force with arms well-seasoned by the noonday heat.
Δαναός:πολλοὺς δέ γʼ εὑρήσουσιν ἐν μεσημβρίαςθάλπει βραχίονʼ εὖ κατερρινημένους.[]
Chorus:Do not leave me forlorn, I implore you, father. A woman abandoned to herself is nothing. There is no Ares in her.
Χορός:μόνην δὲ μὴ πρόλειπε· λίσσομαι, πάτερ.γυνὴ μονωθεῖσʼ οὐδέν· οὐκ ἔνεστʼ Ἄρης.
They are of evil mind, and guileful of purpose, with impure hearts, thinking no more of altars than carrion birds.
Χορός:οὐλόφρονες, δὲ καὶ δολιομήτιδεςδυσάγνοις φρεσίν, κόρακες ὥστε, βω-μῶν ἀλέγοντες οὐδέν.
Danaus:This would profit us well, my children, should they incur both Heaven’s hate and yours.
Δαναός:καλῶς ἂν ἡμῖν ξυμφέροι ταῦτʼ ὦ τέκνα,εἰ σοί τε καὶ θεοῖσιν ἐχθαιροίατο.[]
Chorus:Father, no fear of tridents or of things held sacred in the sight of Heaven will ever keep their hands from us.
Χορός:οὐ μὴ τριαίνας τάσδε καὶ θεῶν σέβηδείσαντες ἡμῶν χεῖρʼ ἀπόσχωνται, πάτερ.
They are overweening, maddened, with unholy rage, shameless dogs that do not respect the gods.
Χορός:περίφρονες δʼ ἄγαν ἀνιέρῳ μένειμεμαργωμένοι κυνοθρασεῖς, θεῶνοὐδὲν ἐπαΐοντες.
Danaus:Yet there is a saying that wolves are stronger than dogs; the papyrus-fruit does not conquer the wheat-ear.
Δαναός:ἀλλʼ ἔστι φήμη τοὺς λύκους κρείσσους κυνῶνεἶναι· βύβλου δὲ καρπὸς οὐ κρατεῖ στάχυν.[]
Chorus:Since they have the tempers of lewd and impious beasts, we must guard against them quickly.
Χορός:ὡς καὶ ματαίων ἀνοσίων τε κνωδάλωνἔχοντας ὀργάς, χρὴ φυλάσσεσθαι τάχος.
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
Δαναός:οὔτοι ταχεῖα ναυτικοῦ στρατοῦ στολή,οὐδʼ ὅρμος, οὗ δεῖ πεισμάτων σωτήριαἐς γῆν ἐνεγκεῖν, οὐδʼ ἐν ἀγκυρουχίαιςθαρσοῦσι ναῶν ποιμένες παραυτίκα,ἄλλως τε καὶ μολόντες ἀλίμενον χθόναἐς νύκτʼ ἀποστείχοντος ἡλίου. φιλεῖὠδῖνα τίκτειν νὺξ κυβερνήτῃ σοφῷ.οὕτω γένοιτʼ ἂν οὐδʼ ἂν ἔκβασις στρατοῦκαλή, πρὶν ὅρμῳ ναῦν θρασυνθῆναι. σὺ δὲφρόνει μὲν ὡς ταρβοῦσα μὴ ἀμελεῖν θεῶν·…πράξας ἀρωγήν· ἄγγελον δʼ οὐ μέμψεταιπόλις γέρονθʼ, ἡβῶντα δʼ εὐγλώσσῳ φρενί.
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 smokethat draws near to the clouds of Zeus; or, soaring aloft without wings, vanish out of sight like viewless dust and dissolve into nothingness!
Χορός:ἰὼ γᾶ βοῦνι, πάνδικον σέβας,τί πεισόμεσθα; ποῖ φύγωμεν Ἀπίαςχθονός, κελαινὸν εἴ τι κεῦθός ἐστί που;μέλας γενοίμαν καπνὸςνέφεσσι γειτονῶν Διός·τὸ πᾶν δʼ ἄφαντοςἀμπετὴς ἀιδνὸς ὡςκόνις ἄτερθε πτερύγων ὀλοίμαν.
