Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/519

Rh

Nay, but those rivers whose glad waters lave,

With increase fraught, this region where they rise,

Soothing the earth with fertilizing wave.

View us, Chaste Artemis, with pitying eyes;

On us may Kythereia ne'er impose

Wedlock, with forceful rites! No, may such prize

Reward our foes.

Not that this friendly hymn disdains her sway

Who empire wieldeth, Zeus and Hera near,

Goddess of guileful spells, Kypris, whose reign,

O'er solemn rites extending, all revere.

Sharing her honours, on their mother dear

Desire attends and Suasion, who in vain,

Her plea ne'er urgeth; Loves with whispering play,

And sweet Harmonia, these too share her sway,

And wait on Aphrodite.

For us, poor fugitives, dire woes I dread,

Yea, bloody wars my bodeful heart appal;

Since hither sailing, eager in pursuit,

In swiftly-wafted ships our foes have sped.

Whate'er is fated that must sure befal;

The will of Zeus, almighty, absolute,