With guile they pursue me, with counsel malign,
And unholy their soul;
And as ravens they seize me, unheeding the shrine!
Danaus
Fair will befall us, children, in this chance,
If thus in wrath they wrong the gods and you.
Chorus
Alas, nor tridents nor the sanctity
Of shrines will drive them, O my sire, from us!
Unholy and daring and cursed is their ire,
Nor own they control
Of the gods, but like jackals they glut their desire!
Danaus
Ay, but Come wolf, flee jackal, saith the saw;
Nor can the flax-plant overbear the corn.
Chorus
Lustful, accursèd, monstrous is their will
As of beasts ravening—'ware we of their power!
Danaus
Look you, not swiftly puts a fleet to sea,
Nor swiftly to its moorings; long it is
Or e'er the saving cables to the shore
Are borne, and long or e'er the steersmen cry,
The good ship swings at anchor—all is well.
Longest of all, the task to come aland
