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PELASGOS
Well have I weighed them. Hither drives my bark.
Escape is none, but mighty war to wage
Either with gods or men ; fixed is the hull,
As if by naval capstans hauled ashore.
Which way I turn, grief meets me everywhere.
For gear from plundered homesteads other gear,
More than the loss, though mighty freight the spoil,
By favour of Zeus Ktesios
‡
may accrue;
So when the tongue hath shot untimely forth
440
1
2
The stinging phrase, provoking direful wrath,
The wound by word inflicted word may heal.
But to avert the stain of kindred blood,
In sacrifice must many a victim bleed,
To many gods,—for remedy of ill.
Sooth! from this fray fain would I keep aloof,
And rather skilless be in ills than wise.
But oh! beyond my hope may good prevail!
Well have I weighed them. Hither drives my bark.
Escape is none, but mighty war to wage
Either with gods or men ; fixed is the hull,
As if by naval capstans hauled ashore.
Which way I turn, grief meets me everywhere.
For gear from plundered homesteads other gear,
More than the loss, though mighty freight the spoil,
By favour of Zeus Ktesios
‡
may accrue;
So when the tongue hath shot untimely forth
440
The stinging phrase, provoking direful wrath,
The wound by word inflicted word may heal.
But to avert the stain of kindred blood,
In sacrifice must many a victim bleed,
To many gods,—for remedy of ill.
Sooth! from this fray fain would I keep aloof,
And rather skilless be in ills than wise.
But oh! beyond my hope may good prevail!
Supplices. Aeschylus. Anna Swanwick (Translator). London. 1886.
Sponsored by University of Leipzig.
Funding provided by European Social Fund Saxony.