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 noosethan suffer the embraces of a man I loathe. Death before that, with Hades for my lord and master!
Χορός:ἄφυκτον δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἂν πέλοι κακόν·κελαινόχρως δὲ πάλλεταί μου καρδία.πατρὸς σκοπαὶ δέ μʼ εἷλον· οἴχομαι φόβῳ.θέλοιμι δʼ ἂν μορσίμουβρόχου τυχεῖν ἐν ἀρτάναις,πρὶν ἄνδρʼ ἀπευκτὸντῷδε χριμφθῆναι χροΐ.πρόπαρ θανούσας ⟨δʼ⟩ Ἀίδας ἀνάσσοι.
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!
Χορός:πόθεν δέ μοι γένοιτʼ ἂν αἰθέρος θρόνος,πρὸς ὃν νέφη μυδηλὰ γίγνεται χιών,ἢ λισσὰς αἰγίλιψ ἀπρόσ-δεικτος οἰόφρων κρεμὰςγυπιὰς πέτρα, βαθὺπτῶμα μαρτυροῦσά μοι,πρὶν δαΐκτορος βίᾳκαρδίας γάμου κυρῆσαι;
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?
Χορός:κυσὶν δʼ ἔπειθʼ ἕλωρα κἀπιχωρίοιςὄρνισι δεῖπνον οὐκ ἀναίνομαι πέλειν·τὸ γὰρ θανεῖν ἐλευθεροῦ-ται φιλαιάκτων κακῶν. [ἐλθέτω]ἐλθέτω μόρος, πρὸ κοί-τας γαμηλίου τυχών.ἀμφυγᾶς τίνʼ ἔτι πόροντέμνω γάμου λυτῆρα;
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!
Χορός:ἴυζε δʼ ὀμφὰν οὐρανίαν⟨μέλεα⟩ μέλη λιτανὰ θεοῖς·τέλεα δέ πως πελόμενά μοιλύσιμά τʼ ἄχιμά τʼ ἔπιδε, πάτερ,βίαια μὴ φαιδρῶς ὁρῶνὄμμασιν ἐνδίκοις.σεβίζου δʼ ἱκέτας σέθεν,γαιάοχε παγκρατὲς Ζεῦ.
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?
Χορός:γένος γὰρ Αἰγύπτειον ὕβρινδύσφορον ἀρσενογενὲςμετά με δρόμοισι διόμενοιφυγάδα μάταισι πολυθρόοιςβίαια δίζηνται λαβεῖν.σὸν δʼ ἐπίπαν ζυγὸνταλάντου. τί δʼ ἄνευ σέθενθνατοῖσι τέλειόν ἐστιν;
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!
Χορός:ό ό ό, ά ά ά·ὅδε μάρπτις νάιος γάιος.τῶν πρό, μάρπτι, κάμνοις·ἰόφ.. ὀμ.. αὖθι κάκκας νυδυϊαν βοᾶν ἀμφαίνω.ὁρῶ τάδε φροίμια πράξαν πόνωνβιαίων ἐμῶν. ἠὲ ἠέ.βαῖνε φυγᾷ πρὸς ἀλκάν·βλοσυρόφρονα χλιδᾷδύσφορα ναῒ κἀν γᾷ.γαϊάναξ προτάσσου.
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 headswith abundant letting of gory blood. Away with you, away—and curses on you!—to the ships.
⟨⟩Κῆρυξ:σοῦσθε σοῦσθʼ ἐπὶ βᾶ-ριν ὅπως ποδῶν ⟨ἔχετε⟩οὐκοῦν οὐκοῦντιλμοὶ τιλμοὶ καὶ στιγμοί,πολυαίμων φόνιοςἀποκοπὰ κρατός.σοῦσθε σοῦσθʼ ὀλύμεναι ὀλόμενʼ ἐπαμίδα.
