Page:Sophocles (Storr 1912) v1.djvu/173



Inviolable, untrod; goddesses,

Dread brood of Earth and Darkness, here abide.

Tell me the awful name I should invoke?

The Gracious Ones, All-seeing, so our people

Call them, but elsewhere other names are rife.

Then may they show their suppliant grace, for I

From this your sanctuary will ne’er depart.

What word is this?

The watchword of my fate.

Nay, ’tis not mine to bid thee hence without

Due warrant and instruction from the State.

Now in God’s name, O stranger, scorn me not

As a wayfarer; tell me what I crave.

Ask; your request shall not be scorned by me.

How call you then the place wherein we bide?

Whate’er I know thou too shalt know; the place

Is all to great Poseidon consecrate.

Hard by, the Titan, he who bears the torch,

Prometheus, has his worship; but the spot 151