Stasimon 3
[Choral 1]
May destiny still find me winning the praise of reverent purity in all words and
Chorus
deeds sanctioned by those laws of sublime range, called into life through the high clear aether, whose father is Olympus alone. Their parent was no race of mortal men,
865
no, nor shall oblivion ever lay them to sleep: the god is mighty in them, and he does not grow old.
870
Insolence breeds the tyrant. Insolence, once vainly stuffed with wealth
that is not proper or good for it, when it has scaled the topmost ramparts, is hurled to
a dire doom, where one’s feet cannot serve to good advantage. But I pray
that the god never
875
quell such rivalry as benefits the state. I will always hold the god as our protector.
880
[Choral 2]
But if any man walks haughtily in deed or word,
Chorus
with no fear of Justice, no reverence for the images of gods, may an evil doom seize him for his ill-starred pride, if he does not gain his advantage fairly,
885
or avoid unholy deeds, but seeks to lay profaning hands on sanctities. Where such things occur, what mortal shall boast any more that he can ward off the arrow of the gods from his life?
890
No. For if such deeds are held in honor, why should we join in the sacred dance?
895
No longer will I go reverently to the earth’s central and inviolate
shrine, no more to Abae’s temple or to Olympia,
if these oracles do not fit the outcome, so that all mortals shall point at them with their fingers.
900
No, King—if this you are rightly called—Zeus all ruling, may it not escape you and your deathless power! The old prophecies concerning Laius are fading; already men give them no value, and nowhere is Apollo glorified with honors;
905
the worship of the gods is perishing.
910