Chorus:Would that you had perished on your course over the great briny floodalong with your lordly arrogance and your riveted ship!...
⟨⟩Χορός:εἴθʼ ἀνὰ πολύρυτονἁλμήεντα πόρονδεσποσίῳ ξὺν ὕβρει,γομφοδέτῳ τε δόρει διώλου.αἵμονες ὡς ἐπάμιδαησυδουπιάπιτα⟨⟩
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.
Κῆρυξ:κελεύω βοᾶν μεθέσθαιἴχαρ φρενί τʼ ἄταν.ἰοὺ ἰού.λεῖφʼ ἕδρανα, κίʼ ἐς δόρυ.ἀτίετον ἄπολιν οὐ σέβω.
Chorus:Never again may my eyes beholdthe 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.
⟨⟩Χορός:μήποτε πάλιν ἴδοιμʼἀλφεσίβοιον ὕδωρ,ἔνθεν ἀεξόμενονζώφυτον αἷμα βροτοῖσι θάλλει.ἔγγαιος ἐγὼ βαθυχαῖοςβαθρείας βαθρείας, γέρον.
Herald:You will get yourself speedily on board, on board, I say, whether you will or not, by force, by force....
⟨⟩Κῆρυξ:σὺ δʼ ἐν ναῒ ναῒ βάσῃτάχα θέλεος ἀθέλεος,βίᾳ βίᾳ τε πολλᾷ φροῦδα.βάτεαι βαθυμιτροκακὰ παθῶν[ὀλόμεναι παλάμαις].
Chorus:Alas, alas! So may you perish past all help, driven from your course over the surging waves by eastern breezes offthe sandy tomb of Sarpedon!
⟨⟩Χορός:αἰαῖ αἰαῖ.αἲ γὰρ δυσπαλάμως ὄλοιοδιʼ ἁλίρρυτον ἄλσος,κατὰ Σαρπηδόνιονχῶμα πολύψαμμον ἀλαθεὶςΕὐρεΐαισιν αὔραις.
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.
Κῆρυξ:ἴυζε καὶ λάκαζε καὶ κάλει θεούς.Αἰγυπτίαν γὰρ βᾶριν οὐχ ὑπερθορῇ.[ἴυζε καὶ]βόα, χέον πικρότερον οἰζύος νόμον.
Chorus:Alas, alas the brutal outrage with which, you crocodile, you boast arrogantly, bellowing on the sea. May the mightyNile, who watches you, overwhelm your arrogance and destroy you.
⟨⟩Χορός:οἰοῖ οἰοῖ,λύμας, ᾇ σὺ πρὸ γᾶς ὑλάσκωνπερί, χάμψα, βρυάζεις·ὃς ἐπωπᾷ σʼ, ὁ μέγαςΝεῖλος, ὑβρίζοντά σʼ ἀποτρέ-ψειεν ἄιστον ὕβριν.
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.
Κῆρυξ:βαίνειν κελεύω βᾶριν εἰς ἀμφίστροφονὅσον τάχιστα· μηδέ τις σχολαζέτω.ὁλκὴ γὰρ οὔτοι πλόκαμον οὐδάμʼ ἅζεται.
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!
Χορός:οἰοῖ, πάτερ, βρέτεος ἄροςἀτᾷ μʼ·· ἅλαδʼ ἄγειἄραχνος ὡς βάδην.ὄναρ ὄναρ μέλαν,ὀτοτοτοτοῖ,μᾶ Γᾶ μᾶ Γᾶ, βοὰνφοβερὸν ἀπότρεπε,ὦ πᾶ, Γᾶς παῖ, Ζεῦ.
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.
Κῆρυξ:οὔτοι φοβοῦμαι δαίμονας τοὺς ἐνθάδε·οὐ γάρ μʼ ἔθρεψαν, οὐδʼ ἐγήρασαν τροφῇ.
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!
