THE SUPPLIANTS [8]
the idle words thou broughtest; for we are making no advance. (The THEBAN HERALD withdraws.) 'Tis time for all to start, each stout footman, and whoso mounts the car; 'tis time the bit, dripping with foam, should urge the charger on toward the land of Cadmus. For I will march in person to the seven gates thereof with the sharp sword in my hand, and be myself my herald. But thee, Adrastus, I bid stay, nor blend with mine thy fortunes, for I will take my own good star to lead my host, a chieftain famed in famous deeds of arms. One thing alone I need, the favour of all gods that reverence right, for the presence of these things insures victory. For their valour availeth men naught, unless they have the god's goodwill.
(THESEUS and his retinue depart. The following lines between the SEMI-CHORUSES are chanted responsively.)
FIRST SEMI-CHORUS Unhappy mothers of those hapless chiefs! How wildly in my heart pale fear stirs up alarm! SECOND SEMI-CHORUS What is this new cry thou utterest? FIRST SEMI-CHORUS I fear the issue of the strife, whereto the hosts of Pallas march. SECOND SEMI-CHORUS Dost speak of issues of the sword, or interchange of words? FIRST SEMI-CHORUS That last were gain indeed; but if the carnage of battle, fighting, and the noise of beaten breasts again be heard in the land, what, alas! will be said of me, who am the cause thereof? SECOND SEMI-CHORUS Yet may fate again bring low the brilliant victor; 'tis this brave thought that twines about my heart. FIRST SEMI-CHORUS Thou speak'st of the gods as if they were just. SECOND SEMI-CHORUS For who but they allot whate'er betides? FIRST SEMI-CHORUS I see much at variance in their dealings with men. SECOND SEMI-CHORUS The former fear hath warped thy judgment. Vengeance calls vengeance forth; slaughter calls for slaughter, but the gods give respite from affliction, holding in their own hands each thing's allotted end. FIRST SEMI-CHORUS Would I could reach yon plains with turrets crowned, leaving Callichorus, fountain of the goddess! SECOND SEMI-CHORUS O that some god would give me wings to fly to the city of rivers twain! FIRST SEMI-CHORUS So might'st thou see and know the fortunes of thy friends. SECOND SEMI-CHORUS What fate, what issue there awaits the valiant monarch of this land? FIRST SEMI-CHORUS Once more do we invoke the gods we called upon before; yea, in our fear this is our first and chiefest trust. SECOND SEMI-CHORUS O Zeus, father to the child the heifer-mother bore in days long past, that daughter of Inachus! FIRST SEMI-CHORUS O be gracious, I pray, and champion this city! SECOND SEMI-CHORUS 'Tis thy own darling, thy own settler in the city of Argos that I am striving from outrage to rescue for the funeral pyre. (A MESSENGER enters.) MESSENGER Ladies, I bring you tidings of great joy, myself escaped-for I was taken prisoner in the battle which cost those chieftains seven their lives near Dirce's fount-to bear the news of Theseus' victory. But I will save thee tedious questioning; I was the servant of Capaneus, whom Zeus with scorching bolt to ashes burnt. LEADER OF THE CHORUS Friend of friends, fair thy news of thy own return, nor less the news about Theseus; and if the host of Athens, too, is safe, welcome will all thy message be. MESSENGER 'Tis safe, and all hath happened as I would it had befallen Adrastus and his Argives, whom from Inachus he led, to march against the city of the Cadmeans. LEADER How did the son of Aegeus and his fellow-warriors raise their trophy to Zeus? Tell us, for thou wert there and canst gladden us who were not. MESSENGER Bright shone the sun, one levelled line of light, upon the world, as by Electra's gate I stood to watch, from a turret with a far outlook. And lo! I saw the host in three divisions, deploying its mail-clad warriors on the high ground by the banks of Ismenus; this last I heard; and with them was the king himself,
(THESEUS and his retinue depart. The following lines between the SEMI-CHORUSES are chanted responsively.)
FIRST SEMI-CHORUS Unhappy mothers of those hapless chiefs! How wildly in my heart pale fear stirs up alarm! SECOND SEMI-CHORUS What is this new cry thou utterest? FIRST SEMI-CHORUS I fear the issue of the strife, whereto the hosts of Pallas march. SECOND SEMI-CHORUS Dost speak of issues of the sword, or interchange of words? FIRST SEMI-CHORUS That last were gain indeed; but if the carnage of battle, fighting, and the noise of beaten breasts again be heard in the land, what, alas! will be said of me, who am the cause thereof? SECOND SEMI-CHORUS Yet may fate again bring low the brilliant victor; 'tis this brave thought that twines about my heart. FIRST SEMI-CHORUS Thou speak'st of the gods as if they were just. SECOND SEMI-CHORUS For who but they allot whate'er betides? FIRST SEMI-CHORUS I see much at variance in their dealings with men. SECOND SEMI-CHORUS The former fear hath warped thy judgment. Vengeance calls vengeance forth; slaughter calls for slaughter, but the gods give respite from affliction, holding in their own hands each thing's allotted end. FIRST SEMI-CHORUS Would I could reach yon plains with turrets crowned, leaving Callichorus, fountain of the goddess! SECOND SEMI-CHORUS O that some god would give me wings to fly to the city of rivers twain! FIRST SEMI-CHORUS So might'st thou see and know the fortunes of thy friends. SECOND SEMI-CHORUS What fate, what issue there awaits the valiant monarch of this land? FIRST SEMI-CHORUS Once more do we invoke the gods we called upon before; yea, in our fear this is our first and chiefest trust. SECOND SEMI-CHORUS O Zeus, father to the child the heifer-mother bore in days long past, that daughter of Inachus! FIRST SEMI-CHORUS O be gracious, I pray, and champion this city! SECOND SEMI-CHORUS 'Tis thy own darling, thy own settler in the city of Argos that I am striving from outrage to rescue for the funeral pyre. (A MESSENGER enters.) MESSENGER Ladies, I bring you tidings of great joy, myself escaped-for I was taken prisoner in the battle which cost those chieftains seven their lives near Dirce's fount-to bear the news of Theseus' victory. But I will save thee tedious questioning; I was the servant of Capaneus, whom Zeus with scorching bolt to ashes burnt. LEADER OF THE CHORUS Friend of friends, fair thy news of thy own return, nor less the news about Theseus; and if the host of Athens, too, is safe, welcome will all thy message be. MESSENGER 'Tis safe, and all hath happened as I would it had befallen Adrastus and his Argives, whom from Inachus he led, to march against the city of the Cadmeans. LEADER How did the son of Aegeus and his fellow-warriors raise their trophy to Zeus? Tell us, for thou wert there and canst gladden us who were not. MESSENGER Bright shone the sun, one levelled line of light, upon the world, as by Electra's gate I stood to watch, from a turret with a far outlook. And lo! I saw the host in three divisions, deploying its mail-clad warriors on the high ground by the banks of Ismenus; this last I heard; and with them was the king himself,