ATHENA. Thy anger I forgive; for thou'rt the elder. But though thy years bring wisdom, to me also Jove gave a heart, not undiscerning. You-- Mark well my words--if now some foreign land Ye choose, will rue your choice, and long for Athens. The years to be shall float more richly fraught With honor to my citizens; thou shaft hold An honoured seat beside Erectheus' home,[n54] Where men and women in marshalled pomp shall pay thee Such homage, as no land on Earth may render. But cast not ye on this my chosen land Whetstones of fury, teaching knives to drink The blood of tender bowels, madding the heart With wineless drunkenness, that men shall swell Like game cocks for the battle; save my city {168} From brothered strife, and from domestic brawls.[n55] Without the walls, and far from kindred hearths Rage war, where honor calls, and glory crowns. A bird of blood within the house I love not. Use thine election; wisely use it; give A blessing, and a blessing take; with me May this land dear to the gods be dear to thee! CHORUS. VOICE 1. I to dwell 'neath the Earth All clipt of my glory, In the dark-chambered Earth I, the ancient, the hoary! VOICE 2. I breathe on thee curses, I cut through thy marrow, For the insult that pierces My heart like an arrow. VOICE 3. Hear my cry, mother Night, 'Gainst the gods that deceived me! With their harsh-handed might Of my right they bereaved me. ATHENA. To advise thee well I faint not. Never more Shalt thou, a hoary-dated power, complain That I, a younger, or my citizens, From our inhospitable gates expelled thee Of thy due honors shortened. If respect For sacred Peitho's[f24] godhead, for the honey And charming of the tongue may move thee, stay; But, if ye will go, show of justice none Remains, with rancour, wrath, and scathe to smite This land and people. Stands your honoured lot With me for ever, so ye scorn it not. CHORUS. Sovran Athena, what sure home receives me? ATHENA. A home from sorrow free. Receive it freely. CHORUS. And when received, what honors wait me then? ATHENA. No house shall prosper where thy blessing fails. CHORUS. This by thy grace is sure? ATHENA. I will upbuild His house who honours thee. CHORUS. This pledged for ever? ATHENA. I cannot promise what I not perform. CHORUS. Thy words have soothed me, and my wrath relents. {169} ATHENA. Here harboured thou wilt number many friends. CHORUS. Say, then, how shall my hymn uprise to bless thee?