Antistrophe I.
See me not borne away,
Thou who the land dost sway
With might all-potent, from these gods' blest shrine.
Men's insolence survey, 420
And dread the wrath divine.
Strophe II.
Endure not to behold
Me from these statues, against right, impressed,
Thy suppliant, like steed in forceful hold,
Dragged by my tresses and embroidered vest.
Antistrophe II.
Whatever thy decree,
Know well, thy sons, ay, all thy house must pay
Like reckoning, by war's stern arbitry. 430
These just commands from Zeus, firm-thoughted weigh.
King.
Well have I weighed them. Hither drives my bark.
Escape is none, but mighty war to wage
Either with gods or men;[1] fixed is the hull,
As if by naval capstans hauled ashore.
Which way I turn, grief meets me everywhere.
For gear from plundered homesteads other gear,
More than the loss, though mighty freight the spoil,
By favour of Zeus Ktesios[2] may accrue;
So when the tongue hath shot untimely forth 440
