Aeschylus, Suppliants 418–523: Second episode (cont.): the threat of the girdles

Take counsel, and, as is your sacred duty, prove yourself our sacred champion. Do not betray the fugitive who has been impiously cast out and driven from afar.

And see me not ravished from this sanctuary of many gods, oh you who hold sovereign power over the land. Recognize men’s wantonness, and guard against wrath.

Do not see your suppliant dragged, in spite of justice, from the images of the gods, like a horse by the bridle, and see rude hands laid upon my fine-woven robes.

For be assured of this—whichever end you bring to pass, to your children and house does it remain to make full payment. Consider these just ordinances of God.

King I have considered them; and I am driven to this cruel predicament. I must take upon myself a mighty war against one side or the other. There is no escape, it is as firmly fixed as a ship’s hull drawn tight by windlasses. There is no result without grievous hurt. Now when goods are plundered from a homestead, other goods may come by grace of Zeus, guardian of household wealth; as a tongue that has shot arrows beside the mark, one speech may be the healer of another. But to avoid the shedding of kindred blood, surely there is need of sacrifice and that many a victim fall to many a god as a deliverance from impending harm. For truly, it is to my undoing that I have come into this quarrel; and yet I prefer to be unskilled rather than practised in the lore of foretelling ill. But may my judgment belie itself and all go well!

Chorus Hear now the end of my appeals for compassion.

King I hear; say on. It shall not escape me.

Chorus I have breast-bands and girdles to gather up my robes.

King Such things are proper, no doubt, for women.

Chorus In these then, be sure, I have a beautiful instrument—

King Tell me what speech you plan to utter.

Chorus If you will not give some pledge to this group—

King What will the contrivance of the sashes do for you?

Chorus To adorn these images with tablets of strange sort.

King Your words are riddling; come, explain in simple speech.

Chorus To hang ourselves from the statues of these gods.

King I detect a threat that is a lash upon my heart.

Chorus You have grasped my intention, for I have cleared your vision.

King And on many sides there are difficulties hard to wrestle with; for, like a flood, a multitude of ills bursts on me. It is a sea of ruin, fathomless and impassable, which I am launched upon, and nowhere is there a haven from distress. For should I not pay the debt due to you, the pollution you name is beyond all range of speech; yet if I take my stand before the walls and try the issue of battle with the sons of Aegyptus, your kinsmen, how will the cost not mount to a cruel price—men’s blood to stain the ground for women’s sake? And yet the wrath of Zeus who guards the suppliant compels my reverence; for supreme among mortals is the fear of him. Aged father of these maidens, take these boughs straightway in your arms and place them upon other altars of the country’s gods, that all the natives may see the sign that you have come in suppliance. And let no random word fall against me; for the people could complain against authority. It may well be that some, stirred to compassion at the sight, will hate the wantonness of the troop of males, and that the people will be more friendly towards you; for all men are well disposed to the weaker cause.

Danaus We consider it worth much to have gained a champion who is compassionate. Yet send escorts and guides of the country’s people with me so we may find where the gods who protect your city have their altars at the temple porches and their . . . seats, and that we may go safely through the town. My shape is unlike yours, for Nile and Inachus rear a different race. Beware lest boldness give birth to fear; for through ignorance men have slain those they love.

King Come, men, the stranger speaks well. Be his guides to the altars of the city and to the sanctuaries of the gods. Do not speak at length with whomever you meet on the way while you are bringing this seafarer to be a suppliant at the hearths of the gods.

Chorus You told him, and let him go as directed. But what of me? What am I to do? Where do you assign security to me?

King Leave your boughs here, tokens of your distress.

Chorus Behold, I leave them at your signal and command.

King Go now along this level space about the sanctuary.

Chorus But it is not holy ground. How can it keep me safe?

King Be assured, we will not surrender you to winged creatures’ ravishment.

Chorus But what about those whom we dread worse than evil serpents?

King Speak with good omen, as I have spoken auspiciously to you.

Chorus No wonder I am fretful through alarm of mind.

King Excessive fear is always uncontrolled.

Chorus Cheer my heart by deeds as well as words.

King Your father will not leave you here alone for long. I am going now to call together the people of the land, that I may make the masses friendly; and I will instruct your father in what things he should say. Now stay here and beseech the gods of the land with prayers to grant what you desire, while I go to advance your cause. May persuasion and efficacious fortune attend me!