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THE SUPPLIANT MAIDENS
55
Only I pray that whate'er, in the end, of this wedlock he doom,
We, as many a maiden of old, may win from the ill to the good.[1]
Semi-Chorus
Great Zeus, this wedlock turn from me—
Me from the kinsman bridegroom guard!
Semi-Chorus
Come what come may, 'tis Fate's decree.
Semi-Chorus
Soft is thy word—the doom is hard.
Semi-Chorus
Thou know'st not what the Fates provide.
Semi-Chorus
How should I scan Zeus' mighty will,
The depth of counsel undescried?
Semi-Chorus
Pray thou no word of omen ill.
Semi-Chorus
What timely warning wouldst thou teach?
- ↑ The ambiguity of these two lines is reproduced from the original. The Semi-Chorus appear to pray, in one aspiration, that the threatened wedlock may never take place, and, if it does take place, may be for weal, not woe.
