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the crew of the bark!
DANAUS
Yea but a crew as stout they here shall find, And arms well steeled beneath a noon-day sun.
CHORUS
Ah yet, O father, leave us not forlorn! Alone, a maid is nought, a strengthless arm. 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 Where haven there is none, when sunset fades In night. To pilot wise, the adage saith, Night is a day of wakefulness and pain. Therefore no force of weaponed men, as yet Scatheless can come ashore, before the bank Lie at her anchorage securely moored. Bethink thee therefore, nor in panic leave The shrine of gods whose succour thou hast won I go for aid--men shall not blame me long, Old, but with youth at heart and on my tongue [Exit DANAUS.
CHORUS
O land of hill and dale, O holy land, What shall befall us? whither shall we flee, From Apian land to some dark lair of earth?
O would that in vapour of smoke I might rise to the clouds of the sky, That as dust which flits up without wings I might pass and evanish and die! I dare not, I dare not abide: my heart yearns,