Eumenides

Perseus Greek · Perseus Greek · 360 sections

2.875
What anguish steals into my breast! Hear my anger, mother Night; for the deceptions of the gods, hard to fight, have deprived me of my ancient honors, bringing me to nothing.
2.881
No, I will not grow tired of telling you about these good things, so you will never be able to say that you, an ancient goddess, were cast out, dishonored and banished, from this land by me, a younger goddess, and by the mortal guardians of my city.
2.885
But if you give holy reverence to Persuasion, the sweetness and charm of my tongue, then you might remain. But if you are not willing to stay, then surely it would be unjust for you to inflict on this city any wrath or rage or harm to the people.
2.890
For it is possible for you to have a share of the land justly, with full honors.
892
Lady Athena, what place do you say I will have?
893
One free from all pain and distress; accept it.
894
Say that I have accepted it, what honor awaits me?
895
That no house will flourish without you.
896
Will you gain for me the possession of such power?
897
Yes, for we will set straight the fortunes of those who worship.
898
And will you give me a pledge for all time?
899
Yes, for I have no need to say what I will not accomplish.
900
It seems you will win me by your spells; I am letting go my anger.
901
Then stay in the land and you will gain other friends.
902
What blessings then do you advise me to invoke on this land?
903
Blessings that aim at a victory not evil; blessings from the earth and from the waters of the sea
905
and from the heavens: that the breathing gales of wind may approach the land in radiant sunshine, and that the fruit of the earth and offspring of grazing beasts, flourishing in overflow, may not fail my citizens in the course of time, and that the seed of mortals will be kept safe.
910
May you make more prosperous the offspring of godly men; for I, like a gardener, cherish the race of these just men, free of sorrow. Pointing to the audience. Such blessings are yours to give. I, for my part, will not allow this city to be without honor among mortals,
915
this city victorious in the glorious contests of deadly war.
1.916
I will accept a home with Pallas, and I will not dishonor a city which she, with Zeus the omnipotent and Ares, holds as a fortress of the gods,
1.920
the bright ornament that guards the altars of the gods of Hellas. I pray for the city, with favorable prophecy, that the bright gleam of the sun may cause blessings that give happiness to life
1.925
to spring from the earth, in plenty.
927
I act zealously for these citizens in this way, installing here among them divinities great and hard to please.
930
For they have been appointed to arrange everything among mortals. Yet the one who has not found them grievous does not know where the blows of life come from. For the sins of his fathers
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drag him before them; destruction, in silence and hateful wrath, levels him to the dust, for all his loud boasting.
1.938
May no hurtful wind blow to harm the trees—I declare my favor—
1.940
and may no burning heat, stealing the buds from plants, pass the border of its proper place; may no deadly plague draw near to kill the fruit; may the earth nurture the thriving flocks
1.945
with twin offspring at the appointed time; and may the rich produce of the earth always pay the gods’ gift of lucky gain.
949
Do you hear, guards of my city,
950
the things she will accomplish? For the lady Erinys is very powerful, both with the deathless gods and with those below the earth; and in their dealings with mankind, they accomplish matters visibly, perfectly; to some giving songs,
955
to others a life made dim by tears.
2.956
I forbid deadly and untimely fate for men; grant to lovely maidens life with a husband,
2.960
you that have the rightful power; you, divine Fates, our sisters by one mother, divinities who distribute justly, who have a share in every home,
2.965
and whose righteous visitations press heavily at every season, most honored everywhere among the gods!
968
I am glad that they are zealously accomplishing these things for my land;
970
and I am grateful to Persuasion, that her glance kept watch over my tongue and mouth, when I encountered their fierce refusal. But Zeus of the assembly has prevailed. Our rivalry
975
in doing good is victorious forever.
2.976
I pray that discord, greedy for evil, may never clamor in this city, and may the dust not drink
2.980
the black blood of its people and through passion cause ruinous murder for vengeance to the destruction of the state.
2.985
But may they return joy for joy in a spirit of common love, and may they hate with one mind; for this is the cure of many an evil in the world.
988
Do they not then intend to find the path of good speech?
990
From these terrible faces I see great profit for these citizens; for, if you always greatly honor with kindness the kindly ones, you will surely be pre-eminent, keeping your land and city in the straight path
995
of justice.
3.996
Farewell, farewell, in the wealth allotted to you by fate. Farewell, people of the city, seated near to Zeus, the beloved of the beloved maiden,
3.1000
learning at last the way of wisdom. The Father stands in awe of you, since you are under Pallas’ wings.
1003
Farewell to you also; but I must lead the way to show you your dwellings
1005
by the sacred light of these, your escorts. Go, and, speeding beneath the earth with these solemn sacrifices, hold back what is ruinous to the land, but send what is profitable for the city to win her victory.
1010
You who hold the city, children of Cranaus, lead on their way these new dwellers here. May there be good will in the citizens in return for good done to them!
3.1014
Farewell, farewell, again, I repeat,
3.1015
all you in the city, both gods and mortals, living in Pallas’ city; if you duly revere my residence among you, you will not blame
3.1020
the chances of life.
1021
I approve the words of your invocation, and will escort you by the light of gleaming torches to the places below and beneath the earth, with the attendant women who guard my image
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in duty bound. For the eye of the whole land of Theseus will come forth, a glorious troop of children, matrons and a band of old women. Dress them honorably in robes dyed scarlet, and let the torches’ light move on,
1030
so that this kindly company of visitors to our land may show itself afterwards in blessings that bring prosperity to men.
1.1032
Go on your way to your home, children of Night: mighty, lovers of honor, children, yet aged, under kindly escort—
1.1035
you who dwell in the land, refrain from inauspicious speech!
1.1036
Under the primeval caverns of the earth, gaining the high honor of worship and sacrifice—all you people, refrain from inauspicious speech!
2.1040
Gracious and favorable to the land, come here, venerable goddesses, with flame-fed torch, rejoicing as you go—cry aloud now in echo to our song!
2.1044
Peace endures for all time between Pallas’ citizens and these new dwellers here.
2.1045
Zeus who sees all and Fate have come down to lend aid—cry aloud now in echo to our song! Exeunt omnes.

Perseus Greek. CTS URN tlg0085.tlg007.perseus-eng2. Via the Perseus Digital Library / Open Greek and Latin TEI corpora. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source.