Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/463

Rh Leading barbaric hordes, Zeus' oracle saith,

And many a city with thy countless host

Shalt sack: but when they plunder Loxias' shrine,

Then shall they get them bitter home-return.

Thee and Harmonia shall Ares save,

And stablish in the Blessèd Land your lives.

This say I, of no mortal father born,

Dionysus, but of Zeus. Had ye but learnt

Wisdom, what time ye would not, ye had been

Blest now, with Zeus' son for your champion gained.

Dionysus, we beseech thee!—we have sinned.

Too late ye know me, who knew not in your hour.

We know it: but thy vengeance passeth bounds.

I am a God: ye did despite to me.

It fits not that in wrath Gods be as men.

Long since my father Zeus ordained this so.

Alas! our woeful exile's doom is sealed!