Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/349

Rh To hosts of alien speech. These virgins hear,

Most justly hear, with outstretched hands who pray.

Divinities most dear,

As Saviours mustering near

Our city walls—show forth the love ye bear.

Care for our fanes, with aspect kind,

And caring for them save. O hear our prayer,

Our sacrificial rites call ye to mind.

I ask you, ye insufferable brood,

Is this course best, fittest the State to save,

The leaguered host to hearten—falling thus

Before the statues of our city's gods,

To shout and wail—a nuisance to the wise?

In trouble or in dear prosperity,

Ne'er be it mine with womankind to dwell.

In rule, her insolence keeps all aloof,

In fear, worse ill she brings to home and State;

So have ye now, rushing in hurried flight,

Roused in our townsmen soulless cowardice.

Ye serve, as best ye may, the foe without,

While we within bring ruin on ourselves;

Such aid he reapeth who with women dwells.

So if there be who heeds not my command,

Or man or woman, or aught else between,

The fatal pebble shall decide their doom,