Herald

If you will not resign yourself and get to the ship, rending will have no pity on the fabric of your garments.

Chorus

We are lost! O King, we are suffering impious violence! ¹

Herald

² Oh, you will soon see many kings in Aegyptus ’ sons. Be of good cheer: you will not have to blame lack of government.

905

Chorus

Listen! Chiefs and rulers of the city, I am threatened with violence! ³

Herald

I think I will have to seize you by the hair and drag you off ⁴

since you are slow to heed my orders.

910

King

You there! What are you doing? What kind of arrogance has incited you to do such dishonor to this realm of Pelasgian men? Indeed, do you think you have come to a land of women? For a barbarian dealing with Hellenes, you act insolently.

Many are the misses of your wits, and your hits are none.

915

Herald

And in this case where have I gone wrong and transgressed my right?

King

First of all, you do not know how to act as a stranger.

Herald

I not know? How so, when I simply find and take my own that I had lost?

King

To what patrons of your land was your notice given?

Herald

To Hermes, the Searcher, greatest of patrons.

920

King

For all your notice to the gods, you do them no reverence.

Herald

I revere the deities by the Nile .

King

While ours are nothing, as I understand you?

Herald

I shall carry off these maids unless someone tears them away.

King

If you so much as touch them, you will regret it, and right soon.

925

Herald

I hear you; and your speech is far from hospitable.

King

No, since I have no hospitality for despoilers of the gods.

Herald

I will go and tell Aegyptus ’ sons about this.

King

My proud spirit will not ponder on this threat.

Herald

But that I may know and tell a plainer tale —for it is fitting that a herald make exact report on each detail—what message am I to deliver? Who is it, am I to tell on my return, that has despoiled me of this band of women, their own cousins? It is not, I suppose, by voice of witnesses that the god of battle judges cases like this;

930

nor is it by the gift of silver that he settles dispute; no! If that be the case, many a one shall fall and shuffle off his life.

935

King

My name? Why should I tell you? In due course of time you will learn it, you and your companions.

As for these maids, if, convinced by god-fearing argument, they consent of their own free will and heartily, you may take them. But to this purpose a decree has been passed by the unanimous resolve of the people of the State, never, under compulsion, to surrender this association of women. Through their resolve

940

the rivet has been driven home, to remain fixed and fast. Not on tablets is this inscribed, nor has it been sealed in folds of books: you hear the truth from free-spoken lips. Now get out of my sight immediately!

945

Herald

I think we are about to involve ourselves in a new war. But may victory and authority rest with the men!

950

King

It is men, I believe, you will find in the dwellers of this land; and they are no drinkers of diluted wine. Exit Herald. But

take courage, all of you, and together with your handmaidens, proceed to our well-fenced town, encircled by sturdy devices of towers. As for places inside to lodge, there are plenty of the public sort. For on no modest scale do I myself live, where,

955

in company with many others, you may occupy abodes suitably prepared; or, if it is more pleasing to you, it is free for you also to make your home in dwellings of separate sort. Of these select what is best and most to your desires. A protector you have in me and in all the inhabitants, whose resolve this is that now takes effect.

960

Why wait for others of higher authority?

965

Chorus

In blessings may you abound, noble Pelasgian, in requital for your blessings! But, if it pleases you, send our brave father Danaus here to be our adviser

and leader of our counsels. For it befits him, rather than ourselves, to advise us where we should establish our home and what neighborhood is friendly. All the world is ready to cast reproach on those who speak a foreign tongue. But may all be for the best! Exit the King.

970

And you, dear handmaidens, preserving your fair fame and provoking no angry utterances on the part of the native folk, take up your stations even as Danaus has allotted her duty of attendance unto each.

975

Danaus

My children, it is right to offer prayers to the Argives and to sacrifice and pour libations to them as to Olympian gods; for they are our saviors in no doubtful manner. They heard from my lips the conduct of your cousins toward their own kinfolk, and were moved to bitterness against them;

980

but to me they assigned this escort of spearmen, that I might have rank and honor, and might not be ambushed and perish by the death of the spear, and so an ever-living burden come upon the land. Recipients of such favors as these,

985

it becomes us to hold gratitude in yet higher honor from the bottom of our hearts. And in addition to the many other wise injunctions of your father recorded in your memory, inscribe this too—that an unknown company is proved by time. For in an alien’s case, all the world bears an evil tongue in readiness,

