Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/500

430 Life teeming, springs in very deed

From Zeus, for who but he the pest

Could stay, devised by Hera's spite?"

Thine, Zeus, the gracious work was thine!

Hence, whoso speaketh of our race divine

From Epaphos as sprung, errs not from right.

Whom of the gods more fitly now

May I invoke for deeds of grace?

Father, Creator, King art thou,

Whose forming hand begat our race;

Artificer supreme, ancient of days,

Zeus, the all-wise, whose breath each purpose sways.

Nor seated upon lower throne

Wieldeth he delegated sway;

Nor doth as his superior own

Ruler whose word he must obey;—

No, on his sovereign fiat waits the deed,

To execute his minds deep-ponder'd rede.

Take courage, with the natives all goes well.

Decrees all-perfect have the people passed.

Hail, sire revered; herald to me most dear;

But say what measure hath been ratified,

Whereto the people's hand out-numbering swayed?