Χορός:μαιμᾷ πέλας δίπους ὄφις·…ἔχιδνα δʼ ὥς μέ τιςπόδα δακοῦσʼ ἔχει.ὀτοτοτοτοῖ,μᾶ Γᾶ μᾶ Γᾶ βοὰνφοβερὸν ἀπότρεπε,ὦ πᾶ, Γᾶς παῖ, Ζεῦ.
Herald:If you will not resign yourself and get to the ship, rending will have no pity on the fabric of your garments.
Κῆρυξ:εἰ μή τις ἐς ναῦν εἶσιν αἰνέσας τάδε,λακὶς χιτῶνος ἔργον οὐ κατοικτιεῖ.
Chorus:We are lost! O King, we are suffering impious violence!
Χορός:διωλόμεσθʼ· ἄσεπτʼ, ἄναξ, πάσχομεν—
Herald:Oh, you will soon see many kings in Aegyptus’ sons. Be of good cheer: you will not have to blame lack of government.
Κῆρυξ:πολλοὺς ἄνακτας, παῖδας Αἰγύπτου τάχαὄψεσθε· θαρσεῖτʼ, οὐκ ἐρεῖτʼ ἀναρχίαν.⟨⟩
Chorus:Listen! Chiefs and rulers of the city, I am threatened with violence!
Χορός:ἰὼ πόλεως ἀγοὶ πρόμοι, δάμναμαι.⟨⟩
Herald:I think I will have to seize you by the hair and drag you offsince you are slow to heed my orders.Enter the King with retainers
Κῆρυξ:ἕλξειν ἔοιχʼ ὑμᾶς ἀποσπάσας κόμης,ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἀκούετʼ ὀξὺ τῶν ἐμῶν λόγων.
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.
Βασιλεύς:οὗτος, τί ποιεῖς; ἐκ ποίου φρονήματοςἀνδρῶν Πελασγῶν τήνδʼ ἀτιμάζεις χθόνα;ἀλλʼ ἦ γυναικῶν ἐς πόλιν δοκεῖς μολεῖν;κάρβανος ὢν δʼ Ἕλλησιν ἐγχλίεις ἄγαν·καὶ πόλλʼ ἁμαρτὼν οὐδὲν ὤρθωσας φρενί.
Herald:And in this case where have I gone wrong and transgressed my right?
Κῆρυξ:τί δʼ ἠμπλάκηται τῶνδʼ ἐμοὶ δίκης ἄτερ;
King:First of all, you do not know how to act as a stranger.
Βασιλεύς:ξένος μὲν εἶναι πρῶτον οὐκ ἐπίστασαι.
Herald:I not know? How so, when I simply find and take my own that I had lost?
Κῆρυξ:πῶς δʼ οὐχί; τἄμʼ ὀλωλόθʼ εὑρίσκων ἄγω.
King:To what patrons of your land was your notice given?
Βασιλεύς:ποίοισιν εἰπὼν προξένοις ἐγχωρίοις;
Herald:To Hermes, the Searcher, greatest of patrons.
Κῆρυξ:Ἑρμῇ μεγίστῳ προξένῳ μαστηρίῳ.
King:For all your notice to the gods, you do them no reverence.
Βασιλεύς:θεοῖσιν εἰπὼν τοὺς θεοὺς οὐδὲν σέβῃ.
Herald:I revere the deities by the Nile.
Κῆρυξ:τοὺς ἀμφὶ Νεῖλον δαίμονας σεβίζομαι.
King:While ours are nothing, as I understand you?
Βασιλεύς:οἱ δʼ ἐνθάδʼ οὐδέν, ὡς ἐγὼ σέθεν κλύω;
Herald:I shall carry off these maids unless someone tears them away.
Κῆρυξ:ἄγοιμʼ ἄν, εἴ τις τάσδε μὴ ʼξαιρήσεται.
King:If you so much as touch them, you will regret it, and right soon.
Βασιλεύς:κλάοις ἄν, εἰ ψαύσειας, οὐ μάλʼ ἐς μακράν.