990

and it is easy lightly to utter defiling slander. Therefore I would have you bring no shame upon me, now when your youthful loveliness attracts men’s gaze. The tender ripeness of summer fruit is in no way easy to protect; beasts despoil it—and men, why not?—

995

and brutes that fly and those that walk the earth. Love’s goddess spreads news abroad of fruit bursting ripe. . . . So all men, as they pass,

1000

mastered by desire, shoot an alluring arrow of the eye at the delicate beauty of virgins. See to it, therefore, that we do not suffer that in fear for which we have endured great toil and ploughed the great waters with our ship; and that we bring no shame to ourselves and exultation to our enemies. Housing of two kinds is at our disposition,

1005

the one Pelasgus offers, the other, the city, and to occupy free of cost. These terms are easy. Only pay heed to these behests of your father, and count your chastity more precious than your life.

1010

Chorus

May the Olympian gods grant us good fortune in all the rest!

But, concerning the bloom of my virginity, father, be of good cheer, for, unless some evil has been devised of Heaven, I will not swerve from the former pathway of my thoughts.

1015

CHORUS

Oh chief rulers of the city, I am overpowered.

HERALD

You shall presently behold many rulers, the sons of Ægyptus; be of good courage, you will not call it an anarchy.

CHORUS

We are undone, we suffer, O king, unlooked-for things.

HERALD

It seems I must drag you tearing you by the hair, since you do not quickly obey my words.

PELASGUS

Hark you, what are you about? from what boldness do you dishonor this land of Pelasgic men? do you think that you have come to a city of women? Being a barbarian, you are over-insolent toward Greeks: and having erred much, you have done nothing rightly in your mind.

HERALD

In which of these things have I erred contrary to justice?

PELASGUS

First indeed you forget that you are a stranger.

HERALD

How not? I have found what was lost.

PELASGUS

Having addressed which of the natives as patrons.

HERALD

Hermes the searcher, a very great patron.

PELASGUS

Having addressed the gods, you in no way reverence the gods.

HERALD

I reverence the deities at the Nile.

PELASGUS

But those here, are nothing, as I hear from you.

HERALD

I will lead away these, if some one does not snatch them from me.

PELASGUS

You will rue it, if you touch them, no long time after.

HERALD

I hear words by no means hospitable.

PELASGUS

For I do not hospitably receive the spoilers of the gods.

HERALD

Having gone thou mayest tell these things to the sons of

Ægyptus

1

.

PELASGUS

This is unheeded in my thoughts.

HERALD

LE CHŒUR

Nous sommes perdues. Seigneur ! nous subissons un traitement impie.

LE HÉRAUT

Des seigneurs, vous en aurez bientôt
en nombre : les fils d'Égyptos ! N'ayez crainte, vous ne vous plaindrez pas de manquer de maîtres.

LE CHŒUR

Ah ! chefs, princes de ce pays, je succombe à la force !

LE HÉRAUT

Je crois qu'il vous faudra tirer, traîner
par les cheveux, puisque vous restez sourdes à ma voix.

LE ROI

Hé là-bas ! que fais-tu ? Quelle superbe t'induit à mépriser ainsi la terre des Pélasges ? Crois-tu donc débarquer dans un État de femmes ? Pour un barbare aussi tu montres avec les Grecs un peu trop d'insolence !
C'est commettre bien des fautes et user de bien peu de sens.

LE HÉRAUT

Quelle faute ai-je commise ici contre le Droit ?

LE ROI

Tu ignores d'abord les devoirs d'un étranger.

LE HÉRAUT

En quoi ? Je retrouve ce que j'avais perdu.

LE ROI

A quels proxènes ici t'es-tu donc adressé ?

LE HÉRAUT

Au plus grand des proxènes, Hermès, dieu de tous ceux qui cherchent.

LE ROI

Tu t'adresses à des dieux et tu ne ne montres aucun respect des dieux !

LE HÉRAUT

Les dieux du Nil sont ceux que j'adore.

LE ROI

Et ceux d'ici alors ne sont rien pour toi : je l'entends de ta bouche.

LE HÉRAUT

J'emmènerai ces femmes — à moins qu'on ne me les arrache.

LE ROI

Y toucher t'en cuirait, ce ne serait pas long !

LE HÉRAUT

J'entends là des mots peu hospitaliers.

LE ROI

Je ne vois pas des hôtes en ceux qui dépouillent des dieux.

LE HÉRAUT

Voilà que je dirai aux enfants d'Égyptos.

