Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/492

422

See me not borne away,

Thou who the land dost sway

With might all-potent, from these gods' blest shrine.

Men's insolence survey,

And dread the wrath divine.

Endure not to behold

Me from these statues, against right, impressed,

Thy suppliant, like steed in forceful hold,

Dragged by my tresses and embroidered vest.

Whatever thy decree,

Know well, thy sons, ay, all thy house must pay

Like reckoning, by war's stern arbitry.

These just commands from Zeus, firm-thoughted weigh.

Well have I weighed them. Hither drives my bark.

Escape is none, but mighty war to wage

Either with gods or men; fixed is the hull,

As if by naval capstans hauled ashore.

Which way I turn, grief meets me everywhere.

For gear from plundered homesteads other gear,

More than the loss, though mighty freight the spoil,

By favour of Zeus Ktesios may accrue;

So when the tongue hath shot untimely forth