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Chorus
From the Tyrian swell of the sea I came, a choice offering for Loxias from the island of
Phoenicia
,
to be a slave to Phoebus in his halls, where he dwells under the snow-swept peaks of
Parnassus
; through the Ionian sea I sailed in the waves,
205
over the unharvested plains, in the gusts of Zephyrus that ride from
Sicily
, sweetest music in the sky.
210
From the Tyrian swell of the sea I came, a choice offering for Loxias from the island of
Phoenicia
,
to be a slave to Phoebus in his halls, where he dwells under the snow-swept peaks of
Parnassus
; through the Ionian sea I sailed in the waves,
205
over the unharvested plains, in the gusts of Zephyrus that ride from
Sicily
, sweetest music in the sky.
210
Chorus
Chosen from my city
as beauty’s gift for Loxias, to the land of Cadmus I came, sent here to the towers of Laius, the home of my kin, the famous sons of Agenor.
215
And I became the handmaid of Phoebus, dedicated like his statues of wrought gold. But the water of Castalia is still waiting for me to drench the maiden glory of my hair
220
for the service of Phoebus.
225
Chosen from my city
as beauty’s gift for Loxias, to the land of Cadmus I came, sent here to the towers of Laius, the home of my kin, the famous sons of Agenor.
215
And I became the handmaid of Phoebus, dedicated like his statues of wrought gold. But the water of Castalia is still waiting for me to drench the maiden glory of my hair
220
for the service of Phoebus.
225
Chorus
Hail, rock that lights up a double-crested flash of fire above the frenzied heights of Dionysus; and the vine, that every day
lets fall the lush cluster of grapes; and the holy cavern of the serpent and the gods’ watchtower on the hills, and the sacred snow-swept mountain!
230
Would I were free of fear and circling in the dance of the deathless god, having left Dirce for the valleys of Phoebus at the center of the world.
235
Hail, rock that lights up a double-crested flash of fire above the frenzied heights of Dionysus; and the vine, that every day
lets fall the lush cluster of grapes; and the holy cavern of the serpent and the gods’ watchtower on the hills, and the sacred snow-swept mountain!
230
Would I were free of fear and circling in the dance of the deathless god, having left Dirce for the valleys of Phoebus at the center of the world.
235
Chorus
But now I find
the impetuous god of war has come to battle before the walls, and is kindling a murderous blaze—may he not succeed!—for this city. For a friend’s pain is shared, and if this land with its seven towers
240
suffers any mischance,
Phoenicia
’s realm will share it. Ah me! our blood is one; we are all children of Io, the horned maid; these sorrows I claim as mine.
245
But now I find
the impetuous god of war has come to battle before the walls, and is kindling a murderous blaze—may he not succeed!—for this city. For a friend’s pain is shared, and if this land with its seven towers
240
suffers any mischance,
Phoenicia
’s realm will share it. Ah me! our blood is one; we are all children of Io, the horned maid; these sorrows I claim as mine.
245
Chorus
Around the city a thick cloud of shields is kindling a shape of bloody battle, which Ares will soon learn, if he brings upon the sons of Oedipus
250
the curse of the Furies. O
Argos
, city of Pelasgia! I dread your might, and also what comes from the gods; for the one who approaches his home in armor is setting out to a contest
255
that is not without justice.
260
Around the city a thick cloud of shields is kindling a shape of bloody battle, which Ares will soon learn, if he brings upon the sons of Oedipus
250
the curse of the Furies. O
Argos
, city of Pelasgia! I dread your might, and also what comes from the gods; for the one who approaches his home in armor is setting out to a contest
255
that is not without justice.
260
The Phoenician Women. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.