LE ROI

Ce souci là n'inquiète pas mon cœur !

LE HÉRAUT

CHORUS.

Ye rulers of the city, Force o'erpow'rs me.

HERALD.

You ſhall ſee many rulers, doubt not, ſoon,

Ægyptus' ſons; no anarchy is here.

980

CHORUS.

Unlook'd for ruin comes, O king, upon us.

HERALD.

I must uſe force, I ſee, and pluck you hence

Drag'd by the locks, ſince my words move you not.

PELASGUS.

PELASGUS, HERALD, CHORUS.

Whence theſe outrageous deeds? How dares thy pride

Offer this inſult to the land, where dwell

985

Pelaſgian men? Or didſt thou deem that women

Alone inhabit here? Thy ſavage acts,

Barbarian, touch the dignity of Greece.

Learn thy miſtake then, and thine high offence.

HERALD.

Againſt what law, what right have I offended ?

990

PELASGUS.

Firſt, doſt thou know thou art a ſtranger here?

HERALD.

A ſtranger here I found what I had lost.

PELASGUS.

To whom hast thou addreſs'd thee for protection?

HERALD.

To Mercury, who directs the ſtranger's ſearch.

PELASGUS.

The Gods! Thou hast no reverence for the Gods.

995

HERALD.

Yes, for the Gods of Nile, an holy reverence.

PELASGUS.

But none for these, if right I understand thee.

HERALD.

Theſe lead I hence; and who ſhall take them from me?

PELASGUS.

Dare but to touch them, dear ſhalt thou abide it.

HERALD.

Is this your hoſpitality to ſtrangers?

1000

PELASGUS.

I owe the ruffian none, that robs the Gods.

HERALD.

Go then, announce this to Ægyptus' ſons.

PELASGUS.

It ſuits not me; my ſoul diſdains the office.

HERALD.

CORO

Ahimè! Principi, duci d'Argo, mi fanno ingiuria!

EGIZIO

Fa' cuor, vedrai ben presto molti principi,

d'Egitto figli: non ne avrai penuria!

Siamo perdute! O Sire, soffriam novelle offese!

965

Via per le chiome dovrò trarvi, sembrami,

ché non ben le parole avete intese!

PELASGO

Ehi tu, che fai? Per qual disegno questa

di Pelasgi contrada ardisci offendere?

Credi esser giunto a una città di femmine?

970

Troppo tu osi contro Ellèni, o barbaro!

Grande è il tuo fallo, e niun senno dimostri!

EGIZIO

Quale atto mio contro giustizia errò?

PELASGO

Primo, conscio non sei, che sei straniero.

EGIZIO

Perché trovo e ripiglio ciò ch'io persi?

975

PELASGO

E a chi l'hai detto degli argivi pròsseni?

EGIZIO

Al sommo Ermète, che guida chi cerca.

PELASGO

T'appelli ai Numi, e i Numi non rispetti.

EGIZIO

Venero i Numi che sul Nilo imperano.

PELASGO

E quelli d'Argo, a quanto io sento, nulla.

980

EGIZIO

Via le trarrei, se non mel vieta alcuno.

PELASGO

Pianger dovrai, se tu le tocchi, e presto.

EGIZIO

Punto ospitale è la parola ch'odo.

PELASGO

Non offro ospizio a predator di Numi!

EGIZIO

D'Egitto ai figli tutto ciò dirò.

985

PELASGO

Non pascerà nel pensier mio tal cura!

EGIZIO

Pue.

O duces urbis pronubæ ſuperor.

Cad.

Multos reges filios Aegypti citò

Videbitis, confidite. non dicet anarchiam.

Pue.

Perimus, patimur indigna.

835

Trahere uisus est nos euellens comam.

Cad.

Sequere non audis meos sermones.

Rex

Ipſe quid facis? ex quali conſilio

Virorum Pelaſgorum hanc terram inhonoras?

Sed aut in urbem mulierum uideris migrare.

840

Barbarus exiſtens, Græcis admodum deliciaris,

Et multum peccans nihil direxiſti mente.

Cad.

Quid uerò peccatum est horum mihi ſine cauſa?

Rex

Peregrinum illum eſse primò non ſcio.

Cad.

Quomodo non perdita inueniens ego?

845

Rex

Quibus dicens hoſpitibus patrijs?

Cad.

Mercurio maximo hoſpiti quæſitori.

Rex

Dijs dixiſti, at non colis deos.

