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Herald
If you will not resign yourself and get to the ship, rending will have no pity on the fabric of your garments.
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
We are lost! O King, we are suffering impious violence!
1
Herald
Chorus
Listen! Chiefs and rulers of the city, I am threatened with violence!
3
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
Enter the King with retainers
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
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?
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.
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?
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?
To what patrons of your land was your notice given?
Herald
To Hermes, the Searcher, greatest of patrons.
920
To Hermes, the Searcher, greatest of patrons.
920
King
For all your notice to the gods, you do them no reverence.
For all your notice to the gods, you do them no reverence.
Herald
I revere the deities by the
Nile
.
I revere the deities by the
Nile
.
King
While ours are nothing, as I understand you?
While ours are nothing, as I understand you?
Herald
I shall carry off these maids unless someone tears them away.
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
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.
I hear you; and your speech is far from hospitable.
King
No, since I have no hospitality for despoilers of the gods.
No, since I have no hospitality for despoilers of the gods.
Herald
I will go and tell
Aegyptus
’ sons about this.
I will go and tell
Aegyptus
’ sons about this.
King
My proud spirit will not ponder on this threat.
930
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
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
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
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
966
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
980
Enter Danaus with a bodyguard
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
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
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
Supplices. Aeschylus. Herbert Weir Smyth (Translator). New York. 1922.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.