Ho there! The altars quit, I say; 830
Hence to the barque;—I know no fear
For what is held in reverence here.
Chorus. Antistrophe I.
Never again, oh never more
May I the cattle-nurturing flood
Behold, whence life-sustaining blood
Through mortals doth more amply pour![1]
Herald.
Cling to the shrine with reverent hand,
Yet to the ship ye must away; 840
Willing or not, ye must obey;—
Off, off, ye wretches, to the strand,
Lest, forcefully, against your will,
Ye at my hands bear ruder ill.
Chorus. Strophe II.
Alas! ah me!
O may'st thou 'neath the billowy wave
Perish, with none to save,
Driven from thy course with adverse blast,
And on Sarpedon's sandy headland cast!
Herald.
Wail and lament and call upon the gods; 850
The Egyptian barque thou shalt not overleap,
E'en though a strain thou pour more bitter still.
Chorus.
Alas! ah me
For this pollution! Words of dread
- ↑ βροτοῖσι is the text of the MSS.
