Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (1908) Morshead.djvu/48

18

For that, take heart and answer without fear.

I am Pelasgus, ruler of this land,

Child of Palaichthon, whom the earth brought forth;

And, rightly named from me, the race who reap

This country's harvests are Pelasgian called.

And o'er the wide and westward-stretching land,

Through which the lucent wave of Strymon flows,

I rule; Perrhæbia's land my boundary is

Northward, and Pindus' further slopes, that watch

Pæonia, and Dodona's mountain ridge.

West, east, the limit of the washing seas

Restrains my rule—the interspace is mine.

But this whereon we stand is Apian land,

Styled so of old from the great healer's name;

For Apis, coming from Naupactus' shore

Beyond the strait, child of Apollo's self

And like him seer and healer, cleansed this land

From man-devouring monsters, whom the earth,

Stained with pollution of old bloodshedding,

Brought forth in malice, beasts of ravening jaws,

A grisly throng of serpents manifold.

And healings of their hurt, by knife and charm,

Apis devised, unblamed of Argive men,

And in their prayers found honour, for reward.

—Lo, thou hast heard the tokens that I give:

Speak now thy race, and tell a forthright tale;

In sooth, this people loves not many words.

Short is my word and clear. Of Argive race

We come, from her, the ox-horned maiden who

Erst bare the sacred child. My word shall give

Whate'er can stablish this my soothfast tale.