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The Suppliants.
Dwellers in land hard by the Æthiops' home.
Haply, if armed with bows, I you had deemed
Unlorded flesh-devouring Amazons.
Instructed, I shall better understand
How ye descent and race from Argos claim.
Chorus.
They say that Io, in this Argive land,
Of Hera's temple bare of yore the keys.
King.
True, certes;—widely the report prevails.—
Runs not the tale that Zeus a mortal loved? 290
Chorus.
Ay, and with dalliance not from Hera veiled.
King.
How ended then these royal jealousies?
Chorus.
The goddess to a heifer changed the maid.
King.
Zeus surely ne'er would touch a fair-horned heifer.
Chorus.
In fashion of a bull they say he came.
King.
What further wrought the mighty spouse of Zeus?
