Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/253

Rh Which Zeus omnipotent and Ares prize,

Stronghold of gods, altar-protecting shrine

Of Hellas' deities,

For which, with friendly augury I pray;

to light from earth's dark womb,

May life's fair germs prolific bloom,

Lured by the solar ray.

I for my citizens with gracious mind

These blessings mediate; these deities

Installing here, mighty and hard to please.

For unto them hath Fate assigned

The destinies to fix of human kind.

But whoso findeth them severe

Knows not whence come life's strokes; for crime,

Dread heritage from bygone time,

Doth lead him to these powers august.

Him noiseless Ruin, midst his proud career,

With hostile anger, levels with the dust.

Here may no tree-destroying mildew sweep,—

(So show I forth my grace),

May no fierce heat within these bounds alight,

Blasting the tender buds; no sterile blight,

Disastrous, onward creep.

But in due season here may flocks of worth

Twin yeanlings bear; and may this race,

Enriched with treasures of the earth,

Honour the Heaven-sent grace!