_King._ Deep thought we need that brings deliverance, That, like a diver, mine eye too may plunge Clear-seeing to the depths, not wine-bedrenched, That these things may be harmless to the State, And to ourselves may issue favourably: That neither may the strife make you its prey, Nor that we give you up, who thus are set Near holy seat of Gods, and so bring in To dwell with us the Avenger terrible, God that destroyeth, who not e'en in Hades 410 Gives freedom to the dead. Say, think ye not That there is need of counsel strong to save? STROPHE I _Chor._ Take heed to it, and be Friend to the stranger wholly faithful found; Desert not thou the poor, Driven from afar by godless violence. ANTISTROPHE I See me not dragged away, O thou that rul'st the land! from seat of Gods: Know thou men's wanton pride, 420 And guard thyself against the wrath of Zeus. STROPHE II Endure not thou to see thy suppliant, Despite of law, torn off, As horses by their frontlets, from the forms Of sculptured deities, Nor yet the outrage of their wanton hands, Seizing these broidered robes. ANTISTROPHE II For know thou well, whichever course thou take, Thy sons and all thy house *Must pay in war the debt that Justice claims, Proportionate in kind. 430 Lay well to heart these edicts, wise and true, Given by great Zeus himself. _King._ Well then have I thought o'er it. To this point Our ship's course drives. Fierce war we needs must risk Either with these (_pointing to the Gods_) or those. Set fast and firm Is this as is the ship tight wedged in stocks; And without trouble there's no issue out. For wealth indeed, were our homes spoiled of that, There might come other, thanks to Zeus the Giver, More than the loss, and filling up the freight; 440 And if the tongue should aim its adverse darts, Baleful and over-stimulant of wrath, There might be words those words to heal and soothe. But how to blot the guilt of kindred blood, This needs a great atonement—many victims Falling to many Gods—to heal the woe. *I take my part, and turn aside from strife; And I far rather would be ignorant Than wise, forecasting evil. May the end, Against my judgment, show itself as good! _Chor._ Hear, then, the last of all our pleas for pity. _King._ I hear; speak on. It shall not 'scape my heed. 450 _Chor._ Girdles I have, and zones that bind my robes. _King._ Such things are fitting for a woman's state. _Chor._ With these then, know, as good and rare device.... _King._ Nay, speak. What word is this thou'lt utter now? _Chor._ Unless thou giv'st our band thy plighted word....