And then shall Zeus to words Unseemly be exposed, Having the heifer's offspring put to shame, 160 Whom he himself begat, And now his face averting from our prayers: Ah, may he hear on high, Yea, pitying look and hear propitiously! By thine ire, Zeus, 'gainst Io virulent, The Gods' wrath seeks us out, And I know well the woe Comes from thy queen, who reigns in heaven victorious; For after stormy wind 170 The tempest needs must rage. _Danaos._ My children, we need wisdom; lo! ye came With me, your father wise and old and true, As guardian of your voyage. Now ashore, With forethought true I bid you keep my words, As in a tablet-book recording them: I see a dust, an army's voiceless herald, Nor are the axles silent as they turn; And I descry a host that bear the shield, And those that hurl the javelin, marching on With horses and with curvèd battle-cars. Perchance they are the princes of this land, 180 Come on the watch, as having news of us; But whether one in kindly mood, or hot With anger fierce, leads on this great array, It is, my children, best on all accounts To take your stand hard by this hill of Gods Who rule o'er conflicts.[220] Better far than towers Are altars, yea, a shield impenetrable. But with all speed approach the shrine of Zeus, The God of mercy, in your left hand holding The suppliants' boughs wool-wreathed, in solemn guise,[221] And greet our hosts as it is meet for us, 190 Coming as strangers, with all duteous words Kindly and holy, telling them your tale Of this your flight, unstained by guilt of blood; And with your speech, let mood not overbold, Nor vain nor wanton, shine from modest brow And calm, clear eye. And be not prompt to speak, Nor full of words; the race that dwelleth here Of this is very jealous:[222] and be mindful Much to concede; a fugitive thou art, A stranger and in want, and 'tis not meet That those in low estate high words should speak. _Chor._ My father, to the prudent prudently 200 Thou speakest, and my task shall be to keep Thy goodly precepts. Zeus, our sire, look on us! _Dan._ Yea, may He look with favourable eye! _Chor._ I fain would take my seat not far from thee. [_Chorus moves to the altar not far from_ DANAOS _Dan._ Delay not then; success go with your plan. _Chor._ Zeus, pity us with sorrow all but crushed! _Dan._ If He be willing, all shall turn out well. _Chor._ . . . . . _Dan._ Invoke ye now the mighty bird of Zeus.[223] _Chor._ We call the sun's bright rays to succour us. _Dan._ Apollo too, the holy, in that He, 210 A God, has tasted exile from high heaven.[224] _Chor._ Knowing that fate, He well may feel for men.