Herald:I hear you; and your speech is far from hospitable.
Κῆρυξ:ἤκουσα τοὔπος ⟨δʼ⟩ οὐδαμῶς φιλόξενον.
King:No, since I have no hospitality for despoilers of the gods.
Βασιλεύς:οὐ γὰρ ξενοῦμαι τοὺς θεῶν συλήτορας.
Herald:I will go and tell Aegyptus’ sons about this.
Κῆρυξ:λέγοιμʼ ἂν ἐλθὼν παισὶν Αἰγύπτου τάδε.
King:My proud spirit will not ponder on this threat.
Βασιλεύς:ἀβουκόλητον τοῦτʼ ἐμῷ, φρονήματι.
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.
Κῆρυξ:ἀλλʼ ὡς ἂν εἰδὼς ἐννέπω σαφέστερον,—καὶ γὰρ πρέπει κήρυκʼ ἀπαγγέλλειν τορῶςἕκαστα,—πῶς φῶ, πρὸς τίνος τʼ ἀφαιρεθεὶςἥκειν γυναικῶν αὐτανέψιον στόλον;οὔτοι δικάζει ταῦτα μαρτύρων ὕποἌρης· τὸ νεῖκος δʼ οὐκ ἐν ἀργύρου λαβῇἔλυσεν· ἀλλὰ πολλὰ γίγνεται πάροςπεσήματʼ ἀνδρῶν κἀπολακτισμοὶ βίου.⟨⟩
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 resolvethe 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!
Βασιλεύς:τί σοι λέγειν χρὴ τοὔνομʼ; ἐν χρόνῳ μαθὼνεἴσῃ σύ τʼ αὐτὸς χοἰ ξυνέμποροι σέθεν.ταύτας δʼ ἑκούσας μὲν κατʼ εὔνοιαν φρενῶνἄγοις ἄν, εἴπερ εὐσεβὴς πίθοι λόγος.τοία δὲ δημόπρακτος ἐκ πόλεως μίαψῆφος κέκρανται, μήποτʼ ἐκδοῦναι βίᾳστόλον γυναικῶν· τῶνδʼ ἐφήλωται τορῶςγόμφος διαμπάξ, ὡς μένειν ἀραρότως.ταῦτʼ οὐ πίναξίν ἐστιν ἐγγεγραμμέναοὐδʼ ἐν πτυχαῖς βίβλων κατεσφραγισμένα,σαφῆ δʼ ἀκούεις ἐξ ἐλευθεροστόμουγλώσσης. κομίζου δʼ ὡς τάχιστʼ ἐξ ὀμμάτων.⟨⟩
Herald:I think we are about to involve ourselves in a new war. But may victory and authority rest with the men!
Κῆρυξ:ἔοιγμεν ἤδη πόλεμον ἀρεῖσθαι νέον.εἴη δὲ νίκη καὶ κράτη τοῖς ἄρσεσιν.⟨⟩
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. Buttake 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?
Βασιλεύς:ἀλλʼ ἄρσενάς τοι τῆσδε γῆς οἰκήτοραςεὑρήσετʼ οὐ πίνοντας ἐκ κριθῶν μέθυ.ὑμεῖς δὲ πᾶσαι σὺν φίλαις ὀπάοσιθράσος 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 δόμουςπολλῶν μετʼ ἄλλων· εἰ δέ τις μείζων χάρις,πάρεστιν οἰκεῖν καὶ μονορρύθμους δόμους.τούτων τὰ λῷστα καὶ τὰ θυμηδέσταταπάρεστι, λωτίσασθε. προστάτης δʼ ἐγὼἀστοί τε πάντες, ὧνπερ ἥδε κραίνεταιψῆφος. τί τῶνδε κυριωτέρους μένεις;
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 adviserand 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.
