Stasimon 4
[Choral 1]
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,
Chorus
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
920
to spring from the earth, in plenty.
925
[Choral]
I act zealously for these citizens in this way, installing here among them divinities great and hard to please.
Athena
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
930
drag him before them; destruction, in silence and hateful wrath, levels him to the dust, for all his loud boasting.
935
[Choral 1]
May no hurtful wind blow to harm the trees—I declare my favor—
Chorus
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
940
with twin offspring at the appointed time; and may the rich produce of the earth always pay the gods’ gift of lucky gain.Because the god’s gifts of precious metals (the Athenians have especially silver in mind) must be found, as it were, by luck; and Hermes is the god of lucky finds. ἕρμαιον is an unexpected find.
945
[Choral]
Do you hear, guards of my city,
Athena
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,
950
to others a life made dim by tears.
955
[Choral 2]
I forbid deadly and untimely fate for men; grant to lovely maidens life with a husband,
Chorus
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,
960
and whose righteous visitations press heavily at every season, most honored everywhere among the gods!
965
[Choral]
I am glad that they are zealously accomplishing these things for my land;
Athena
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.Zeus presides over the assemblies of citizens and directs the speech of public men. Our rivalry
970
in doing good is victorious forever.
975
[Choral 2]
I pray that discord, greedy for evil, may never clamor in this city, and may the dust not drink
Chorus
the black blood of its people and through passion cause ruinous murder for vengeance to the destruction of the state.The expression of the thought take reprisals in a civil war, is overloaded and the grammatical relation of the words is involved. More exactly: seize greedily (as a wild beast seizes his prey) upon calamities—of vengeance—to the State, calamities in which blood is shed in requital for blood.
980
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.
985
[Choral]
Do they not then intend to find the path of good speech?
Athena
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
990
[Choral 3]
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,
Chorus
learning at last the way of wisdom. The Father stands in awe of you, since you are under Pallas’ wings.
1000
[Choral]
Farewell to you also; but I must lead the way to show you your dwellings
Athena
by the sacred light of these, your escorts.The Chorus is now to be solemnly conducted to the cave beneath the Hill of Ares, the seat of the worship of the Venerable Ones (Σεμναί, l. 1041), with whom the poet here identifies the Erinyes, the Angry Ones, the Avenging Spirits. The identification seems also to include the Eumenides, the Kindly Ones, who were worshipped at Sicyon, at Argos, and in Attica at Phlya and Colonus (see Soph. OT). The procession is formed by Athena (at its head), the Chorus, the Areopagites, torch-bearers, the women who guard the Palladium, and various others. In the rear came the Athenian public.
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.
1005
You who hold the city, children of Cranaus,Cranaus was the mythical founder of the rocky city (κραναός rocky), a favourite name of Athens. lead on their way these new dwellers here. May there be good will in the citizens in return for good done to them!
1010
[Choral 3]
Farewell, farewell, again, I repeat,
Chorus
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
1015
the chances of life.
1020