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446

'Tis then thy pleasure to incur new war:—

May victory and strength be with the males!

[Exit.

But in this land male dwellers ye shall find,

Drinking, I trow, no draughts of barley wine.

[To the Suppliants

But maidens, taking heart, repair ye all,

With friendly escort, to the well-fenced town,

Shut in with deep device of many a tower.

The State owns many mansions, and myself

A palace have, built with no grudging hand,

If 'tis your choice full happily to dwell

With many others; yet, if such your wish,

Make ye in separate abodes your home.

Choose of these offers that which seemeth best,

Most pleasing to your sisterhood; myself

Your patron am, and all these burghers here,

For you their vote who pledged,—Why wait ye then

For others armed with more authority?

In return for deeds of grace

May thy lot with grace be crowned,

Hero of Pelasgic race!

But hither send, with purpose kind,

Our sire, of brave and wary mind,

Danaos, prime councillor and guide.

His counsel will direct us here