THE SUPPLICANTS. CHORUS. MAY Jove, indeed, the protector of suppliants benevolently regard our train wafted here in ships having set sail from the mouths of Nile that roll fine (or, a little) sand. But having left the divine land bordering on Syria we fled, condemned by the public vote of the city, on account of no bloodshed, but abhorring the nuptials, that cause us to fly our husbands, and impious, of the sons of Ægyptus our kindred. But our father Danaus, both our prime counsellor and leader of our design, (or, conspiracy,) considering these things, determined on the most honourable of two calamities (viz. the nuptials, or flight) that we should fly with all speed over the billow of the deep, and drive to the land of Argos, from whence, indeed, our lineage, from the heifer, (viz. Io,) rendered frantic by the gad-fly, and from the touch (i. e. embrace) of Jove, we boast to be derived. What country therefore more friendly than this can we come to with these wool-wreathed branches of suppliants in our hands? O city, and land, and limpid water, and you heavenly gods, and you dire-punishing infernal deities possessing temples, and preserver Jove the third named, receive this suppliant female train with a favourable (or, modest) breath of the country" but the male-abounding insolent band (lit. swarm) sprung from Ægyptus, before placing their foot in this marshy land, send into the deep with their swift ship, and there having met with a furious whirlwind, with thunder, lightning, and with the shower-bearing winds of the fell sea, let them perish, before at any time ascending our unwilling beds, from which Justice forbids them, having made their own us here their kindred. But now I invoke the divine calf, my avenger over the sea, and the son of the flowercropping heifer, our progenitor, from the breathing of Jove. But the fated time rightly confirmed the touch (i. e. embrace) of Jove in the name of her son, and brought forth Epaphus. Mentioning him now in the fertile regions of his ancient mother, calling to mind her former troubles, partly now will I show proofs which are fitted to cause credit in my speech, and partly some things will appear, I know, unlikely, being unexpected. But one will acknowledge the truth of my words when I have spoken at length. But if any augur chances to be near in the land, hearing our mournful wail, he will think that he hears the voice of the wretched wife of Tereus; and (i. e. namely) the hawk-chased nightingale; who, driven (or, restrained) from her haunts and the rivers, laments with new wail on account of her nest; and pours forth (lit. composes) a song on the fate of the boy, how he perished by the very hand of his cruel mother, having met with her wrath. So I, too, lamenting in Ionian strains, rend my tender cheek that bloomed (or, was nourished) beside the Nile, and my heart unacquainted with tears. And I pour forth (lit. crop, or, gather) mournful complaints, fearing my friends, if there is any one who cares about (or, has regard for) this flight of ours from That is, grant that the inhabitants may treat us virgins with modest respect. the warm land of Egypt. But you gods, from whom we derive our race, hear, duly regarding justice, not granting to the sons of Ægyptus to possess, contrary to what is right, (or, to fate,) our mature youth, but hating insolence in your souls, you should be just to nuptials. But there is even to those who fly from war afflicted (or, conquered) an altar, a defence from the majesty of the deities. The judgment of Jove is altogether true. The counsel (or, desire) of Jove is not easily traced out, yet everywhere (or, altogether) it shines forth, even in darkness, with black calamity to articulate-speaking men. But it falls firmly not upon its back, if a thing be perfected by the head (i. e. the nod) of Jove: for the ways of the divine breast stretch thick and shady, (i. e. perplexed and obscure,) difficult to discover. But he punishes abandoned mortals from his high-towered heights, and no one arms unjust force altogether unpunished by the deity: the divine mind sitting aloft upon holy seats, nevertheless from that place takes vengeance on it. But let him look to the insolence, with which the mortal stock of the sons of Ægyptus youthfully treats us, on account of my nuptials, having the heat of love with ill-suggesting mind, and furious thoughts, an inevitable sting, and knowing too late the evil caused to them by our deceit. Such wretched sufferings I lamenting recount, causing loud wailing, grievous, drawing tears, ah! ah! suited to funeral strains: I alive honour myself with lamentations. I suppliantly implore the Apian land, and ah! may you acknowledge my barbaric voice. But often I rend my linen garments, and my Sidonian head-dress. But to the gods just and perfect rites, matters having happened fortunately, shall be abundantly afforded, when death is absent. Ah! ah! troubles difficult to be judged! where will this billow carry us? The oar indeed and the flax-woven house (i. e. the ship,) keeping out the sea, has wafted me with the breezes untroubled by the tempest of war: nor do I blame the event: but hereafter may the all-seeing father propitiously effect that the seed of our venerable mighty mother (viz. Io) escape, from the beds of men unwedded, virgin. But again may the chaste daughter of Jove willingly regard me desiring it, keeping fixed upon me her dread countenance: and with all her might let her a virgin, defending virgins from persecutions, be our deliverer. But if not, where is the blackened thunderstricken race of earth, to the many-guest-receiving Jove of the dead (i. e. Pluto) will we approach with these suppliant boughs, dead by the noose, not having obtained the protection of the Olympian gods. O Jove, O wrath from some of the deities pursuing Io, but I recognize the vengeance of the wife of Jove superior to the powers of heaven for this tempest proceeds from a fell blast. And then Jove will be subject to unjust rumours, having dishonoured the son of the heifer, whom he himself once begot, now holding (i. e. if he now holds) his eyes averted from our prayers, and not listening from above when invoked. DANAUS. My children, it behoves us to be prudent: and ye have come with me your prudent faithful aged father, conductor of your voyage. And with respect to your behaviour on land now I bid you assume prudence (or, foresight) to observe my words, engraving them on your minds. I see dust, the voiceless messenger of an army; the naves agitated by the axles are not silent, and I behold a bucklered and spear-brandishing crowd, with horses, and curved chariots. Perhaps the rulers of this land may be advancing to us as spies (or, to behold us) having heard of us from messengers. But whether harmless, or even enraged (or, with speed) with fell wrath, they are rushing on this train, it is better on every account, O virgins, to sit down at the mount of the gods presiding over the games. But an altar is better (i. e. is a surer defence) than a tower, a war-proof shield. But |