Supplices

Aeschylus

Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.

  1. And let no murderous havoc come upon
  2. the realm to ravage it, by arming Ares—foe to the dance and lute, parent of tears—and the shout of civil strife.
  3. And may the joyless swarm of diseases settle far from the heads of the inhabitants, and to all the young people may Lyceus[*](The epithet Lyceus, often applied to Apollo, was commonly connected with the belief that he was the destroyer and protector of wolves (λύκοι). As a destructive power he is invoked to ward off enemies (Aesch. Seven 145); as an averter of evil he protects herds, flocks, and the young. According to Pausanias (Paus. 2.19.3) Danaus established a sanctuary in honor of Lyceus at Argos, where, in later times, the most famous of all Apollo’s temples was consecrated to him under the title of Wolf-god.)be graciously disposed.
Chorus
  1. May Zeus cause the earth to bring forth its tribute of fruit
  2. by the produce of every season; may their grazing cattle in the fields have abundant increase, and may they obtain all things from the heavenly powers.
  3. May minstrels sing hymns of praise at the altars; and from pure lips let there proceed the phorminx-loving chant.
Chorus
  1. May the people who control the state guard its privileges free from fear—
  2. a prudent government counselling wisely for the public prosperity. And should they have recourse to arms may they inflict no loss, but grant just rights of covenant to the stranger within their gates.
Chorus
  1. And may they worship forever the gods who possess the land
  2. with native honors of laurel bough held aloft, and oxen slain, even as their fathers did before their time. Since reverence for parents stands written third among the statutes of Justice, to whom honor supreme is due.
Danaus
  1. I commend these sensible prayers, dear children; but do not be troubled yourselves when you hear the unexpected and startling tidings your father has to tell. From my post of look-out here on the sanctuary of suppliants I see that ship; for it is well-marked and does not escape me:
  2. the trimming of its sail, its side-guards, and the prow that with its eyes scans its onward course, obeying—all too well for those to whom it is unfriendly—the guiding rudder at the stern. The men on board are plainly seen, their black
  3. limbs showing from their white attire. The rest of the ships and all the assisting fleet stand clear in view: but the leading ship herself has furled her sail and draws near the shore with full sweep of sounding oars. Yet
  4. you must face the matter calmly and with self-control, and not be unmindful of these gods. For my part, I will secure allies and advocates to urge our cause, and return. Perhaps some herald or envoys may come, eager to seize you as a prize and drag you away, but nothing will happen: do not fear them.
  5. Yet in the event that we should be slow in bringing aid, it would be better not to forget for a moment the means of help you have here at hand. Courage! In good time, assuredly, and on the day ordained, he who dishonors the gods will suffer punishment.
Chorus
  1. Father, I am afraid. With what swift wings the ships
  2. approach! There is not much time left.
Chorus
  1. I am possessed by dreadful fear if truly my long flight has been of no profit. Father, I am consumed with fright.
Danaus
  1. Since the vote of the Argives was final,
  2. be of good cheer, my children; they will fight in your defence, I know this well.