Parados
Chorus - May Zeus, who guardeth suppliants, of his grace look upon our company that took ship and put to sea from the outmost land of fine sand at the outlets of the Nile. For we have fled the land of Zeus whose pastures border upon Syria, and are fugitives, not indeed by public ban of outlawry pronounced for deed of blood, but by our own act to escape the suit of man, since we abhor, as impious, all wedlock with the sons of Aegyptus. It was Danaus, our sire, author of our counsels and leader of our band, who, weighing well our course, decided, as best for our good report in a choice of evils, that we flee with all speed over the billows of the main and find a haven on Argos’ shore. For thence, indeed, hath grown our race that claims to have sprung from the caressing of the gnat-tormented heifer at the hands of Zeus, and from the on-breathing of his love.
Nay, to what land more delightsome than this could we come with these wool-wreathed branches in our hands, sole weapons of the suppliant? O realm, O land, and clear water; ye gods on high and ye nether powers, grievous in your vengeance, that inhabit the tomb; and thou, Zeus the Saviour, who art invoked third, the guardian of the habitations of righteous men: receive as suppliants this band of women with the compassionate spirit of the land; but the thronging swarm of wanton men born of Aegyptus, ere they set foot upon this marshy land, do ye drive seaward – them and with them their swift barque – and there may they encounter a cruel sea with thunder, lightning, and rain-charged winds, and perish by the tempest’s buffeting blasts, ere ever they lay their hands on us, their cousins, and mount unwilling beds from which Right holds them aloof. (ll. 1-40)
Chorus - Such piteous strains of woe I utter in my plaint, now shrill, now deep, blended with falling tears – strains meet (alas, alas!) for funeral wails; while yet I live, I chant my own dirge.
I invoke the grace of Apia’s land of hills (for well, O land, thou canst understand my barbarous speech), and oft I lay my hands upon my Sidonian veil and rend its linen into shreds. (ll. 112-122)
Chorus - Yet, if she will not, we, a swart, sun-smitten race, with suppliant boughs will fare unto the nether Zeus, Zeus the great hospitaler of the dead; for if the gods of Olympus hearken not unto us, we will perish by the noose.
Ah Zeus, ’tis through poisonous hate of Io that vengeance from the gods pursueth us. I ken thy consort’s spite that subdueth all heaven; for upon a stubborn wind followeth a stormy sea.
And shall not Zeus then be liable to the charge of injustice that he contemned the child of the heifer, the child whom he himself begat of yore, his very own, now that he holdeth his face averted from our prayers? Nay may he from on high hearken to our call! (ll.154-175)
Chorus – Not to be made bondswomen to Aegyptus’ race.
King – By reason of hatred? Or dost thou speak of unlawfulness?
Chorus – Who would purchase their lords from among their kin?
King – ’Tis thus that families have their power enhanced.
Chorus – Aye, ’tis easy then, if things go ill, to put away a wife.
King – How then am I to deal with you in accordance with my righteous duty?
Chorus – By not surrendering us at the demand of Aegyptus’ sons.
King – A serious request in sooth – to take upon myself a dangerous war.
Chorus – Aye, but Justice protects her champions.
King – True, if she had a part therein from the first.
Chorus – Do you show reverence for the helm of the State thus engarlanded.
King – I shrink as I gaze upon these shrines shaded o’er with leafage.
Chorus – Aye yet heavy in truth is the wrath of Zeus, god of the suppliants.
(335-347)
Chorus – Hear now the end of my manifold appeals for compassion.
King – I hear; say on. It shall not escape me.
Chorus – I have breast-bands and girdles wherewith to gather up my robes.
King – Such things are proper, no doubt, to womenfolk.
Chorus – In these then, be sure, I have a rare contrivance –
King – Tell me what speech thou hast in mind to utter.
Chorus – If thou wilt not engage thyself to give some pledge unto our company –
King – What is the contrivance of the sashes to effect for thee?
Chorus – To adorn these images with tablets of strange sort.
King – Thy words are riddling; come, explain in simple speech.
Chorus – To hang ourselves forthwith from the statues of yon gods.
King – I mark a threat that is a lash unto my heart.
Chorus – Thou hast grasped my intent, for I have cleared thy vision. (455-467)
Chorus – Never may pestilence empty this city of its men nor strife stain the soil of the land with the blood of native slain. But may the flower of its youth be unculled, and may Ares, the partner of Aphrodite’s bed, he who maketh havoc of men, not shear off their bloom. (661-666)
Danaus – …in addition to the many other sage injunctions of your sire recorded in your memory, do ye inscribe this withal – that an unknown company is proved by time. For in an alien’s case, all the world bears an evil tongue in readiness, and it is easy lightly to utter slander that defiles. Wherefore I would have ye bring no shame upon me, now when your youthful loveliness attracts men’s gaze. The tender ripeness of summer fruit is in no wise easy to protect; beasts despoil it – and men, why not? – and brutes that fly and those that walk the earth. Love’s goddess makes bruit abroad of fruit bursting ripe….So all men, as they pass, mastered by desire, shoot an alluring arrow of the eye at the delicate beauty of virgins. See to it, therefore, that we suffer not that in fear whereof we have endured great toil and ploughed the great waters with our barque; and that we bring no shame to ourselves and exultation to our enemies. Habitation of double sort is at our disposition – the one Pelasgus offers, the other, the city – and to occupy free of cost. These terms are easy. Only pay heed to these behests of your father, and count your chastity more precious than your life. (991-1013)
Aphrodite – …Longs the pure sky to blend with Earth, and Love
Doth Earth impel to yield to his embrace;
The rain shower, falling from the slumberous heaven,
Kisses the Earth; and Earth brings forth for mortals
Pasture for sheep-flocks and Demeter's grain.
The woods in spring their dewy nuptials hold;
And of all these I am in part the cause.
(Fragment 125, presumed to be from Aeschylus’ lost play The Danaids)
Some recommended journal articles:
Lynette G. Mitchell, 'Greeks, Barbarians and Aeschylus' Suppliants,' Greece & Rome, vol. 53, No. 2, (2006) 205-223.
Scott Scullion, '"Nothing to Do with Dionysus": Tragedy Misconceived as Ritual,' The Classical Quarterly, New Series, Vol. 52, No. 1 (2002) 102-137.
Chad Turner, 'Perverted Supplication and Other Inversions in Aeschylus' Danaid Trilody,' The Classical Journal, Vol. 97, No. 1 (Oct. - Nov., 2001) 27-50.
P. E. Easterling, 'Anachronism in Greek Tragedy,' The Journal of Hellenic Studies, Vol. 105 (1985) 1-10.