Cad.

Dæmones qui circum Nilum ſunt colo.

Rex

Noui horum nihil ut ego contra te.

850

Cad.

Ducerem uerò, ſi quis has non ferret.

Rex

Fleres, ſi tangeres neq; in longum.

Cad.

Audiui uerbum non admodum hoſpitibus charum.

Rex

Non enim hoſpitor ſacrilegos deorum.

Cad.

Diceres hæc ueniens filijs Aegypti.

855

Rex

Acerbum hoc meo conſilio.

Cad.

Chorus

O chiefs, O leaders, aid me, or I yield!

Herald of Aegyptus

Peace! if ye have not ears to hear my words,

940

Lo, by these tresses must I hale you hence.

Chorus

Undone we are, O king! all hope is gone.

Herald of Aegyptus

Ay, kings enow ye shall behold anon,

Aegyptus' sons—Ye shall not want for kings.

[ Enter the King of Argos.

The King of Argos

Sirrah, what dost thou? in what arrogance

945

Darest thou thus insult Pelasgia's realm?

Deemest thou this a woman-hearted town?

Thou art too full of thy barbarian scorn

For us of Grecian blood, and, erring thus,

Thou dost bewray thyself a fool in all!

950

Herald of Aegyptus

Say thou wherein my deeds transgress my right.

The King of Argos

First, that thou play'st a stranger's part amiss.

Herald of Aegyptus

Wherein? I do but search and claim mine own.

The King of Argos

To whom of our guest-champions hast appealed?

Herald of Aegyptus

To Hermes, herald's champion, lord of search.

955

The King of Argos

Yea, to a god—yet dost thou wrong the gods!

Herald of Aegyptus

The gods that rule by Nilus I revere.

The King of Argos

Hear I aright? our Argive gods are nought?

Herald of Aegyptus

The prey is mine, unless force rend it from me.

The King of Argos

At thine own peril touch them—'ware, and soon!

960

Herald of Aegyptus

I hear thy speech, no hospitable word.

The King of Argos

I am no host for sacrilegious hands.

Herald of Aegyptus

I will go tell this to Aegyptus' sons.

The King of Argos

Tell it! my pride will ponder not thy word.

Herald of Aegyptus

Erster Halbchor.

Ihr Landeshäupter, helft! Gewalt duld' ich hier!

Der Herold.

Fortschleppen, scheint es, muß ich euch am Lockenhaar,

Da nicht sofort ihr hören wollt auf mein Gebot.

855

Dritte Gegenstrophe.

Zweiter Halbchor.

Wir sind verloren, Herr! O graunvolles Leid!

Der Herold.

Ja viele Herrn, Aegyptos' Söhne, seht ihr gleich!

Getrost: ihr klagt nicht über Herrenlosigkeit!

(Während der letzten Worte tritt der König von Argos mit Gefolge ein.)

Der König.

He, was beginnst du? Welcher Wahn bethörte dich,

Daß du Pelasgis' Bürger und ihr Land beschimpfst?

860

Du wähntest wohl in einer Frauenstadt zu sein?

Ein Fremdling, höhnst du Hellas' Volk in frechem Troy,

Und Vieles frevelnd, schaffst du Nichts mit klugem Sinn.

Der Herold.

Wo lenkt' ich ab vom Rechte, was verbrach ich hier?

Der König.

Erst, was dem Fremdling zieme, blieb dir unbekannt.

865

Der Herold.

Wie das? Ich ging Verlor'nes aufzufinden aus

Der König.

Und welche Schußherrn sprachst du hier in Argos an?

Der Herold.

Den größten Schußherrn Hermes, der allspähend wacht.

Der König.

Anrufend Götter, scheust du nicht der Götter Macht!

Der Herold.

Die Götter ehr' ich, welche Neilos' Volk verehrt.

870

Der König.

Und Argos' Götter gelten dir, so hör' ich, Nichts!

Der Herold.

Sie will ich achten, wenn mir Niemand diese raubt.

Der König.

Du sollst es büßen, wenn du sie berührst, und gleich!

Der Herold.

Gastfreundlich lautet nimmermehr ein solches Wort.

Der König.

Ich nehme Götterschänder nicht gastfreundlich auf.

875

Der Herold.

Geh' hin, Aegyptos' Söhnen selbst dies kundzuthun!

Der König.

Um solches mich zu kümmern, bin ich nicht gemeint.

Der Herold.