Libation Bearers

Aeschylus

Aeschylus, Volume 2. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926.

  1. May aged Murder cease begetting offspring in our house!
Chorus
  1. And you who occupy the mighty, gorgeously built cavern,[*](The inner sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi was a narrow cave or vault in which, over a cleft, stood a tripod covered by a slab on which the prophetess sat (Athenaeus , 701c, Strabo, ix. 641).) grant that the man’s house may lift up its eyes again in joy, and that with glad
  2. eyes it may behold from under its veil of gloom the radiant light of freedom.
Chorus
  1. May Maia’s son,[*](Hermes, the patron of guile and god of eloquence.) as he rightfully should, lend his aid, for no one can better sail a deed on a favoring course, when he would do so.[*](The bracketed line 815 reads And many another hidden thing he will make plain, if he desires.)
  2. But by his mysterious utterance he brings darkness over men’s eyes by night, and by day he is no more clear at all.