_King._ What wilt thou do with this device of girdles? _Chor._ With tablets new these sculptures we'll adorn. _King._ Thou speak'st a riddle. Make thy meaning plain. _Chor._ Upon these Gods we'll hang ourselves at once. _King._ I hear a word which pierces to the heart. 460 _Chor._ Thou see'st our meaning. Eyes full clear I've given. _King._ Lo then! in many ways sore troubles come. A host of evils rushes like a flood; A sea of woe none traverse, fathomless, This have I entered; haven there is none. For if I fail to do this work for you, Thou tellest of defilement unsurpassed;[238] And if for thee against Ægyptos' sons, Thy kindred, I before my city's walls In conflict stand, how can there fail to be A bitter loss, to stain the earth with blood 470 Of man for woman's sake? And yet I needs Must fear the wrath of Zeus, the suppliant's God; That dread is mightiest with the sons of men. Thou, then, O aged father of these maidens! Taking forthwith these branches in thine arms, Lay them on other altars of the Gods Our country worships, that the citizens May all behold this token of thy coming, And about me let no rash speech be dropped; For 'tis a people prompt to blame their rulers. And then perchance some one beholding them, 480 And pitying, may wax wrathful 'gainst the outrage Of that male troop, and with more kindly will The people look on you; for evermore Men all wish well unto the weaker side. _Dan._ This boon is counted by us of great price, To find a patron proved so merciful. And thou, send with us guides to lead us on, And tell us how before their shrines to find The altars of the Gods that guard the State, *And holy places columned round about; And safety for us, as the town we traverse. Not of like fashion is our features' stamp; 490 For Neilos rears not race like Inachos.[239] Take heed lest rashness lead to bloodshed here; Ere now, unknowing, men have slain their friends. _King_ (_to Attendants_). Go then, my men; full well the stranger speaks; And lead him where the city's altars stand, The seats of Gods; and see ye talk not much To passers-by as ye this traveller lead, A suppliant at the altar-hearth of Gods. [_Exeunt_ DANAOS _and Attendants_ _Chor._ Thou speak'st to him; and may he go as bidden! But what shall I do? What hope giv'st thou me? _King._ Leave here those boughs, the token of your grief. 500 _Chor._ Lo! here I leave them at thy beck and word. _King._ Now turn thy steps towards this open lawn. _Chor._ What shelter gives a lawn unconsecrate?[240] _King._ We will not yield thee up to birds of prey. _Chor._ Nay, but to foes far worse than fiercest dragons. _King._ Good words should come from those who good have heard. _Chor._ No wonder they wax hot whom fear enthrals. _King._ But dread is still for rulers all unmeet.