Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/472

402 Through breathing and through touch divine

Of Zeus, hath whilom sprung.

Wherefore, on what more friendly land

Than this, a refuge could we find,

These sacred branches, wool-entwined,

Bearing with suppliant hand?

O city! Earth! O waters clear!

Supernal gods, and powers severe

Guarding the tombs who hold your reign,

And Zeus, third saviour, (guardian thou

Of righteous men,) our suppliant train

Tender of sex, receive ye now,

With kindly reverence native here.

But for Ægyptos' haughty brood,

Swarm of rude males, or e'er they gain

Firm footing on this marshy coast,

Their swift-oared galley and their host

Sweep seaward; there by hurricane,

By thunder, lightning, and by rain

Tempestuous driving,—ere, as prize,

They seize this kindred sisterhood,

And our unwilling beds profane,

Trampling time-honoured sanctities,—

O'erwhelm them in the savage flood.

Him I invoke, beyond the sea

Our champion, progeny divine