Page:House of Atreus 2nd ed (1889).djvu/213

Rh From wave, from sky; and let the wild winds' breath

Pass with soft sunlight o'er the lap of land,—

Strong wax the fruits of earth, fair teem the kine,

Unfailing, for my town's prosperity,

And constant be the growth of mortal seed.

But more and more root out the impious,

For as a gardener fosters what he sows,

So foster I this race, whom righteousness

Doth fend from sorrow. Such the proffered boon.

But I, if wars must be, and their loud clash

And carnage, for my town, will ne'er endure

That aught but victory shall crown her fame.

Lo, I accept it; at her very side

Doth Pallas bid me dwell:

I will not wrong the city of her pride,

Which even Almighty Zeus and Ares hold

Heaven's earthly citadel,

Loved home of Grecian gods, the young, the old,

The sanctuary divine,

The shield of every shrine!

For Athens I say forth a gracious prophecy,—

The glory of the sunlight and the skies

Shall bid from earth arise,

Warm wavelets of new life and glad prosperity.

Behold, with gracious heart well pleased

I for my citizens do grant

Fulfilment of this covenant:

And here, their wrath at length appeased,

These mighty deities shall stay.