Delphi Complete Works of Aeschylus (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics) by Aeschylus Page B

mutual altar of all these protecting powers; and seat yourselves on holy
ground like a flock of doves in dread of hawks of the same feathered tribe — kindred,
yet foes, who would defile their race. If bird prey on bird, how can it be
pure? And how can man be pure who would seize from an unwilling father an
unwilling bride? For such an act, not even in Hades, after death, shall he
escape arraignment for outrage. There also among the dead, so men tell, another
Zeus holds a last judgment upon misdeeds. Take heed and reply in this manner,
that victory may attend your cause.
    [ Enter the King
of Argos with
men-at-arms. ]
    KING
[234] From where
comes this band we address, clothed in foreign attire and luxuriating in
closely-woven and barbaric robes? For your apparel is not that of the women of Argos, nor yet of any part of Hellas.
How you have gained courage thus fearlessly to come to this land, unheralded
and friendless and without guides, this makes me wonder. And yet, truly, I see
that branches usually carried by suppliants are laid by your side before the
gods assembled here — as to this alone can Hellas
guess with confidence. As for the rest, there is still much I should with
reason leave to conjecture, if your voice were not here to inform me.
    CHORUS
[246] You have
not spoken falsely about our clothing. But, for my part, how am I to address
you? As commoner, as spokesman, bearer of the sacred wand, or as ruler of the
realm?
    KING
[249] As for
that, answer and speak to me with confidence. For I am Pelasgus, offspring of
Palaechthon, whom the earth brought forth, and lord of this land; and after me,
their king, is rightly named the race of the Pelasgi, who harvest the land. Of
all the region through which the pure Strymon flows, on the side toward the
setting sun, I am the lord. There lies within the limits of my rule the land of
the Perrhaebi, the parts beyond Pindus close to the Paeonians, and the mountain
ridge of Dodona; the edge of the watery sea borders my kingdom. I rule up to
these boundaries.
    [260] The ground where
we stand is Apian land itself, and has borne that name since antiquity in honor
of a healer. For Apis, seer and healer, the son of Apollo, came from Naupactus
on the farther shore and purified this land of monsters deadly to man, which
Earth, defiled by the pollution of bloody deeds of old, caused to spring up — plagues
charged with wrath, an ominous colony of swarming serpents. Of these plagues
Apis worked the cure by sorcery and spells to the content of the Argive land,
and for reward thereafter earned for himself remembrance in prayers.
    [271] Now that you
have my testimony, declare your lineage and speak further — yet our people do
not take pleasure in long discourse.
    CHORUS
[274] Our tale
is brief and clear. Argives we claim to be by birth, offspring of a cow blest in
its children. And the truth of this I shall confirm in full.
    KING
[277] Foreign
maidens, your tale is beyond my belief — how your race can be from Argos. For you are more
similar to the women of Libya
and in no way similar to those native to our land. The Nile,
too, might foster such a stock, and like yours is the Cyprian impress stamped
upon female images by male craftsmen. And of such aspect, I have heard, are
nomad women, who ride on camels for steeds, having padded saddles, and dwell in
a land neighboring the Aethiopians. And had you been armed with the bow,
certainly I would have guessed you to be the unwed, flesh-devouring Amazons.
But inform me, and I will better comprehend how it is that you trace your race
and lineage from Argos.
    CHORUS
[292] Is there a
report that once in this land
of Argos Io was ward of
Hera’s house?
    KING
[294] Certainly
she was; the tradition prevails far and wide.
    CHORUS
[295] And is
there some story, too, that Zeus was joined in love with a mortal?
    KING
[297] This
entanglement was not secret from Hera.
    CHORUS
[298] What then
was the result of this royal strife?
    KING
[299] The
goddess of