Χορός:ἀλλʼ ἀντʼ ἀγαθῶν ἀγαθοῖσι βρύοις,δῖε Πελασγῶν.πέμψον δὲ πρόφρων δεῦρʼ ἡμέτερονπατέρʼ εὐθαρσῆ Δαναόν, πρόνοονκαὶ βούλαρχον. τοῦ γὰρ προτέραμῆτις, ὅπου χρὴ δώματα ναίεινκαὶ τόπος εὔφρων. πᾶς τις ἐπειπεῖνψόγον ἀλλοθρόοιςεὔτυκος· εἴη δὲ τὰ λῷστα.σύν τʼ εὐκλείᾳ καὶ ἀμηνίτῳβάξει λαῶν ἐγχώρων…τάσσεσθε, φίλαι δμωίδες, οὕτωςὡς ἐφʼ ἑκάστῃ διεκλήρωσενΔαναὸς θεραποντίδα φερνήν.
Enter Danaus with a bodyguardDanaus: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.
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 ἐγγενεῖςφίλους πικρῶς ἤκουσαν αὐτανεψίοις·ἐμοὶ δʼ ὀπαδοὺς τούσδε καὶ δορυσσόουςἔταξαν, ὡς ἔχοιμι τίμιον γέρας,καὶ μὴ ʼξ ἀέλπτων δορικανεῖ μόρῳ θανὼνλάθοιμι, χώρᾳ δʼ ἄχθος ἀείζων πέλοι.τοιῶνδε τυγχάνοντας ἐκ πρυμνῆς φρενὸςχάριν σέβεσθαι τιμιωτέραν χρεών.καὶ ταῦθʼ ἅμʼ ἐγγράψασθε πρὸς γεγραμμένοιςπολλοῖσιν ἄλλοις σωφρονίσμασιν πατρός,ἀγνῶθʼ ὅμιλον ἐξελέγχεσθαι χρόνῳ.πᾶς δʼ ἐν μετοίκῳ γλῶσσαν εὔτυκον φέρεικακήν, 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 Κύπριςκαλωρα κωλύουσαν θωσμένειν ἐρῶ,καὶ παρθένων χλιδαῖσιν εὐμόρφοις ἔπιπᾶς τις παρελθὼν ὄμματος θελκτήριοντόξευμʼ ἔπεμψεν, ἱμέρου νικώμενος.πρὸς ταῦτα μὴ πάθωμεν ὧν πολὺς πόνοςπολὺς δὲ πόντος οὕνεκʼ ἠρόθη δορί,μηδʼ αἶσχος ἡμῖν, ἡδονὴν δʼ ἐχθροῖς ἐμοῖςπράξωμεν. οἴκησις δὲ καὶ διπλῆ πάρατὴν μὲν Πελασγός, τὴν δὲ καὶ πόλις διδοῖ,οἰκεῖν λάτρων ἄτερθεν· εὐπετῆ τάδε.μόνον φύλαξαι τάσδʼ ἐπιστολὰς πατρός,τὸ σωφρονεῖν τιμῶσα τοῦ βίου πλέον.
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.
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.
Chorus of the Danaids:Come now away, glorifying the blessed gods, lords of the city both those who guard the townand 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 longerlet 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!
⟨⟩Χορός Δαναΐδων:ἴτε μὰν ἀστυάνακταςμάκαρας θεοὺς γανάοντες πολιούχουςτε καὶ οἳ χεῦμʼ Ἐρασίνουπεριναίουσιν παλαιόν.ὑποδέξασθε ⟨δʼ⟩ ὀπαδοὶμέλος· αἶνος δὲ πόλιν τήνδε Πελασγῶνἐχέτω, μηδʼ ἔτι Νείλουπροχοὰς σέβωμεν ὕμνοις.⟨⟩Χορός Δαναΐδων:ποταμοὺς δʼ οἳ διὰ χώραςθελεμὸν πῶμα χέουσιν πολύτεκνοι,λιπαροῖς χεύμασι γαίαςτόδε μειλίσσοντες οὖδας.ἐπίδοι δʼ Ἄρτεμις ἁγνὰστόλον οἰκτιζομένα, μηδʼ ὑπʼ ἀνάγκαςγάμος ἔλθοι Κυθερείας·στυγίων πέλοι τόδʼ ἆθλον.
