Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/490

420 Nor gracious is it to despise these prayers.

Perplexed I am and fear my heart distracts,

To act or not to act, and bide my chance.

The jealous watcher mark enthroned on high,

Guardian of mortals travail-worn,

Who to those near for aid apply,

And find their lawful claims denied.

At suppliants' wail forlorn

The wrath of Zeus doth bide

Implacable for aye.

But if Ægyptos' sons have power o'er thee,

As next of kin, pleading their city's laws,

Who would desire such pleading to withstand?

To native customs thou must make appeal,

That legal rights against thee they have none.

Ne'er may I subject be to men's rude might;

Escape from baleful marriage-tie,

Star-guided, I mark out in flight.

But Justice' self now taking for ally,

Side with the holy gods and judge the right.

Judgment not easy: choose me not for judge.

Before I told you, I, though chief in sway,

Cannot herein without my people act.—