Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Jebb 1917).djvu/99

704—734] sleepless eye of the Morian Zeus beholds it, and the gray-eyed Athena.

And another praise have I to tell for this the city our mother, the gift of a great god, a glory of the land most high; the might of horses, the might of young horses, the might of the sea.

For thou, son of Cronus, our lord Poseidon, hast throned her in this pride, since in these roads first thou didst show forth the curb that cures the rage of steeds. And the shapely oar, apt to men's hands, hath a wondrous speed on the brine, following the hundred-footed Nereids.

. O land that art praised above all lands, now is it for thee to make those bright praises seen in deeds!

. What new thing hath chanced, my daughter?

. Yonder Creon draws near us,—not without followers, father.

. Ah, kind elders, now give me, I pray you, the final proof of my safety!

. Fear not—it shall be thine. If I am aged, this country's strength hath not grown old.

. Sirs, noble dwellers in this land, I see that a sudden fear hath troubled your eyes at my coming; but shrink not from me, and let no ungentle word escape you.

I am here with no thought of force;—I am old, and I know that the city whereunto I have come is mighty,