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.
⟨⟩Χορὸς Θεραπαινῶν:Κύπριδος ⟨δʼ⟩ οὐκ ἀμελεῖ θεσμὸς ὅδʼ εὔφρωνδύναται γὰρ Διὸς ἄγχιστα σὺν Ἥρᾳ.τίεται δʼ αἰολόμητιςθεὸς ἔργοις ἐπὶ σεμνοῖς.μετάκοινοι δὲ φίλᾷ ματρὶ πάρεισινΠόθος ⟨ᾇ⟩ τʼ οὐδὲν ἄπαρνοντελέθει θέλκτορι Πειθοῖ.δέδοται δʼ Ἁρμονίᾳ μοῖρʼ Ἀφροδίταςψεδυρᾷ τρίβῳ τʼ Ἐρώτων.
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.
⟨⟩Χορὸς Θεραπαινῶν:φυγάδεσσιν δʼ ἐπιπνοίας κακά τʼ ἄλγηπολέμους θʼ αἱματόεντας προφοβοῦμαι.τί ποτʼ εὔπλοιαν ἔπραξανταχυπόμποισι διωγμοῖς;ὅ τί τοι μόρσιμόν ἐστιν, τὸ γένοιτʼ ἄν.Διὸς οὐ παρβατός ἐστινμεγάλα φρὴν ἀπέρατος·μετὰ πολλῶν δὲ γάμων ἅδε τελευτὰπροτερᾶν πέλοι γυναικῶν.
A Danaid:May mighty Zeus defend me from marriage with Aegyptus’ race!
⟨⟩Δαναΐς:ὁ μέγας Ζεὺς ἀπαλέξαιγάμον Αἰγυπτογενῆ μοι.⟨⟩
A Handmaiden:That would indeed be best.
Θεράπαινα:τὸ μὲν ἂν βέλτατον εἴη·⟨⟩
A Danaid:But you would move the immovable.
Δαναΐς:σὺ δὲ θέλγοις ἂν ἄθελκτον.⟨⟩
A Handmaiden:And you do not know what the future has in store.
Θεράπαινα:σὺ δέ γʼ οὐκ οἶσθα τὸ μέλλον.
A Danaid:How should I scan the mind of Zeus, a sight unfathomable?
⟨⟩Δαναΐς:τί δὲ μέλλω φρένα Δίανκαθορᾶν, ὄψιν ἄβυσσον;⟨⟩
A Handmaiden:Let the words of your prayer be moderate.
Θεράπαινα:μέτριον νῦν ἔπος εὔχου·⟨⟩
A Danaid:What sense of proportion would you now teach me?
Δαναΐς:τίνα καιρόν με διδάσκεις;⟨⟩
A Handmaiden:Do not ask too much of the gods.
Θεράπαινα:τὰ θεῶν μηδὲν ἀγάζειν.
Chorus of Danaids and Handmaidens:May sovereign Zeus spare me cruel marriage with a man I hate, that very Zeus whomercifully freed Io from pain, restoring her with healing hand by kindly force.
⟨⟩Χορός:Ζεὺς ἄναξ ἀποστεροί-η γάμον δυσάνοραδάιον, ὅσπερ Ἰὼπημονᾶς ἐλύσατʼ εὖχειρὶ παιωνίᾳ κατασχεθών,εὐμενῆ βίαν κτίσας.
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
⟨⟩Χορός:καὶ κράτος νέμοι γυναι-ξίν· τὸ βέλτερον κακοῦκαὶ τὸ δίμοιρον αἰνῶ,καὶ δίκᾳ δίκας ἕπε-σθαι, ξὺν εὐχαῖς ἐμαῖς, λυτηρίοιςμαχαναῖς θεοῦ πάρα.