For know thou well, whichever course thou take,
Thy sons and all thy house
*Must pay in war the debt that Justice claims,
Proportionate in kind. 430
Lay well to heart these edicts, wise and true,
Given by great Zeus himself.
_King._ Well then have I thought o'er it. To this point
Our ship's course drives. Fierce war we needs must risk
Either with these (_pointing to the Gods_) or those. Set fast and firm
Is this as is the ship tight wedged in stocks;
And without trouble there's no issue out.
For wealth indeed, were our homes spoiled of that,
There might come other, thanks to Zeus the Giver,
More than the loss, and filling up the freight; 440
And if the tongue should aim its adverse darts,
Baleful and over-stimulant of wrath,
There might be words those words to heal and soothe.
But how to blot the guilt of kindred blood,
This needs a great atonement—many victims
Falling to many Gods—to heal the woe.
*I take my part, and turn aside from strife;
And I far rather would be ignorant
Than wise, forecasting evil. May the end,
Against my judgment, show itself as good!
_Chor._ Hear, then, the last of all our pleas for pity.
_King._ I hear; speak on. It shall not 'scape my heed. 450
_Chor._ Girdles I have, and zones that bind my robes.
_King._ Such things are fitting for a woman's state.
_Chor._ With these then, know, as good and rare device....
_King._ Nay, speak. What word is this thou'lt utter now?
_Chor._ Unless thou giv'st our band thy plighted word....
_King._ What wilt thou do with this device of girdles?
_Chor._ With tablets new these sculptures we'll adorn.
_King._ Thou speak'st a riddle. Make thy meaning plain.
_Chor._ Upon these Gods we'll hang ourselves at once.
_King._ I hear a word which pierces to the heart. 460
_Chor._ Thou see'st our meaning. Eyes full clear I've given.
_King._ Lo then! in many ways sore troubles come.
A host of evils rushes like a flood;
A sea of woe none traverse, fathomless,
This have I entered; haven there is none.
For if I fail to do this work for you,
Thou tellest of defilement unsurpassed;[238]
And if for thee against Ægyptos' sons,
Thy kindred, I before my city's walls
In conflict stand, how can there fail to be
A bitter loss, to stain the earth with blood 470
Of man for woman's sake? And yet I needs
Must fear the wrath of Zeus, the suppliant's God;
That dread is mightiest with the sons of men.
Thou, then, O aged father of these maidens!
Taking forthwith these branches in thine arms,
Lay them on other altars of the Gods
Our country worships, that the citizens
May all behold this token of thy coming,
And about me let no rash speech be dropped;
For 'tis a people prompt to blame their rulers.
And then perchance some one beholding them, 480
And pitying, may wax wrathful 'gainst the outrage
Of that male troop, and with more kindly will
The people look on you; for evermore
Men all wish well unto the weaker side.
_Dan._ This boon is counted by us of great price,
To find a patron proved so merciful.
And thou, send with us guides to lead us on,
And tell us how before their shrines to find
The altars of the Gods that guard the State,
*And holy places columned round about;
And safety for us, as the town we traverse.
Not of like fashion is our features' stamp; 490
For Neilos rears not race like Inachos.[239]
Take heed lest rashness lead to bloodshed here;
Ere now, unknowing, men have slain their friends.
_King_ (_to Attendants_). Go then, my men; full well the stranger
speaks;
And lead him where the city's altars stand,
The seats of Gods; and see ye talk not much
To passers-by as ye this traveller lead,
A suppliant at the altar-hearth of Gods.
[_Exeunt_ DANAOS _and Attendants_
_Chor._ Thou speak'st to him; and may he go as bidden!
But what shall I do? What hope giv'st thou me?
_King._ Leave here those boughs, the token of your grief. 500
_Chor._ Lo! here I leave them at thy beck and word.
_King._ Now turn thy steps towards this open lawn.
_Chor._ What shelter gives a lawn unconsecrate?[240]
_King._ We will not yield thee up to birds of prey.
_Chor._ Nay, but to foes far worse than fiercest dragons.
_King._ Good words should come from those who good have heard.
_Chor._ No wonder they wax hot whom fear enthrals.
_King._ But dread is still for rulers all unmeet.
_Chor._ Do thou then cheer our soul by words and deeds.
_King._ Nay, no long time thy sire will leave thee lorn; 510
And I, all people of the land convening,
Will the great mass persuade to kindly words;
And I will teach thy father what to say.
Wherefore remain and ask our country's Gods,
With suppliant prayers, to grant thy soul's desire,
And I will go in furtherance of thy wish:
Sweet Suasion follow us, and Fortune good! [_Exit_