Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/495

Rh Lay them; that all the citizens may see

Tokens of this thy visit. Touching me

Let fall no random word; for ever prone

The people are to blame authority.

These things beholding, some, to pity stirred,

The insolence may hate of this male troop.

So with the folk more favour shall ye find.

For to the weaker side all bear good will.

A precious boon is this for us, to win

A patron so august, the reigning prince.

But native escort and interpreters

Send thou with us; so may we surer find

The temple-fronting altars, and abodes,

Friendly to guests, of city-guarding gods,

And may in safety pass amid thy town.

For we by nature are unlike in form;

Not the same race rear Nile and Inachos;

Beware, lest rashness slaughter breed; ere now,

Hath friend, through ignorance, by friend been slain.

March with him guards, for well the stranger speaks.

Lead to the city altars, seats of gods;