Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (Cookson).djvu/47

Rh The King of the Pelasgians in our cause

Wrought on his auditors: with warning voice

He spake of the hereafter, lest the realm

Feed fat the wrath of Zeus, the Suppliant's God;

We came as fugitives and foreigners,

As citizens we were received; two claims

Conjoinéd in our persons, which, denied,

Would work two-fold contagion, and raise up

Before the city-gates a monster, fed

On sorrow, yet whose craw grief cannot cram.

Then they stayed not to hear the marshal's cry

But on a show of hands would have it so.

It was the voice of the Pelasgians' King

That moved them, suppling the persuasive word,

But Zeus determined what the end should be.

[He ascends the hill.

Oh come! Let us render

Recompense fair!

A token and tender

Of thanks, and a prayer

That good things be showered upon Argos.

Benediction and laud and honour

In hymns to her praises sung

Shall surely be doubled upon her;

For dear is an alien tongue

To Zeus, who cares for the stranger

And governs the counsels of Kings;

To an end free from harm and danger

May he lead our thanksgivings,

With good gifts shed upon Argos.